Page 20 of The Outsider

He wished that weren’t true. And yet, he couldn’t argue with what she was saying. It probably was true. But it sure as hell sucked.

“Well, someone should have,” he said.

“Not going to argue with you, Sheriff. But nobody ever has. And I have a life to live. So, I can’t sit around getting soft.”

“Sit around for a little bit and get strong then. Food, rest, all that’s helpful.”

“Maybe.”

“If you want to leave the minute that you have enough money to get a new starter, you will be out within a week. You can’t tell me that you were going to be out of here that fast making moonshine.”

She squinted. “I wasn’t making moonshine.”

“Really?”

“I’m not admitting anything,” she said.

“You’re a difficult little critter. Get in the truck.”

She obeyed him, which surprised him, and then they were off to the house.

“I’m actually staying with you tonight?”

“I don’t have any better options open at the moment. I also don’t have a guest bed.”

The silence that filled the truck was heavy. “I’m sleeping on the couch,” he said. “To be clear.”

“Oh.”

“I’m not waiting to drop another shoe on you.”

She was tense, he realized. She had been from the moment he’d met her. Her shoulders held tight, her whole body tight. Poor thing.

“That’s unusual.”

“Yeah. I get that. I’m sorry about it.”

“No need to be sorry to me,” she said.

“Fine. Not sorry. Don’t care if you’re tired. But from a practical standpoint, it would be best if you got your rest so that you can work. I’m going to drive you out to the ranch house tomorrow morning, and Denver will give you your assignment. I have to go to work.”

“Do the rest of them work on the ranch?”

“Yeah. I do too. Just when I’m not working my shifts for the department.”

“Right.”

He killed the engine and they got out of the truck, walking toward the house. “Come here,” he said.

He led her down the hall and pushed his bedroom door open. “You can sleep in here.”

“I... Well, thanks.”

“No drama.”

He went into the room and opened up his closet, taking out a folded-up blanket and snagging one of the pillows off the bed.

“You... You’re going to sleep on the couch?”

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