Total pages in book: 142
Estimated words: 136507 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 683(@200wpm)___ 546(@250wpm)___ 455(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 136507 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 683(@200wpm)___ 546(@250wpm)___ 455(@300wpm)
“Last night, he told me that he knows there’s something going on between you and Logan.”
“Yeah, I guess the secret’s out.” I’ve felt the looks around the station and around town for weeks now. At first, I thought I was being paranoid or overly sensitive, but I’ve since seen several vague posts in the community’s Facebook group about the ethics and local law enforcement, and hints of a brewing scandal, and I can only assume I’m the scandal. People seem to think I’m actually breaking the law for loving Logan.
I’m sure Doug Freeman will be pleased to know that the head of Cold River’s police sleeping with the recently released dangerous Landry criminal is such a hot topic in the gossip circles. It’ll only help him with his efforts to get rid of me.
“Are you going to lose your job?” Isla asks.
“They can’t fire me for loving someone. But they can make it hard for me to want to stay.” I’ve seen it happen. Once your spiteful boss decides you don’t fit—for whatever reason, justified or not—they can make you very uncomfortable. Denied promotions, unpleasant tasks, blocking overtime, micromanaging your decisions. At that point, people start looking for a way out, a transfer to other detachments or assignments, sometimes hours away, relying on past relationships to put in a good word. I’m not moving anywhere—not because Doug Freeman wants me gone.
“So, you do love him?”
“I never stopped.”
Isla seems to ponder this. “You shouldn’t stay if they do that. It’s just a job.”
“Says the girl who’s never paid a bill in her life.” I soften the blow with a wink. “You don’t go into this line of work because it’s just a job. Not with everything we see and do.” I’ve learned to compartmentalize, but some of those calls still linger in the recesses of my mind. I’ll never shake them. “This is who I’ve been my whole adult life. It’s become a part of me. It’s my identity in a lot of ways.” That’s not an uncommon feeling. “But … you’re right. When I think about what really matters to me? It is just a job.” And maybe it’s time I started thinking about the next stage of my life.
Isla avoids a hole in the ground where an animal burrowed for the winter. “Dad asked me what I thought of Logan.”
“Yeah?” I hesitate. “What’d you tell him?”
“I said that Logan listens to me and he’s easy to talk to. And that I’ve never seen you this happy, which makes me happy.”
Dillon’s words earlier—and that cute smile of hers just now—are making sense. I collect her ponytail in my grasp, smoothing my hand over it. “That’s sweet.”
We pass by the garage and head for the main house.
“I also told him that I know he cheated on you with Donna.” She charges ahead while my feet slow a beat.
Brooks opens the front door, welcoming us into the chaotic warmth of the Landry household, where Holt’s and Jon’s voices carry from the kitchen as they argue about the new bull, and Egan bangs his drum, all while a playoff hockey game fills the TV screen in the corner.
Sarah is stretched out on the couch, propped up by multiple pillows.
Logan and Thomas sit across from each other at the table, a chessboard in between them. Macy is perched on Logan’s lap, her thumb stuck in her mouth.
“What do you think our next move should be?” Logan asks her.
She collects a pawn from its position and places it on a square on the other side of the board.
“You can’t do that!” Thomas throws his hands in the air with frustration.
Logan moves the piece back to an appropriate position. “Macy’s a rebel. She doesn’t like playing by the rules.”
“Pie’s warm!” Annie announces from the kitchen a split second before she appears with a plate, carrying it to Sarah. “Oh, good! You two made it just in time.” But her face is pinched with worry as she appeals silently to me.
My chest aches. I wish there was a way I could help.
“How’re you hanging in there?” I ask Sarah.
“By a very thin thread.” She accepts the plate with a thanks.
“Don’t worry, these little nuggets will be here before you know it.” Annie pats her daughter’s belly.
“Hey, Isla, grab a slice and then take over here for me? We just started.” Logan sets Macy on the floor. “You heard Grammy. Go get your dessert.”
The little girl skitters off to the kitchen.
Logan jerks his head toward the door, his mood suddenly somber.
I nod and follow him out quietly.
We leave the porch around the house, heading toward the quarantine pasture where the new bull grazes. Whatever he has to say, he doesn’t want ears around to hear it.
“You okay?” I finally dare ask.
“Last night, did you know they were going for this warrant?” Golden-hazel eyes search mine.