Page 67

Mel studies me, then shakes his head.

"Never thought I'd see the day."

"Neither did I."

I push away from the railing.

"Get settled. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Thanks for putting in a word."

"Don't make me regret it."

His grin returns.

"Wouldn't dream of it."

Chapter 8

Vex

The ride home clears my head.

Mostly.

Got a new prospect I vouched for, a missing man whose car turned up forty miles out of town, and a woman waiting in my cabin who somebody tried to take yesterday.

Plenty to keep me busy.

I pull up outside the cabin and kill the engine.

Cabin looks the same.

Except there's a light burning in the kitchen window.

And somebody inside.

My chest tightens.

I park, head up the steps, and let myself in.

Something smells good.

Kierra's at the stove, wearing just one of my T-shirts.

Fuck.

She glances over her shoulder.

"You're home."

Two words.

Hit me harder than they should.

"Yeah, darlin'."

"I hope you don't mind. I found pasta, and you had enough ingredients for something vaguely resembling dinner."