“I heard her tell someone at Home Cookin’ earlier today that she’s been interviewing lots of people, and she mentioned you as being particularly helpful. You better believe a lot of people were shocked by that.”
“I didn’t tell her shit.”
“You might want to set the record straight. Now everyone thinks you must’ve given her some kind of big tip, because she says she’s close to breaking the case.”
“I don’t have time for this crap. I’ve got a business to run, and I’m sure as shit not letting her get in my way.”
“Whatever you say, Logan. But I thought you should know.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Have you heard anything else about Nicole? I asked Cody when I cut his hair, but of course he wouldn’t say shit to me.”
I shake my head. I’ve been so caught up in my deadline, I haven’t had a chance to track Nicole down. “She’s been scarce; that’s all I know.”
“I saw her down at the bowling alley working, but it was a quiet night and everyone seemed to be staying at their tables and waiting for Rosie to take orders rather than going up to the bar. It’s like the court of public opinion has already passed judgment on her, and it wasn’t favorable.”
“She didn’t do shit. You and I both know it.”
Julianne shrugs. “Just because she’s our friend doesn’t mean she’s a saint, Logan. Sweet job on the car. It’s nice to see another one of our own making good again, especially with all this bullshit happening. Catch ya later.”
With a wave, she strides out of the garage, and I’m left wondering if this town will ever be the same.
Chapter 32
Banner
Itried to hurry; I really did. But honestly, I didn’t have a clue what I should wear to go ride around in Boone Thrasher’s badass car. It brings a smile to my face to know that it wouldn’t be nearly so badass if my man hadn’t made it that way.
And we already took it to Brown Town ...
Flashes of what it was like to be bent over the hood of the car while Logan powered into me from behind flip through my brain. Damn, that was hot.
If I’m not careful, I might throw myself at Logan as soon as I see him, and I know with the new paint job, there won’t be any more action happening on the 442. It’s a sad fact, but one I’ll find a way to live with.
I stop at the back door to slide on my boots and complete what I’ve come to think of as my Gold Haven uniform—skinny jeans, knee-high boots, and a black top. I stood in the closet forever debating between this and my super-short skirt I wore the other night. Should I have gone with the skirt? Maybe, but I’ve wasted enough time as it is, and Logan has to be chomping at the bit to take this car for a spin.
The clock on the dash of my rental car tells me I’m running further behind than I should be. I told him a few minutes, but it’s been closer to an hour. Maybe I should offer up some road head to apologize for my tardiness so he won’t hold it against me.
Then I’d have two things to tell Boone Thrasher about his precious new car.Hmm, I consider that a point in favor of road head.
I flip the radio station to the local country channel, a new taste I’ve acquired, and as though destined, one of Boone’s songs is playing.
He’s got this gravelly voice that instantly conjures thoughts of driving down backcountry roads in a pickup truck. All the things he describes were completely foreign to me only two months ago, and now they’ve become part of my everyday life. Life in a small country town is a completely different proposition than living in New York.
Boone delivers one hell of a performance, and Logan doesn’t know it yet, but I’m already planning on being a stowaway when he goes to deliver the car tomorrow so I can meet this guy in person.
I slow at the stop sign about two hundred feet before the blinking light at the Four Corners, and a blast drowns out the song. My car is at a complete stop, but it shakes anyway.
The percussion seems to echo, and I freeze.Did the whole town just explode?
Jarring myself out of my momentary paralysis, I scan the buildings in front of me. From behind a stand of huge oak trees, a raging fire meets a cloud of black smoke forming in the sky.
Logan’s shop is on the other side of those trees.
I floor my accelerator until the source of the smoke comes into view. Flames lick into the sky from the garage.
Where I’m meeting Logan.