Page 47 of Come Back to Me

“As a greeting, Callan, you could do better. Since when do you think I’m a goddamn cab driver?”

“You like a nice long drive. Clears your head.”

He isn’t wrong, but can I cope with being with Tee for the ride home? “Why can’t you get someone else to pick them up? Hell, they both have driver’s licenses!”

“They’ll be getting a lift into the city and they’ll need one back. Zee’s too much of a penny-pincher to hail a cab. Plus, getting her to leave the ranch was hard enough. I need to encourage more shopping trips, not discourage them.”

“Youcould go.”

He hums. “Yes, I could, but I have the accounts to finish.”

I narrow my eyes at nothing. “What’s your game, Callan?”

“Sheesh. Colt asked me to call you! You’re too suspicious for your own good.”

“For someone’s good,” I grumble. “Fine. But my shift ends at five.”

“Yes, I know. I’ll tell Zee.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Little fucker.

I cut the call then scratch my jaw.

Tee back in the car for an extended period of time...

Again.

I blow out a breath. “I can handle it.”

Right?

Cody

Later that day

“Morning, Sally-Anne,” I greet as I step into the detachment.

With the county being too small for two separate buildings, the new marshal service is buddying up with the RCMP. Unsurprisingly, the Mounties don’t like sharing. Space. Crimes. Or staff—Sally-Anne being case in point.

I went to school with Sally-Anne Avery, and she always had a crush on me, so we tend to get the initial callouts thanks to favoritism.

“Morning, Cody.” She blinks. “I mean chief.”

“I’m still Cody.” I tap the desk in front of a picture frame placed there. “Everything okay with Mitchell?”

Her nose wrinkles. “He’s not getting into any more fights, if that’s what you’re asking.”

“That’s partially why I’m asking,” I concur with a smile.

“That kid will be the death of me. Thank you for talking to him.”

“It’s fine. Billy Masterson’s leaving him alone?”

“Yes.”

“Good.”

Nodding, I pass behind her desk and head down the corridor that leads to the marshal’s offices.

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