Page 70 of Jagger

“I was just passing through,” I insisted.

“Trouble is,” he continued and I had a feeling he was going to ignore me, “no young folks want to move to a place like Danger Falls. Vacation here? Sure thing, but they feel like it’s going back in time.”

“I love it here. The buildings are adorable and everyone is so nice.” By the look shared between Poppy and the doctor, I could tell I’d fallen head over heels into a setup.

“That’s good to hear. You’d fit in real nice around these parts. Wouldn’t she, Jagger?”

Jagger didn’t answer right away, grumbling yes when he did.

“I’d like to offer you a job. You can lease or buy the clinic from me and I’ll give you a damn good rate if you choose to buy it. I promise you that you’ll love the place. Just needs a woman’s touch.”

To say I was flabbergasted was an understatement. “Um, that’s really sweet of you, but you don’t know who I am or my credentials. I didn’t bring a resume with me.” What was I doing?

He shrugged. “If the stories about last night are even half true, then you’re right for the job. I also know good people when I see one. Maybe you could stop by in the next day or two.”

Why was it everyone in the diner was hanging onto my words, waiting to hear what I would say? “Doctor Welby. I’m really just passing through. I don’t know what I want to do with the rest of my life. I just…”

“Just think about it, Bella.” He touched my hand, his shaking. I could tell he’d wanted to retire for a long time. “You’d make an old man real happy.”

“I’ll… think about it.” How had I gotten roped into this?

“Good. Jagger. Do your best to rid yourself of that surly attitude and show the lady a good time. Take her to all the best places in town. I know you can afford it. Don’t be a cheap guy. We need her.” He grinned and winked at Poppy before returning to his barstool. I had a feeling he’d been a staple at that very one for years.

Jagger grumbled once again. “I’ll do my dam… darnedest to keep her here.” I was surprised he caught himself before cursing.

I didn’t really know small towns. I’d lived in one during foster care, but the only reason I’d been allowed outside the house wasto go to school. When several of the customers started to clap, I shrank back. A couple of people even tried to take pictures. I was the one coming close to a panic attack. Without realizing what I was doing, I fled the diner, a wave of terror rushing into me.

Immediately, I felt like an idiot, but I was perspiring, my heartrate much higher than normal. I hadn’t experienced such a rush of suffocation in a long time. I walked to the edge of the sidewalk, staring out at the traffic. I was right in front of the diner window and I sensed every face plastered or neck craned to gawk at the crazy person.

I tensed the moment I noticed a shadow coming up behind me. My throat tightened immediately and I almost took off running.

Stop. Don’t. You’re safe.

But was I? I’d tried not to allow Joel’s text to bother me, but I was failing miserably.

Jagger was damn good at coming up behind someone, likely without them noticing, but I wasn’t just anyone. And he wasn’t just another guy. Our connection was somehow profound, something I’d never thought I’d want again. But I couldn’t stand lying to him much longer. The burden was too significant, the ache I felt by doing so hitting me far too hard.

He stood by my side, donning his dark shades and doing exactly what I was doing. Staring out at nothing. There was no tension this time between us. This was his way of giving me more than just space. He’d listened to me about needing peace.

I couldn’t help myself, every few seconds looking over in his direction. He didn’t move a muscle, but his facial muscles twitched a couple of times. For a man who didn’t like to talk much, I sensed he had a whole lot to say at this point. Hisstubbornness was keeping him silent for now. The mischievous girl in me wanted to egg him on to see how long that lasted.

Just him being here meant he cared at least about my wellbeing. At this point, it was all I could tolerate.

“They think I’m nuts. Huh?” I asked, maybe a little more contritely than I’d planned.

“A little.”

“Great.”

“But you fit the townsfolk. They’re all certifiable.”

He still had a way of making me smile. “Well, good then.”

“Poppy grew up here. She moved away for college and to get married, but eventually came back. She and her husband ran the bed and breakfast for a long time until his death, but she’s happiest running the local gossip column and the diner. And I don’t mean a newspaper,” he said, allowing himself to laugh slightly. “Lois and Jenny are harmless, both widowed and between the two of them and their friend Camilla, you can find out everything you ever wanted to learn and shit you didn’t about every person living in Danger Falls and half the tourist population.”

“They seem nice.”

“Yeah, a pain in the ass all the way around, but wouldn’t hurt a fly. The hardware store has been around since the very beginning of this town somewhere in the early nineteen hundreds. Doc Welby has been here almost as long, as you can tell. He’s a good doctor, although he certainly doesn’t have your skills. But there isn’t a local around here who won’t go to him for just about everything.”

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