“That’s what I’m here to talk to Rusty about.I think I’mready.”
She smiles with an audible sigh of relief.I guess she reallydoes miss me.
“Good.Rusty’s around back.”
“Thanks.”
I walk down the corridor and knock on Rusty’s office door.When he gives permission to enter, I turn the doorknob and step inside.Hesmiles and rises to his feet, moving around the desk to give me a hug.
“Casey, darlin’!”
“Hey, Rusty.”
“How are you feelin’?”
“Much better.Ready to come back to work.”
“I want to talk to you about that.”
He adopts a business-like tone and posture for the firsttime since I’ve known him.Oh, God… Please, don’t fire me.I needsomething to keep me busy.
“You’re a hard worker… smart… and I trust you.”
“Thanks.”
“I love what you’ve done with the place,” he continues.“That being said, I want you to manage it.You’ll have little interference fromme.You can run it the way you see fit.”
“Oh, wow.I’ll have to think about that, Rusty.I mean… thatwould be full time.”
“Yes, with a full-time salary.”
The salary is not my problem, the hours are.“Couldyou give me a couple days?”
“Sure.You can give me your answer at the end of the week.”
“Thanks, Rusty.”
I say good-bye to the girls and decide to head home becauseI need to think.I’ll have to talk to Daddy in the morning, too.In the parkinglot, I get the weird feeling I’m being watched.Out of instinct, I reach intomy purse and wrap my fingers around my pepper spray.In my other hand, Iposition my keys between my fingers and make a fist.Hearing footsteps behindme, I turn to see a man racing toward me.Not one to ask questions first, Iraise my pepper spray the moment he’s close enough.He cries out and covers hiseyes, blindly clutching at me.With all my strength, I raise my foot anddeliver a swift kick to his groin.Holy crap!The dude must have balls ofsteel.I grimace in pain and notice two other guys rushing in my direction, hopefullyto help.My attacker runs off, escaping into the woods.One of the men hurriesto help me while the other takes off after my attacker.
“Are you okay, miss?”
“I hurt my ankle,” I answer.
“Do you want me to take you to the hospital?”
“No.Just help me inside, please.I’ll have one of the girlstake me home.”
“No problem.”
He effortlessly swings me up into his arms and heads for thebar.I glance at him as I curl my arms around his neck.What is it withCanid and tanned, muscular, demi-gods?Jeez….
“Thank you for your help,” I say.
“You’re welcome.Seems like you were doing pretty well onyour own, though.”
“That’s New York street smarts for ya.”
Jan runs to my side when we enter the bar, and one of theguys brings me a chair.
