by Lily Rede
“Good,” she lied, “Barely notice it anymore.”
Tony smiled wryly.
“You’re a bad liar.”
He leaned back, crossing his arms.
“Here’s the deal. This is a tiny department, just me and the rookie – Zeke Biggs. We get our fair share of shit, mostly during tourist season and the Harvest Festival, which is coming up, so the extra hands would be helpful. I have a feeling you burned a lot of bridges – ”
Evie swallowed a lump in her throat and pointed at the computer screen, where her entire history was laid out in black and white.
“Look at my records from before. I had the highest collar rate in the precinct, not a black mark or a single infraction. I was three weeks from taking the detective exam – ”
“And then you blew it all for a little fun in the sack with God’s gift to douchebaggery.”
Evie stuttered to a halt, and then –
“Not my finest hour. We all make mistakes.”
Tony rubbed his gold wedding ring absently.
“Yes, we do.”
Evie lifted her chin, determined.
“But I think it’s safe to say that all that shit is over with and I’ve certainly learned my lesson.”
Tony’s laugh surprised her. He stood.
“Your Gram was the nicest woman I ever met, and it broke her heart, what happened to your mom. She always knew you’d come back here one day. I don’t want to be the one to meet her in the afterlife as the guy who wouldn’t give her little Evie a job.”
A kernel of hope blossomed in Evie’s chest.
“So – ”
“Why don’t we call this a trial? The pay’s crap, the hours are irregular, and Zeke is still wet behind the ears.”
“Sounds great.”
Tony held out a hand.
“Welcome aboard, Evie Asher.”
CHAPTER FOUR
If it weren’t for her wounded side, Evie would have skipped down the stairs of the building, her shiny new badge clipped to her belt, the familiar weight of a holster against her hip. Tony had given her strict orders to recuperate for at least a week.
Thanks, Gram, Evie thought to herself, grateful for the goodwill her grandmother had managed to accrue over the years. She only hoped she could live up to her legacy.
Evie couldn’t help the grin that played around her lips as she stepped up to the homey diner across the street. It had been too long since she’d had anything to smile about.
“Tiny, come down!” The voice was plaintive and a little panicked.
Evie paused and looked around, spotting the source of the complaint – a little blond boy, about nine years old, staring up into the branches of a giant tree halfway down the block. She judged the height of the tree as the child flung himself against the trunk, managed to get a foothold, and started up. Six laboring feet up, he slipped, skidded, and landed at the base with a thud.
“Ow.”
As he dusted himself off to try again, Evie joined him.
“What’s the matter?”
“Tiny’s stuck,”
Big blue eyes, brimming with tears, met hers as he pointed. Evie looked up to see what had to be the fattest striped furball in the state clinging to a branch about twenty feet up, yowling his head off.
“Hmmm.”
Evie reached into her pocket, dug out a dollar, and pointed at the market.
“Why don’t you go over there and pick up a can of tuna, and we’ll see if we can’t get him down, okay?”
“Mama says I’m not supposed to talk to strangers.”
“That’s good advice. I’m Evie. I’m a Sheriff’s deputy.”
She showed him her badge, which he inspected carefully, eyes wide.
“Can I help you, Miss?” The girlish voice didn’t match the petite woman striding over to join them. Dressed in Gothy black lace and heavy military boots, her purple streaked reddish hair and heavy rocker makeup were at odds with the little glasses perched on the end of a decidedly cute nose.
“Brian Olsen, where’s your mom?”
“Getting her nails done. Tiny got stuck.”
“Again?” The unusual young woman sighed.
“Where’s a hot firefighter when you need one, right?” Evie joked, and nodded at little Brian, who scampered off toward the market. She held out her hand.
“Hi, I’m Evie Asher.”
The woman stared.
“Good Lord, you’re Fran’s granddaughter.”
She shook hands, her grip firm.
“Welcome to Bright’s Ferry. I’m Grace Mallow. I run the library.”
