Page 34 of Tracked By Sasquatch

“Let me go, I have to go get Aunt Phoebe.”

A hand landed on his shoulder, Zombie, but he still tried to leave. Before he got two steps, Croon spoke a single word that stopped him in his tracks.

“Devin.”

“What about her?” The question was out of his mouth before he strode back to them, and Croon thrust the letter in his hands.

Somewhere deep inside, Squatch knew what it said. Not exact words, but he felt it in his bones, she was off to slay her demons… alone.

As the words on the page swirled and swam, her parting words did the same in his head.

Jasper Stanton, you’re a dangerous man. I could so see myself falling for you. Hell, I’m probably already too far gone. I just hope you’ll understand that I need to do this. You’re the worthiest man I know and if my heart were whole, I’d choose you in an instant.

I just hope you’ll understand that I need to do this.

He looked up as Harmon spoke. “It was in her room, addressed to me. I decided to vacuum her room early and well…” She spoke with a smirk; it was obvious that she was not simply vacuuming and found it. Croon raised an eyebrow at her.

“Okay, I knew she was off to do something when she left this morning, but I didn’t pry. But after,” she looked pointedly at Squatch. “Last night, I decided that maybe you guys needed to know sooner rather than later, so I vacuumed.”

They were all staring at her with similar expressions, probably all wondering what vacuuming had to do with anything.

Harmon rolled her eyes. “Girl code and all that, meant I couldn’t just haul my cookies over here as fast as lightning. However, if I was vacuuming her room and came across a note that told me she was doing something… you see where I’m going with this?”

“No specifics, how do we know where to find her before she puts herself in danger?” Croon posed the question to no one specific.

“I personally don’t know where she’s staying the night, but her friend Scott will.” She was looking at Squatch and not Croon. “She left before sunup, so…”

He’d never been so torn in his life. He looked between her and Croon. He couldn’t abandon his aunt, she’d raised him when she had no business caring for a baby. But he couldn’t not choose Devin. He’d made a private vow to always choose her. The second she’d said she would choose him if she could, he’d chosen her.

She’d been like him, not loved by those who should’ve loved her unconditionally. Never good enough, always trying to earn that which couldn’t be earned.

It was an impossible choice. One he couldn’t or wouldn’t make.

“Croon?” He choked on the word. Not sure what he was asking for, but it was Zombie’s commanding voice that pulled him out of that downward spiral.

“Listen, Enforcer. You need to get your head on straight if you’re going to ride to Omaha in a straight shot. Outlaw and I will head over to Lucy’s and bring Phoebe back here. Sounds like she might not want you to see her with whatever is going on. Your ol’ lady needs you right now.”

“I’ll go with them to your aunt’s, brother,” Croon added. “You go, be there for my sister and take out the son of a bitch she’s after, and anyone else who had a hand in it. Promise me, and I’ll do the same for you.”

“I’ll call Irishman now and get any backup you need.”

Squatch was nodding absently. “Prez, ask them to hold back until I say. Devin needs to have this confrontation. She’s all about slaying her own demons, I’ll just be there to back her up so she can.”

With that settled, everyone set out where they were needed.

Squatch had a stop to make first: the B.A.R.

DEVIN

After leaving her place, she headed to Scott’s. He lived in a small cabin on a lot behind the bar, with a clear view of the road, the bar, and the motel.

Scott was standing on the porch in workout clothes, looking flushed and sweaty… and wearing a shit-eating grin.

“What?” she asked when he just stared at her expectantly.

“Nothing, just…” He stretched then crossed his arms over his chest. “Went out for a nice long run this morning and saw someone doing the rideshare of shame. Then,” he inspected his nails. “Not long after, saw that sexy as sin cryptid ride out of there like a wet dream from that show I can’t stop watching over and over.”

Devin could do little more than blush and shake her head. Last night had been something out of her wildest fantasies. It was supposed to be a healing of sorts, a hurdle that she needed to clear to move forward, but it had been so much more and she didn’t know how to process any of it.