Page 34 of Home Town

But with a situation this dire hanging over her head, even annoyance at Corey couldn’t compete and hold her attention. She let out a groan and then ran both hands down her face.

“What am I going to do?” she groaned.

She’d said it more to herself than to him but he turned to look at her anyway. And then, to her horror, he moved closer. Heading right for her. Crossing the short distance with those damn long legs of his.

What was he doing?

Did he think she needed a hug or something? Was he going to?—

She froze, eyes wide as he reached out… and rubbed a thumb along her brow.

As she stared up at him in horror, he grabbed both of her hands, turned them palm up and said simply, “Dust.”

When she could think again, she glanced down and saw what he was talking about. Her hands were filthy from her search. And no doubt she’d rubbed all that grime on her face just now.

“Oh. Thanks.” Her voice sounded breathless. Why did her voice sound breathless? And why was her heart pounding faster?

“Sure,” he said with a nod, then turned and went back to open the next drawer in the cabinet.

After their search got to the final drawer of the final file cabinet, Corey leaned against the ugly metal piece of furniture. As casually as a GQ model.

He leveled that Lothario gaze on her, pressed his lips together and raised one dark brow.

She knew what he was saying without him even saying it. His damn handsome face said it all. It was time to make that call she’d been avoiding since arriving this morning and discovered the compass missing.

As if on cue, her cell vibrated in her pocket. She jumped. Was it Corey’s mom? Did she somehow know Josie had lost the town’s most precious possession?

Maybe it was good news. Her saying the compass was back from…wherever…and she was going to drop it off.

There was only one thing to do. She pulled the cell out of her pocket and breathed a sigh of relief when she saw it was Bailey.

Josie glanced at Corey. “It’s my friend Bailey—” She remembered Corey wouldn’t know her by that name and said, “Jane Knowles. From high school. She changed her name?—”

“Take it,” he said, not looking like he cared what name Bailey did or didn’t go by. “I’m gonna run across the street to the gas station and grab something cold to drink. You want something?”

From him? Not really. But she was really hot and thirsty.

“Yes, please,” she said as she tapped the cell’s screen. “Bailey. Hi.”

As Bailey returned the greeting, Corey mouthed, “Dr. Pepper?”

How the hell did he know her favorite soda from her youth, let alone remember it from back then? Not questioning it, she just nodded.

Things were much too weird. The compass was missing. She was going to be in so much trouble. And she’d spent all morning with the man who acted like he didn’t remember breaking her teenage heart but totally remembered her favorite drink.

“Josie?”

“Um, sorry. Someone was here. They’re gone now.”

“I asked how it’s going,” Bailey repeated.

“Good. Great. Couldn’t be better.”

“Uh, oh. Spill.”

“What?” Josie squeaked. “What are you talking about?”

“Josie, we live together. I’ve known you almost forever. I know when you’re stressed.”

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