Page 65 of Beneath the Scars
Dad pats Mr. Lambert on the shoulder. “We’ll find him. Hopefully he’s not a fugitive or something.”
“That would make identifying him a whole lot easier though,” I muse.
“But it sure would be disappointing.”
I have to bite my lip to keep from laughing. Mr. Lambert has one of the softest hearts of anyone I know. His whole farm is made up of rescue animals. I was ashamedly shocked when he told me he’d created several patents for farm equipment when he was younger, ones that the big ranches would never be able to survive without. He’s loaded and just farms for fun now.
Once everything is packed up, we head back to the station. Now I’ve got even more paperwork to finish.
It’ll take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks for the techs to get back to us—it all depends on how backed up they are. I have a feeling our squatter is wanted for something and has been hiding out under the radar. If he’s not, we probably won’t get a positive ID unless we catch him in the act.
There’s no way we’ll ever get that lucky.
Chapter 36
Addie
“Any big plans tonight?” Penny asks as we finish closing down the clinic. She has a mischievous look in her eye that has my entire focus narrowing on her.
“What have you heard?”
“Ohhh, not much. Just that you might’ve been seen at the drive-in with a certain dark and broody deputy.”
“Hmm. Interesting rumor.” I dig my stuff out of the cubby at the back of the clinic.
“Nothing?” Penny screeches. “You’re not going to give me anything?”
I bust out laughing at her indignation.
Penny whacks me in the arm. “Asshole.”
Once I get my giggles under control, I finally tell her the truth. “Yes, Michael and I are dating. Have been for a few months now. The whole family knows, of course, and we figured what better way to tell the town than by going to the most public place possible for our date night?”
“You could have just gone to Jones’s Diner.”
I scoff. “That’s a horrible idea for a date night unless you’re planning to do the whole 1950s-sharing-a-milkshakeschtick. Actually, that might be kind of cute. I’ll have to keep that in mind.”
“Oh my god. I’m trying to imagine Michael Montgomery sitting in a booth, being all cute and sharing a shake. It just doesn’t compute.”
I grin at Penny. “He’d probably do it for me, but he’d hate every minute of it.”
“Gross. You’re so sickeningly in love, I can’t even look at you.”
“Rude!”
“Eh, it’s rooted in jealousy. Don’t take it to heart.” Penny shrugs as she smiles. I crack up again while we walk out to the parking lot together.
We say goodbye and get into our cars. A text from Michael has been burning a hole in my pocket since I felt it buzz while Penny and I were cleaning up the clinic.
Michael
I want you to go home and change into leggings, a long-sleeved shirt, and tennis shoes. Then you’re going to meet me at the lookout at 7:30 sharp. Don’t be late.
A shiver races down my spine when I finish reading his text. I don’t question why he wants me to cover up. It’s a mild evening, and Michael always has a method to his madness.
I have two hours to kill. Changing my clothes won’t take long, but I should probably eat something. If Michael’s plan is as devious as the one he made at the club, I’ll need the energy.
God, the anticipation is killer. I’m sure that’s why he does this to me. He knows I get all up in my head about what’s going to happen. I trust him wholeheartedly, so I’m the excited kind of nervous now.
