Page 24 of Professional Consult

“I brought a chest into the bedroom. You can sort through it and see if there’s anything that works for you.”

“When can I buy myself some new clothes?”

“There’s a Goodwill in town that will probably have more than any of the stores close by. That is, if you can stomach shopping in one.”

His response is like a challenge. Like he’s determined to either make me feel bad or run me out of town as quickly as possible.

But it’ll take more than hand-me-downs to get me to abandon my mission.

“Great. Maybe we can stop there after work.”

“Maybe.”

As I make my way into the bedroom, I hear Luke making frustrated sounds, but I hardly feel bad for him. The library I intend on putting into Pond Spring will be more than worth spending two weeks spent with me.

In fact, if things go my way, he won’t want me to leave.

CHAPTER7

LUKE

I don’t think I’ve ever moved my thumbs so furiously in my life.

Luke:Because of your goddamn antics, I have to take Miss Hollywood into work with me for the next two weeks.

Clint:You’re welcome.

Luke:This is NOT something I’m thankful for.

Clint:You should be.

Luke:Do you know what a liability she is?

Clint:You’re in Pond Spring. What the hell do you think is going to happen?

I know betterthan to tell him what I’m really thinking. That I’m not so much worried about her safety as I am my inability to concentrate around her.

And it’s not just that incredible body of hers. She’s witty, sarcastic, and holds her own. She’s the type of woman I’ve prayed would move to Pond Spring. But Lexi isn’t staying. She’s just a tourist.

I’d like to kick her out now, but she has enough money to casually build a library, which the kids of this town desperately need.

Luke:Is there any way you can have her called back to the set?

Clint:Can’t do that. She’s there for a reason.

Luke:She told me as much, but it’s not like she’s going to get much help here. We’re quiet.

Clint:I think being out there is exactly what she needs.

Luke:What right do you have to meddle in our lives?

Clint:I know you’re pissed, but you have to admit, it’s pretty damn funny. And it served a purpose. You taking her in like you did gave her a valuable lesson on police protocol she might not have gotten had she known it was fake.

Luke:I cannot believe you’re justifying your actions.

Clint:And I can’t believe you’re upset about having her around. Or rather, I think you’re upset because you do want her around.

I don’t wantto make a liar of myself, so I don’t reply.