Page 196 of Crossed Wires: The Complete Series

“What about Big Mac?” Marc asked. “Do you believe us?”

Hunter scowled. “I told Ronald at the cop shop I’m letting him go. Bullshit behavior isn’t accepted at Farpoint, and getting drunk in town and telling everyone in the pub he’s going to fuck the American teacher just to piss you two off is bullshit behavior. The pub owner called me; told me all about it. As did a few other people who were there last night. If I’d had my phone turned on during dinner, I would have gone over to the pub and shut him up myself. The fact he apparently called Ms. Shaw a slut numerous times didn’t help his cause either.”

“You’re sacking him?” Keith couldn’t keep the surprise from his voice.

“I am. He’s got until midday to get his stuff and be off Farpoint for good. In my opinion, he’d be smart to get off earlier. I can’t imagine anyone’s going to come to his rescue if you come face-to-face with him.”

Keith’s pulse thumped like a sledgehammer in his throat. “If Idocome face-to-face with?—”

Hunter shook his head. “Ronald’s a fuckwit, Keith. You’re not. Use your head, okay? No one would blame you, but that’s not going to stop the cops arresting you if you kill him.”

Keith gave his boss a quick nod. He shot Marc a sideways glance. “What about…” He stopped, unable to ask the question.

“Your sexual situation?” Hunter finished for him.

Keith nodded again.

“It’s not my business, nor anyone else’s for that matter. Don’t think Dylan will give a shit, as long as it doesn’t interfere with your work. Mum might be a bit…disapproving, but don’t worry ’bout her. I’ll deal with it.”

“Fuck,” Marc burst out, the shock in his voice echoing the surprise Keith felt. “We didn’t think that you’d…y’know…”

The side of Hunter’s mouth lifted. “Understand?” He snorted. “I may be your boss, Thomo, but I’m not an idiot. I know you can’t control who you fall in love with. And I’ve seen the way Harper looks at you both. Now get back to work, the pair of you. Oh, and Thomo? See that you keep Blue here away from the hands’ quarters until after midday, all right? For everyone’s sake.”

“Sure, Boss.” Marc flicked Keith a smirk.

Keith however, stood his ground. “What about McNamara? What he did to Harper yesterday?”

Hunter’s expression grew serious. “Keith, you know you can’t take it upon yourself to deal with it. Do you know what he did before you kicked in the door?”

Biting back a growl, Keith shook his head. “Not all of it. Only what I saw. And the fear in Harper’s eyes.”

“Then I suggest you let Ronald leave Farpoint. If Harper wants to press charges against him, I’ll drive her into town myself. Perhaps the pair of you should go see her, actually, instead of getting to work. Take her somewhere quiet so she can make up her mind about what she wants to do. I’ll let Mum and Annie know they’re babysitting the class today. I know Annie will love the idea of looking after a roomful of children.”

Keith couldn’t tell if Hunter was being sarcastic about Annie’s reaction or honest. He didn’t care. All that mattered was getting to Harper. Being with her. Taking away her fear, her pain. If she would let them.

Worshipping her with their bodies, their love. For as long as possible.

Before their days together ran out.

Chapter8

Harper returned the phone to its cradle, her heart racing, her mouth dry. Hunter Sullivan had called the cottage via the direct line between the homestead and Amy’s home and told her not to go to work today.

Lips tingling, blood roaring in her ears, she shuffled to the closest chair and dropped into it. Only four days of teaching at Farpoint Creek and she’d been fired.

No, that wasn’t right. Hunter hadn’t fired her, just told her not to go to work today. Told her Annie and Hazel would take the class.

Squeezing her eyes shut, Harper drove her nails into her palms.

She should have told him. Should have told him what Ronnie had done, tried to do.

Which was what? Scare you? Was he really going to do what you think he was? Or was it the little girl inside you, the one trapped by the actions of a sick man who should have known better, who terrorized you with fear?

Opening her eyes, Harper studied her toes for a long moment. What did she do now?

Find Keith and Marc. Tell them you’re sorry. Ask them to hold you. To make love to you.

She wrapped her arms around her belly, drawing in a long breath. She wished more than anything she hadn’t sent them away last night. She should have confided in them. It would have been the brave thing to do. But she’d been so scared, sickened by Ronald’s assault.