Page 22 of Lone Wolf in Lights
Detective Harris agreed with a nod, reaching for a stack of papers on his lap, “I’ll need your full cooperation to move forward effectively.” He slid the forms across the coffee table toward her. “These are consent forms authorizing me to access your cell phone records. It’s crucial for tracing back any communication linked to the text.”
“Okay, of course,” she said, and quickly signed her name.
“I’ll get started right away,” Detective Harris said as he collected the signed forms, “and will let you know about any developments.”
Willow nodded. “Thank you.” As she rose from her chair, Eli joined her.
With final goodbyes to the detective, Willow followed Eli back out into the hallway.
Stepping out of the police station, she felt the weight that had been pressing on her chest begin to lift. The freezing Montana air was a stark contrast to the stifling heat inside, and she lifted her head, letting the snowflakes fall on her skin.
“You did good in there,” he said softly.
Willow glanced up at him, and the sun caught the edges of his rugged profile. “Thank you for coming with me. I don’t think I could’ve walked through those doors alone.”
His gentle smile was his only response. “I have a hard time with police stations too, but we got through, didn’t we?”
“Yeah,” she said. “We did it.”
Eli smiled big, offered his hand again. “Shall we continue with our show?”
Willow laughed and nodded, sliding her hand into his.
The walk along Main Street was too fast. Willow felt like she could have walked just like this for an hour, in comfortable silence, and still would want to walk longer. Eli had a calmness about him that felt good.
As they approached the bar, Eli glanced around, and she realized he was noting all the pedestrians on the road. Clearly, he recognized some as gossipers since he turned to face her. “Another kiss?” he asked.
She nodded approval. “Seems like the right thing to do.”
He cupped her face gently with his roughened hands. His penetrating eyes searched hers, and for a moment, time seemed to slow. Then he leaned down, pressing his lips to hers in a kiss that whispered of protection, promise and something deeper that Willow didn’t even want to think about right now. Because she was not ready. And this was not real.
“Call me if you need me,” he murmured against her lips.
“I will,” she replied, stepping away from his hold. “Thanks for everything today.”
With one last lingering look as Eli headed toward his truck parked further down near the diner, Willow turned and pushed open the door to The Naked Moose.
Laughter spilled out, enveloping her as Charly and Aubrey used their hands to make a heart symbol.
“Stop it.” Willow rolled her eyes but couldn’t help the blush that warmed her cheeks. She slid behind the bar, knowing after her morning, only one thing mattered. And it was five o’clock somewhere. “Can we focus on what matters?” she said.
Charly grinned. “What’s that?”
“My killer margarita skills,” Willow deflected, grabbing margarita glasses to pour herself a much-needed drink.
Aubrey gave a mischievous smirk, playfully raising her eyebrows. “Feeling hot and bothered?”
Willow looked at her two closest friends. “Not even a little.”
Charly just chuckled. Aubrey grinned. Thankfully, neither of them outed her for the liar that she was.
Seven
The following afternoon, Willow’s fingertips danced over the laptop keyboard while she sat on the bar stool at the bar. Her gaze never wavered from the screen, where festive fonts bloomed against a backdrop of deep reds and greens, like holly berries nestled in their leaves. She adjusted the layout with painstaking precision, aligning each element of the Christmas cocktail flyer.
The lunchtime rush had dwindled to a gentle hum, leaving behind a few patrons who lingered over their drinks, their murmurs weaving around her. Charly was out at the bank. Aubrey was in the kitchen, coming up with another cocktail to add to their Christmas menu. Willow let out a slow breath, still not happy with the design, no matter how many changes she’d made. Maybe she just needed a break away from the project.
“Willow,” came a voice, rich with genuine excitement, behind her.