“Really?” The disbelief slipped out, and Evie instantly regretted it as a shadow passed over Grace’s face. “Sorry, I didn’t mean that – you’re just so – young.”
Grace took it in stride, but Evie was relieved as Brian came scampering back with a can of tuna and a can opener.
“Great, let’s give this a try.”
She opened the tuna, and within seconds, the fat monster had wiggled his way down the tree trunk and was devouring bites of fish in between rapturous squeezes from the little boy.
“Nice job, Ms. Asher.” Grace grinned.
“She’s a deputy!” filled in Brian, helpfully.
“I just moved to town.”
“And you’re already rescuing cats from trees. Well, the least I can do is buy breakfast for one of Bright’s Ferry’s finest.”
“There are only three of us.”
“All the more reason to keep your strength up.”
She led the way into the diner, which was overflowing with locals and tourists – families, groups of little old women, and a table full of fishermen, trading stories and downing massive plates of eggs and home fries.
Evie noted the cold looks darted their way and for a moment wondered if this is what it would always be like – suspicion and judgment from complete strangers – until she realized that the looks of disapproval were aimed at Grace. To her credit, Grace ignored them and claimed a booth in the corner. In seconds, a tiny woman in a uniform and apron approached the table. Wrinkled and ancient, her eyes still sparkled. She reminded Evie of an aging fairy, minus the wings.
“Why Evie Asher, as I live and breathe. You’re the spitting image of your mother, God rest her soul.”
Evie was shocked as the tiny woman enveloped her in a hug, her limbs surprisingly strong for her pixie-like size.
“Evie, this is Mary. She owns this place.”
“You used to sit up at that counter and suck down a cherry shake faster than any kid I ever met.” Mary let Evie go and patted her on the shoulder. Evie suppressed the wince as she jarred her wound.
“I don’t remember that.”
“You were just a little thing. Frannie would be so happy that you’ve come back to town.”
“Tony gave Evie a job.” Grace grinned.
“Tony gave Evie a what?” The male voice was stern and frankly disbelieving.
Evie looked up to see Colin striding toward them, looking pissed. He ignored the welcomes and well-wishes from the locals.
Popular. Evie filed that away and braced herself for an argument.
“A job. As a deputy.”
“Why would he do a fool thing like that? Move over, Gracie, honey.”
Grace obligingly scooted down to make room for him, allowing Colin to sit across from Evie, the better to glare at her disapprovingly, she supposed. He and Grace were clearly friends, but Evie didn’t detect any romantic interest.
“Because I haven’t won the lottery lately and everybody needs to work?” Evie was defensive, but the irritation in those hazel eyes made her want to shrink into her seat. It didn’t help that the diner’s occupants were watching them with open fascination.
“You need to recover.”
“It’s none of your business.” Evie was furious, but kept her voice low.
Mary cuffed Colin on the back of the head.
“Ow. What was that for?” Colin rubbed his head.
“Let the girl have a cup of coffee before you start reorganizing her life. And Dreyer was in here earlier. Something about his neighbors and your lack of control as mayor being a symptom of your deficiencies as a man.”
Evie choked on a laugh, but covered it with a cough as Colin glared at her.
“I know all about it, Mary, but thanks for being the town crier.”
“Pancakes all around,” said Grace, “And don’t skimp on the bacon!”
“Sure thing, sweetie.” Mary vanished with a last wink at Evie.
Evie knew she should leave it alone, but she couldn’t resist.
“Sheriff Arnetto wouldn’t have agreed to take me on if he didn’t think I was up for the job.”
“Tony’s stretched thin. He’d hire a rodeo clown if one came knocking.”
“I’m a damned good cop.” Evie struggled to keep her voice down, but it wasn’t easy.
“If you’re such a good cop, why aren’t you still making the streets of New York safe for the citizens there instead of up here with two bullet holes in your body?”
“You got shot? You’re from New York?” Evie couldn’t tell which question Grace found more exciting, but she was practically squirming in her seat. “I love New York. Love it, love it, love it. Why would you ever leave?”
