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How many miles would that take?
More than this road had.
He eased his foot off the gas pedal. An eighteen–wheeler’s driver blared his horn and whizzed around Sean’s SUV. He didn’t even flinch. All he could hear was Ruby Sue’s pointed statement. Was he running away from something when he should be running toward someone?
Toward Natalie.
A quarter mile went by.
The scent of honeysuckle snuck into the SUV.
Then another quarter mile.
He could hear her soft moans.
And another quarter mile.
The road disappeared and all he could see was her light–brown waves tumbling down around her shoulders.
He coasted down the interstate’s shoulder until finally, his SUV puttered to a stop in front of an exit ramp. The farther he went, the closer he got to her. It didn’t make sense, but he couldn’t deny the truth of it.
Flipping on the hazard lights, he stared at the green sign with the four–letter word in large white block letters: Exit.
Certainty slammed into him.
He was done running. He’d been done the moment Natalie had walked into his life with her cotton–candy sweaters, tiny little buttons and ever–present clipboard full of change.
Now it was time to prove it to her.
An interloper in what had been his sanctuary, Sean skulked through the Sweet Salvation Brewery’s front doors like a trespasser. He’d been counting on the brewery’s tasting room being abandoned in the few minutes before everything shut down for the night. The fates must have been smiling down at him because there wasn’t a soul to be seen as he pocketed the keys he was supposed to have left with Hailey yesterday.
Natalie’s subcompact was still in the parking lot, so he knew she was here. He had to find her and explain everything. It may not get him his job back, but that wasn’t his number–one priority right now. Shit, it hadn’t been since Natalie had come into his life. She’d changed everything and he hadn’t even realized until now.
Turning the corner into the hallway leading to Natalie’s office, he almost plowed into Billy. “Whoa, sorry about that, kid.”
“What are you doing here?” Billy looked over his shoulder. “Miranda and Natalie made the announcement this morning that you were…uh…”
Feeling sorry for the kid, he threw him a bone. “Fired?”
Billy stared at his tennis shoes. “I was gonna say let go.”
“That’s a nicer way of putting it.”
“Oh God.” Billy’s eyes rounded and his gaze bounced all around Sean. “You’re not gonna do something crazy are you?”
Understanding why Billy might be on edge, Sean held up his hands, palms forward, showing he wasn’t armed. “Nope, but I have to talk to Natalie.”
Billy gave him a smirky smile. “I’d heard rumors about you two. Come on.” He turned and headed toward the brewery floor.
Following close behind, Sean shook his head. “Is there anyone in Salvation who doesn’t gossip?”
He shrugged. “It’s a small town. We’re each other’s entertainment.” Billy pushed open one of the swinging doors that led to the brewery floor. “Natalie and Miranda sent everyone home early tonight, I guess to make up for canning you. She’s in the research room.”
“Thanks, man.” Sean slipped through the opening.
Billy gave him a thumbs–up. “Good luck, man. I’ll lock the front door behind myself.”
Crossing the brewery floor, his footsteps echoed in the empty, cavernous space.
