Page 72 of Pick Your Spot

Thea shook her head. “No. Nothing like that. He’s a man I used to work for. I quit before I arrived here in Vermont. Suddenly, he wants me to work for him again and he’s not happy about me saying no. I don’t think he’s dangerous, but I don’t want to take any chances.”Gammon’s name and photograph. They explained the entire situation, and Sylvia’s eyes hardened. “Men like that are horrible. I’m sorry you’re going through that. I haven’t seen him, but I will keep my eye out. I’m glad you’ve spoken to the people in Phail. It’s a great town filled with good people.”

“Do you have a security system on your place? We’re going to install one.”

She smiled at the dog, who was snoozing at her feet. “Other than Squirrel, no. I haven’t felt the need before but maybe I should look into it.”

Knox didn’t like the idea of a woman living on her own but he couldn’t push too far. “If you’d like more information, my buddy Troy Phail is the one who’s helping us get set up.”

She smiled. “That doesn’t surprise me. Troy strikes me as someone who takes care of the people around him.”

They talked for a bit longer and then rose to leave. Squirrel bounded to his feet like he’d been prodded with a branding iron. He bounced to the door with them and then into the driveway.

Thea patted him as they neared the truck. “I think you and Fox would get along.”

“Fox?”

Knox grinned. “He’s a Great Pyrenees who lives on the farm. Another dog with a name of a different animal.”

Sylvia smiled. “Well, if you’re going to live near a town named Phail, you have to think outside the box.”

And he would have to remember that. Thinking outside the box might be the best way to deal with Gammon.

Thea relaxed as they drove onto their own property a few hours later. The neighbors they’d met had turned out to be great people.

Sally and Greg Kelly ran an amazing self-sufficient farm that was mostly off the grid. They grew their own food and probably wouldn’t notice if the electricity stopped working. They composted well and had an incredibly diverse biome surrounding them.

They were thrilled with Thea’s approach to reclaiming the farm’s soil and their plans to increase the biodiversity and health of the area. Touring their property had proved that the Vermont climate was capable of sustaining all kinds of plant life.

Lorraine Apostle had raised several kinds of dogs over the years. Trophies and awards on her walls proved she’d also put the dogs into shows where they’d done very well.

She still had several Bernese Mountain dogs and boxers who lived with her but she didn’t breed or show anymore.

The woman had been fascinating and entertaining. She’d been interested in their approach to farming and happy to know the farm was being tended. She’d also been more than happy to keep an eye out for Andy. “The dogs are well-trained and ready to defend. I’m glad you’ve got your Fox but if you ever feel the need for more, let me know. I can lend you any of these guys or help you find one of your own.”

After that visit, they’d felt it was too late to see anyone else.

Knox pulled up close to the farmhouse and sighed as he turned off the truck. “Now that the idea of a security system is in my head, I can’t let it go. I’m more than ninety percent sure that no one messed with the place, but if we had a system, it would be better.”

Thea nodded as she climbed out of the truck. “I’ve been here for a year and haven’t felt unsafe even once. Not even the first night I was here. Triple-A’s visit changed everything, and I hate that.”

Knox rounded the truck to hug her. “Me too. Another reason for me to hate his guts. If he’s smart, he’ll stay far away from us.”

The anger in his voice had Thea shivering. “I’m sorry I brought him here.”

He leaned back and then bent down so they were eye-to-eye. “Still not your fault. I don’t want you blaming yourself for that asshole’s choices. If he returns, we’ll get him. But none of it is your fault. I need you to believe that.”

His sincerity had her nodding. “I’ll try.”

He studied her for a long moment. “Okay. How do you feel about taking the ATV around the property? It would be a fast way to check on everything and make sure he wasn’t stupid enough to return and do something dumb. Then we can come back and spend the night here.”

Her eyebrows shot up. So far they’d spent their nights at her cozy cabin.

He grinned. “Two reasons. One, I’d like to be closer to the road tonight. Two, I’d like to see you in my bed with your hair spread all over my pillow while I make love to you.”

Her body warmed up at his words. “I’m not going to argue with that.”

He laughed. “Good. Do you want to drive the ATV?”

She shook her head. “You might as well get in some practice so that you’re an expert. You can show off to the others when they arrive.”

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