Thankfully, three plates piled high with steaming pancakes and bacon arrived, along with a heavenly mug of coffee, and Evie avoided answering either question by stuffing her face. Colin attacked his pancakes, irritation oozing off of him, while Grace launched into an account of her only trip to the city to see one of her favorite Goth bands play a nightclub. Evie nodded and smiled at the right places, amused by the young woman’s enthusiasm, but she couldn’t concentrate, her mind on Colin’s annoyance, her senses focused on where his knee brushed her thigh beneath the table.
Move your leg, Asher.
She’d barely been in town a day, and already she was a little fascinated by a good-looking, take-charge kind of guy who knew just how to push her buttons. Evie sucked it up. So she had a type, so what? It meant nothing. Right now, the focus was healing, starting her new path, and keeping men like Colin Daniels from ruining her life. Again.
Grace’s running commentary was interrupted by a severe-looking woman entering the diner, scanning the tables until she spotted them.
“Hi Candace.” Grace sat up a little straighter, unconsciously smoothing her hair as Candace gave her a dismissive once-over.
“Colin, Deirdre Small would like a word. She cornered me in the office just as I was leaving.”
Colin stopped glaring at Evie long enough to look up, puzzled.
“Tell her I’m in here.”
“She wants a word. Outside. In private.” Candace’s pinched mouth was clear indication of what she thought about that. She glanced at her watch. “Alan needs his medicine. I’ll see you tomorrow…”
With barely a glance at Evie or Grace, she turned on her heel and marched out.
“Fuck,” Colin muttered under his breath, and then pulled out a handful of cash and dropped it on the table. “Breakfast is on me. I’ll meet you by the truck in a few, Evie.”
Ten minutes later, Evie emerged from the diner full of pancakes, with Grace’s phone number in her pocket and the promise of a girls’ night in the near future. She had never been good at making friends, but the quirky librarian seemed like a kindred spirit – a possible real connection. Evie’s good mood lasted until she started toward the market, past the alley next to the diner, where Deirdre had what looked like a very willing Colin pressed up against the brick, her tongue down his throat, her curves pressed against him.
Evie stopped short. For a split second, she imagined herself in Deirdre’s place, her body pressed against all that muscled heat, Colin’s hands coursing over her, tilting her head for the fit of his mouth, tugging a fistful of her hair back so he could taste her throat, rocking his hips against hers.
Hot and unnerved, Evie shook her head and hurried away.
COLIN SAW EVIE PUSHING a loaded cart toward his truck and hurried to help her.
“I would have fetched you.”
“I got it.”
He brushed aside her attempts to help and quickly loaded the bags into the pickup.
“Looks like you’re stocked up for the winter. What’s next, burying nuts in the backyard?”
“Funny. You should go on the road.”
Walking by, clutching the fat feline he called Tiny, little Brian Olsen spotted them and waved furiously.
“Bye, Deputy Evie!”
Evie waved back, smiling.
“Making friends already?” Colin chuckled.
She turned her grin on him and he realized it was the first time she’d really smiled at him, a genuine smile. He liked it. More than he should.
They both reached for the cart at the same time and collided, and for a second, they were pressed together, eyes locked. Colin felt sucker-punched by her softness and the heat that filled his groin, but jerked away before she could notice him harden against her.
Shit. First Deirdre, and now this. Stop letting your dick lead the way, Daniels.
Colin quickly returned the cart and then joined Evie in the truck. The air was heavy and awkward, and he turned on the radio, letting music fill the void as he reflected that his life had gotten messy this weekend.
Deirdre had apparently decided that Colin’s abandonment yesterday was the last straw. For the first time in their dalliance, she was sinking her claws in, apparently ready for more than just a quick release of sexual tension once in a while. Colin was pretty sure that was a bad idea. For all their physical compatibility, he and Deirdre didn’t spend much time talking – they simply didn’t have anything in common outside of a mutual appreciation for her curves. Pointing that out only made Deirdre eager to prove him wrong, and somehow Colin found that he had a date – an honest-to-God date – for tomorrow night. With Deirdre.
