Page 13 of The Artist
Joey turned to the side and spat.“That bastard should have been shot.”
She looked at Peter.“Joey helped me pick up the pieces when Ed left.Come on in.Joey, the coffee is hot and I’m making French toast and bacon for breakfast.”
“Never let it be said that Joey Burgen turned down Alexis’s French toast.”He walked to the coffeepot, grabbed a cup from the cupboard above it and poured a cup of the dark, rich liquid before turning back toward Peter.“I don’t know what she does to it, but it’s the best I’ve ever had.”
Alexis felt her cheeks heat.“Thanks.It’s always good to hear that my efforts are appreciated.”She got busy preparing the meal.
Joey sat across the table from Peter.“So, how long do you plan on staying here?”
“Just until I can get my car running and out of the ditch.You said you found it, do you think I’ll be able to get it out?”
“I’ll pull you out.You might need to jump your battery, but after that, I’d be surprised if you can’t get it back to Aspen.If you stop here before you head back, you need to leave the car running so the battery charges.”
Peter turned his gaze toward Alexis.“I’ll say my goodbyes before I get the car.Will you be able to wait for me to gather my stuff after breakfast?”
Joey nodded.“Sure.Will you have enough time for…everything?”
“Yes, I’ll be seeing Alexis at her gallery, so it’s not really goodbye so much as see you later.”
Alexis hurried into the bedroom and returned wearing jeans, a flannel shirt, heavy wool socks, and slippers.Her boots were by the door.
After they all were full of Alexis’s good cooking, Peter gathered his satchel and put on his coat, then he went to Alexis and kissed her cheek.“Thank you for saving my life.I’ll owe you forever.”
As her cheeks felt on fire, she waved off his thanks.“Anyone would have done what I did.”
Peter shook his head.“I don’t believe that.You’re my redheaded angel.”
“Angel?”laughed Joey.“More like a devil.You obviously don’t know her very well.”
She swatted him on the shoulder.“Don’t listen to him.I’ve known him since I moved up here with Jim, ten years ago, and he treats me like his kid sister, even though we’re the same age.”
Joey grinned.“Someone has to watch out for you.Especially since Horace has taken an extreme dislike to you.I wish I could catch him at something.I’d show him he can’t mess with my friends.”He frowned and slammed a fist into his other hand.
Alexis was touched by Joey’s outrage on her behalf.She placed a hand on his arm.“I don’t want you to do something that could get you in trouble.He’s not worth it.I’ll keep reporting him to the sheriff, and hopefully he’ll take me seriously, sometime.”
Peter frowned.“The sheriff doesn’t help you?Why not?”
“He doesn’t believe me because one of his deputies is friends with Horace and tells him it’s not true.”
“He’ll never help her as long as McNubbin is around.But I will.”Joey stared at Alexis.“If she would just give me the go-ahead.I’ll make sure he knows he can’t mess with any friend of mine.”
She grabbed one of Joey’s hands and made him unclench his fists.“You know I don’t condone violence.I want to settle this matter legally.I want justice.”
Joey huffed out a breath.“You won’t get it as long as Sheriff Taylor is in office and has McNubbin working for him.The election is in November, and there are already several people who are considering running for the office because of exactly this kind of thing.”
“Is there anything I can do?”asked Peter.“I hate bullies.”
Alexis shook her head.“Until we can prove what he’d doing, there is not a thing we can do.I know that hanging your painting will draw a lot of customers and that will make him jealous.Horace might try something then to sabotage the showing.”
Peter narrowed his eyes and slammed his right fist into his left hand reminiscent of what Joey had just done.“All right, we’ll wait.But I guarantee that if anything happens this time, the sheriff won’t ignore me, or he’ll suffer the consequences.”
