Page 75 of Billionaire Lumberjack's Bargain

I glance back at her as she takes the strung fish from Davey and holds it up, admiring it. “Agreed. Let’s head to the office as calmly as possible.”

We step back into the living room.

I do my best to look casual, relaxed, and if I don’t, hopefully, Camille thinks it’s because of what just happened upstairs andnotsomething else.

She lifts the fish. “I’m not sure this is enough for dinner, but…”

Pops chuckles and ruffles Davey’s hair. “Maybe an appetizer. Dalton and I need to take care of something in the office quickly. Do you know how to clean it?”

Camille scoffs, rolling her eyes at him. “Dave was quite an accomplished fisherman. I’m anexpert.”

For the first time since I met her, Camille said Dave’s name and discussed him without the immediate pinch of pain crossing her face.

Progress.

Even if after what happened upstairs might setusspiraling backward—or God knows where else—if it in any way has made her grief easier to handle, then I am not one to question it.

Her gaze meets mine for a split second as I walk past them and follow Pops into his office, but I can’t get a read on her. I shut the door behind me before I’m tempted to stay and try to get her to talk.

Pops eyes me as he settles into his chair behind the desk. “Something I should know?”

“About what?”

He nods toward the closed door. “You and Camille.”

I run my hand through my hair and sigh. “Nothing to tell.”

“Uh-huh.”

He doesn’t sound at all convinced but reaches out and snags the radio, calling the sheriff on the dedicated channel without giving me the third degree.

Though I know it’s coming—eventually.

I listen intently as he gives a more detailed rundown of what he saw, growing more and more uneasy with the whole situation the more he talks.

Sheriff Wilson releases a long sigh after taking a second to consider the information. “I haven’t noticed anybody unusual near town today, but I’ll tell you what. I’ll go out now and do a quick patrol to see if anything stands out or anyone who shouldn’t be around pops up.”

“I’d appreciate that.” Pops leans forward, resting his elbows on the desk. “Let us know what you find…if you find anything.”

“I will.”

I don’t dare try to sit in the chair with the way my body still feels, so I stand behind it and grasp the back, watching Pops set the receiver down. “I’ll go out tomorrow and see what I can track down. Hopefully, the sheriff comes up with something, but in the meantime, we stay vigilant.”

He nods. “What you said earlier…I don’t want you to worry. I’m not sure if what happened today has anything to do with Gallo, but that situation isn’t anything you need to spend any of your energy on.”

“There you go, shutting me down again without ever actually telling me anything.” I tighten my grip on the leather under my palms. “You can’t keep me in the dark forever, Pops.”

“I’m not trying to.” He motions absent around him. “You have enough to worry about between running this place, getting Camille’s in shape, and keeping me alive.”

“You could makethatpart easier, you know.” I point an accusatory finger at him. “Stop giving her shit when she gives you your shots. Stop complaining about the balance exercises and the brain-game shit she has you doing to try to get your body back to where it should be.”

He crosses his arms over his chest and leans back in his chair with ahumph. “I’m fine. Doing much better.”

“Only because she keeps making you do it. Because shepushesyou.”

A single white brow rises over his glasses. “Is that what she does to you, too?”

Shit.

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