Now I could be an arsonist. My night couldn’t get any better.
“I’ll be right back. Just need to check this out.”
I glared into the rearview mirror as he walked away, doing my best to calm Sailor who wouldn’t mind having the man for dinner.
Seconds turned into minutes and I leaned my head back, fighting both rage and laughter. I knew what the hell he was doing. Of course he’d figured out he had a convict in his midst.
Finally, the chief began strolling back as if he had all the time in the world. “Why are you in our town?”
I decided telling him exactly what I thought about his hospitality was a bad idea. “Like I said, a job. Starting tomorrow.”
“As what?”
Wow. He was pushing every button and some I didn’t know I had. Another deep breath didn’t make me much calmer. “I’m going to be a Zullie. Training starts tomorrow.”
Maybe I thought using their nickname would help.
He glared at me as if I’d just stolen the sacred town mascot. “A Zullie, huh?”
“Yes, sir. Mr. Landen Weaver hired me.”
The change in his eyes meant Landen held some weight in town. The man was none too happy, sweeping the flashlight once again. “You can’t sleep here, son. The park closes at dusk.”
“Sorry, Chief. I just had nowhere else to go.”
“Well, you’ll need to find a place. Not here.”
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Where the hell was I supposed to go?Be nice. Don’t say what you want to say.
“Yes, sir. I’ll find a place.”
He finally handed me back my license, snarling at Sailor. After he started to walk away, he changed his mind, returning with a cagey smile on his face. “Let me give you a piece of advice, son. People are friendly in this town. Everyone knows each other. We look out for each other. We don’t want any trouble, which means we don’t like your kind here. Now, if you’re here to do a job and nothing else, welcome to Missoula. But if you make any trouble whatsoever, I’ll be all over your ass. Do you understand what I’m saying? Son?”
Actor wasn’t on my resume, but I knew tonight I needed to develop the skill. So I smiled, nodded, and acted like what he’d just said hadn’t bothered me in the least. “Yes, sir. I’ll make you proud.”
The chief said nothing else before walking away, taking his time to do so. Only after he started backing away did I finally look at Sailor.
“Well, buddy. What now? Do you have any bright ideas?”
Sailor appeared thoughtful, cocking his little head. Then he barked once.
Just once.
That’s all I needed to hear.
At least I knew a place where we’d be safe and maybe welcome.
Maybe.
CHAPTER 9
Grace
How many people were determined to adhere to their convictions while suffering in the process?
That was the question I’d asked myself all day long.
Even with the passion shared with one sizzling hot man, after he’d left and I’d awakened all alone, I’d told myself it was for the best because a relationship wasn’t in my plans. And no matter the lack of organization inside my house, I was a woman with a plan that would be followed.
