Page 54 of The Rescuer

He whipped a flashlight out of a drawer and held it up. “I got this.” From the glimpse Neve managed, it looked as though he had plucked it from among at least sixotherflashlights.

Within minutes, they were back in the tavern facing Dewey in the dining room. He held up a wrench. “Caught it in time. Drained the pipes so’s they don’t freeze. Good thing we’s closed for the holiday.”

Neve discreetly tucked her left hand behind her back when Dixie appeared beside him, her hands flapping. “You better find yourself somewhere else to stay, Reece. And get that cat out of here before he sheds all over my restaurant. I don’t need no health inspector snooping around and finding cat hairs!”

Reece turned to Neve. “Do you think you could take him to your clinic until I figure out where I’m going to stay? I need to make a few calls.”

“I’ll take him, but why not just go to your folks’ house? I’m sure they would love to have you.”

One of his eyebrows dipped. “I’m thirty-two.”

“Yes, I knew that.” She stifled a laugh, reminding herself this wasn’t funny.Nothingabout the past twenty-four hours was funny.

“That means I’m too old to bunk with my parents.”

“Got it. How about if I drop him off before I pick up Pearl from Luanne’s?” Neve held out her hands for the cat hand-off, keeping the ring out of sight. An idea struck. “Maybe you could, uh, stay at the clinic? I’ve got a couch in my office that’s too short for you, but I also have a shower, and there’s heat and running water.”

Hope glinted in his dark olive orbs. “That wouldn’t be too much trouble?”

“You’d actually be helping me out by acting as my human security system.” Dixie’s inquisitive gaze slid between them repeatedly, making stops in between in the general direction of Reece’s left hand. Neve opted not to elaborate on why she needed security. If word got out that someone in this town might be making meds disappear from her clinic’s pharmacy, the bad publicity could shrink her bottom line further.

Reece gave a mild chuckle. “I’ve slept in worse conditions. The couch in your clinic will work fine. And thank you. I’m sure it won’t be more than one night.” He clopped upstairs to pack his clothes.

“I also have a washer and dryer, in case you need to, ah, clean some clothes.” An image of navy-blue and black knit boxers strewn over the floor came swirling back into her mind. Him standing in those boxers—and nothing else—also took a turn in her imagination, and she shut her eyes briefly to change the picture.

Once he was out of earshot, Dixie gave her a playful elbow poke. “Oh, hon, I’m so happy you two kids finally got out of your own way and started down the path of happily ever after together. All’s I can say is it’s about time! But really, you’re going to make him sleep at the clinic? Why on this God’s green earth wouldn’t you take that man home with you and knock yourselves out making whoopee?” Her painted-on brows bounced above her blue-lidded eyes.

Warning bells clanged in Neve’s head, reigniting her hangover. “Dixie, read my lips. The ring is a fake. Reece and I aren’t together.”

“Sure, hon. And I guess the band on his left hand came out of the same gumball machine and coincidentally matches yours.” Patting Neve’s shoulder, she broke out in a sly grin. “Ah, I think I understand what’s going on between you two. You just had your first lovers’ spat, huh? And now you’re playing coy. Well, good to get that over with, but don’t wait too long to make up.” Dixie winked. “That’s the fun part anyway.”

Reece was back with a smaller duffel in one hand and an occupied cat carrier in the other, saving Neve from having to counter whatever Dixiethoughtshe knew. Except there was his shiny ring, on full display.

Damn it!By the time they walked out of the tavern, Dixie’stheorywould be all over town.

The woman gave her another wink and flounced toward her husband, singing over her shoulder, “Don’t do anythingIwouldn’t do, you two.”

“Well,thatsure as hell leaves the possibilities wide open,” Reece muttered after her.

“That’s the idea, sugar,” Dixie hummed.

Reece stowed his stuff in the back seat of Neve’s Tahoe. “Damn. I forgot the cat’s food. Be right back.”

Neve settled herself behind the steering wheel while she waited. A text chimed, and she looked down and groaned. Leo was sending her a friendly “hello.”

She tapped the phone icon and held her breath. Box breathing was out. Her chest was too compressed for anything beyond tiny sips of air.

“Hey, I was wondering if I’d hear from you,” came his cheerful voice. “How was Vegas?”

“Everything was amazing. I’m sure you’ll be hearing many thank-yous from Noah and Hailey, but I wanted to add mine too. Thank you so much. It made everything so special. As for the rest, it was, uh, interesting.”

A note of caution entered his tone. “Did the bride and groom become … bride and groom?”

“Oh yes. In fact, Charlie and Joy thought it was such a great idea that they decided to tie the knot too.”

“You’re kidding! How did that happen?”

“I think it’s safe to say the impulse was fed by an overabundance of alcohol.”

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