“Listen, Red?—”
“Scarlett.”
Her sweet taste was still present on his lips and tongue, but Olly ignored it and put himself back into her personal space. “Fine. Listen,Scarlett. I get that you want to help find your sister, but I’m going to go out on a limb and bet that this sort of scene isn’t exactly part of your world.”
“You don’t know anything about my world,” she seethed. “There’s a whole lot more to me than whatever that private investigator of yours dug up. Not that you care.”
Oh, I care, sweetheart. Far more than I should.
“You’re a kindergarten teacher.” The words were almost an accusation. “You spend your days playing with a bunch of little kids.”
Fire erupted behind her angered gaze. “You didnotjust say that to me.”
Damn, she was feisty.
I rather like feisty.
In hindsight, however, Olly realized insulting her career probably wasn’t the best way to get his point across. So he filled his lungs with a cleansing breath and tried again.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean…” He blew out a breath and ran a hand over his jaw. “Look, all I meant was that you live in a world surrounded by laughter and innocence. But look around you, sweetheart. There isn’t anything innocent or joyful about where we’re at. Or where your sister might be. Now, I appreciate your offer to help, but I’m going to Durango alone.”
“And I’m just supposed to do what, exactly? Sit on my hands and wait like a good little girl?”
“Actually, no.” Olly shook his head. “I think it’s best if you go back to your hotel and get a good night’s sleep. Then, in the morning, check out and fly that sweet ass of yours back home to Indiana. If I find Rose, you’ll be the first call I make.”
Cutting ties while he could, he spun on his heels and began marching back to his car. He made it all of three steps before a very pissed-off Scarlett caught up to him.
“Seriously? After everything I’ve done to try to find her, you expect me to just go back home and wait for your call?”
“Yep.”
“Uh, how about not a chance in hell.” Scarlett sprinted her next steps to put her ahead of where he was walking, and then she turned and stopped dead center in his path.
Olly nearly bumped into her in his efforts to halt his movements. “What the hell are you doing?”
“I’m coming with you.”
“No. You’re not.”
“Yes. I am.” She crossed her arms and lifted her chin in a clear show of defiance.
Goddamn, she’s adorable.
“Go home, Scarlett.”
“Kiss my ass, Olly.”
Oh, he wanted to kiss something, all right. Instead, he sidestepped her in order to go around. Anticipating the move, Scarlett moved at the same time, effectively blocking his way once more.
“Brooke called me, remember? Not you.”
The womanhadcalled Scarlett. Something that burned his ass for no justifiable reason. Brooke knew Scarlett was Rose’s sister, and the two women had obviously bonded over coffee that morning. It made sense for Brooke to call Rose first.
Didn’t mean he had to like it.
“I’m not here to make your life more difficult,” Scarlett spoke again. “But Iamgoing to Durango to look for my sister. The only question is whether I’m driving myself there or riding with you.”
Olly stared down at her, his lips parting to argue his case once more. But as he searched her determined gaze, he knew in his gut she was telling him the God’s honest truth. If he didn’t take her with him, this stubborn, gorgeous woman who smelled of strawberries and tasted of honey would make the drive herself.