Page 59 of Blue Norther
“Yep.” Hayes slid his hands back into his pockets. “That old warehouse on Wickham Road went up last week. And three weeks ago the same thing happened to an abandoned place near Lark Lake we got called to assist with. Seems like someone is setting them on purpose.”
“Well, you know we’ll help out however we can.”
“Appreciate it. Violet, I’m going to talk to Maggie about that sign. At the very least they can move your books out of the display window.”
“Oh sure, Hayes. I don’t want to be in the best spot in the store, or have my books noticed right as customers come in.” I rolled my eyes. “It’s fine.”
“I’m talking to her. Don’t try to slip out of the shop without me.”
Nate laughed. “So I’m not the only one you give a hard time to?”
“No. Of course not. But I do really want to say I’m sorry for everything that happened. I told Colt under no circumstances are you to be punished for my choices as a grown, independent woman.”
“How did he take that?”
“He growled something about me being his wife and needing to keep me safe, but I reminded him you didjust that.”
“Colt’s been absolutely fine, you have nothing to worry about. I’m not in trouble.”
“So you justhappento have the day off today?” I looked him up and down. He very clearly was not on official duty in jeans and a hoodie.
“Yep. Scheduled weeks ago and everything. I promise it’s all good. My girlfriend put an order in and asked if I could swing by to pick it up after I got done working out. So, here I am.”
“That’s nice of you.”
He shrugged. “Seems like pretty basic boyfriend duty stuff to me.” His eyes went to the table behind me. “Are those your books?”
I felt the heat immediately in my cheeks. “Oh, yeah. They just got some copies in. I was signing them.”
“Signed copies! Count me in.” He strolled past me and picked up one of each book.
“No! You don’t have to buy them. I’d give a set to you…or your girlfriend. I mean, she’s probably the one reading romance, right?”
“Actually, I read all the same books she does. It’s like a road map to how she loves and wants to be loved.”
Alright. I was actually going to swoon from how precious that was. “You’re a real catch, Nate. She’s lucky to have found you.”
“Nah. I’m the lucky one.”
“Don’t let Colt catch you calling him a catch, Vi. He’ll exile the poor guy to patrol the quarries.”
Nate shivered. “Those places always give me the creeps.”
“You ready to go?” Hayes asked, turning towards me.
“Yeah. Thanks for supporting a local artist,” I joked.
“Are you kidding me? I’m excited to read these. Come visit the station again soon so I can share my thoughts.”
I waved over my shoulder as Hayes and I left the store.
Colt
Shit, this day was dragging. I just wanted to be home with Violet.
I miss you.
Violet:
