“Nope,” Cheryl and Karina say in unison.
Jericho’s hand squeezes mine again under the table, a silent reassurance. I squeeze back, grateful for his steady presence amid the chaos.
“Actually,” Cheryl says, her tone suddenly shifting to something more serious, “there is something else we should discuss.”
The change in her voice makes Jericho’s thigh under my hand bulge, and I glance at him curiously.
“There was a theft reported yesterday evening over by Dick’s place.” She’s staring at Jericho while talking, and his body relaxes suddenly. Odd.
“Was it?”
“Yep.” She pokes the inside of her cheek with her tongue. “The case is clear, but we don’t have witnesses to prove anything.”
“You don’t?” He stares back at her.
“Nope.” Cheryl’s eyes turn into slits, probably from not blinking for so long while staring at poor Jericho. What is all that about? “The girl working the counter at the conveniencestore next door said she was talking to you when something was stolen from John’s truck.”
“The plumber?” I ask.
“Yes, the plumber,” she replies without even glancing my way.
“What about any people of the law? Did they see anything?” Jericho asks casually.
Cheryl tilts her head, still inspecting Jericho’s face. “They thought they did. Until they talked to the girl.”
Jericho’s brow rises with a silent question, and Cheryl continues.
“Yeah. Turns out, John was making nasty advances toward her, and you stepped in.”
He shrugs, looking uncomfortable while I’m experiencing a sudden wave of anger toward the jerk and an ocean of pride for Jericho.
“How is that relevant?” My gaze darts between them, trying to figure out what I’ve missed.
Cheryl’s face suddenly brightens as a big smile appears on her face. “It’s not!” She’s all sunshine and rainbows now. A big change from the broody police officer she’d been a moment ago. “I’m just reporting about some heavy karma going around town.”
Jericho’s lips twitch, and he hides his reaction behind a coffee mug.
Cheryl and Grandma leave in the following hour while Jericho lingers for a little longer before he announces that he has some work to do in Little Hope and takes off, promising to come to the diner in the evening to pick me up.
When they all leave, I find myself humming a happy tune under my nose and reaching out a little less to the empty spot on my chest.
42
Nora
Jericho kept his promise to pick me up from work. He came an hour earlier and just hung out with us till closing.
I climb into his truck like I have a rightful place in here already. It smells like him, and I savor the scent of my man. Even thinking that makes me happy.
“Want to come in?” I ask when he walks me to my door.
“And get another level from Moon?” he chuckles.
“Fair,” I laugh back. Even though I want to ask if he wants to invite me over, I don’t. Whatever he did in Little Hope made him incredibly tired. There’re dark circles around his eyes, and his cheeks look hollower than usual. “See you tomorrow then?”
“See you tomorrow.” He takes my hand and pulls me into his chest. It’s warm and solid and so reliable. My arms wrap around his torso while my cheek rests on his chest. His steady heartbeat is the most calming sound in the world.
“Good night, Jericho.”
