“Sure.” Rick shot him a look because he’d growled the words, before walking away.
“I think I’ve already told you to leave me alone.”
He grabbed her arm at her snooty tone, turning her to face him, but she wouldn’t look at him.
“Don’t throw yourself at every man just to prove something to me.”
That made her look up, eyes now spitting angry sparks.
“These people are my friends. How dare you suggest I’m… I’m—”
“Flirting?”
“I won’t defend myself against that ridiculous accusation because I no longer give a damn what you think. Remember, you don’t want to be involved with me; therefore, what I do is none of your business.”
He felt edgy, like his skin was too tight and he was struggling to find a sensible thought in a head filled with rash ones. The composure that made him good at his job had fled.
“That dress is too short and I can see every curve of your body. You should go home now.”
That sucked the breath right out of her, and Cubby wondered what the hell he’d been thinking to say what he just had, and then he couldn’t think at all, because she’d punched him hard in the stomach before walking away.
The HowlingHot Foot Flyer was an eight mile run around the lake, finishing with a loop through the Redwoods and back into town. Katie had decided to run it, and then she was leaving, not to return to LA, but to spend some time travelling around and seeing where she’d like to settle and work. She couldn’t stay there, not with the possibility of seeing Cubby every day.
After Ethan’s party, and her fight with him, she’d known that leaving for a while was her only option, and she needed to do it fast. So she’d called E.J., told him her plans. He’d said he was sorry to see her go, but wasn’t surprised after what she’d been through. He’d promised to ask around and see if he knew of any positions that may suit. The Alessi situation seemed to have settled down, with no word from the informants that the brothers were still intent on finding who had killed their brother, so Katie felt safe making the choice to leave.
She rose early, ate a good breakfast, and then pulled on her running gear and jogged into town as a warm-up. The day promised to be a good one. When she arrived, she found two large white tents had been set up for registration, athletes to use and leave their belongings in, refreshments, and marshals. It was still early, as the race started at eight, so she left on her jacket against the cool morning air.
“Good luck, sweetie.”
“Thanks, Mom,” Katie waved to her parent, who was strapping some tape around a man’s calf outside the small first-aid tent.
People waved and wished her luck as she walked, and she thought there were a few more genuine smiles on the faces of people today. Maybe the book club had been right; this would be good for morale. She headed to the collect her race number and found her brother, Ethan, Buster, and Newman already there.
“You boys still wimping out and doing two miles each?”
“It’s strategic.” Newman threw her a grin. “If we don’t get too tired, we can eat and drink after, whereas you’ll be in a corner somewhere sleeping.”
“I have more stamina than that, you losers.”
This produced hoots of laughter. Her brother simply rolled his eyes.
They pinned on their numbers and then went outside for the race briefing.
“Cubby said they’re having three people at each two mile point, and they’ll be checking the numbers to make sure everyone comes through. They’ll have radios and he and his deputies will be patrolling certain areas of the course,” Jake said. “He’s asked the locals to come out and stand along the route for support and to have more eyes out there.”
“He’s not running?” Katie made herself ask.
“No.” Jake shook his head, then looped an arm around her neck as they headed to where the other competitors stood. “He felt he needed to be here in an official capacity.”
Mr. Pike, who had taught most of the children in the area, was the local MC for any occasion, so it was he who was now preparing to speak. He explained the route, the rules, and that it was important if you did not finish the race, you immediately told an official that you had pulled out. Katie tried not to stiffen up as Cubby headed for the microphone.
“He’s a good man, sis, you just have to give him time. He’ll come around.” Jake whispered the words into her ear.
“It’s done, Jake, I’ve moved on.”
“Sure you have, and he looks about as happy as you are.”
Katie studied Cubby through her sunglasses. He wore his usual jeans and short-sleeved shirt, and had on his sheriff’s cap. Aviators hid his eyes, but she had the feeling he was looking at her as she was him. Of course, he probably wasn’t, but the man was in her thoughts so much, in her thoughts she could make herself believe anything.
