The words hit me like a physical blow. “I knew you were, but you know…”
“Dangerous as hell, I know,” he continues. “Which is why I’m not putting you in any more danger than you already are. But I can make sure we let you know when we’re safe.”
My heart hammers against my ribs. “When are you doing this?”
Truett looks at Jesse, something passing between them in that silent communication they’ve perfected over years of friendship. “Tonight.”
“Tonight?” The word comes out as barely a whisper.
“Which means we need you to do something normal,” Truett continues. “Something that throws attention off of us. Be seen around town, establish an alibi.”
I nod, my mind already racing. “I’ll call Nora. Ask if she wants to go shopping this afternoon, maybe have dinner together.”
“Perfect,” Jesse says, and when our eyes meet, there’s something there—relief mixed with worry. “Just act normal. Don’t do anything that might draw attention.”
I pull out my phone and dial Nora’s number, putting it on speaker so the guys can hear.
“Hey, girl!” Nora’s cheerful voice fills the room. “What’s up?”
“I was wondering if you wanted to go shopping this afternoon? Maybe grab dinner after? I’m going a little stir-crazy out here.”
“Yes! This week has been crazy at the vet’s office. Want to meet at Murphy’s?”
Murphy’s General Store is the only real shopping option in Grizzly River, unless you count the gas station’s limited selection of toiletries and snacks. “Sounds perfect. What time?”
“How about two? We can browse around, maybe grab some of those cookies Mrs. Murphy makes, then head to the diner for an early dinner.”
“Perfect. See you then.”
After I hang up, Truett nods approvingly. “Good. That’ll keep you visible and accounted for.”
The next few hours crawl by. I try to act normal, but normal feels impossible when the two most important men in my life are about to risk everything on a plan that could get them arrested, or worse, killed. Jesse helps Truett with some repairs on the barn roof, and I busy myself with laundry and cleaning, anything to keep my hands occupied and my mind from spiraling.
At quarter to two, I change into clean jeans and a sweater, tie my hair back, and drive into town. Grizzly River looks the same as always, a main street lined with weathered storefronts, pickup trucks parked at angles, and the general sense that time moves a little slower here than everywhere else.
Nora is already waiting outside Murphy’s when I pull up, her red hair caught up in a messy bun and a bright smile on her face. “There’s my mysterious friend,” she says as I approach. “You’ve been scarce lately.”
“Just dealing with ranch stuff,” I tell her, which isn’t exactly a lie.
We spend the next hour wandering Murphy’s aisles, picking through the limited selection of clothes, books, and household goods. Nora chatters about her job at the vet, her mother’s latest attempts at matchmaking, and the gossip floating around town.I try to focus, to respond appropriately, but my mind keeps drifting to what Jesse and Truett might be doing right now.
“Oh, look who’s here,” Nora says, nudging me toward the small pharmacy section at the back of the store.
Behind the counter, counting pills into bottles with careful precision, is Atlee, Lennon’s little sister. She’s twenty-one now, with the same dark hair as her sister but a sharper jawline and a more serious expression.
“Hey, Atlee,” I call out, and she looks up with a smile.
“Aubree! Nora! How are you two?”
“Good,” I say, moving closer to the counter. “How do you like working here?”
“It’s not bad. Keeps me busy, and it’s good money. I’m trying to figure out if I want to go all in on pharmacy or not.” She holds up a bottle of pills. “Right now, I’m mostly just doing inventory and basic stuff, but it’s interesting.”
“That’s great,” Nora says. “You always were good with details.”
We chat for a few more minutes about her work, her brother’s new job in Billings, and the general happenings around town. It’s normal, mundane conversation, but I’m grateful for it. It makes me feel anchored to something real and stable.
My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I pull it out to find a text from Jesse.
