Smoking Hot Read Online Free Page B

trouble. Did she have control of any situation?
    â€œI had Tilly bring me back last night. This is my house. I don’t need a dang babysitter.” He continued down the rest of the stairs. “I don’t like sleeping in a strange bed, either. Makes my joints ache. Besides, you’ve been doing all the chores and working at the sheriff’s office. I was up at four this morning and got them all done. Now you can get some decent sleep.”
    â€œYou’re okay, Mr. McCandless?” Ethan asked.
    â€œWhy wouldn’t I be?” Grandpa groused. “I look okay, don’t I? I ain’t too old to milk Bessie or gather a few eggs.”
    Something close to a snort escaped before Ethan covered it with a cough. “You look fine, Mr. McCandless.” He put away his gun.
    Ethan treated Grandpa a lot like he did her. Or was she imagining the tone of his voice? She was tired and on edge. She directed her attention back to her grandfather. She would talk to him later about staying at Tilly’s. “Did you hear anyone in the house, Grandpa?”
    â€œI did.” He came down the rest of the stairs. When his feet were solid on the floor, he reached down and massaged one knee with a grimace. “Damned arthritis,” he mumbled.
    â€œYou’re okay, though?” Ethan asked.
    â€œNo. I’m getting old. Arthritis ain’t a bit fun. Pills don’t help, neither.”
    Her heart skipped a beat. Grandpa didn’t understand the seriousness of the situation. “There was an intruder. He was dressed like a cowboy. Ethan wants to know if he hurt you.” Raine’s gaze ran over him, looking for any sign of injury, but other than being bothered by his arthritis, Grandpa looked fine.
    â€œNo, why would he hurt me? I’m the one who asked him to come.”
    Her eyebrows shot up. “You asked him?”
    â€œYeah, I asked him. I prayed for a miracle and he showed up. I had to do a fine piece of talking to convince him to help. Can’t rightly say why he decided to, but something must’ve changed his mind. All I wanted him to do was watch over you.”
    Finally, they might actually get somewhere. Grandpa would talk to anyone. The intruder was probably looking for work but found a trusting old man he could take advantage of by convincing Grandpa he would watch out for her—if they paid him, of course. Her grandfather was a little gullible at times.
    Ethan’s eyes narrowed. “Can you describe him?”
    Grandpa scratched his chin. “Describe him, you say.” He hesitated, as though he was thinking about the man. “He was tall. Dark blond hair. Blue eyes. Black cowboy hat.”
    â€œIt sounds like the same man,” she confirmed.
    Grandpa looked at her. “Of course it is. Who else would be in the house?”
    â€œWas he armed?” Ethan asked.
    â€œNow why would an angel need a weapon?” Grandpa looked at Ethan as if he was bonkers. “We had us a beer out there under the oak a few days ago and I told him ’bout the troubles Raine’s been having.” He sent a glaring look toward Ethan. “Not that this is any of your business.”
    Her stomach flipped over. Her grandfather’s cognitive abilities were rapidly declining and it broke her heart. If Ethan said one word to him, she…she’d knock him into tomorrow. She had a hell of a right hook!
    Deep breath. Exhale. She had to stay calm, get a grip on the situation. “Grandpa, think about how that sounds. An angel drinking beer?” Her voice was soft, as though she spoke to a child.
    â€œI ain’t crazy, if that’s what you’re thinking, and he ain’t really an angel.”
    She let out a whoosh of air. Good, her grandfather hadn’t completely bought into the stranger’s story.
    â€œHe’s a nephilim.”
    â€œExcuse me?” Ethan’s eyebrows drew together.
    â€œA nephilim,” Grandpa