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“I—” I glance at Bruiser, who nods.“Sure.I’ll head that way now.”
“You’re the bestever,” she says.“I’m sorry to do that to you.Is someone with you?”
“Bruiser’s here.He’ll stay with me today.”
“You’re the best, Bruiser.I owe you one.Now I’m gonna go die.”
She hangs up, and I let out a gusty sigh.“I’m sorry.I know this takes a whole day away from you.”
“I’ve been told to stick close to you.I’ll just let the boss know where we’ll be.”
He places the call to Remington while I get us turned around and headed back to town and to the coffee shop.I’m not wearing my usual Bitterroot Valley Coffee Co.T-shirt, but I’m in jeans.Since I’m filling in, I’m sure it’ll be okay.
“Thank God you’re here,” Marion says with a relieved sigh as I walk in.“Thank youso muchfor covering for Millie.That poor girl sounds awful.”
“It’s not a big deal at all.I just don’t have the right shirt.”
“I think you look great,” she replies with a wide smile.She glances over at Bruiser, who takes a seat in the corner of the café.“Is he bothering you?”
“No, definitely not.He’ll be hanging out today as my own personal bodyguard.Marion, I don’t know if Millie told you, but?—”
“She filled me in on what I need to know, and Chase came in, as well, with a photo and pertinent information,” Marion assures me.“I’m glad you have someone to protect you.I’m having all the locks changed here, and I’m installing some cameras.”
I feel tears spring to my eyes.“Oh, you don’t have to do that.”
“I should have done it years ago,” she says, shaking her head.“This was a reminder for me.You know that I just love you to pieces, and I’m going to do everything I can to keep you safe and comfortable here at work.”
“How did I get so lucky to have such an awesome community of people around me?”
“You moved to Bitterroot Valley,” she says with a wink.“We take care of our own here.Now, it was busy first thing, as it normally is, but it’s calmed down a bit.If you can handle things out here, I’ll go back and make some calls about those cameras and locks.I have to run payroll, as well.”
“I can definitely handle it.”
“Great.Holler if you need help.I’m just back in the office.”
Before she turns to leave, Marion pulls me in for a quick hug, then hurries away.
“Marion isn’t a hugger.”
I jump and spin at the voice and then grin at Brooks.“You’re right about that.It surprised me, but in a good way.How are you doing, Brooks?”
“I’m great.”His eyes are serious as he watches me.“I’m also keeping my eyes and ears open.No one will get to you in this town, Erin.It’s too small, and like Marion said, we take care of each other here.”
“I’m learning that,” I reply with a nod.“And I appreciate it more than you know.To be honest, it’s embarrassing.”
“Why?”Brooks frowns over at me.“You didn’t do anything wrong.”
“No, I didn’t.”I take a deep breath and let my tense shoulders drop.“You know what?You’re right.I’m no longer allowing myself to be embarrassed about something I didn’t do.”
“Excellent.Now, I’ll take a black coffee and some of that huckleberry-lemon bread.”
“Oh, that sounds good, doesn’t it?”I get to work pouring his coffee and then slide a slice of the bread into a little paper sleeve.“I think I’ll have to snag a piece of this for myself.I had no idea what I was missing before I moved here, never having tried huckleberries.”
“Montana gold,” he says with a wink.
“Is it true that people have been shot over the huckleberries they’ve picked?”
“Unfortunately, yes.Many people carry protection when they go out to pick.The berries are worth so much money, and it takes so long to pick them, that sometimes the pickers are robbed.”
