Page 5 of Priceless
His phone rang, and he quickly denied the call before that first ring could finish. Then he pulled up the number to send a message. Laira Harris, it said, above the number, and warmth settled in his chest. Just like that, she was three dimensional, a whole person.
With a fresh splash of adrenaline in his veins, he typed fast.
Jocko
Perfect. We can now chat from here. Well done.
Considering that he wasn’t particularly gifted in the tech world, he was rather proud of himself. Naturally, he had to know his way around a computer to run his business, but he hadn’t had much experience beyond that. He had his niece’s daughter, Niamh, handle all social media for the pub, so he didn’t spend much time on the internet. But lately, he’d decided to become more involved in the outside world, if only to spend some time out of Inverness. Lord knew he rarely left physically.
Leaving virtually was better than never leaving at all.
Great. I hope you’re rested up. My block is pretty big.
All rested. *opens the door and gives a gallant gesture* After you, my dear.
Jacob jumped to his feet, grabbed his keys, and headed out the door. Couldn’t very well go for a walk without getting off his arse…
I wonderedif Raina knew AI could be funny.
I pulled up her name and started to send her a text, then thought better of it. I wasn’t ready to admit that I’d taken her advice. I didn’t want anyone to know I was a card-carrying member of the Nutcase Club.
Jocko messaged again.
Lovely neighborhood, is it?
Yes. Castle Rock. Outside of Denver.
I shouldn’t have said that, but I sent it before I realized…
Tell me what we’re seeing.
Wow. Okay. I’m dictating so ignore the typos.
It’s gorgeous out today. Blue sky. That crisp September air. You know the kind that makes you stop and just breathe.
I’m on the trail near downtown. You can see the Rock—wait, you know what I mean, right? The big flat-topped butte Castle Rock’s named after. It’s just sitting there, kind of looming over everything like it’s keeping watch.
Okay, hang on a sec…
…
Alright, just had to step off the trail for a runner.
Anyway.
There are these old Victorian houses with porches covered in mums. Gold, burgundy… really pretty. And someone already put pumpkins on their steps. It’s only September, though. Feels a little early for Halloween.
Now I’m passing some shops. Cute little boutiques tucked between the houses. Windows full of cozy fall sweaters. You’d love them—probably overpriced, but still.
Oh—wait. Hold on.
Oh, this is hilarious. A golden retriever just saw a prairie dog pop out of its burrow and launched. Yanked the leash right out of its owner’s hand. The poor guy went flying—like full-on face-first into the grass. Then he just popped back up, brushed himself off, grabbed his lidded latte, and kept walking like nothing happened. I had to turn away so he wouldn’t see me laughing.
Okay, so, turn your head one way—you see the foothills rolling into the hazy blue Rockies.
Turn the other way, and it’s pure small-town charm. Kids on bikes, market tents, somebody strumming a guitar over in Festival Park.
Oh—hang on. Just stepping around an abandoned tricycle.
