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“Do I need to move? I can be out of here in just a few minutes.”

“Nope,” he said, pressing a kiss to her hair. “This is my room. You stay exactly where you are.”

She twisted a little more. “This is your room? You sneaky bastard.”

Connor grinned and winked at her. “Yup.”

He smacked her on the ass. “Let’s go. We need to be there early today.”

They showered together again, him helping her to and from with a strong arm she could brace against. They grabbed a quick sandwich to eat for breakfast. Then they were climbing in the truck and heading for the park. It was a beautiful Texas day. The wind was blowing, but not too hard. Maybe it would keep some of the heat at bay.

Feeling more feminine than she had in a long time, Olivia had chosen a pretty pink blouse and blue jeans shorts set, something she normally only wore around the house. People were going to stare at her leg, but she kind of didn’t care. The pain had begun to ease in her chest, and her head wasn’t throbbing to her heartbeat. The stitches itched, and again, she debated pulling them herself. The skin was closed beneath… She’d give them one more day, then they were coming out.

Last night had changed her for the better. Just having one person’s support made all the difference. Or maybe it was just the good sex. She wasn’t guarding as much today, and she was looking forward to seeing Connor’s men again and feeling like a part of the group.

Connor seemed to be in a good mood as well. They laughed and chuckled through the shower, and breakfast, comparing notes about crazy patients and bosses. It was one of the most enjoyable days Olivia could remember having, and it had barely started.

It occurred to her as she was stuffing her mouth with English muffin that this was going to hurt when she left. Connor was an incredible man. He was the first man she had clicked with well enough that she was considering hanging around. She couldn’t, really. She had a job to do in Corpus Christi. But maybe she could stop back through when it was over. If he wanted her to.

Until then, she was going to enjoy the moment.

* * *

It was the last, biggest day of the Lockhart BBQ Fest.

When they arrived a little after nine, there were some guys in the pavilion circle, but not as many. Manu puttered around, looking distracted. He paused long enough to give them a smile, then turned back to his grills.

Courtney Michaels was on the PA almost as soon as they entered the grounds, demanding his presence in the judges’ tent. Connor rolled his eyes at Olivia, making her laugh. He held out a hand to her. “Let’s go see what kind of drama Courtney has created now. Maybe she needs her antenna adjusted again.”

Olivia laughed, though she felt bad for him. It seemed a little ridiculous using the fire chief to diagnose petty problems. As they walked through the grounds, she waved at a few people she recognized from the day before. Bill and Emily’s trailer debris had been removed and the site washed free. It was now just a big empty spot in the long line of smokers and trailers. The Rise and Swine was in the other direction, so she didn’t know if Pete Crocker had left or not. His meat had been ruined, but maybe something had been spared. If he was last year’s champion, maybe he had something up his sleeve.

Courtney was even more dramatic today, and it took a moment for Olivia to realize she seemed to be a little tipsy. Courtney pulled Connor across the tent by his elbow and pointed at the office area with a dagger-like finger. “Someone has been in my stuff.”

Olivia glanced around the area. It did look like it had been ransacked. It hadn’t been spotless before, but it had been fairly organized. “What were they looking for?”

“I don’t know,” Courtney breathed, leaning against Connor’s elbow. “I always keep the important stuff with me.” She patted her bright, glittered Kate Spade bag.

“Is there a safe where you keep the money?”

“A safe?” she repeated, staring at him uncomprehendingly.

“The prize money?” Connor prompted. “The winner of the BBQ Fest gets fifty thousand dollars, right? You’ve been promoting it’s going to be paid in cash.”

“Oh, yes.” She leaned in conspiratorially. “I keep that in my bag with me.”

Connor looked at Olivia, and she couldn’t help but roll her eyes. Of course, the drunk woman had fifty thousand dollars in her purse.

“Courtney, I think we need to talk to the police. If someone ransacked your office area, they may have been looking for the money.”

Her eyes widened theatrically. One of her false eyelashes had been glue on crooked. “Seriously?”

“Yes. Let me call a friend of mine.”

Connor used his radio to call dispatch. “Can you contact Captain Evans on the PD and see if he’s at the festival. If he is, send him my way, please.”

“Yes, sir,” the voice said.

They kept Courtney talking as they waited for the PD officer to arrive. When he did, Courtney’s eyes opened wide.