Those fiery emerald eyes bored into hers. “Of course you did. It was an exit interview. You had to let them know what kind of character they’re dealing with before your chance was gone. To hold back could put someone else in danger. They should be thanking you and pinning a medal on you, babe.”
God, she loved his protective side!
She rested her head on his shoulder and nuzzled into his solid warmth. If she could have, she would have crawled inside him.
He stroked her hair and dropped a kiss on it. “Did you say anything about filing a sexual harassment complaint?”
She nodded against his chest. “Yes. She asked me to give them some time to check into my allegations before I pull the trigger on anything. Do you think I should hold off?”
“No. I only see that working to their advantage, not yours, and you need to protect yourself. There’s a lawyer in Denver I’ve heard some of the Blizzard players talk about. He’s supposed to be really sharp. How about I get his contact information from Wyatt so you can give him a call? Let him know what you’re dealing with and see what he says.” He laid his cheek on her head. “What do you say, surfer girl? I’ll hang with you while you do it, if you want.”
God, she hated this whole situation, but he was right. The wrong had been inflicted onher, and she’d had no choice. Simply because she was on the right side of justice didn’t guarantee squat, and the state had resourcesto fight her claim—lots of resources. She needed an advocate in her camp who knew how to navigate the law. “I think that would be a good idea.”
He unwound his arms and tapped on his phone while she stayed glued to him. “There. Text sent. As soon as we hear back from Wyatt, you can call the attorney. Now how about we take the rest of your stuff to my place? The owners are expecting the Moose back in less than a week anyway, so let’s do it.”
What little stuff she’d brought with her this past weekend when they’d moved her out of her Montrose apartment—without spotting Cliff, thank God—was already at Noah’s. Her bigger belongings were stored in the Loose Moose’s garage, where they would stay indefinitely for a nominal monthly fee. Bottom line, she had little reason to hang on to the short-term rental.
Staying in Noah’s loft had been far more comfortable than she had expected—and way more convenient since she spent every night in his bed. The Moose had been her backup in case quasi-living with him proved too cramped, but so far the transition had been a smooth and natural step. Yeah, she was definitely getting used to this new arrangement.
Days later, Hailey ledChance out of the back door of the Miners Tavern into the crisp morning air, and he made a beeline for a strip of wheat-colored grass at the back of the parking lot. A white rectangle caught her eye from where its corner lifted, stirred beneath her windshield wiper by the wind.
That’s weird. Beside her SUV stood Noah’s truck, but no paper flapped under his wipers.
She plucked it out and unfolded a letter-sized piece of paper. On it were three typewritten words, stark black against the crisp white sheet:I’m watching you. A shudder racked her body, and it wasn’t from the twenty-degree air.
Swiveling her head from side to side, she probed the long shadows, but nothing moved. Chance sniffed at the ground like he always did, notcocking an ear or otherwise alerting to anything unusual. As he did his business, she looked around furtively, feeling eyes on her, but the wind was the only thing moving in the dawn light.
She hurried him along and walked swiftly back to the tavern, willing her legs to not break into a run. Once inside the tavern, she thudded the door closed and threw the lock as fast as her fumbling fingers would go, pressed her back to the door, and pulled in a steadying breath.
Her attorney, Tom Carlisle, hadn’t finished drafting her formal complaint just yet, and she pondered whether someone in HR had tipped off Cliff Meissner or Dan Williams about her damning narrative since her exit interview. She hadn’t heard a peep from Cliff since the night he’d attacked her nearly ten days ago, but that didn’t mean shit hadn’t hit the fan. The blast simply might not have reached her. Yet. Being in Fall River, staying with Noah every night in his loft, had manifested the illusion she was cocooned in safety where nothing bad could reach her, and she’d let down her guard. The note was tearing apart the frail fabric of her fantasy.
As Chance trotted over to his water bowl, she eased. He would have been in full alert mode if anything or anyone threatening lurked out there. Someone was simply playing tricks on her. Hell, kids with nothing better to do probably picked her car at random and left the creepy note there. Maybe they’d left the same message on other cars in town.
“You’re being paranoid.” She laughed at herself, but she found neither the brittle sound nor her arguments reassuring.
Back upstairs, she slid the note into her backpack before pulling off her clothes, sliding under the covers, and snuggling against Noah’s heavy body. He mumbled a curse, then muttered into her hair, his voice thick with sleep, “You’re shivering.”
“It’s cold outside.”
“I’ll warm you up, surfer girl.” He threw a leg over hers and wrapped her up in his warm, strong arms. Safe, protected, she rested her hands and head against his solid chest and dozed.
Several days passed withouta ripple, despite Tom delivering notice on Hailey’s behalf, and her anxiety eased once again, letting her focus on a different urgent dilemma.
It was in this state that she opened the front door to the Miners Tavern, surprising the woman who stood staring at the health department seal that had kept the Miners Tavern closed. Hopefully that seal would be gone after today.
Ashley’s wide eyes landed on Hailey. “Hailey Bailey! What are you doing here?” Last time they had seen one another, they’d been munching on skimpy appetizers at the Christmas party nearly four months ago.
“Hi, Ashley,” she greeted the Mesa County Public Health Department inspector. “I work here now.” She motioned the woman in and secured the door.
“I heard there was a big shakeup in Montrose County. When did you start here?” Confusion clouded the woman’s eyes. She probably wondered why Hailey had traded her safe, cushy job for one working in a closed-down restaurant in a small, rundown mountain town.
“I started a few weeks ago.” Hailey’s gaze drifted to Noah, Dixie, and Dewey standing ramrod straight in front of the bar. Well, straight for Dewey meant he was a little less stooped than usual. “Let me introduce you to the owner, his restaurant manager, and his kitchen manager. They’re here to facilitate the inspection in any way they can. You can also tell them to clear the hell out if you prefer, and they’ll comply.” Hailey mouthed, “Right?” to the three sentinels. Noah returned a nearly imperceptible nod.
Ashley smiled. “Well, this is a refreshing welcome.”
Hailey didn’t miss the way the woman’s eyes swept appreciatively over Noah’s frame. That admiration could go a long way in tipping the outcome in his favor. Not that Hailey was worried the tavern would pass, but still, today’s unorthodox inspection was a huge deal.
After making the introductions, Noah stepped forward as Hailey had instructed him when they’d reviewed strategy this morning. “Where would you like to start, inspector?” He held out a hand for her backpack and placed it on a chair.
