“What’s her motive?”
“I think she’s pissed I bypassed her and set up my own meetings with the guys she works for. These notes reek of sneakiness, which she has in spades.”
“Strikes me as a little thin.”
“I also think she’s pissed we’re not together.” He hesitated to word it in such a way that indicated he and Hailey were together. Why rub it in?
“You think she’s got it in for Hailey because you twoaretogether?”
So much for not rubbing it in.“Yeah, it’s possible. Ursula doesn’t like losing. Look, let’s keep this between us, huh? I don’t want Hailey getting any more worried than she is already.” He paused to clear his throat. “I have another favor to ask. I’m out of town until tomorrow afternoon. The tavern closes early tonight, so things will be real quiet. Charlie’s working in Grand Junction, and Reece is on call.”I can’t believe I’m doing this.“Would you do me a solid and—”
“No need to ask. As long as I’m in the area, I’ll check on your girl.”
“Thanks, man.”
He hung up, reassuring himself Hailey was in good hands, and turned his attention to the tantalizing opportunity dangling before him.
Chapter 33
A Night Off
Dixie shoved a coveredtray into Hailey’s hands as Hailey followed Chance up the stairs. “Your dinner, hon.”
“But, Dixie, I don’t need—”
“You hush now, little girl. Dewey made this special just for you, and you don’t want to crush the poor man.”
Unexpected tears welled and pricked Hailey’s eyes. “Well, you tell him for me I really appreciate it.”
Dixie gave her a sly wink. “I added a piece of mud pie. Oh, and this is from the boss.” She handed over a small gift bag.
A gift from Noah? Hailey’s heart fluttered as she peeked inside. She let out a squeal of delight. “Aw, this is so thoughtful!” She hauled out a clear plastic bag bulging with blue M&Ms. “I’ll have to give him an extra special … um, hug when I see him.”
Dixie cackled. “I’m sure an ‘extra special’ is exactly what the boss is hoping for. Now go on upstairs. I’m fixing to leave, and I’ll lock up.”
Giggling, Hailey trotted the rest of the way up the stairs and opened the door for the dog. She had been enjoying a rare evening off—Dixie,Luane, and Dewey had barely let her set foot downstairs unless it was to let Chance out for potty breaks—and was looking forward to slipping into a steaming bath and getting lost in a spicy romance novel. Noah had texted her when he’d reached Silver Summit, and she’d teased him she’d be looking for new ideas to try out on him. He’d promised to come home as early as possible tomorrow, adding an emoji with its tongue hanging out.
Later, she might tackle her book order and whittle it down some more. The task was a work in progress—one title at a time, each one painful to cut.
Other priorities came first, though, like biting into Dewey’s Swiss burger and sweet potato fries while they were hot. While she did just that, Chance stood by the door and whimpered.
“If you’re gonna beg, dude, you gotta do it right. You standnextto the human you’re begging from, not across the room.”
Her little speech didn’t keep him from parking his butt by the door and continuing his soft cries.
She abandoned her remaining meal to prepare his food bowl. “I know you can’t possibly have to go potty again, so you must be hungry. Come get your yummy food.” When she placed the bowl in its usual spot, though, he barely glanced at it. He remained in the same spot as if he’d been riveted to the floor. “Oh, I get it. You’re waiting for Dad. Well, he won’t be home until tomorrow, so you’re stuck with me.” She gathered up her bath pillow, bomb, and book, but Chance still didn’t move.
She huffed out a breath and fisted her hands on her hips. “Okay, buddy. It’s like this. I can’t relax while you’re looking so distressed, which means any hot water and smelly good stuff in the tub will go to waste. I’ll let you out one more time, and if you want to stand there all night afterward, knock yourself out.” At least she would know she’d tried everything, short of having Neve check him out.
The dog stood, sniffed beneath the door, and let out a sharp bark. Then he paced back and forth, his whimpers louder than before. Her skin erupted in goose bumps, and she doused the lights so she could peek out the windows without being backlit. Nothing stirred in the street below.
Mustering her courage, she cracked open the door. Chance tried to bolt, but she shoved him back inside.
“Stay,” she commanded before tiptoeing down the stairs to the back door, where she looked through the peephole. Nothing moved in the illuminated semicircle cast by the exterior light—nothing except heavy pine limbs being ruffled by the wind. No notes fluttered on her windshield, and she blew out a relieved breath. Those damn messages had had her tiptoeing on spikes since they’d first appeared, and they were probably the reason her nerves were a little raw at the moment.
She double-checked the locks and raced up the stairs, prickles cascading from her neck to her tailbone. Chance barked and spun in circles when she pushed her way back inside.
Dropping to her knees, she wrapped her arms around him, accepting a sloppy slurp. “Is there a girl dog in heat out there? Maybe you smell a moose on the loose. We don’t get many of those in Noah’s loft, you know.” Her attempt at lightening her own mood thudded like an encyclopedia hitting a library floor. He seemed to calm, though, so she stood and hazarded turning on one table lamp.
