Page 10 of Junkyard Dog (Lonesome Garage #3)

Chapter Ten

I am absolutely spent. Rhiannon is sugar and spice and sweet deception because I’ve never had a woman fuck me so thoroughly in my life.

If I thought it was going to be hard to let her go back to Washington, DC before, it’s impossible now.

She’s not leaving the county unless she’s with me.

I need to find a way to sell Lonesome to her.

With shitty timing, my phone beeps at the same time she rolls over and drops a kiss on my biceps. “One second, princess.”

Tolk has sent a text telling me that Abby Trask’s kidnapper van disappeared overnight. He and Wylie did a patrol around town and didn’t find anything. They think Rhiannon is in the clear.

“Bad news?”

“No. Excellent news. Your stalker seems to have taken the bait and moved on.”

Rhiannon falls back, her red-blonde hair fanning against her pillow. “Thank God.”

“What do you say to some breakfast and then a ride?” I laugh at the leer that crosses her face. “On my bike. I haven’t taken you out on it yet.” I didn’t get to ride at all yesterday. With winter on its way, I don’t want to miss another day.

“Really? I’ll be dressed in five minutes.”

I’d hoped to work up more of an appetite, but Rhiannon kisses me and is gone in a shot.

I hear water running in the bathroom as I respond to Tolk.

Unfortunately, that was the end of his good news.

They guys need me for a while this afternoon.

I have never turned down a brother in need before.

I’m not about to start now. I just have to find a safe spot to stash Rhiannon while I’m working.

There are plenty of places in Lonesome where somebody can keep an eye on her while I’m busy.

Rhiannon squeezes my chest tightly as I drive us into town to the Halfway Café for breakfast. I smile when she orders two eggs, two sausages and two pieces of toast. I know how much energy she burned this morning. I order double what she does.

While we eat, I point out Lonesome’s landmarks through the window. It’s not hard; they are all on one street. Vet clinic, laundromat, grocery store. We have everything you need, but not everything a city girl might want. She’s polite but I don’t think I’ve convinced her of Lonesome’s potential.

I don’t want to head straight home, so I swing the long way around Lac Lu, past Deacon’s place and the rental houses on the east shore, until we arrive at a new sign announcing the home of the Sunny-Lu Salon and Spa.

I hang back and watch Romy show her the property and the newly renovated salon building.

It looks like they are beginning to fix up some of the other structures in the old campground.

Rhiannon bounces back to me. “Anybody who invested in this place is going to be very happy with what’s been done so far,” she says.

“Random anybodies?”

“Totally random, as a prediction from a completely uninvolved observer.”

“Investors should be around to check on their investments regularly,” I say. “Daily would probably be best.”

She offers me a small smile. “Regularly, at least,” she agrees. If that’s all she can give me, I’ll take it but fuck I want more than just crumbs. I can finally breathe again. I don’t want to have to hold my breath whenever she’s gone.

Tolk texts to let me know that they need me. Romy offers to drive Rhiannon back to my place when they’re done.

“She’s gone, JD,” Rhiannon says when I hesitate. “If it makes you feel better, I’ll head straight to the house and stay out of sight.”

I don’t like it. I don’t have a reason, but I don’t like it. “Text me when you leave here. Text me when you get there.” I’m pleased as shit when Rhi steps up and kisses me goodbye. “I’ll see you soon,” I promise.

The ride back to town takes longer than my meeting with Wylie and Tolk.

I’m heading out to get Rhi when she texts me that they are leaving, so I have a couple minutes to stop at the garage to see if my cousins have any new relationship tips they can pass on that will help me convince Rhiannon to stay.

They have nothing useful to offer but back slaps and good wishes.

The highway home is unusually busy. With oncoming semis and passing Greyhounds, my head is on a swivel. A logging truck has ninety percent of my attention when I look in my side mirror to see a white van coming up behind me.

I get out of the way. Then…wipeout.