“Where are they?”
“Bozeman and Pine Creek.”
“So, both close. Lacey and Dagger, split the list with Marti and Preacher.” He turned to Preacher. “Or do you still need to stick close to Dead Horse?”
There was no note of irritation or censure in Cage’s voice when he asked the question. Preacher rubbed the back of his neck. “I’d like to stick close enough that if Laura needs anything…”
Cage nodded. “Fig, you got anything local?”
“A handful of meth heads who missed their piss tests.”
Cage shook his head. “That’s all we got. That keep you busy enough, or do you need some time off?”
Piss tests wouldn’t bring in the big bucks like finding Ludlow would, but he was still too new to the agency to completely blow off work. “I’ll take the drug tests. And I’ll work with Laura to harden the security around her to make sure she stays safe. If no other problems pop up, I’ll head back into the field.”
“Don’t worry about your job here, man,” Cage said. “You take care of business. If you need the time off, just send me a text.” He winked at Marti. “I’ll tag along with you, if you don’t mind. I can interview my prospects after we get back.”
“Don’t let her talk your ear off,” Preacher quipped, then cupped a hand against his ribs before her elbow gave him a hard dig.
* * *
Laura and Katie served a steady procession of locals throughout the day. Folks she never saw more than once a month all seemed to be in desperate need of donuts, and rather than taking their sweets and leaving, they all wanted to linger at the tables. Everyone commiserated over the boarded-up window, and then, inevitably, the conversation turned to her new “bodyguard.”
“Preacher’s not my bodyguard,” she told Rhonda from the package store.
Rhonda gave her a sly look. “How fortunate was it that he was here when it happened? I mean, if it had happened to me when I was working at Dem Bones, I’d want to have someone like that around.”
Laura moved past her to reach for a plate and coffee cup another customer had left on a table. “I was very fortunate. He knew exactly what to do.”
“I bet he did.”
From her sly tone, Rhonda wasn’t talking about the new security system or the plywood Preacher had installed for her. Laura rolled her eyes and leaned toward her persistent friend. “Yes, he’s good-looking and in amazing shape, and yes, he knows exactly what to do with it,” she whispered harshly.
A throat cleared behind her, and she slowly straightened.
Rhonda chuckled and pushed up from her seat. “See you later, hon. Looks like you have your hands full.”
A finger tapped her shoulder. “Ignoring me won’t make me go away,” Preacher whispered beside her ear.
“I’m just waiting until the floor swallows me whole.”
“Bet you are. I’ve felt that way more than once in this place. Should have someone look at your foundation.” And then he chuckled.
Laura leaned back for just a second, touching his chest. “Guess you heard all that.”
“Every word. Rhonda winked at me before she started in.”
“Why didn’t you say something?”
“I was waiting to hear what you’d say. Glad to know you appreciate my amazing shape.”
She turned and pushed against his shoulder. “It’s not nice to tease me. You already know I’m mortified.”
“Careful,” he said, his eyes dancing with glee. “We still have an audience.”
She gave him a rueful smile and carried the dirty dishes to the counter. Once behind it, she asked, “Can I get you something?”
“Just coffee. I wrapped up work early. I thought I’d come by and check in on you.”
Katie’s hand reached past her with a ceramic mug filled with steaming coffee. “Go take a break,” Katie said. “You’ve been on your feet all day.”
“So have you, and you’re working later than usual.”
Her assistant held up a hand sideways to hide her mouth. “I don’t have him waiting to spend time with me.”
Shaking her head, Laura removed her apron, grabbed a bottle of water, then followed him to an empty table. Laura was very aware of all the interested gazes that followed their progress across the floor. And it felt kind of nice to be the one who was being gossiped about. She’d never done anything worthy of attention. At least, not until last night…
* * *
Preacher hoped Laura wasn’t worried about all the attention they were getting from the good folks of Dead Horse. He set his mug on the table then held out Laura’s chair and scooted it forward as she sat. After she was settled, he moved around the table to take his own seat. At least they could talk about his good manners.
“Looks like you’re pretty busy today,” he said after taking a sip from his cup.
“Rubberneckers,” she said quietly. “And now that you’re here, I’ll have to pry them from their tables. You’ve been on everyone’s lips today.”
Preacher leaned over the table. “I’ve only been on your lips, sweetheart.”
A blush flooded her cheeks with heat. “Stop.”
The bell above the door chimed, and Laura glanced toward the doorway. Bob Updike entered, squinted at the counter then frowned. Katie pointed toward where Laura was sitting. “Looks like this break’s going to be short,” she said.
“Katie can handle him.”
“Bob’s been very kind to me since I moved in. He assembled shelves and helped move in the new walk-in fridge when it was delivered.”
Preacher studied Bob as he walked toward them, combing his thin dark hair with his fingers. Perhaps because of his short stature, Preacher hadn’t considered Bob as any threat to Laura. Or maybe it was the seemingly genuine concern the man had shown when Preacher had purchased his plywood. Still, it had been very convenient for the man to insert himself into Laura’s sphere when she’d needed help. He made a mental note to ask Fig to do a background check on good ol’ Bob.
Bob offered Preacher a tight smile. “Good to see you again.” He hooked a thumb over his shoulder toward the window. “See you got the measurements right.”
Preacher nodded. “I appreciate your help yesterday.”
“Yes,” Laura said, starting to rise. Preacher’s hand reached under the table and pushed her back down. “Um, yes, thanks for your help yesterday. It’s been a crazy couple of days.”
Bob’s gaze went from Laura to Preacher then back. “Well, I’ll just get a coffee from Katie. Nice to see you two.”
When he walked away, Laura pushed Preacher’s hand from her thigh. “What was that about? Were you peeing on me?”
Preacher’s mouth twitched. “That wasn’t me peeing on you, sweetheart. But it’s interesting that’s where your mind went. I was just looking to make sure Bob understands how things are.”
“What are you talking about?”
“He’s sweet on you.”
“What?” She shook her head. “He is not. I’m almost one hundred percent sure he and Edna have a thing.”