Page 65 of Mountain Man Officer

“Waiting is only going to make it harder,” Macy explained. “Take it from me, I know.”

I sighed again. “There’s just so much going on. There’s the salon, and now Jason’s wife is in town.”

“Who?” Ava asked.

“You know that woman…” I trailed off, something across the street catching my eye.

There was a laundromat and a bookstore facing the bakery. Two cars were parked in front of the laundromat, and as I watched, that same crazy lady from the grocery store snuck out of the laundromat and around one of the cars. I couldn’t tell what she was doing, but it didn’t look like either of the cars belonged to her.

“There she is.” I pointed.

Both Ava and Macy looked.

“Oh yeah,” Ava said. “I remember her.”

“Oh crap.” I pulled out my phone. The woman paced a drunken circle on the sidewalk and then popped back inside the laundromat. I dialed Jason, waiting an eternity before he picked up.

“Hey,” he said warmly.

“Your wife is here,” I cut him off. “I think she’s following me.”

“Where are you?” he demanded.

“I’m at Pax’s Bakery.”

“Don’t move. Go inside. Stay where others can see you. I’ll be right there.” He hung up.

I put the phone back in my purse, my hands shaking.

“Are you okay?” Ava reached out to wrap a strong hand around my fragile one.

I nodded, feeling tears just behind my eyes. “She broke into our cabin and trashed the place.”

“Oh my God, Lindsey,” Macy gasped, covering her mouth with one hand.

“Is she dangerous?” Ava asked.

“I don’t know,” I said. The more I thought about it, the more I was sure the answer was ‘yes.’

It was only a few minutes before Jason arrived. “Where did you see her?” he asked, storming up the porch steps.

I pointed across the street at the laundry.

He kissed me on the top of my head. “Stay together,” he told my friends before jumping down the stairs and racing across the street.

Together, we watched as Jason pierced the laundromat. The street was deceptively peaceful, and we wondered what was happening. For a moment, we sat in silence, until Jason reemerged, shaking his head. He came back to us, apologetic.

“She’s not in there?” I asked.

“No, I didn’t see anyone.” He lingered at our table, wanting to say more, wanting to sit down.

I pointed to one of the other tables. “You can grab a chair.”

He reached down to kiss me again. “I can’t stay.”

I nodded.

“Call me again if you see her.” His eyes were worried.

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