Her Christmas Detective - Laura Ann Page 0,5

her. With as nosy as she seemed to be, she might actually have information that would be helpful and save him some time.

On the other hand, he wasn’t sure having an attractive woman following him around during a case would be a good idea, even if this was something rather small. He’d only come because he owed Bill a favor. Someone like Bella hadn’t been on his radar, though.

She was intriguing, and Hank wouldn’t mind getting to know her better, but he also had a job to do. Was it feasible to think he could hold off on his attraction until this was settled? “It’s not like a missing ring is a big case,” he muttered as he stood from the table. He picked up the plate to take back to the kitchen. “It’ll probably be over quickly, and then if I want to ask her out, I can.”

He nodded, firming his resolve. Work first, then play. If it’s not too late. She was pretty ticked. Hank opened the door to the kitchen, women's voices reaching his ears.

“Can you believe that Neanderthal?” Bella complained to her cousin, who seemed busy at the oven. Bella was pacing, her silky hair blowing behind her as she paced. “Let the professionals handle this,” Bella said in a tight, snippy voice. “As if eating donuts on the job is professional. Ha!”

“I’m no expert at voice types, but I’m pretty sure I don’t sound like that.” Hank raised an eyebrow, slightly amused and slightly frustrated at Bella’s scene. When she spun with a gasp, he had to hold back laughter. She had had no idea he would hear her comments, and it was clear she was regretting them.

“Sorry, Detective,” Emory said from her place at the stove. “Bella has no filter.” She smiled over at him. “But we love her anyway.”

“Gee, thanks,” Bella grumbled.

Emory smiled over her shoulder, then went back to work, completely ignoring the two other people in the room.

Hank fought the desire to shift his weight from one side to the other. It was awkward to have an audience, no matter how much she was ignoring them, and he wasn’t really sure what to do about Bella. It was clear she wasn’t going to take his suggestion lying down, and he really didn’t want her snooping where she shouldn’t.

“Have anything to say for yourself, Detective?” Bella asked, her arms akimbo.

“Me?” Hank jerked back a little. “I wasn’t the one cursing people to high heaven.”

She rolled her eyes. “I wasn’t cursing anyone. I was upset that you’re treating me like a little kid.”

Hank had no control over his eyes as they flitted from her face to her toes and back. “I’m fully aware you’re not a little child,” he said, his voice having gone slightly husky. Could you be any more obvious? He wanted to punch himself. He was acting ridiculous.

Bella’s cheeks turned a light shade of pink and Hank chuckled. He hadn’t thought she would be the type to blush.

Bella brushed her hair over her shoulder and stuck her chin in the air, a defiant look if Hank had ever seen one. “Whether you think that or not, you’re treating me as fragile. Which I’m not. I’m headed into crime reporting, and this is exactly the type of thing I want to do.”

“You want to report on stolen rings?”

Bella threw her hands in the air. “It’s a starting point, isn’t it? A crime was committed. I’ve done some sleuthing, and I want to be a part of the solution.” She put her hands back on her hips and rapidly tapped her toe. “Now...are you willing to work with me or not?”

Hank sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “While I realize a stolen ring is a fairly small crime, there’s still a chance of running into a criminal.” He looked at her sternly. “What if you get caught in the middle of something? What kind of law enforcement officer would I be if I let that happen?”

Bella’s shoulders fell. “I get it, Detective. I do. But this is what I’ve been working for. A mystery, no matter how small, is like a gift from heaven right now. It’s exactly what I need.”

“Why do I get the feeling that you’ll keep doing what you’re doing whether or not you have my permission?” Hank shook his head. He’d seen people like her. Eager to be involved and untrained. It usually meant they’d watched far too many episodes of CSI as a kid, and