Suddenly he felt very tired.
If he felt it, Evie looked it. Her mouth was tight, the dark circles under her eyes making them look huge against her face.
“You overdid it this morning.”
“I’m okay,” she insisted, stifling a yawn, “Thank you for taking me into town.”
She looked small and alone when he left her at the cabin a few minutes later, having helped her carry everything inside and assuring her that Pete would drop off her car later. He couldn’t help wondering about her as he made the short drive to his own place.
She doesn’t have a boyfriend. Of that, he was fairly certain. Besides the fact that she wouldn’t be up here, all by herself and injured to boot, a guy would need a freaking tall ladder to scale the spiked walls she’d built around herself. Colin tamped down on the sneaking suspicion that behind those walls was something soft and hot and delicious, and the growing temptation to find the crack in her shields that would let him delve inside for a taste.
THE BLONDE SLUT HAD him in her clutches again, this time out in the open, uncaring who saw her run her filthy hands over him. They’d argued in the alley, and it was pleasing to hear Deirdre rail about the scratches on her precious car. Less pleasing was Colin’s soothing tone. Deirdre had pouted, touching his chest and batting her fake eyelashes at him, and he’d barely protested when she’d pinned him against the wall to take what she wanted.
Yesterday’s warning was obviously not enough.
Something would have to be done.
EVIE SLEPT FOR MOST of the day, rousing herself to make lunch and pull the sheets off the furniture. Most of it was still in the attic, and Evie wondered if she could hire some of the local teens to help her haul it downstairs. She’d moved her things up into Gram’s old room. With a little TLC and some new wallpaper, it would soon feel like home.
In the late afternoon, Evie tugged on her favorite hoodie over a tank top, wrapped herself in a blanket, and settled on the porch swing to nurse a cup of cider while she watched the sun go down in a blaze of bright oranges and pur
ples. She felt peaceful and content for the first time in ages, only a little troubled by the thought of Colin’s gorgeous hazel eyes. She was still thinking about them as she dozed off, cocooned in her blanket against the autumn chill.
When Evie woke, the sky across the hill was orange. Disoriented, she sat up.
That’s not right.
Night had clearly fallen, and the lights of the town winked in the darkness. In the other direction she could see the faint glow of Colin’s house.
But across the hill, the sky was orange.
Then she smelled it.
“Oh my God.”
Fire.
Evie scrambled out of her blanket, nearly crashing face first as her feet got tangled in the folds. She raced inside for keys and phone and the new fire extinguisher she’d bought only that morning, and then dove into her car.
“Call nine-one-one,” she ordered the voice activation on her phone. It beeped, searching for a signal.
“Shit!”
Evie careened across the hill, taking backroads, forced to double back a few times until she finally spotted it – a pretty little house in a clearing, one side engulfed in flames. A couple of nearby trees were on fire, but thankfully, the house was situated against the rocky part of the hill. That didn’t mean that the fire couldn’t or wouldn’t jump, but it might buy the fire department some time to get up here.
Evie screeched to a halt and jumped out of the car. Her extinguisher wasn’t going to be much help. Relief coursed through her as she heard sirens in the distance – finally, someone had noticed.
Tomorrow I’m switching cell phone plans.
A cry from the house had Evie swearing viciously under her breath, and her eyes widened as she noticed the scratched red SUV in the driveway.
Deirdre.
Not giving herself time to change her mind, Evie soaked her hoodie in a brimming planter by the porch, silently thanking the skies for last night’s deluge. She gasped as the wet fabric hit her skin. Covering her nose and mouth, Evie kicked open the door, which had just started to catch. Her eyes stung at the blast of heat and smoke. Trying hard not to breathe, she forced her way inside.
“Deirdre? Ms. Small? I’m with the Sheriff’s Department. I’m going to get you out!”
