Page 19 of Chasing Shelter (Sparrow Falls #5)
Not information I needed.
She shoved the abomination in the form of a T-shirt in my direction. “Here. This’ll help.”
My mouth twisted in disgust as I pulled the thing on. The second it was over my head, Ellie burst out laughing .
“I’m sorry,” she wheezed. “I have to.” She lifted her phone and snapped a photo.
My phone buzzed in my pocket as I followed Ellie down yet another aisle at the feed store. Her cart was full, and she was carrying Gremlin in a pink sling she’d found for him. Pulling out my cell, I glanced at the screen.
Arden has changed the group name to Trace’s Hula Hounds.
My back teeth ground together as I slid my finger across the screen to open the text chain.
Arden
Check out Trace’s new look.
The text was followed by the photo I knew Ellie had taken. There I was, in all my scowling, pink-Hawaiian-shirted glory.
Fallon
I’m asking Lolli to make a diamond painting of this. It needs to be memorialized forever.
Rhodes
It’s almost as good as Anson’s pink kitten shirt. Maybe we can get them in a picture together for the Colson Family Christmas card.
Shep
That’s a whole new definition of an ugly Christmas sweater.
Me
I am putting you all on my deputies’ radar. If you speed, jaywalk, or park anywhere you’re not supposed to, they’re taking you in.
“My sister, really?” I called to Ellie.
She turned around, grinning widely. Gremlin stuck his head out of the sling. “It was too good not to pass along for sibling torture.”
“I’m going to get you back for this,” I warned.
“You can try,” she singsonged, turning back around.
My phone buzzed with a flurry of new texts.
Kye
I’m reporting this to the mayor. Abuse of power.
Cope
I’m taking out a billboard on the highway and putting this up.
Me
You have too much money on your hands, Puck Boy.
Arden
I am now engaged to a billionaire. Maybe I should ask Linc to put one up on every road in and out of town.
Me
Does anyone know how to get unadopted? *not asking for a friend*
Fallon
Sorry, pal. You’re stuck with us for life.
Me
That’s what I was afraid of.
I shoved my phone back into my pocket and moved to catch up with Ellie as she headed for the checkout. “They’re never going to let me hear the end of this. You know that, right?”
“That’s what siblings are for. Plus, a little shit-talking is good for you.”
“The thanks I get for taking you to the pet store.” I ticked a point off with each finger I put up. “Soaked by the monster. Have to wear this Pepto Bismol-colored flower atrocity—that smells like a wet dog, by the way. And get mocked for all eternity.”
“Oh, come on,” Ellie said as she moved up to the register. “It’s not that bad.”
“Arden and Cope said they’re making billboards.”
Ellie choked on a laugh. “God, I love them.”
“Not helping.”
Curtis looked up as he began ringing up Ellie’s plethora of items. “I don’t know, Sheriff. I feel like you could get a lot of numbers this way. You’re styling. And this shirt screams animal lover .”
“Is that really what it screams?” I asked, dropping my voice so only Ellie could hear.
Her lips twitched as she pulled the price tag off her sling. “Here, don’t forget this.”
“Little dude looks happy in there,” Curtis said with a smile.
“I think he is.” Ellie gave Gremlin’s head a scratch, and he all but purred .
“All right. That’ll be five hundred eighty-six dollars and thirteen cents.”
Ellie winced but pulled out her credit card, tapping it on the screen. “Who needs a savings account anyway?”
I hadn’t thought about how Ellie was making ends meet with a new rental and moving expenses. I knew The Mix Up paid fair wages, but it wasn’t like she’d be rolling in cash from that gig alone. “Why don’t I go half with you?” I suggested, pulling out my wallet.
Ellie instantly shook her head, expression hardening slightly. “Gremlin’s my dog, my responsibility. I’ve got this.”
I slid my wallet back without another word, sensing that this was a no-go zone for some reason.
“Thanks for all your help, Curtis,” Ellie said.
“No problem. When you go into Sparrow Falls Veterinary Clinic, make sure to tell them he was a stray. They’ll give you all his shots for free.”
Ellie tugged her lip between her teeth but nodded. “Thanks.”
What was her deal with help? She’d let me give her a ride easily enough, but any offer of monetary help clearly wasn’t welcomed. I mulled that over as I grabbed the bags and started for the door.
Both of us were quiet as we stepped outside, but the moment I took in the parking lot, my steps faltered.
“Trace?” Ellie asked, concern in her voice.
I couldn’t take my eyes off the man on the opposite side of the lot. The hunch of his broad shoulders. The silver now threaded through his dark hair. The eyes so similar to mine. And the cigarette dangling from his lips.
Jasper took a long drag of the smoke, exhaling and letting his mouth curve into a cocky grin.
“Who is that?” Ellie’s voice dropped low, even though he was too far away to overhear.
“No one,” I muttered, guiding her toward my SUV.
I was a goddamn idiot. Spending time with Ellie when Jasper could see us? Stupid. Worse, reckless. It would only put her in his sights more .
I waited as Ellie climbed into my SUV with Gremlin. As soon as the door shut behind her, I shoved the bags into the back seat and got behind the wheel, but I felt Jasper’s eyes on me the whole time.
As if it wasn’t enough that I’d had to live most of my childhood terrified of what he might do next.
What his so-called friends might do. Now, it was like I was back there all over again.
I could protect myself, but what about Ellie?
My daughter? My stomach roiled, a sick feeling washing through me.
As soon as we were out of sight of the pet store, Ellie spoke. Her voice wasn’t angry or harsh, but it had a coldness to it I’d never heard before. “Don’t lie to me.”
My gaze flicked to her. “What?”
“Tell me it’s none of my business. Tell me to take a long walk off a short pier. But don’t lie to me.” Ellie let out a shaky breath, and I could see for the first time that she was far more than angry. “I’ve been lied to all my life by everyone around me. Don’t you lie to me, too.”