Page 38 of Anything for You
“Sego Lily Commune? Is law enforcement tracking?” Wilder asked, stern face engaged. He’d grown up in Silverton and would be the last person to jump to a conclusion about the place.
I nodded. “Yes. But I noticed just the other day they have a new sign. It’s no longer Sego Lily. It’s Patriot Ridge.”
Several groans went up around the circle, but Kenny spoke first.
“Why do idiots have to couch their idiocy in patriotism? Like, what does that even mean?” His expression turned so grumpy, it was laughable.
“Easy there. We don’t know they’re idiots. But it’s notable, for sure,” Bruce soothed.
“We know they dumped hundreds of pounds of garbage on Stone’s land. We also know they’ve been more aggressive in their interactions, and Cordy and Maybell or whoever the old couple in charge used to be got forced out,” Kenny countered.
Doc settled a hand on Kenny’s shoulder. “They’re definitely worth being aware of. You need anything right now?” he asked me.
“No. Just figured I should mention it. Chief Whitacker and Sheriff Ryan are both tracking as well, so if something heats up, they’re aware.”
Fortunately, both the Chief of Silverton PD and the Sheriff for Juniper View were decent men who cared about their communities and didn’t jump to conclusions. They wouldn’t be about to raid a commune, or camp, or whatever it’d become without plausible cause, and right now there was no cause. Just a… feeling.
Once again, my thoughts bounced to Dove and her childhood. Did she know I lived directly next to what might rapidly be developing into a cult? The sweet old folks who’d run Sego Lily Commune had been hippies of the highest order. But their way of life had been dying out, or so Maybell had told me the one time we’d talked before I’d gotten wind a few months ago that they’d “moved on” and someone new had taken over.
They’d been communicative when Elise, Luc’s girlfriend, had been abducted and we wanted to confirm they hadn’t seen any activity. In the end, the kidnapping had had nothing to do with the people of Patriot Ridge, but all the little nudges into my property, the attitude of the handful ofmen dirt biking around like it was a threat, the stepping into my orchard… it set me on edge.
The conversation continued for a few minutes, everyone agreeing it would be good to keep an eye out. I promised I’d keep them aware of any issues I had, too, though it wasn’t necessary. Whitacker and Ryan were doing their jobs as well as they could and hopefully, it’d simmer down.
“No pressure with the schedule. I know it can be a busy time with the farm,” Bruce said, nodding to the schedule still projected on screen and the list of vacancies they needed people to opt in for.
“I’ll be here.” I’d sign into the scheduling portal after I spoke with Pedro to deconflict a few things. It’d be fine.
Luc and Kenny followed me out as most everyone else dispersed to their offices.
“You know you don’t have to sign up for anything. We’ll get it covered one way or another.” Kenny’s tone held a hint of concern.
“I know. I’ll find some days. I owe it to Saint to show up from time to time.” I jogged down the stairs, oddly anxious to get back to the farm.
Actually, not all that odd since I often felt an itch to be home, even after a nice long stint without a panic attack or major issues plaguing me. Old habits and mental health pathways died hard.
Realizing they weren’t behind me, I turned to find Luc with his arms crossed at the bottom of the stairs and Kenny frowning.
“You don’t owe Saint,” he said, almost like a question.
We weren’t getting into this now. We’d been over it before and it would come around again. For now, I wanted to get back home and help with that fence and let Bear runaround a bit before we got cleaned up and I could make something good for dinner. I waved a hand and moved toward my truck, not needing to look to know Kenny was rolling his eyes or huffing dramatically, and Luc’s face likely hadn’t changed.
“’kay, love ya, see ya, bye! Give my best to His Majesty!” Kenny hollered as I loaded into my truck.
I backed out of the parking spot and eased up alongside the stairs, rolling down the driver’s side window to pin him in his belligerent face.
“Bye, Kenny and Luc. See you soon. I’ll say hi to Bear for you—send my regards to Kit.”
Kenny grinned, and Luc sent me a mock salute. They both turned toward the door as I left.
Anyone who’d gotten a hint of my sense of obligation to Saint Security had said it was misplaced—that I didn’t owe them anything. They claimed I should do what I wanted, even if it meantnotworking at Saint at all.
But how could I do that? How could I abandon the people who’d literally carried me through the worst times in my life? How could I live here, where they’d all moved for the purpose of being part of Saint, and just… not show up?
It wasn’t the kind of man I was, and Kenny could continue to get riled up about it—it wouldn’t change my mind.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Dove
