Page 29 of His Road Dog

Chapter 11

Nicole

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NICOLE RESTOCKED THEshelf in the back of Sally's Style Barn. After contacting all her clients by phone, informing them she would now work on Tuesdays and Saturdays, she had filled her day with three perms and two frosts, requiring her to run to the beauty supply store and purchase more solution.

"Summer has officially hit Missoula. Every woman wants to walk around looking like Jennifer Grey in Dirty Dancing," said Kristi.

"Don't put baby in the corner." Nicole folded the empty paper sack. "But, at least they're happy. I don't think I've seen so many women excited to go show their husband their new hairstyle."

"Have you seen the movie?"

"No, but I've heard that phrase a dozen times in the last month." She laughed, walking into the main room. "Has your last client come in?"

"Not yet. She's coming in at six o'clock for a perm."

"You'll be staying late." She grabbed her purse and the bouquet she'd bought while she ran her errand earlier. "Do you want me to stay awhile and keep you company?"

"No. Go on with you. I'm good. Mrs. Stevens is an old friend. Actually, she was my second-grade teacher, so she'll have lots of questions for me, I'm sure."

"Okay, if you're sure. I'll see you Saturday." She waved over her shoulder and went out the door.

On the sidewalk, she lifted her purse strap over her head and let the bag hang at her hip. Her new pad was five blocks away, even farther than the other motel she'd called home. But tonight, she wasn't going straight back to her room.

She turned to go in the opposite direction and caught sight of a large motorcycle parked at the curb. Raising her gaze, her stomach fluttered, recognizing the broad body sitting on the seat.

Connecting with Priest's gaze, she lifted her chin. She hadn't expected to see him again after leaving his house, and the shock vibrated throughout her body. She had the whole sidewalk to walk past him, but her feet wouldn't move.

It was a Pinter moment if she ever had one—everything she wanted to say was done in silence because the emotion behind what she really wanted to say was too overwhelming.

It was as if he had her tied to the post of his bed. Her body responded to him even though her head told her to run.

"Get on." Priest started his Harley.

The low thrum of the engine sent a shiver of pleasure through her, and finally, her feet moved. Straight toward him.

Maneuvering onto the back of the seat, clutching the flowers was awkward. Only able to hold on to him with one hand, she said, "Can you take me to the cemetery on Park Avenue?"

He took the bouquet from her and raised his butt from the seat, shoving the stems underneath him. Over his shoulder, she peeked. The flowers were securely held between his legs and rested on the gas tank.

She hugged his waist, and he rode away from the curb and entered traffic. The five-minute trip to the cemetery wasn't long enough for her to figure out why he'd shown up at her work or why he'd want to see her again.

Priest stopped beside the small, white chapel. She gazed around at all the tombstones, having no idea where Roy was buried.

After not finding his obituary in the paper yesterday, she'd called the only funeral home in Missoula and asked the person who answered the phone, only to find out they had a graveside service for Roy two days ago, and she'd missed paying her respects.

She was surprised that he was buried so quickly. The police were still investigating his murder. On television shows, they always performed an autopsy, looking for clues.

"Would you know how I'd figure out where people are buried?" she asked.

"Look around you. Dead people all over." He handed her the flowers.

She got off the motorcycle. "You know what I mean."

He got off the bike and walked. She followed him, dodging the headstones, not wanting to step on the plots.

Priest stopped over at the side of the one-lane road that circled the cemetery. There were no headstones. The grass over the burial sites still newly cut, she could see the rectangle shape where they'd cut the sod and lifted it off the ground. Most of the area had flowers scattered around, probably from recent burials.

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