Page 35 of Nanny for the Bodyguard

Now I’m on the receiving end of some eye rolls, but I know Liv doesn’t mean anything by it.

“I get you, girl. I do. Don’t feel bad if it feels like too much. I just want to help you out. And the library. Because let’s face it, having a ‘celebrity,’” she does finger quotes around the word, “there will really draw attention to it. Get more people to sign up for cards and shit.”

She really knows how to make me feel guilty about not saying yes. Olivia knows I can’t turn my back on a good cause, and libraries and literacy are especially dear to my heart.

“Okay, okay. Let’s plan for it as long as I get this book out on time. Yeah?”

Lighting up, Liv smiles so damn big and leans over the table to give me a hug. “Yes! Thank you!”

All I can do is laugh. She’s lucky I love her so much.

“You owe me, Liv. I’m talking full-blown gremlin night where I don’t have to get out of my PJs for twenty-four hours, and I pick all the movies.”

Reaching out her hand, Olivia nods, and I take it, shaking. “Deal.”

We chat for a bit longer, random things about books and TV shows that we’ve been enjoying lately, and then Liv needs to get back to her office for a meeting with one of her clients.

I feel only slightly guilty that I took a break from writing to chat with her for so long, but I knew we both needed it. And the good news is, I still have all day to sit here and work.

By the time I look up from my computer again, having utterly zoned into my writing and nothing else, the sun is going down outside the coffee shop.

“Oh, holy shit. I really have been here all day.”

I’m looking through the window at the gorgeous array of pinks and oranges decorating the sky when the barista comes up to my table and taps on the surface.

“Hey, hate to interrupt, but we’re actually closing.”

I jump in my seat, close my laptop, and reach for my bag. “I’m so sorry! I’ll be out in like two seconds.”

The woman smiles, waving a hand. “It’s no big deal. Just letting you know. Thanks.”

I clean up my stuff, taking my napkins and paper bag that used to hold a cinnamon roll to the trash. I really should have eaten more, and it hits me that I’m starving.

My stomach rumbles as I stand and tuck in my chair, heading toward the door. I wave at the barista as she calls out a friendly goodbye, deciding that I might take the long way home so I can stop by the sandwich shop and pick up dinner.

Turning left, I take the sidewalk to the alley between the streets. It’s the fastest way to Pete’s sandwich place, and I think they close soon.

“God, please let me have time. I don’t want to cook.”

I hurry my steps, slipping into the shadowy darkness of the alley, thankful for the cool air here.

It’s still so hot, being the middle of a Red Lodge summer, and I double down on my need to avoid using the stove. It’ll make my tiny apartment that much hotter, and my A/C sucks.

Crack.

The sound of a rock hitting a building makes me stop, and I look back over my shoulder. I don’t see anything, just a big dumpster, but I hurry my steps nonetheless.

Jesus, this is the kind of crap you write in your books. Come on, Hazel. It’s Red Lodge. You’ll be fine.

Still, my spine tingles, tension swelling within me, and I move faster toward the open area in front of me. I just need to step out onto the street in the fading sunshine. I’ll be safe there.

Just as I swallow down my growing fear, I hear another sound, gravel scraping against itself. I stop, moving to spin around, but before I can, I’m thrust to the side toward the brick wall.

My head meets the hard surface, and pain flares through my skull as my vision goes black for a second.

Warmth trickles down my face as strong hands press me into the brick and then abruptly lets go. I crumple to the ground, my laptop bag clattering to the asphalt next to me.

What the fuck just happened?