Out of Eden by Beth Ciotta

benefit from more experience.
    Unfortunately, Kylie had never been able to wrap her mind around sex without an emotional attachment. If she could, she would’ve indulged in casual affairs in search of a skilled lover with the magic touch. A lover who’d show her the orgasmic stars.
    In her dreams, Jack was that man. She hated that she couldn’t wipe those erotic sensations and images from her mind. She hated that she was contemplating risking her heart in order to fulfill a primitive yearning. Maybe she wasn’t wired wrong. Maybe she just hadn’t been with the right man. Maybe she could handle a fling with Jack because she was emotionally attached to him. Maybe if she knew going in that it wouldn’t be forever.
    “Wow,” she said as she toweled off. “Given the proper motivation, a girl can talk herself into anything.”
    Thoughtful, Kylie swiped her hand over the steamy mirror and frowned at her reflection. “When Jack looks at you, he sees Spenser’s kid sister.” She hated that, too. “Maybe it’s because you haven’t updated your look in, well, ever . Maybe it’s because he’s used to slick city chicks and you look like a frumpy bumpkin.”
    Inspiration struck. Or rather, an intense urge to shake things up.
    She stared into the mirror, tried to envision a new haircut and color. She couldn’t.
    “But Faye could.”
    They’d never gotten that private moment yesterday. Faye had blown back into the hardware store, saying she had things to do at Orchard House, then she’d blown back out. The tension had been worse than before. At a loss, Kylie had decided to give her friend space and time.
    That meant trusting her makeover to Petunia, the owner and primary stylist at the local beauty shop. Most of the woman’s clients walked out with a perm or last year’s hot celebrity cut. Seeing as Kylie wasn’t big on poodles or Posh, visiting a big-city stylist might be a safer bet. Except, she couldn’t afford the long drive. Couldn’t afford missing her meeting with the HPS. Plus, she probably couldn’t get an appointment for today, anyway, and she wanted a makeover now . She’d just have to be firm about what she didn’t want and hope for the best.
    Change is exciting. Change is good.
    “Right.”
    Minutes later, dressed in jeans, a long-sleeved cream tee and orange high-top sneakers with hot pink laces, Kylie made an appointment with destiny, aka Petunia of Petunia’s Hairdoodles.

    O PERATING ON LITTLE SLEEP and no coffee, Jack worked a crick from his neck as he drove into town. He’d dressed quickly and split without breakfast, hesitant to wake his guests. He figured they needed the rest, even though it meant Maddie missing another day of kindergarten. Apparently, she’d skipped the day before, claiming a tummy ache. But when tucking her into Jack’s bed, Jessie had confessed that it wasn’t Maddie’s stomach that hurt, but her feelings. Kids were making fun of her, calling her names. This bothered Jack, but, damn, maybe the kid would fare better if Jessie focused on inner strength as opposed to outer beauty.
    Then again, what the hell did he know about kids.
    Except that they liked dogs.
    He’d contemplated leaving Shy at home, more time to bond with his niece, less irritation at the stationhouse. But Jessie had indicated she had plans today. Wherever she went, she’d take Maddie. Which would leave Shy alone. Shy who’d gotten into the trash that morning and eaten a paper towel laced with cookie crumbs.
    So, once again, the dog rode shotgun.
    This time Jack rolled down the window so Shy wouldn’t slobber on it while looking at the passing scenery. The grooming had resulted in less shedding, and the dry food had cured her stink. Things were looking up.
    Jack cranked the classic rock station, anticipated Kerri’s featured pastry and ticked off a mental to-do list. Ten minutes later, he turned on to Main Street. Traffic was moderate and flowing. No gridlock. No blaring horns. The sidewalks in