Page 19 of The Scenic Route
“Fifteen minutes.” She gave him her best glare, which usually managed to shut down even irrepressible Charlie. Bennettdidn’t look too bothered by it, to her great annoyance.
Getting out of the SUV, she slammed the door to release some of her awkward frustration, but the only sound was a softthunk. “Where’s a beater car when you need one?” she grumbled, heading for her door.
***
Levi’s looked just like what Felicity would’ve guessed a barbecue joint in a small, weird, mountain town would look like. The place was packed, so she figured they either had good food or this was the only restaurant in town.
As the harried server led them toward a table toward the back, Felicity checked out the customers, the image of Dino at the forefront of her mind. It would be a very convenient and unlikely thing if she managed to run into her skip her first night in town, but it was possible.
The only familiar face was the serious frowning one attached to Lou’s husband, Callum, who was sitting with three other men. Lou didn’t appear to be with him.
As soon as the server waved them toward their table, Felicity and Bennett scuffled over the seat with the best view of the room. She won, despite Bennett’s surprising speed, but she had a suspicion that he let her have it. After all, as strong and big as he was, he could’ve just lifted her right off the prime-viewing spot and deposited her wherever he wanted to put her. Instead, after their minor tussle, he moved to the other side of the table, grabbed the free chair, and wedged it right next to her.
“This is going to be awkward,” she warned him as he settledin, close enough that his shoulder pressed against hers.
His only response was a tip of his head toward the opposite side of the table.
“And put my back to the room of strangers?” she responded with an exaggerated shudder. “I’d rather sit on your lap.”
Even in the atmospheric restaurant lighting, Felicity could see that his cheeks had reddened, which made her flush in turn. When she ran what she’d just said back in her mind, she realized it sounded less like the platonic teasing she was going for and more like…flirting.
She was almost relieved when Callum approached their table with his companions in tow. He hadn’t seemed like the most convivial person when she’d first met him at the coffee shop, but anyone who’d break the thick, tension-filled atmosphere she’d unintentionally created was welcome.
“Hey, Callum,” she greeted with a relief she hoped wasn’t too obvious. “Sorry you couldn’t join us for the murder club meeting.”
It wasn’t until he gave a slight wince that she realized how that’d sound to anyonenotfamiliar with murder club. The older two of his companions looked interested in a startled way, and the youngest one looked irritated, but he’d looked that way since they’d walked over, so she thought that might just be his face’s natural state.
“Murder club?” The one who looked a bit like Santa was the first to speak.
Callum gave her ayou did this, so you fix itlook.
Felicity forced a laugh that she hoped sounded convincing.“Just an inside joke for a group of friends getting together. No one was murdered, I promise.”
“Ah,” skinny Santa said with a nod, apparently accepting that rather weak explanation. “You never know around here. We seem to get more than our share of crime.”
“Felicity Pax and Bennett Green.” The stern way Callum said their names nearly made her jump. She was half expecting to be arrested. “This is Fire Chief Winston Early and firefighters Finn and Kieran Byrne.”
He pointed at the skinny Santa first, then at the smiling older man, and ended on the young, cranky-looking one. His frown hadn’t lightened during their conversation, so she decided that at some point during his short life, his face had indeed stuck like that. Although the chief and Finn looked to be in their early sixties, all three of them had the well-muscled look she associated with firefighters. Kieran could’ve posed for a calendar if he was capable of losing his scowl. Or maybe there was a calendar featuring cranky yet fit firefighters?
“What brings you to Simpson?” Finn asked. From the age difference and his resemblance to Kieran, Felicity was guessing they were father and son. Both had black hair—although Finn’s was graying—blue eyes, and the strong jawline of a Disney villain.
“Just seizing an opportunity to get some work done while enjoying the mountains.” She purposefully didn’t mention her hunt for a certain meth-dealing bail jumper. It was bad enough that the entire murder club and their spouses knew. If the whole town learned she was a bounty hunter, Dino was sure to hearabout it, and then he’d be gone. “The aspens are beautiful this time of year.”
Finn seemed to accept this, but Kieran continued his silent glaring, and the chief’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“What do you do for work?” the chief asked. His tone was casual, but she still sensed an interrogation was beginning and felt the accompanying nervous tension start to coil in her stomach.
She waved a dismissive hand. “Nothing interesting—a mix of public relations and bonds.” It wasn’t quite a lie, but it skirted the edge. It was only because Bennett was still crammed up against her side that she heard his almost inaudible snort. She made sure her glance at Callum was quick and casual, but his expression hadn’t changed, except for the slightest amused quirk of his mouth. It looked like Lou had been telling the truth about her husband’s ability to keep things private…so far at least. “Nothing nearly as interesting as firefighting. That must have its exciting moments.”
“Not today.” The chief grimaced. “It was hours of budget meetings.” She made a sympathetic face as his attention turned to Bennett. “Do you two work together then, or are you here for the ‘enjoying the mountains’ part?” the chief asked.
Felicity drew in a breath to answer, but Bennett spoke before she could. “We’re working together on a project.”
“Ah.” The chief looked like he was ready to ask a whole new slew of questions, but Callum pointedly looked at his watch.
“Didn’t you tell Dory you’d be home early tonight?” Callum asked.
The fire chief checked his watch and winced. “I’d better go.Nice meeting both of you. Enjoy your stay, wear sunscreen, and remember to drink lots of water. We don’t want to be seeing you on an altitude sickness call.”
