But a little part of me, just a tiny slice of my heart, was frozen, stuck here, worried what would happen to the town if I were gone.
When our father had died, just a few years ago, I’d stepped into his place as the Bridge and Chief of Police all in one go. A lot had happened since then. I’d been shot, lost my soul, regained it, been attacked by demons, killed by an ancient evil.
I’d fallen in love with the boy I’d adored growing up. The boy I’d had a crush on. The man who’d returned to his childhood town.
Ryder Bailey.
It was easy to want to go away with him.
It was impossible to find a break in the constant troubles in this town. Every time I thought I could grab a full twenty-four hours, or maybe stretch it to a three-day weekend, something blew up.
Literally.
“You know,” Jean said, “a new horizon would be really good for you. You’ve been through a lot in the last… well, years.”
“It hasn’t been—”
“—and so has Ryder.” She tossed the eggbeater back on a pile of kitchen utensils and small animal statues, then caught my gaze. “Both of you need time together.”
“We have lots of time together. We live together.”
“Time alone. Out of town. Away from your jobs.” She planted her hands on her hips and that Reed stubbornness set her stance.
“I see you have no opinion about this.”
She opened her mouth, probably to lecture me on my relationship, but my phone rang. I pulled it out and turned half away from her to answer it.
“Chief Reed.”
“Delaney,” said Frigg, who was the Norse goddess of the same name. “Aren’t you out of town yet?”
“You know I’m not.” I was pretty sure the gods and goddesses would know when I left. They’d feel the Bridge closing.
“Since you’re still here, I need to talk to you.”
“I’m listening.”
Jeantsked and shook her head. I scowled at her and pointed at the Chief part of Chief Reed on my coat.
“In person,” Frigg said. “How about the Blue Owl?”
I glanced around at Crow’s stuff, then at the scattering of new people coming in the tent mouth, shaking off the rain, and browsing through the treasures.
I could have sworn another flash of gold twinkled at the corner of my eye, but when I turned that way, all I saw was normal, everyday junk.
No gold sparkles on any of it.
My phone vibrated.
“Delaney?” Frigg asked.
“Hold on.”
I pulled my phone away from my ear so I could scan the screen. Text message from Ryder with an attachment.
I tapped the message.
All it said was:yes?above a photo of a gorgeous high mountain lake with a sweet cottage sitting like a storybook jewel above the curve of the shore.
