Gone Too Deep Read Online Free

her, and her cheeks reddened as she imagined how silly she must have looked—first sprawled across the parking lot and then hanging from the bearded man’s hands with her booties dangling a foot off the ground. “Do you have a restroom?”
    The barista pointed toward the bathroom door. “Right there.”
    With a tight smile, Ellie hurried toward it, locking herself into the tiny room with a relieved sigh. She was glad to escape the amused and curious eyes. Once she was done, she washed her hands for a long time, until she couldn’t continue to delay returning to the main part of the shop. If she hid in the restroom any longer, someone was sure to come in and check on her, and that was just asking for further humiliation.
    Her latte was waiting on the counter for her when she finally emerged. Ignoring the prickle on the back of her neck, telling her that everyone in the shop had refocused their gazes on her, she stood stiffly at the counter as the barista rang her up.
    â€œSo,” the blond said quietly, leaning in toward Ellie, “did George actually talk to you? Because I’ve never gotten more than a grunt out of him.”
    â€œGeorge?” Ellie repeated in confusion, handing the woman a twenty.
    â€œGeorge Holloway,” the barista said, as if that clarified anything. “The man who gave you a literal lift to the door.”
    â€œOh.” Her cheeks warmed again as she accepted her change. “No. He didn’t say anything, just glared at my booties like he was mad at them.”
    The blond woman laughed, leaning forward so she could see over the counter. Ellie took a big step back so the barista could see the ankle boots under discussion. “I don’t know how he could be mad at them,” she said once she’d gotten a good look. “Those are adorable. Obviously, George is not a fashionista.”
    Ellie had been taking a sip of her latte when she started to laugh, and she pressed the fingers of her free hand to her mouth so she didn’t spew coffee everywhere. “Obviously,” she echoed once she’d safely swallowed.
    â€œI’m Lou Sparks,” the barista said. “Louise, really, but please don’t call me that. I always feel like I’m in trouble when I hear my full name.”
    â€œEllie Price. And I’m the same way about my name. It’s actually Eleanor, but no one calls me that.” Except for her estranged father. Her mouth turned down at the memory of his panicked call.
    â€œNice to meet you.” Lou held out a hand, and Ellie shook it. “Sorry about watching you and George. Our entertainment is the do-it-yourself variety. Some towns have film festivals, but Simpson has gossip.”
    â€œOh.” As Ellie was still trying to figure out how to respond to that, Lou’s gaze shifted over Ellie’s shoulder.
    â€œGood timing.” Reaching under the counter, Lou pulled out a large envelope. “George just dropped off his report on that missing-hikers call.”
    â€œThanks, Lou.” A male hand reached to accept the envelope, and Ellie shifted to the side, out of the stranger’s way, turning as she did so. The man wasn’t very tall, but he had a wrestler’s build and a sharply defined face. After giving a Lou a smile of thanks, his gaze moved to Ellie, and his grin widened. “And who is this?” His eyes swept over her from face to feet, lingering just a little too long on her breasts. She fought the urge to cross her arms.
    â€œThis is Ellie.” Lou introduced her as if the women had been childhood friends rather than having just met. “Ellie, this is Joseph Acconcio. He heads up the Field County Search and Rescue.”
    â€œEllie.” He shook her hand and then held it, not letting go even when she tried to discreetly tug free. If anything, his grip tightened. “Where are you visiting from?”
    She knew better than to ask how he knew she