Page 66 of Not Mine to Rescue

We shared a moment of quiet.

She broke it with a sigh. “All I ever wanted was to find a good-looking guy with enough money I could be a stay-at-home mom. It’s like a fairy tale, but with enough twists that I know it’s real. But I think I stole your happy ever after, didn’t I?”

I shook my head. “No, you didn’t.”

She studied me. “Are you sure? I mean, despite what you say, I think I’d be a bit more pissed at me if I were in your shoes.”

I had been. Envious of her as well. And not because she was with my husband.

A rumble sounded outside. It was unusual to hear that kind of exhaust in this residential part of town. I glanced out the side window that faced the entrance to the subdivision. A glint of chrome flashed by. Whoever it was, they were loud and recklessly driving too quickly for this quiet little street. Who in their right mind rode a motorcycle in winter?

Then I realized who it was.

“Do you want to meet my new boyfriend?”

Denise hesitated, “He’s not really a murderer, is he?”

“No, but I might be one if he continues to ride like an idiot.”

Chapter Seventeen

Wombat

Honor and a woman I didn’t know walked out of the house as I parked. Both carried a glass of wine each. I shut the bike down and blew on my fingers to thaw them out.

They didn’t look distressed. More importantly, Honor wasn’t pale or shaking. Maybe the booze in her hand had something to do with it. I swung my leg over the back of my bike and straightened my jacket.

I was wearing my cut. That was probably a mistake, but I’d been at the club when Honor called. I stepped outside so I could hear her and raced out of there without thinking.

That might have been a mistake.

“Hi, this is Denise.” Honor made introductions as if this were some sort of civilized event.

The woman, Denise, held out her hand. I had to give her credit, she probably thought I was going to murder her. I shook it. “Hi. Call me Wombat.”

Her eyes dipped to the patches on my jacket. I ignored her curiosity to address Honor. “You sound better.”

“You didn’t have to come.”

“No, I certainly did.”

Unfortunately, Jim rushed out of the house. “What are you doing here?”

Aw fuck. “Hey, Jim.” I turned my attention back to Honor. “You’re drinking. Does that mean you’re staying here for a bit?”

She glanced down at her glass. “I was going to leave.”

Yeah?

“How do you know where I live?”

Ol’ Jim was like a dog with a bone. I shot an evil eye in his direction. “Walt’s got your address pinned on the wall of his office. Just in case we need to visit you.” I licked my lips to ease the chapped skin the wind had played havoc with.

“Would you like to come in?” Denise offered.

“He’ll do no such thing. He can leave.”

Jim was a right dick. “Where’s the kid?”