With a resigned sigh, Gray pulled his SUV to the side of the road. He shifted to Park, grabbed a beef stick from his glove compartment, and jumped out. As he neared the dog, he slowed. “Hey, buddy. How you doing? You hungry?” He peeled off the plastic and held out the beef stick.
The dog dropped to the ground, tail tucked, and lowered his head almost to the sidewalk. He seemed as if he wanted to sink right between the slabs of concrete. But he eyed the treat and licked his chops.
Gray sank to his haunches. “It’s all right. I’m not gonna hurt you. Come here, I got a nice little snack for you.”
The dog took two cautious steps forward, his eyes darting from the beef stick to Gray and back.
“That’s it. It’s all yours. Just come and get it.”
The dog inched closer until he was near enough to snatch the treat from Gray’s hand. It was gone in mere seconds.
Gray held out his hand for the dog to sniff. His fur was darker on his back and ears. “Where’s your owner, huh, friend? You get lost?” But a quick scan revealed no collar.
The mutt dropped to the sidewalk and rolled over for a belly scratch. Gray chuckled, obliging. “A little treat and now you trust me, huh? Fair enough, I guess.”
The poor guy could probably use some water. What should Gray do now? He couldn’t just leave the dog wandering the streets where he was likely to get hit by a car. Maybe he had a microchip. It wouldn’t bemuch trouble to take him home for the night and have him scanned in the morning.
He gave the dog one last belly scratch and stood. Would the dog follow? He had another beef stick in the glove compartment to coax him if necessary. But when he started back to the SUV, the mutt was right on his heels.
Gray glanced down at him. “We’re buddies now, huh?”
The dog wagged his tail, gazing up at him with something like adoration.
“Don’t be getting attached. I’m helping you find your family, that’sall.” He couldn’t believe he was taking a dog back to Granny’s house. He didn’t even allow pets at the Airbnb. What a sucker. He shook his head as he opened the passenger door and let the dog jump inside. He was just closing it when flashing lights caught his attention.
A police cruiser approached, its blue and red lights strobing silently. The car pulled up behind his vehicle.
Unease leached into his blood as Gray met the uniformed policeman between the vehicles. The officer appeared to be in his upper thirties with broad shoulders, a shaved head, and a stonelike expression. Close-spaced eyes and a prominent brow line gave him an eagle-like appearance. “Can I help you, Officer...” He glanced down at the man’s badge—Remington. His stomach bottomed out. Great.
“Are you aware you’re parked in a fire lane?”
Gray glanced at the red-painted curb beside his SUV. “I’m not really parked as my vehicle is still running. I just stopped for a minute to—”
“Whether or not your SUV is running is irrelevant, as is your reason for parking there. Have a seat in your vehicle.”
Gray pressed his lips together as their gazes locked. The officer knew exactly who Gray was. He really had no choice in the matter. Anyway, it was just a measly parking ticket. Hardly enough to get up in arms about.
He returned to his SUV where the dog waited, head hanging out the driver’s-side window. When Gray opened the door, the dog jumped into the passenger seat and sat, regarding him expectantly.
“You’re gonna cost me at least fifty bucks, pal. I hope your owners appreciate it.”
Gray glanced in his rearview mirror. The cop seemed in no hurry. No doubt he’d draw this out as long as possible. Now that Gray had a minute to reflect, he recognized the man as Mason, Brendan’s older brother. Not only had Gray’s dad killed their uncle, but of course Gray had stolen Brendan’s girl.
Then there was the whole test scandal. When news of that went public, Gray felt he had no choice but to leave. Then the town addedbroke Shelby’s heartto the list of his sins. He just couldn’t win.
He glanced in his rearview mirror. Didn’t seem to matter that all of that was eons ago.
Tired of dwelling on the past, Gray pulled out his phone and answered a few texts from Gavin and Eric about the fiber-cement siding for a difficult customer. Long minutes later, at the sound of a closing car door, he set down his phone.
Mason Remington swaggered up beside his SUV.
“From what I can figure, your two weeks in Grandville are about up, Briggs.”
Gray regarded him silently. He had nothing to add. No reason to engage.
“It’s time for you to hightail it out of town. Nobody wants you here.”
“That a threat?”
