Page 59 of Good at Being Bad (Rock Canyon, Idaho 8)

“Ellie, look—”

She hung up on him, and dialed the Rock Canyon police station. As she explained the situation, she couldn’t wrap her head around someone’s motivation for slicing huge gashes in her tires.

When Officer Sam Weathers told her he was on his way, she hung up and dialed Gracie.

“Hey, Ellie, are you on your way?” Gracie greeted her.

“I am not going anywhere, I’m afraid. I am so sorry, Gracie, but someone slashed all of my tires last night.”

“What?” Gracie’s voice was high-pitched with outrage. “Who the fuck would do something like this?”

“I’m thinking Wayne Coulter. I rejected him in front of the whole crowd at Buck’s a few weeks ago. He threatened me, and it shook me up a little.”

“But four slashed tires? That is a little ragey for a set-down.”

“Yeah, I don’t know. Sam Weathers is supposed to be out here soon it look things over. But if you want to bring the kids here, I’ll still watch them.”

“No, that’s fine. Eric’s here, I just wanted to let him sleep in, because I am a nice wife, but I’m over it. I’ll ask around and see if anyone saw anything suspicious, but you better be careful. This is how stalker Lifetime movies start, so watch your back.”

“Will do.” She ended the call and was tempted to call Mike, just to see what he said. If she did that, though, every argument sh

e’d ever given him about handling herself would go up in smoke, but she was scared. Someone had come out to her home, destroyed her personal property, and she hadn’t heard anything.

Her phone started ringing. “Hello.”

“Young lady, I don’t appreciate you hanging up on me.”

Ellie rolled her eyes. “Sorry for being rude during my personal crisis, Dad.”

“I don’t care what is going on. You don’t hang up of people, especially your father. I would never do that to you.”

Ellie experienced a sharp twinge in her chest. It was true; her father had never hung up on her and usually came through for her, usually monetarily, when she was in a crisis. No matter his mistakes, he was still her dad. She loved him.

“I am sorry, Dad. I was just freaking out because I have no idea who did this.”

He stayed silent for several moments, and then said, “It’s all right. I can understand. Did you call the police?”

“Yes. They are on their way.”

“Good. How about money to replace the tires?” he asked.

“I’ve got it covered,” she said.

“Fine, then. I will see you Sunday and let me know how it goes.”

“I will. Thanks, Dad.”

Ellie hung up, surprised that for the first time in her life, she felt really good after getting off the phone with her dad.

Then her gaze strayed back to the slashed tires and she winced.

The good news is, my day can only go up from here.

Mike stopped in for coffee at The Local Bean, and was happy to see Gemma and Gracie sitting at their regular table. As he grabbed his cup, he walked over and sat down with them.

“Hey, ladies. What’s shaking?”

Gemma leaned over and kissed his cheek. She’d cut her brown hair just above her shoulders, and her hazel eyes sparkled at him.