Finn was ahead of her, ascending the narrow staircase two steps at a time.Broad shoulders, rolled sleeves, and a backside that really didn’t deserve to look that good.
Not that she noticed.Much.
Taryn cleared her throat and kept her eyes firmly on the banister, like a professional.
But still…
It was right there, in her face.How could she not peek?
Finn stopped at the top, dropped her suitcase, and nodded toward the room.‘You’re in here.Fresh sheets, working fan, fridge stocked with bottled water.I’d recommend sleeping with earplugs on some nights, especially Train Days and Fridays.’
‘Naturally.’Did she ask what Train Days were?
‘Did Tanisha give you the security card to get into the office?’Finn handed over the keys, his warm, rough fingers brushing hers fleetingly.
It shouldn’t have made her breath catch.But it did.
The touch was nothing.A second.Barely a whisper of skin on skin.And yet her pulse betrayed her, anyway.
‘Um… Yeah.’What were they talking about?
‘Get some rest, Fed.’He stepped back from her.‘Big day tomorrow.Wouldn’t want exhaustion clouding your judgement any more than it already has.’
Taryn blinked.Did he just—
‘Charming!’She clutched the key to stop herself from launching it at his retreating back.‘I’ll pencil that in, between taking a nap and defending your career, shall I?’
But Finn was already halfway down the stairs, leaving her standing in the hallway to wrestle with the dangerous fluttering in her chest, along with the rising storm of her own frustration.
Arrogant.Condescending.Impossible.Male.
Completely detached.Completely infuriating.
And somehow—unfairly—attractive from every angle.
How was that even possible?
Add in a truckload of hostility towards her, just for doing her job, and it was shaping up to be one hell of a long fortnight.
Four
The sun hadn’t fully risen when Taryn stepped out of the pub with her workbag over her shoulder, ready to get on with it.
‘Morning, Miss.’Billy tapped his hat brim in a charming salute, falling into step beside her as they crossed the road, becoming her unofficial chaperone.He waved at nearly everyone they passed, introducing her with a cheerful volume and zero shame, ‘This here’s the Fed—don’t hold it against her.’
It helped.A little.
Pfft, who was she kidding?
It was clear everyone already knew who she was as she made her way to the brightly lit food van at the train station.With the stockyards stretched out behind it, the food van was a busy place at this hour, where the stockmen gave her a wide berth.And the station owners, seated at the outdoor tables, sent glares her way like warning shots.
Even if the whole town saw her as the enemy, she was used to it.The side eye and the suspicion came with her job.Besides, she wasn’t here to make friends—she was here for justice.
But to make peace at the office, she loaded up on warm lamingtons and bush-spiced sausage rolls and headed for the Batcave.Because today she started the interviews.
First, she had to get past Cecil…
Nibbling on the fire station’s perfect green lawn, the town’s walking billboard was dressed in blue ribbons and a tasteful display of assorted paper flowers.Today’s announcement scrawled across his black sides was:
