Page 9 of Outside The Wire

I had plenty of money. That wasn’t an issue. But I couldn’t just sit on my ass all day and do nothing. I had to keep busy, so I got a job and here I was, working as a mechanic. Truthfully, I didn’t exactly know what I was doing. I was learning on the job. But my boss knew that when he hired me.

I locked up and headed into town as the first sign of light filled the Colorado sky. I actually ended up not too far from OPS. I could get there in a day if I needed to, but I didn’t. Don’t ask me why I chose so close to home, but this is where I ended up, and I was happy.

I pulled into the garage and waved at my boss. “Yo!” I called out. “Morning.”

Wyatt raised his hand, getting up from his desk with a stack of orders. “Got a shit ton to get through today.”

“Just what I was hoping you would say,” I grinned.

“That’s what I like about you.” He handed the work orders over and slapped me on the shoulder as he walked away.

Chuckling, I headed over to the time cards and punched in, then glanced at the sign as it lit up, signaling we were open. Duke’s garage lit up bright for all of the town to see.

The moment I saw the name, I knew it was a sign. Well, yes, it was a literal sign, but it was a signal for me to apply. I was hired almost immediately, and I’d been here ever since. This place had become my home. Life wasn’t perfect, but with time, I’d left my old life behind and created something I could be proud of.

All except for those damn nightmares.

Those might take a little longer to move on from.

3

HOLLY

I hummedalong as Christmas music played throughout my shop.Holly Lane Boutique.Yep, named after me and my horribly tragic Christmas name. I couldn’t help but name my shop after it. Holly Lane Boutique was in a cute house that I’d transformed into a store, filled with decorations for every room, along with comfortable furniture to accompany them, decor, and gifts. It was everything I’d ever wanted since I was a little girl and I’d made it my own, down to the orange cat that resided in my shop window most days.

“Ugh, not again,” Noelle groaned.

I grinned at her as she hefted a box onto the counter and turned to me, thrusting her hand on her hip. I loved Noelle and her attitude. We balanced each other perfectly. Her less-than-cheery attitude toward the holidays helped control my overly zealous attitude once the season had passed. Like right now. We’d bonded instantly over our hatred of being named after Christmas.

“I can’t help it. How can you deny that Christmas music is the best ever?”

“It’s fine,” she huffed. “But Christmas was over a month ago. It’s time to move on.”

I gasped, pressing a hand to my chest. “Move on?” I made my lip quiver as if I was actually insulted. “How could you ever just move on? Christmas is the reason for the season.”

“That’s not the saying, and the season is over,” she reminded me.

I sighed heavily. “Yes, and now we’re on to fake holidays. With fake love. Who actually celebrates things like Valentine’s Day?” I grumbled, tossing my decorations into the box on the ground like the grump I was whenever Valentine’s Day came around. I hated it. It wasn’t fair to those of us who were single. Always reminded that we would be alone. And if by chance we had a date, whoever that date was reminded us that it was only temporary, that they were only with us so they weren’t alone either. It was so depressing.

“Fake people,” she retorted. “We should boycott Valentine’s Day.”

“I would agree, but somebody out there will come into the shop and buy one of these fake decorations for their homes and I’ll profit off it. I can’t pass that up. In the meantime, I’ll cheer myself up with Christmas music.”

“Can’t you move on to St. Patty’s Day?”

“There’s no music for that,” I grumbled, hanging an ugly string of hearts that someone would love.

“Um…hello, Irish dancers and Irish music and hot Irish guys. Where have you been?”

“Yes, more hot guys. Please remind me of all the hotness I’m missing out on.”

I stretched on my tiptoes, but couldn’t reach the top of the doorframe. Sighing, I dropped the string and headed to the storage room at the back of the house for the stepladder.

“Did I tell you I have a date for Saturday?” Noelle called out.

I peeked my head around the corner, my eyebrows shooting up. “With the cop?”

She nodded, a grin filling her face. “Yep. Tom.”

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