Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 97032 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97032 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
“Don’t worry about the prepper broad. I’ll take care of her. You get rid of the other problem,” Stone ordered.
Footsteps and two doors opening and closing told me the two men had gone in opposite directions.
I hurried back to Jackie.
“What was that all about?” Jackie asked when I reached her.
“You tell me. What did he want?”
“He was giving me some bullsh—” She stopped abruptly and glanced around.
No doubt she was fearful my mom may be lingering about, and she would hear her slip and break my mom’s golden rule—no cuss words. Though it wasn’t fear of my mom that had her vigilant. She, like most, feared losing my mom’s respect.
“He was asking when I got off duty and how about we have a drink, really hitting it hard, too hard if you ask me.”
“Is it the only time he’s been here?”
“Yup, first time that I know of and if he had been here hitting on any of the other nurses, I would have heard about it. They’d be bragging about the hot biker. You know him?”
“Our paths have crossed.”
“What brings you here, Pepper?” Jackie asked.
“Wondering how the vanishing guy is doing.” I didn’t think Jackie would share any info with me, but what she didn’t share might give me a glimmer of a clue.
“Your dad, the sheriff, hasn’t kept you informed?” she asked with a grin.
I returned her grin with a wider one. “Which means if he hasn’t told me anything, then you certainly won’t.”
“You are so wise, Pepper.”
“Here’s a bit of wisdom for you… avoid Stone.”
“He’s not my type. Besides, I’m in a committed relationship and I an extremely happy with my guy.”
“And who is that?” I asked. “Besides being wise, I’m curious or maybe just plain nosy.”
Jackie laughed. “Cliff in radiology.”
“Glad to hear it. Much luck.”
“Thanks, and how is your hunk?”
My broad smile said it all.
“Good for you, Pepper.”
My cell pinged as I took the elevator down to the cafeteria, my dad letting me know Mom would be done in about ten minutes. Just enough time for me to grab tea.
When the elevator door opened, I came face to face with Stone, a container of coffee in his hand.
“Fancy meeting you here, Spicy,” he said with that disarming smile and stepped into the elevator.
I stayed right where I was. After all, I had him cornered, and as soon as the doors slid shut, I didn’t hesitate, I spoke in haste when I should have considered hindsight. “So, who were you talking with in the stairwell? Is it the vanishing guy you’re trying to get rid of? Oh, and just so you know, I think you’ve finally met a broad you can’t handle.” My smug smile practically sparkled.
Stone couldn’t mask his shock or annoyance. “None of your business,” he snapped.
“My dad, the sheriff,” I reminded him, “might think differently. So, can the vanishing guy implicate you in something? Was he running from you? You were at Treetop the night that guy was attacked. And what are you doing here?”
“I was talking to one of my crew who’s been giving me trouble,” Stone said through gritted teeth.
“Why meet at the hospital?”
“He was visiting someone.”
“Who?”
“I don’t know, and I don’t care,” Stone growled.
“You can tell my dad, the sheriff, his name. He can verify your story.” I crossed my arms, the picture of innocence and persistence.
Stone suddenly stepped closer, reversing the whole cornering situation before I realized what was happening. “You’re far from stupid, Spicy. Stay out of it,” he warned, his voice low.
Of course, I couldn’t let it go. “You really think it’s smart to threaten me when my dad’s the sheriff? Not your brightest moment, Stone.”
He slapped his hand against the wall beside my head, leaning in so close his leather jacket brushed against me. His cologne—a mix of danger and bad decisions—filled my nose. Just as he opened his mouth to say something, the elevator dinged, and the doors slid open.
Before I could blink, Stone was yanked away from me.
“What the—” Stone started, but Ian didn’t give him a chance to finish. Stone swung at him, and Ian sidestepped like it was a dance move, sending Stone hurtling into a display of hospital brochures. Pamphlets flew everywhere, paper helicopters spiraling down around us.
I wasted no time texting my dad and he and my mom arrived just after security showed up. Ian and I stood to the side with my mom as my dad spoke with Stone.
My mom asked what I should have. “Ian, what are you doing here?”
“I heard that you and Pep were at the hospital, and I came to make sure you both were all right.”
“That’s so sweet of you,” my mom said, “but how did Mr. Stone wind up covered in pamphlets?”
“He slipped,” I said, trying not to smile.
A police vehicle pulled up in front of the hospital, lights swirling and, of course, it had to be Josh who got out and entered the main entrance.