Chapter 8
Eight
Graduating from college had left Julie Wolfe a strange feeling of foreboding.
Excitement leading up to the ceremony had given her stomach cramps, but now at home when it was all over, her future was insecure.
She’d spent most of her time in her bedroom removing things she didn’t need going forward.
Confident she’d made the right choice by applying for positions in child safety, the career she really wanted was child advocacy.
It would mean she would become the voice of children going to court.
She would make sure that their voices were heard and their concerns met.
The idea of working directly with a lawyer and the children’s services fit into her wheelhouse of study and diplomas.
She understood the need to start at the bottom and work her way up as her experience grew.
A position had opened up in the last month in Black Rock Falls and she’d applied.
Waiting for her dream job was the worst part, as other offers had arrived in the mail.
She could work in other towns. One job in Louan and one in Blackwater both appeared to be very good positions, but she really wanted to remain close to home.
Her dad, the medical examiner Shane Wolfe, worried way too much about her and her sisters, and in truth, she didn’t want to cause him more stress by moving away from home.
When her phone buzzed, she stared at the caller ID and screeched with delight.
She’d been waiting for a call from Rhett Lawson and hoped he hadn’t been delayed because of the storm.
She’d met him during a career convention in Helena before the holidays.
He would be moving to Black Rock Falls to work and to discover what his parents had left him in their will.
When she’d mentioned him coming to town to her dad, he’d given her a long look and then offered the spare room for him to stay until he’d gotten his affairs settled.
She understood his reasoning. Lately she could read him like a book.
The last thing he wanted was for Rhett to stay at the motel because he knew she would visit him there.
It wasn’t that he didn’t trust her judgment; he didn’t trust the groups of miners or ranch hands who came into town looking for a good time.
Her hands trembled with excitement as she accepted the video call. She could hear the sound of vehicles in the background, and Rhett’s windswept hair meant he was somewhere outside. “Hey, are you sheltering from the storm?”
“Yeah, I made it to the Triple Z Roadhouse before the sky opened up. I’m just outside now.
” His mouth curled into a wide smile. “It’s sure good to see a friendly face, I’ve been on the road for days.
I packed all my belongings into my Harley, so there’s nothing to go back to.
Whatever happens, I’ll be remaining in Black Rock Falls until I get a job.
” His eyes moved over her face. “They mentioned inside that there was a motel in town or I could stay at the one behind the Triple Z Bar. I figure they believed I was a biker and would fit right in there.”
Julie had spoken to him many times over the last three months but knowing he was so close made her nervous.
Suddenly tongue-tied, she didn’t know how to ask him to stay at the house without overstepping the boundaries that they’d created between them.
Right now, they were just friends and there were no expectations either way, although she really liked him.
“My dad has offered you our spare room until you get your affairs in order if you would like, but if you would prefer to stay at a motel, I would take the Black Rock Falls one, which is closer to town. It’s a dive but not as bad as the one behind the Triple Z Bar. ”
“Are you sure he won’t find a guy with tats and a Harley an unwelcome houseguest?
” He chuckled and swiped at his chin. “I read an article about him in a newspaper I picked up in the motel I stayed in last night. You didn’t mention he is on the forefront of forensic science in this state and he’s married to a renowned forensic anthropologist. I never judge a book by the cover but usually the elite of this world look down their noses at people like me. ”
Not trying to smother her grin, she shook her head.
“My dad is not an elitist and neither is Norrell. They are both very down-to-earth people and work hard to solve crimes in this state. When my mom died, my dad quit the military to raise us. My little sister Anna was only a baby and it was tough going for a long time. I guess being the only parent for so long, he is a little overprotective—well, let me rephrase that—he is overprotective, but he has good reason to be. Both Emily and I have been involved with serial killers at one time or another. With being as close to law enforcement as we are, we have targets on our backs for those who want to seek revenge.” She met his gaze.
“Come and meet the family. There’s no obligation for you to stay if you feel uncomfortable.
I’ve already told you my dad owns a Harley.
In fact, he is rebuilding another as we speak.
You have old-school values like him and most of the deputies we call family in Black Rock Falls.
I honestly believe you will fit in just fine. ”
“That would make sense if they all had military backgrounds.” Rhett sighed and stared into the distance.
“I want to see you again and we have so many things to talk about. It feels like a year since we went to the convention. Graduation seemed to take years to arrive. I’m so glad all that part of my life is finished.
I’ve already applied for a few positions in Black Rock Falls.
We can chat about that when I arrive. How far away from your house am I? ”
Ecstatic that he decided to at least drop by, she grinned.
“Less than twenty minutes.” She gave him directions.
“If you go past the sheriff’s office, you’ve gone too far.
You need to go left at the crossroad and follow that road.
We’re the big house at the end of the street.
There’s a gnome with a red hat sitting at the front gate.
Anna found it at a yard sale and insisted we bring it home. ”
“Okay.” Rhett grinned at her again and pushed a lock of dark hair from his eyes. “I’ll wait for the hail to stop and head on down. Looking at the sky, it might be a while. At least, it will be warm inside the roadhouse.”
Julie smiled. “I’ll see you soon.” She disconnected and flopped down backward on the bed. “At last.”