Page 46 of Wine and Research
As she made her way through the yard to the driveway, Elle’s mind flickered back to what the girls had revealed about Jeremy.
He definitely had trust issues, and she didn’t blame him. But he needn’t worry about her. She wasn’t going to make any demands on him. Well, other than when they were naked.
If she wanted to keep things light, and she did, then the less time spent with him, the better. Elle still wanted to see him but was going to have to space their…hookups apart.
Good thing she had a book to finish and three more to write. And it was also a good thing that he wasn’t likely to seek her out all that much, either.
Otherwise, she feared they would be in big trouble.
Chapter Fourteen
Today sucked ass. It was the worst way to end a case as well as the best month of Jeremy’s life. After his shift ended an hour ago, he’d gone home and tried to shower off the stink of the day…it didn’t work. His intention of grilling a burger and tossing back a couple of beers hadn’t happened. He headed to the resort instead. He was too restless. Disgusted.
Guilt-ridden.
If only he’d solved the damn break-ins before the perp—Owen, the worker from the gas station—had been spotted trying to break into a car dealership that was closed for the day. If only the kid hadn’t been cranked up on methamphetamines and gotten spooked by the Good Samaritan who called it in. By the time Jeremy had tracked Owen down, it had been too late. The kid had taken off out of town, hit a deer, and then a pole.
If only Owen had survived.
Muttering a curse, Jeremy made his way to Timbers, the bar on the main floor of the Wyne Resort. It was much closer to his house than Martelli’s, plus there was less chance of running into any of his buddies. He wasn’t exactly in the mood for company. Just a drink. Maybe some food, although he wasn’t hungry.
After walking past a host of small shops that sold souvenirs, clothing, outdoor equipment, jewelry, and Jill’s Chocolate Factory, he turned left to head down the hall to Timbers. Upon entering, he gave the place a cursory glance and relaxed. None of his buddies were around. Grateful for small miracles, Jeremy slid onto a stool at the far end of the bar and ordered a burger, fries, and a beer.
The place was moderately busy for a Thursday evening. Another thing to be grateful for, as well as the aroma of sizzlingmeat and savory spices. His stomach rumbled. Maybe he was hungry after all.
Wooden beams crisscrossed the ceiling, adorned with dangling lanterns that cast a warm glow over the cozy space. The bar where he sat took up a large portion of the interior wall, while tables made from weathered timber were scattered throughout, each decked with fake, flickering candles and checkered tablecloths. Vintage ski equipment and photographs that captured the resort’s offerings through all four seasons hung on the walls, while large glass windows showcased a kickass view of the lake and mountains in the distance.
Normally, he found the ambiance of the place relaxing and calming, but it did squat tonight. Even the warmth radiating from the crackling fireplace in the center of the side wall didn’t penetrate the chill that had settled over him since finding Owen.
“Thought you usually hung out at Martelli’s on work nights,” Ethan Wyne said from the other side of the bar.
Damn. Where’d he come from?
Probably the kitchen.
Jeremy shrugged and turned his attention back to his beer. He should’ve known he couldn’t go the entire night without running into a friend. And since Ethan and his brothers owned the resort, his chances of eating here unnoticed were zero.
The guy watched him for a moment. “Bad day?”
News traveled fast around here. He was surprised Ethan hadn't heard about the incident already.
“Bad day.”
Didn’t matter, though. Ethan was the type to understand, especially having been deployed a few times with the guard. They’d seen and done shit that never left them.
As expected, dawning entered his buddy’s eyes. “Ah, one of those days. Sorry, man. I was up on the mountain leading hikers all day. I’m out of whatever the loop is.”
Jeremy nodded but didn’t enlighten the guy. He’d hear about it sooner than later. As he took a pull on his beer, the image of Owen’s lifeless body and dead eyes flashed through his mind. Again.
Damn shame. Owen seemed like a good kid. Too bad he’d gotten mixed up with drugs. Jeremy expected forensics to match the crowbar and other items found in Owen’s trunk to the crimes, like the shirt with the consignment shop’s tags still on it. With no bag or receipt in sight, he doubted it was a purchase.
Ethan disappeared into the kitchen then returned a few minutes later with his burger and fries. “Let me know if you need anything else.”
“Will do,” he said before biting into his burger because his body needed sustenance, and his rumbling stomach was damned annoying.
Ryder walked in then with Sophia on his arm and Phoebe next to her, followed by his sister and Faith.
Jesus, he should’ve gone to Martelli’s.
