Double Back (Kate Fox Book 7) by Shannon Baker

Author:Shannon Baker [Baker, Shannon]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Severn River Publishing
Published: 2023-04-17T16:00:00+00:00

18

The drive back to town stretched into eternity. I tried to distract myself by rolling down the window to catch the trill of a meadowlark as I passed, or to admire the smell of sweet clover just starting to bloom. Usually, a drive through the vast emptiness of the rolling hills, with only the dark ribbon of road and barbed wire fences, acted like a soft caress on my nerves. But not today. Every time I tried to sort out my thoughts with Poupon, I got tongue-tied and shut my mouth. It was a bad sign when I couldn’t even talk to my dog.

I called the Long Branch and ordered a BLT and chips and took it to my office. I needed to fill my belly and get myself under control. Because right then, I felt like everyone hated me.

With only a few bites left, the clack of boots on the polished hallway made me look up in dread. Who else wanted to rip into me today?

Carly popped around the doorway, a happy shine to her face and her standard buoyant cheeriness. “Oh man, wish I knew you were getting lunch from Twyla’s. I ate a burrito at the gas station.”

My heart rose from the bottom of my gut like she’d tied a balloon to it. “I thought you were fencing.”

In her dusty boots and faded jeans, with her long braid and old concert T-shirt, she looked like a cute extra in a country music video. The sparkle had returned to her blue eyes after too long and all I wanted to do was be around her. “Decided to hang out and see what you’re up to this afternoon.”

I felt like kicking dirt. “I’ve got to run someone to North Platte. It’s not going to be a fun mission.”

She tilted her head. “I’ve got the day free. Why don’t I ride shotgun and keep you company?”

Yes. Absolutely, yes. “You don’t want to spend this gorgeous afternoon on the road.”

“Not really,” she said, and my stomach dropped again. “But I want to enjoy your sparkling personality. So, yeah, let’s do it.”

I didn’t wait for her to change her mind. I snapped my fingers at Poupon. “Let’s go.” He opened his eyes, but he didn’t jump up like a real partner would.

Carly chuckled. “A real go-getter, that one.”

After I tugged him up, he shook while I hurried to the door and held it open.

Carly waited for me to lock my office. “What’s the emergency?”

I started down the hallway with Poupon in tow and Carly beside me. “Not so much an emergency as a concern. Newt and Earl have a visitor from the past, and I’m not sure it’s a good idea.”

“I’m pretty handy in martial arts.” She mimed a karate chop. “In case you need backup with such dangerous criminals.”

I wondered how much of that was a joke. There was a lot I didn’t know about Carly’s activities when she went missing. We clumped down the stairs to the back door and out to my cruiser.

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