Page 82 of The Rescuer

This Isn't the Bigs

“Is something going onbetween you and Chelsea Selkirk?”

Reece stared at his phone before answering Shane. “Where the hell didthatcome from?” He thought his buddy had phoned because he’d heard about Neve’s spill, but he quickly understood the real reason for Shane’s call. The question threw him off-kilter.

Neve was zonked out in her room, and he was standing in her kitchen, looking out the window at bare tree limbs crusted in ice.

“She was leaving Neve’s clinic just as I pulled up, and they were arguing about something. When I walked her to her car, Chelsea started drilling me about you.”

Oh shit!“Did she say what she wanted at the clinic?”

“Something about a cat she thoughtwas hers?”

What?Was Chelsea Mr. Whiskers’s so-called owner? And if she was, was she responsible for the poor cat’s condition? What had she said to Neve? For that matter, what had she told Shane?

Reece’s shoulders kinked, and he reached back to rub at the spot. “Huh. Didn’t know she was into cats.”

“Me neither.”

“So what kinds of questions was she asking about me?” Reece held his breath.

“All personal shit, like where you were these days, what you’d been up to, some other lame questions. Stuff she doesn’t normally ask about anyone, which is why I was wondering about you and her.”

“Not sure why she was asking you those questions. There’s absolutely nothing going on between us.” Total truth.

Skepticism flickered in Shane’s eyes before he changed direction. “Are you going to the parade tonight?”

Now Reece’s shoulders eased a fraction. Chelsea hadn’t said anything to Shane about Reece and Neve’s so-called marriage, or the deputy sheriff surely would have chasedthatjuicy lead. Reece might have laughed out loud at his clueless friend if he’d been in a joking mood.

“I don’t think so. Neve needs to stay put. I’m pretty sure she’s rocking a concussion.”

“She got it trying to knockyoudown, I heard. What did you do to piss her off?”

“Who says she was pissed at me?” Too late, he realized his tone was tellingly defensive. He was going to have to rein in his reactions.

“Right. She was gunning for you because she wanted to save you from a hawk that landed on your shoulder. Stitches?”

“Didn’t need ’em. I used Liquid Stitch. Look, I gotta go check on her.”

“Okay. Mind if I stop by later to say hi?”

“You just saw me.”

“I’m not talking about you, dumbass. I want to make sure Neve’s okay.”

Reece bristled. “I’m taking care of her, so she’s okay. Having visitors right now will just wear her out.”

Shane scoffed. “Gee, Dad, is it all right if I text her?”

“Later. She’s sleeping right now, and I don’t want you—or anyone else—waking her up.”

“Who are you talking to?”

Reece whirled. Neve slouched against the doorframe in leggings, oversized wool socks, and a clingy T-shirt that made it obvious she wasn’t wearing a bra. He lifted his eyes to hers the moment he realized they were lingering somewhere they shouldn’t be. Fortunately, she was too busy yawning to notice.

“I’m talking to Shane. He wants to know how you’re doing.”

She flapped a hand. “Tell him I’m fine.”

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