Page 68 of Forever To Me

But the thought sticks.

Follows me all the way back to my truck.

By the time I pull into The Black Dog, I’m still thinking about it.

I don’t call my manager, Will, very often. And I definitely don’t ask him for favors.

Haven’t had a reason to. We’re a well-oiled machine. I write songs, he sells the songs and gets me paid. It’s a perfect arrangement, even though I bet he’d love for me to do more.

But as I sit in my office, staring at my phone, I realize I’m about to make an exception.

I pull up Will Maren’s number and hit call.

He answers on the second ring. “Well, well, well,” hedrawls. “If it isn’t Walker, calling me out of the blue. Thought maybe you’d finally decided to come back to civilization.”

I grunt. “Not likely.”

Will chuckles like he expected that. “What can I do for you, buddy?”

I hesitate for half a second.

Then I say it.

“I need someone to get a dog out of a bad situation. With no one knowing," I add.

There’s a beat of silence.

Then, surprisingly, Will just hums. “A dog?” he repeats. "You want me to steal a dog?"

“Yeah. One that belongs to someone here in Bridger Falls. Her ex in Nashville has him, and I want to get him back for her.”

Will chuckles again, but there’s something sharp in it this time. “Damn, Walker. Didn’t take you for a dog thief.”

I roll my eyes. “Are you gonna help or not?”

Will exhales. “What’s the ex’s name?”

I hesitate. “I don’t know yet.”

“Then find out. And send me whatever you can on the guy—where he lives, if he’s got security, that kind of thing. If you have a picture of the dog, even better.”

I pause. “You don't think we'll get caught, do you?”

Will laughs. “Relax, Walker. I know a guy who knows a guy. If this dog really belongs to your girl?—”

“She’s not my girl. But yes, he does.”

“—Then I’ll see what I can do.”

I rub my jaw. “Appreciate it.”

A beat of silence.

Then, Will says something that makes me stiffen.“If I do this, will you do a favor for me?”

I narrow myeyes. “Depends.”

A smirk edges into his voice. “Must be an important girl if you're willing to break a few laws for her.”

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