Chapter Six
CHAPTER SIX
EMMETT
I came into Vincent’s General Store for a few groceries but was quickly distracted by the woman in pajamas intently scouring aisle nine.
I recognized Millie Rushing despite having only seen her the one time.
Before I could stop myself, I started toward her—observing how the rich purple satin set swayed as she paced the section in front of her. Her hair was pulled up in a lopsided ponytail, and as I closed the remaining distance between us, I forced my gaze away from the slope of her neck.
On instinct, I leaned closer—watching as she grabbed a few mouse traps from the shelf.
Then she turned and slammed into my chest.
When had I gotten so damn close?
Fuck . I felt her nipples pressed against my chest through the fabric of both our shirts. My dick perked up, and I hurriedly took a few steps back.
“Cat got your tongue?” I smirked, hoping to infuse a little lightheartedness into the awkward situation.
Her entire face shuttered, extinguishing the lust I felt moments before when her body was flush with mine. It’d been longer than I cared to admit since I had the time or desire to pursue a woman, but Millie had me comparing my appeal to that of a porcupine .
“Is that supposed to be funny?” she huffed.
Her question left me perplexed. This couldn’t be the first time she’d heard that cheeky phrase.
“Well, it was a joke,” I replied sarcastically, but the look she shot my way told me that she was far from amused.
“I don’t have time for this,” she mumbled before turning in the opposite direction.
Apparently I couldn’t leave well enough alone today, though, and stalked after her. She was almost to the register by the time I caught up.
“What’s your problem?” I asked as she joined the line gathered near the check-out.
“You’re my problem,” she snapped under her breath.
Fuck —this woman was feisty, riling me up in all sorts of confusing ways.
“You flatter me,” I deadpanned, and she scoffed as if the idea of doing such a thing was abhorrent.
Tossing the mouse traps onto the conveyor belt, she stepped in front of Jenny, the cashier. The smile Millie gave her was genuine, and my mind blanked at the sight.
What was I doing?
I couldn’t quite put my finger on how I felt about Millie Rushing, but she had made her feelings very clear.
She definitely didn’t like me.
“Thanks for all your help, Nathan,” I said before ending the call.
I didn’t have much of a social life anymore, and it comforted me to know he was working this late on a Sunday evening, as well.
Nathan Thatcher was the Sheriff over in Bozeman. We’d known each other for years—long before either of us were elected into our current positions. When I reached out to him, he was more than happy to lend all the information they had on Roxy Sanders. And there was a lot but nothing that was of much help in explaining her gruesome murder .
The fact that we still hadn’t closed the case weighed heavily on me. It had been nearly a month, and I was no closer to finding answers. But the information Nathan shared might prove to be the break we desperately needed.
Evidently, there was a new drug circulating in the city.
Thumper .
Nathan described it as an injectable substance with a wide range of side effects.
I set a reminder to review Sanders’s toxicology report then pocketed my phone. Climbing out of my truck, I grabbed the few groceries I purchased from Vincent’s.
I’d learned I didn’t need much to live the bachelor lifestyle—some fixings for sandwiches, a case of beer, and a bottle of bourbon.
Simple.
I didn’t need complicated.