Bitterroot Crossing by Tess Oliver

Author:Tess Oliver [Oliver, Tess]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2011-01-07T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

The police had road blocks across several main streets in town. Apparently the gang had been busy after they’d finished blackmailing me. There were big, blue plastic barrels strewn around the town’s sidewalks, which look like they’d contained some kind of yellowish glue. Most likely they came from the label making factory at the far end of town. The barrels were mostly empty now but the streets, signs, and shop windows had been covered with their gooey contents. It was going to be an expensive mess to clean. I really hated those guys.

I pulled into the lumber yard and shut off my bike. It was still early but lights were on in the office. I had no reason to go in and was happy to avoid seeing anyone. It felt as if I’d been swallowed up in a gray, bottomless hole, and I would never see light again. I had no idea how I was going to stay away from Jessie without going mad.

The morning air was chilled, proving that fall was definitely on its way. The coldness made my swollen hand hurt more. I tucked it under the opposite arm and hurried past the office window. Berta nearly fell out of the door in her quest to intercept me.

“The temperature sure drops quickly this time of year.” She pushed her boobs against her tight sweater apparently convinced that I wanted to see them.

“Yep,” I said and kept walking.

She ran after me and grabbed my arm to stop me.

I turned and showed her my best ‘what the hell do you want’ expression.

“Did you hear what happened in town last night?”

“I didn’t have to hear.” Now my look said ‘you’re an idiot’. “I have to go through town to get here, remember?” My expressions and tone didn’t seem to faze her.

“Daddy said the citizens are pissed-off. They want that odd little girl to leave town with her grandma.”

Forgetting that my hand was in terrible pain, I squeezed it into fist then flinched.

Berta’s brow furrowed. She glanced at my hand. “You’re hurt.” She reached for it, but I pulled it away.

“It’s nothing.”

She moved closer to me, a hair’s breadth from pressing against me. “They’re upset with your family too, you know, being Crush’s relatives and all.” Her breath touched my face. She reached up and fingered my earring. “Daddy has a lot of influence in this town.” Her finger moved to trace my ear. “I could talk to him about making sure they leave your family alone.”

“Thanks for the offer,” I said, “but I’d rather just get the hell out of Bitterroot.” I spun around and headed to the loading area.

Thankfully, Berta left me alone the rest of the morning. My hand was on fire by the time I’d finished loading the truck, but I didn’t care. I jumped down off the bed and went to tighten the tie-down on the back when Baxter came running up.

“It’s gone.” His eyes and nose were puffy from crying. “I’ve looked everywhere and it’s gone.

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