Chapter Nine
She was sleeping. He could tell by her soft snores and the gentle repeated lift of her chest.
There was something about her, something that tugged at his compassion. He didn’t even know he had a compassionate side. He guessed he was still learning about himself. Still learning how to be the best version of himself. He was a far cry from his goal.
Up ahead he saw a sign for a gas station. This might be the last chance he had to grab gas and check in at the ranch before he showed up with Margo.
Pulling off into the lot, he parked and glanced over to make sure his passenger was still asleep. Grabbing his phone, he slid out, locking the doors just in case. He walked about fifty feet away from the truck and called Sharp to explain the situation.
Back at the truck he pumped gas, then he paid, adding a handful of candy bars to the bill to replenish his stash. He climbed into the driver’s side quietly, not wanting to disturb sleeping beauty. He laid the candy in the console, except for one.
Margo didn’t’ stir. She looked peaceful with her cheek against her hand pressed against the window. She couldn’t be comfortable, but he guessed she must have been tired.
Hawkeye had almost let it slip that he knew her personal information a few times and luckily caught himself. He didn’t know a lot, just the basics, and he’d rather hear the details from her.
He steered the truck back onto the road, but his gaze seemed to navigate toward Margo.
He didn’t like what was happening, not at all.
The more he learned the more mysterious everything became.
Now that Margo identified the tower tattoo, that meant Davani’s death had a link to Silver…
at least in some form. The kingpin had lost a little of his street cred since he’d been put behind bars, but he still had a long reach.
A sign was displayed ahead indicating the exit for Fin’s Creek.
He reached over to shake Margo’s shoulder. She whimpered in refusal followed by an agitated moan.
“Hey! Margo,” he said in a low tone, so he didn’t startle her awake.
One eye flicked open and then the other as her gaze fell on him. Her back straightened as she skimmed the interior, trying to get her bearings.
“Wh-where are we?” she said groggily.
“We’re rolling up onto town. I thought you might like to see where you’ll be staying.”
She rubbed the sleep from her eyes. “You weren’t kidding. Small and quaint. I bet they decorate for every holiday including Halloween.”
“Yeah.” He laughed. “Townsfolk are great ‘round here. The only downfall, everyone knows everyone’s business. There’s Oscar’s Watering Hole.
The only bar in town. They make the best wings you’ve ever tasted.
” He pointed to another place with large wide windows and white metal siding.
“The Creek Diner. They have the best chicken and dumplings, and the staff is friendly.”
“What’s that?” She pointed toward a brightly colored shop.
“That’s a pottery shop and one door over is the florist.” The elderly men sitting on the corner bench raised their hands in greeting.
“There’s your welcoming committee, at least part of it.
” Hawkeye remembered the first day he drove into town.
Everyone made it a priority to welcome him.
Although everyone knew everyone’s business, he also knew townsfolk protected their own.
If any strangers came into town it’d be passed through Fin’s Creek by sundown
He’d grown to like the place and called it home.
Ranching made a man humble. Hawkeye felt grounded, working toward peace. Something he’d been missing in his life for a long time.
“Willoughby’s Feedstore is over there.” He jutted his chin to the right.
As they stopped at the only traffic light, he pointed out the gas station, the corner market, the BNB owned by Betty Moss, and the Baptist church where Hawkeye would sometimes pass by and hear the choir’s enthusiastic hymns flowing from the open door.
“I think there’s a women’s clothing store somewhere. I heard CaDee discussing it.”
“There’s even a fast-food restaurant.” She pointed out the burger restaurant. “Is that a human cheeseburger dancing on the street corner?”
“Cheap advertising. The clubs in San Antonio have scantily dressed women luring people in, and the burger joint has a live cheeseburger.” He chuckled.
“They have mean garbage burgers there.” He saw Sharp’s cousin, Ursula, walking toward the bank.
She waved and he returned the gesture. “That’s Ursula. ”
“Another cousin I need to be aware of?”
“She’s Sharp’s cousin and CaDee’s friend. I’m sure you’ll meet her eventually,” he said.
“I might like to shop at that boutique if I had money to spend,” Margo said as they passed a brick building advertising the Grand Opening of the boutique. “Someone chucked my credit and debit cards into the dumpster.”
“They’re traceable. We didn’t need the temptation burning a hole through your purse.
” He didn’t want to rehash any earlier arguments, at least not until he had some grub.
He’d been half tempted to stop at the drive thru and grab a burger, but neither he nor Margo were in the right mindset to stop off for food.
There’d be leftovers at the ranch. He looked forward to the cook’s homestyle meals again.
The plump, energetic grandmother could fry up a shoe and make it taste gourmet.
“Make a list of essentials that you need, and I’ll make sure you have everything. ”
“Where will I be staying on the ranch?”
“You’ll be staying in one of the guest cottages.” The team had been busy building a bunkhouse, outbuildings, barns, and a row of cottages for guests.
“Is there a community computer, or laptop, at the ranch?” she asked.
“No, and if there was you couldn’t use it.”
“I feel like you’re getting some type of enjoyment shooting down anything I ask?”
“You can’t have a presence on the internet. Anything you do leaves a trace.”
Finally, he got much-needed silence from her side of the truck.