Page 14 of Bridge to Safety

Duke slammed the older man against the siding. “I’m warning you, old man. Turn down the job. She’ll have no other option than me.” If he didn’t do as Duke ordered, he’d be very sorry.

Chapter Six

Shiloh’s hand frozehalfway to taking a premade salad from the refrigerator when footsteps sounded on the front porch. Her heart leaped into her throat at the sound of the doorbell, which still needed to be replaced. Its sad peal barely announced someone’s arrival.

She closed the fridge and peered out the curtain, mentally adding a peephole to the growing to-do list.

A pretty, very pregnant red-haired woman stood on the porch. A large black dog sat at her feet. “Shiloh Sloan? It’s Karlie Westbrook, the sheriff’s wife.”

When Shiloh opened the door, the woman thrust a box into her hands. “Welcome back to Misty Hollow.” She smiled. “I’ve brought supper and dessert. I hope you like lasagna and cherry pie.”

“I love both. Please, join me.” Shiloh stepped aside, eyeing the dog. Maybe she should get one. At least she’d have some warning when someone approached the house.

“This is Shadow. She sticks to me like glue. I hope you don’t mind that I brought her.”

“Not at all. I’m actually thinking of getting a dog for myself.”

“Excellent. The shelter has plenty that need good homes.”

Since the lasagna was still warm, Shiloh set it in the center of the table and fetched plates along with the salad she’d planned on eating for supper. As they ate, Karlie filled Shiloh in on how she’d come to live in Misty Hollow.

“This town is a magnet for women in trouble.” She flashed a grin before listing off the things that had happened in the last couple of years.

“Yet, you stayed.”

“Of course. This town needs my husband.” She shrugged. “Despite the dangers that have popped up, the people of this town are good. Usually, it’s those from the outside that bring trouble to us.”

Not this time. The trouble had already been here waiting for Shiloh’s return. “Maybe a bigger sheriff’s department would help keep the bad from coming here.”

“Nah. As the daughter of a crime boss, I know firsthand that a town nestled deep in the mountains will always be a place people go to hide. What’s unfortunate is that it happens more often now because we’ve been in the news so often. Some think this is an easy town to gain control of. it’s not such a good place to hide after all, unless you want to stay in a secluded cabin somewhere. There are a lot of those.” She glanced around the room. “This will be cute once it’s done. I love the colors you chose.”

“It’s already a far cry from what it looked like when I grew up here.”

“That’s right. I’ve heard rumors about the return of Shiloh Sloan.” She chuckled. “You should’ve seen the upturned noses when folks learned who my father is.”

“Is?” Shiloh widened her eyes.

“He’s in prison for life. A model citizen behind bars, it seems. Anyway, I’ve made a place for myself in this town now, and they’ve come to accept me. They will you, too.” She wadded up her napkin. “Let me help you clean these dishes.”

“No need, but thanks.” Shiloh sat back in her chair and studied the face of the woman across from her. “You must be aware of why these people turn their noses up at me.”

She nodded. “A drunk for a father, a mother who turned her back on you just as the town did. Well, I pegged Duke Larson for trouble as soon as I met him. The man gives me the creeps. Don’t worry about him. This town has a great sheriff.”

“I’m counting on it. Thank you for supper. Want to take the rest home with you?”

“No, you keep it for your lunch tomorrow.” She took Shiloh’s hands in hers. “You’ve got a friend in me if you want one. This town is lucky to have you. They’ll see.” She gave her a quick hug, then called for the dog to follow her outside.

Shiloh stepped onto the porch to watch them go, before returning inside and locking the door behind her. It definitely wouldn’t hurt to have the sheriff’s wife as a friend. At the very least, it would make her look better in the eyes of the town’s residents.

Shiloh cleaned the dishes and stored the leftovers in the fridge before sitting down to work on the next day’s lessons. She liked giving her students a couple of days to get to know each other and her before digging in too deep and handing out homework.

The sun had begun to set, casting the yard and house into shadows by the time she finished. The darkness never failed to cover her with loneliness. Yes, a dog would be a good thing for her. A companion in the night, and the best warning system she could have.

Plus, a big dog would also provide protection.

~

“Good afternoon.” Rowan rolled down the car window while he waited in the pickup line for his daughter.

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