Page 3 of Bridge to Safety

“Shiloh Sloan, I never thought you’d ever step foot in Misty Hollow again. You’re looking good.” Soft around the middle and balding, Duke barely resembled the football star of high school.

Some of the fear she’d held for fifteen years slipped away. “I’m the new fifth-grade teacher.”

“Shiloh had a flat about halfway up the mountain,” Rowan said. “Can you tow her SUV here? We’ll be doing some shopping and can return in about an hour. Is that enough time?”

“Sure. I’m not busy today, but I’m breaking for lunch. Give me two hours.” He puffed out his chest. “Since I now own this place, I reckon I can do whatever I want.” As he spoke, his gaze remained on her.

The creepy feeling returned. “Thank you.” She couldn’t get back to Rowan’s truck fast enough. Thankfully, the rain had stopped, and she didn’t look like a drowned rat.

In the cab of the truck, Rowan turned to face her. “What’s going on? You looked at that man as if you’d seen a ghost.”

“I’d rather not talk about it, but he’s the reason I left this town.” She clicked her seatbelt into place. “Groceries?”

“Okay, but I’m here if you need me. Want to grab some lunch first? Lucy’s Diner is as good as home-cooked food.”

Shiloh wasn’t sure she could eat a bite after seeing Duke but agreed. She did need to eat, and she hadn’t had anything but gas-station junk since heading out that morning.

Rowan pulled into the parking lot of a diner that looked as if it had come from the 1950s. They pulled into the last empty spot. “You’re going to love this place. It’s the center of Misty Hollow. Everyone pops in on a regular basis. No better way to meet the town’s residents.”

She put a hand to her head. Could it get any worse? “After the soaking I had, I’m not presentable enough for first impressions.” There had always been a diner of some sorts here. When she was a child, they hadn’t been able to afford to eat out, not even an inexpensive place.

“You look fine.” Rowan smiled and exited the truck. He held the diner door open and ushered her inside.

A young woman in her early twenties greeted them. “Two?”

“Yes. A booth please.” Rowan put his hand on Shiloh’s back, removing it when she jerked.

She took a steadying breath and followed the hostess to a booth near the kitchen. Rowan stopped at a table. “Sheriff Westbrook, meet Shiloh Sloan, the new fifth-grade teacher.”

A handsome man set down his coffee and stood, offering her his hand. “Pleased to meet you, ma’am. How’d you end up with this hooligan?”

“I had a flat on my way into town, and Rowan stopped. Duke Larson is going to tow the car and fix the flat.”

“Good. Welcome to Misty Hollow.” He resumed his seat. “You need anything at all, you come into the office. We’ll take care of it.”

“Thank—” She bit off the words as Duke entered the diner. It occurred to her that she would run into him on a regular basis.

Both Rowan and the sheriff followed her gaze, then glanced at each other. Something passed between the two men that she couldn’t exactly fathom. She turned from the door and rushed to the booth the hostess had assigned them.

The sheriff and Rowan conversed for a minute, then Rowan joined her, sliding into the seat opposite her. “Today’s special is potato soup. Lucy’s soup is to die for and comes with a big hunk of bread.”

“Sounds delicious.” Shiloh forced a smile. If she stayed in her thoughts, he’d grow suspicious and start asking questions again. She remembered how nosy the residents of small towns were and didn’t want to be the cause of gossip again.

A woman with dyed red hair approached them, an order pad in her hand. “Nice to see you, Rowan.” Her gaze flicked to Shiloh.

He made the introductions. “I want the special, as always. Shiloh?”

“The same.” Her face hurt from keeping a smile in place. What she needed was a quiet few days alone to adjust to being back. She glanced around the diner as she waited for her food. Mostly new faces. Good. She definitely wasn’t ready to see anyone else she’d once known. Not yet.

~

Duke sat in the driver’s seat of Shiloh’s SUV and took a deep breath. He remembered that smell. She still wore the same perfume she did all those years ago. The scent that drove him insane with lust. He breathed again.

No, this one was different. More floral. His mind had played tricks on him.

Imagine his surprise when she pulled up to the garage. Wow. Shiloh had returned. Why? For a job? Or to face that fateful night fifteen years ago? He grinned. “She missed me.”

He was certain of it. They’d been something special. Duke, the star quarterback, Shiloh the pretty girl from the wrong side of the bridge. They’d set tongues to wagging for sure. Until she’d opened her mouth and ruined it all.

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