Page 15 of Cautious Love

She nods. “Yes, sir, I do. I’m Masie, by the way. I don’t think we’ve met.”

I hold my hand out, and she takes it.

She glances at her window as if she’s checking to see if Grey can see us, and I frown.

“Ms. Masie, if you have information about Grey Kensington, I’d like to hear it. And I can promise you no one will know you spoke to me. If anyone asks, you can tell them you complained to me about a stray dog running around.”

Masie nods and crosses her arms. “I’m not afraid of that little boy, Grey. I’m more concerned about the people he works with,” she says.

I keep my expression neutral.

“I didn’t see much, but I did see Grey screaming at that poor, sweet Shiloh as she ran to her car. Her head was bleeding, and she looked like she was struggling. Before I could go ask her if she needed help, she left.”

“Thank you, Ms. Maise, that’s very helpful.” I pull my card out of my pocket. “If you have any problems or remember something else, feel free to give me a call.”

“I will sheriff, I hope you can get that little man.”

I tip my hat. “I do too, Ma’am.”

She nods and walks me out.

I drive back to the station, not much further along than when I started. It helps that Ms. Maise saw Shiloh bloody, but it’s not proof Grey did it, and unless Shiloh changes her mind about what happens to her, I’m not sure what else I can do.

Chapter 5

Shiloh

Theydischargedmefromthe clinic the next day, gave me some pain meds and scheduled me for a check-up next week. I don’t know how I’ll afford any of this. I don’t have health insurance and I’m barely getting by at the inn.

But while I lay there in that hospital bed, staring at those awful fluorescent lights, I made a plan. There’s a reason I didn’t tell Tatum or Ledger Hayes that Grey did this. If I did, there would be a whole process I have no interest in going through.

I do want him to pay, but it will be my hand wielding justice. I had Tatum take a bunch of photos for me, though, just in case he tries it again.

I called Jenkins at the diner and he already knew what happened because Ledger was poking around. I should have assumed he would. It doesn’t matter, though. They said to take all the time I needed and let them know when I’m ready to come back. Too bad for my bank account that will be tomorrow. I called the Wooden Cowboy to tell them I needed a day off. Big surprise, they already knew I was in the clinic too.Thanks Greer.Sometimes this town is too damn small.

After I manage to ease myself into my car, I drive down to Ella’s Inn and nearly cry as I pay for another night so at least I’m covered tonight and tomorrow night. I don’t know what I’ll do from there, but at least I have a place to lay my head.

I shower and change and head to the general store to get what I need. It felt like half the town was there, staring at me. They probably knew too, but I don’t care. I have a one-track mind right now, and it’s Grey Kensington.

Today is Thursday, and he goes to his buddy Trent’s house to play poker. A friend picks him up because he gets shit-faced, and he always leaves at six at night with a six-pack in his hand, and usually doesn’t get back until one in the morning. Which gives me plenty of time.

I’m slow moving so it takes me a while to get my things and get to his house. I wanted to be there to watch him leave. Unfortunately, my 90s Wagoner is easy to spot since it’s so old, so I have to park down the street in the direction I know he won’t go.

It’s 5:50 pm and I lean back in my seat, watching the front door. His truck is still in the driveway.

Ten minutes later, he opens the front door with a six-pack in his hand, and his hair brushed back because he took a shower. Like clockwork, a truck passes me and stops at the house. Grey hops in, and they leave in the opposite direction. I wait another ten minutes to make sure he didn’t forget anything. If he comes back and catches me, I don’t think I’ll walk out of that trailer, and I don’t want that piece of shit to be my grave.

This time I came prepared, though. On my shopping spree, I bought myself a revolver. I tuck into the back of my pants as I drive up the street, parking only a couple of houses down, and get out with my bag of vengeance.

I look around and don’t see any of the normal kids playing, and no one is outside doing their thing as summer drops into fall.

Taking that as my sign, I get myself up his driveway and have to take a second to catch my breath before I climb the stairs.

Using my key, I push into the house and look around. It’s like nothing happened. He cleaned up, which I have to admit surprises me. He must have thought I’d call the cops. Joke is on him, not telling the cops anything gives me the advantage and a bit of safety.I hope.

I drop my stuff on the kitchen table and see a business card.Of course. This guy doesn’t know when to quit.Looks like the good lookin’ sheriff made a stop here. I know he knows, but I also know there’s nothing he can do if I don’t tell him anything.

No matter.