Page 35 of Hard Knock Hero

“It might have been my son’s, but anyone could’ve been driving it. You can rest assured, though, if anyone else of my acquaintance was there last night, he won’t be bothering Jessi again.”

I opened my mouth, but Jessi beat me to it. “What about Jeremy when he gets back to town? Are you going to tell him to leave me alone, too? Because that’s all I want. Just to live my life.”

Her voice wavered, and I touched my fingertips to the small of her back.

“No one will bother you,” Dale said through clenched teeth. “It was a misunderstanding.”

I scoffed. That word again. The same thing Sawyer had said. “You have a lot of misunderstandings here in Hartley. Too many. I want your word that Jessi will be left alone.”

Dale gave me a single nod, holding out his hand. We triedto strangle each other’s grip, and it was a draw. Then he turned and wrenched open the door without another word.

We all watched Dale disappear down the sidewalk, boot prints marring the snow. Then Owen turned around to face us. “I agreed to let Theo out of jail without any charges on the condition that they pay for all repairs and stop any further harassment of you. If they go back on their word, I’ll send the video from last night to the district attorney.” Owen pinned me with his gaze. “But I need your word, Trace. This ends here. No retribution, even when Jeremy Rigsby gets back to town.”

“I don’t get a say in this?” Jessi grumbled.

Owen hadn’t taken his eyes off me. I understood Jessi’s annoyance, but everybody in this room knew I was the most likely one to demand blood for the treatment of my “sister.”

Hell, Jessi wasn’t my sister. But payback on her behalf still seemed to be in order.

“It’s done,” I said. Then added silently,For now. So long as the Rigsbys keep up their end. “You realize why they’re doing this though, right? Dale was telling Chester last night that the timing was bad. They’re up to something else. This is supposedly your town, so you might want to look into it.”

“That’s none of your concern.” Owen jammed his hat back on his head with a scowl. “Jessi, if you decide to open up the diner today, I’ll be sure to send all the customers I can your way. Otherwise, enjoy your day.”

“What about the bridge?” Jessi asked. “Is it repaired?”

“Not yet. But they’re working on it. Should be soon.” Owen didn’t say goodbye to me before he left.

Jessi and I went back to the kitchen.

“I don’t think he or Dale saw us holding hands,” I said. “Almost blew my cover. That could’ve been awkward.”

Jessi pursed her lips and didn’t comment on that. She didn’t take my hand again, either. Or even look at me. She took a bite of the eggs with a neutral, bored expression. It didn’t seem right on her.

“Did I do something to upset you?” I asked.

“No. I’m just wondering why Dale is so eager to make nice with me all of a sudden. But I guess I should be grateful and stay quiet about it. Let the men worry about such things.”

“I didn’t say that. Owen didn’t either.” But she was unhappy about the way Owen had spoken to me like I was her keeper. That was clear.

She stabbed at the eggs. “I’m going to open for lunch. You can help. If you want.”

“I do want.”

“All right.” She shrugged, as if she didn’t care either way. But Ididcare. I wanted her smiling again. Laughing and content.

I only had a handful of days until I had to be in Steamboat. And once I left Hartley, I couldn’t imagine that I’d ever be back.

But dammit, when it came to Jessi, I really did care a lot. Which wasn’t convenient.

* * *

The diner saw brisk business over lunch. I cooked, and Jessi’s mood seemed to improve the more she got to order me around. I didn’t mind at all.

After the dining room quieted down, I made us a couple of burgers. I whipped up a bacon-onion jam and some sauteed mushrooms to go on top. As the last customers shuffled out, satisfied and grinning, Jessi flipped the sign to closed and locked the door.

I held out her plate as soon as she walked into the kitchen, and she washed her hands quickly before taking a huge, hungry bite. “Oh my goodness,” she said with her mouth full. “This is insane. You’re a way better cook than me. First the eggs, now this? No wonder everybody was cleaning their plates.”

“So you did like the eggs.”

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