"He will be soon. He owns the gym two blocks over, and I'm damn certain he'll be interested in denting your windpipe so you can't yell at pregnant ladies anymore."
Chris looks at Ricky. Ricky still hasn't lost that contemptuous expression. "You think I'm scared, Hayden?"
"I think if you ever want to order at a drive-thru again, you should probably get the hell out of Sierra Grande."
"You'd like that, wouldn't you?" One side of his face bends into a snarl. Any pretense we had of being civil the first time we met is long gone. "We go away, and you don't have to answer for what you did to Dixon."
"We've had this conversation, but if you're too stupid to remember it, we can have it again."
Ricky leans to the left, peering at something behind me.Jo.
He straightens and looks back at me. "Interesting. Hayden has himself a girlfriend. And from what I hear, you also have a little sister." An unhurried smile slides low across his cheeks. "Imagine that. A Hayden princess."
I take a step closer, my hand in a fist, but Jo grabs me from behind. Her touch reminds me we are in broad daylight, in the middle of the busiest street in Sierra Grande, and I don't need to give the sheriff any more reason to dislike me.
Ricky turns, and Chris follows. He doesn't look back. I stand there, watching them go until they reach the end of the street and turn a corner.
"Wyatt," Jo says my name with quiet strength.
I face her. Her hair is pulled half up, and two pieces of hair frame her face. Her head tips to the side, and she studies me, waiting for me to speak.
"They are bad news, and I can't have them coming into my town and acting however they want."
"I agree."
This surprises me. I thought for certain she was upset with me. "You do?"
She nods and reaches for my arm. "I like watching you jump into action, even if it scared me a little bit."
I pull her into my chest and kiss the top of her head.
"You should be a police officer. This town needs you."
It makes me think of Dan, and what the hell he was doing with Ricky and Chris. To Jo, I say, "I prefer to break the law, not enforce it."
Jo pulls back so she can be certain I see her eye roll. I take advantage and lean down to capture her lips. She steps back, ending the kiss far too soon.
"I have a meeting," she reminds me. "Sawyer and I are going over the budget."
I frown. I'd forgotten.
"Stop," Jo instructs, giving me a look. "He's nice."
My frown deepens. I'm not sure about the guy, but if he's the person who's making it possible for my girl's dream to come true, I'll allow some measure of distrust without acting on it.
Jo kisses me goodbye, reminding me that she's coming to dinner at the homestead tonight, and walks away. I go back to our table across the street, throw away our cups, and take off down the street.
There's someone I want to visit.
There he is.Shoulders hunched, fingers tap-tapping away on his keyboard. I approach him from behind and notice he has a large mole on his hairline. I wonder if a barber has ever nicked it during a haircut.
"Hey there, Dan." He jumps when I clap my hand on his upper back. I pat twice more, softer this time. Just so he gets my friendly vibe. Because that's what I am. Friendly.
So friendly.
Friendly Wyatt.
Dan whips around, his metal chair squeaking as it rolls with his sudden movement. "Christ, Hayden. What the fuck?"
