I watched as a rivulet of sweat or water ran down the length of his throat and across his bare chest.
His very defined, bare chest.
His bare chest that had my name on it, as well as Dean’s.
On one side of his heart was the word ‘Dean’ in calligraphy.
On the other side of his heart read ‘Herb.’
My heart lurched into my throat.
He caught me looking and smiled sheepishly. “I never want to forget.”
I wasn’t sure what that meant.
He didn’t want to forget that I was the reason for all his troubles?
That made more sense than the alternative—that he actually liked me and never wanted to forget me.
I was too scared to ask him to clarify why.
Instead, I looked at Black and said, “Do I need to leave?”
Black looked at Gentry.
Gentry shrugged. “It’s not like she knows anyone to tell.”
That was true.
I only knew very few people in town. At least well.
I knew of a lot of people.
I’d met a ton of the Dixie Wardens and their wives.
Quite a few of them had come through the hospital that I was working at.
I’d also met quite a few people socially through the SAR club that Mable had encouraged me to join. Though, at the time, she’d encouraged me to join with Neo, but now I wasn’t so sure that he could help in any way.
A few of the Dixie Wardens also helped with the SAR—search and rescue—team. As well as quite a few firefighters for the area.
I’d also met the mechanic in town, Courtland, who also happened to be a part of the club.
But most of them were just acquaintances. Someone I’d say hi to if I saw them, but other than that…
Black cleared his throat and opened the case file.
My heart sank.
A little boy’s face peered up at me.
He was around two or three with a mop of brown curls around his face, blue eyes and porcelain white skin.
“This him?” Gentry asked.
“Calen Wains. Two and a half. Missing for six weeks.”
My stomach sank.
