Page 112 of Nate

Tess put her arm around her. “There hasn’t been anything on him yet? I don’t talk to Sam about what’s going on in his office. He leaves that at the door.”

“My mother hasn’t heard from him, and I know the police are trying to find him, but the thought that he’s still out there… just terrifies me.”

“I’m sure. I know how I felt all the time wondering if my ex would find me.”

Markie looked at her. “And he did.”

“Yes. I know I shouldn’t have felt like I did when Sam killed him, but I was glad I was rid of him.”

“I just want Jarrett out of our lives. It’s not just me I’m worried about. My mother and aunt too, and God, what would I do if he did something to Nate?”

“Nate can take care of himself.”

“Not if Jarrett surprises him. Tess, he’d hurt him because of me.”

“I know, but Jarrett is probably afraid of Nate. I know my ex was afraid of Sam. He backed down from him.” Tess sighed. “We just need to pray Jarrett is gone and never comes back.”

“I pray every night, but I know that man. He hates anyone who is better than him in any way. Better looking, taller, built better, more money… anything. He is the epitome of arrogant.” She shook her head. “He won’t stop until he’s caught, dead, or kills someone. I think it sent him over the edge when he got caught stealing my mother’s pills. He got addicted to them long ago. I told you about that. But once she threw him out, he had no way to get them. He knew we had them here. That’s why he came here. Not for me, but for the pills. I was just a bonus.”

“Opioids are very addictive. That’s why a lot of doctors won’t prescribe them. I think, if taken correctly, they’re fine, but once the body gets immune to a dosage, some physicians would give their patients a stronger milligram. Making the patient want more each time their body got immune.” Tess shook her head. “Very highly addictive.”

“I see what you’re saying. My mom used to take a time-release oxy, just one every twelve hours but it ended up being too powerful for her. When my mom switched to the current pain meds she takes, Jarrett began stealing more pills from her to make up for not getting as high, and he lost everything because of it. For him to even think of taking pills from here...” Markie looked at Tess. “I’m sorry, Tess.”

“Oh, Markie, that was not your fault at all. Jarrett had been on those pills for a while, and that’s why he went to that extreme after your mother kicked him out.”

“I just hope Jarrett doesn’t hurt Nate because it would be my fault.”

“No. Don’t think that way, Markie. Whatever Jarrett does or doesn’t do is all on him.”

“I don’t know, Tess. Jarrett hated Nate on sight. If I hadn’t taken him with me—”

“Bullshit. Stop it. You had no way of knowing. You took Nate because of the way Jarrett acted around you and since Nate was there, Jarrett was pissed. But that is not on you. That is on Jarrett. No one else is wrong in this. Just him.”

“Alright. I appreciate it, Tess.”

“You’re welcome.” Tess sighed. “I think we can get out of here for the day. I don’t have anything else scheduled. Do you?”

“No, I’m ready to leave too. I haven’t been able to sleep well, so my only plan is to head home and unwind.”

Tess reached over and rubbed Markie’s tense back. “I can feel how stressed you are. When you get home, just flop on the sofa and watch TV with Socks.”

“That sounds like a great idea. The only thing that would make it better is if a certain blue-eyed cowboy was there.” Markie grinned mischievously.

“I have one of those waiting for me at home, which is where I’m headed. Oh, are you going to the fair?” Tess asked.

“Yes, Nate invited me. We’re going Saturday. He told me about the horse race, and I really want to see it. I convinced him to compete as well. He agreed, but he also said he had no chance of winning if Warren Coleman is racing.”

Tess chuckled. “Warren’s horse is so fast. It seems like the horse enjoys it more than Warren does. Every time they gather at the start/finish line, the horse starts prancing around excitedly.” She shook her head in amusement. “He rears up every time, but when his hooves hit the ground, he is off like a shot.”

Markie laughed. “I can’t wait to see it.”

After grabbing their purses, they walked around the back of the building. Tess got into her SUV, but stayed there until Markie climbed the steps and entered her apartment.

****

Nate sat at the counter in the diner waiting for Rafe. They tried to get together once a month for lunch.

The jingle of the bell above the door caught Nate’s attention, and he looked over to see Rafe entering the diner. He held the door open for two women, who couldn’t seem to take their eyes off him, causing Nate to shake his head in amusement.

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