Page 24 of Gentle Fox

That made two of us. I was flying by the seat of my pants here and honestly I was starting to question my sanity.

For the record, I was pretty sure I didn't have any left.

"Don't worry about it. You can stay with me until the other place is ready. It's only a few days. How bad could it be?"

Famous last words.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Annalee

Twice today someone was feeding me.

Correction, three times, if I counted the lunch that Kati brought me, and I absolutely did. A club sandwich from the Crazy Fox and some chocolate chip cookies from the Wickedly Delicious bakery farther down the street.

I knew as soon as the chocolate hit my tongue that I would be adding that place to my top favorites in no time. Plus, Kati said the owner, Maisie, was one of the coolest women she ever met. I made a note to take an actual lunch break tomorrow and go visit.

People always said that small towns were either very welcoming of newcomers or hated them. I was quickly learning Willow Creek fell into the former category. So far, everyone I’d met was nice and excited to have me here. It was a pleasant change from how my life was going in Baton Rouge.

"You look lost in your thoughts over there."

Owen stood on the other side of the kitchen island at the stove where he was preparing chicken parmesan for dinner tonight.

"Just thinking how nice everyone is here."

Owen chuckled. "Don't let some of them fool you. They’ll be butting into your business in no time."

“Maybe so, but from the little I’ve heard, it always seems to be with a kind heart. There’s nothing malicious with their intentions.”

“If you say so.” Owen shook his head.

"How come no one told me about the mirror? And why do you even have it? It's a little creepy turning around and seeing my reflection all the time."

I couldn't get the stupid thing out of my head after Kati told me about it. I was distracted by all the work I needed to do, but as soon as I had even a moment of downtime, my mind went straight back to it.

"When Mav first designed the office, he wanted a way to see that area without anyone having to actually be out there. I don't think he originally planned to hire a receptionist. It wasn't until he saw how much work it took to run the place that it dawned on him he needed someone a lot smarter than we are. I should warn you, we can also hear what's going on out there. Think of it like an interrogation room. Everything is one-sided."

What. The. Fuck.

"You've got to be kidding me.” I smacked my hands downs on the counter. “So the whole time I was talking to Kati, you heard what I said?"

At least he looked embarrassed by my accusation.

"Yeah . . . And that's how I knew something was wrong at the end of the day. I heard you slam the phone down."

"So you heard my conversation with the lawyer."

"That part, no, but only because I was busy with my own conversation. We don't keep the volume turned up loud, so unless something catches one of our attention, like the front doorbell ringing, we mostly ignore what's happening out there."

That was somewhat of a relief. Although knowing I lived in a fishbowl where everyone could see and hear my every move was a little strange. I doubted it was something I would ever get used to.

"Any chance, now that I work there, that can be changed?"

It was worth a shot. I couldn't be the only one who found it weird to be looking into a mirror all day every time I turned around to access the filing cabinet.

"I can talk to Mav and see what he thinks. I know we would feel better having eyes on you in case anything happens. The security business can be a little dangerous at times."

I didn't think that was true. Especially not in a small town like this. But then again, look at my situation. I was bringing trouble right to their door if Dennis figured out where I was, so maybe having someone watching me at all times wasn't the worst thing.

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