I’m filling out the forms in my truck when a black SUV with a light bar rolls up. About fucking time. When I glance up at the man stepping out, my happy bubble pops.
But still, I blink, not believing what I’m seeing.
Harlan Thomas.
What the hell is he doing here?
After he got kicked off the fire crew, he disappeared. There was a rumor going around that he got a job with border patrol, but I didn’t believe it. Not after the shit he pulled.
He was always a big boy, but he’s bigger now, and I would bet my first paycheck that it’s not from working out.
I step down and shut my door, which draws his attention from the dead deer. When his beady little eyes meet mine, I can practically see his slow brain working to put the pieces together. But I don’t look anything like the skinny goof-off with a buzz cut that I was back then, so maybe he doesn’t recognize me.
He puts his hands on his hips and scans the opposite side of the road. “Where’s the driver responsible?”
“He left when I arrived.”
Harlan juts out his chin and his tongue rolls over the bulge of chewing tobacco tucked into his gums. “And you didn’t stop him?”
“Dispatching a critically injured animal was my priority.”
“Figures.” He spits onto the road. “Salvage crew coming?”
“Yeah.” Thank fuck he doesn’t outrank me because I’d rather eat my boots than call him Sir.
He studies me for another moment, disdain shining in his eyes.
Like he expects me to snap my heels and salute or some other bullshit.
I hold my ground, and he spins and waddles back to his rig.Seconds later, he pulls a U-turn, flashing theCLEARWATER COUNTY SHERIFFlettering in my face as he does.
You’ve gotta be fucking kidding me.
How did a crook like Harlan Thomas end up as sheriff?
Bear practically leapsdown the steps to my truck when I pull up outside the vacation cabin he bought this winter to fix up and sell. When he climbs in, I shoot him a knowing smirk.
“Shut up,” he groans while buckling in.
I laugh. “I didn’t say anything.”
He scoffs. “So what if I’m excited to see her? Is that some kind of crime?”
I put the truck in gear. “No, it’s just a look I haven’t seen in a while.” Bear’s last girlfriend and the one before that dumped him for someone else after four months, and he’s been gun-shy ever since.
His scowl softens. “I like her. She’s nice and she’s pretty and bonus points, she laughs at my jokes. I just can’t figure out why she’s single, or why she wants to hang out withme.”
“Because you’re a handsome stud, and the world’s biggest teddy bear.”
“Stop flirting.”
I take a left, passing more vacation homes, some with chimney smoke curling into the darkness. “How’s the reno coming?”
“Progress was a bit hampered by all the snow this week.”
Bear has built an impressive side gig flipping vacation rentals in places with excellent skiing. “Because you ditched to go skiing?” I tease.
He gives me a good-natured chuckle. “Thursday they had fifteen inches of fresh, man. How am I supposed to pass that up?”