Hailey slid her phone from a back pocket and held it up. “I have the evidence right here! I took pictures of the pantry’s interior and the mice on my work phone—which Cliff has—and on my personal phone. I sent the pictures off to Kaylee’s boyfriend, who studies the critters. He’ll know if they’re deer mice. I think I can make a convincing argument they were planted or at least raise enough doubt that they have to reconsider Cliff’s decision to close you down. I might be able to convince them to re-inspect immediately and pass you. If the department issues an ‘oops’ and wipes it from the record, you’re whole again.”
Something fuzzily similar to hope stirred inside him. “So you think you can get someone to cease and desist the … cease and desist? And you can do that even though you don’t work for the health department anymore?”
“I can damn well sure try.” Hailey’s bright blue eyes lasered in on him. “All I need is Vince’s statement, and I’ll help you formulate an appeal. The department’s closed for the weekend, but I’ll make sure the appeal’s in the right inboxes Monday morning. I’ll raise some hell until someone listens.” She wore a happy little grin. “What do you think?”
I think I love you.
The unbidden sentiment shocked him, and he clamped his mouth shut as he hauled her to him for a rib-crushing hug.
She gasped out a laugh. “I take it you’re on board.”
He released her. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to go boa constrictor on you. Yeah, absolutely I’m on board. You do your magic and let me know what I can do to support it.”
She grasped his hand. “I have a good feeling about this, Noah. I’m so glad I can dosomething, especially after—”
Her phone rang; she held up her index finger. “I need to take this.” She stood and wandered to a far corner of the open space. “Yes, this is Hailey Bailey. Ah, thank you so much for calling me back. I wanted to talk to you about your place …”
Noah took Chance downstairs so the dog could do his business. While he was outside, he texted Charlie:Any updates on the security system?
Charlie:The parts haven’t arrived in Denver yet. Once they get them, they’ll ship them here.
Noah:I want cameras too. Good ones.
Charlie:Already spec’ed them out.
Noah pushed a relieved breath through his lungs. Nobody was going to fucking mess with him and his again.
Charlie:You playing hockey with us tmw?
Noah:If I don’t sleep in.
He’d be sleeping in because he’d be spent from Hailey using him all night long—way more fun than playing hockey.
Charlie:Pantywaist.
Noah:Practical.
When Noah and Chance returned, Hailey was finishing up her call. “I’ll let you know. And thank you.” She turned to Noah. “Were you eavesdropping, barkeep?”
“Of course not,” he scoffed. When she gave him a sly grin, he returned it. “It’s not considered eavesdropping if I can’t hear what you’re saying, right?”
“No, that would be plain old snooping.” Her pale blue eyes glittered with amusement. “For your information, that was Mona Freeman of Loose Moose fame. I was asking if I could extend my stay.”
Noah’s eyebrows flew to his hairline at the same time his heart flew to his throat. “And?”
“She said I could have thirty more days if I was willing to pay the utilities.”
“And?”
“It’s a generous offer, but I can’t afford that on top of my rent in Montrose.” The sparkle disappeared from her eyes, replaced by worry he hated to see.
“Why keep your place in Montrose? Call your landlord and give him notice today.”
“But where do I go after that? Thirty days isn’t a lot of time. Plus, I’d need to go get my stuff and figure out where to put it. The Moose isn’t exactly overflowing with storage.”
“Do you have that much?”
“No, but …” She let out a huge breath. “Here’s what I’m really worried about. My place isn’t too far from work, and I’m pretty sure Cliff knows where I live. He has access to employee information. Wh-what if he sees me moving out and confronts me?Especiallyafter I do what I’m planning to do. He makes me nervous, Noah.”
