Chapter 17
FRANKIE
Even though I was all alone in the auto repair shop, I closed the bathroom door behind me when I went in there to pee out of habit.
It was small, like the size of a powder room in someone’s house.
It was just a toilet and a wall mounted sink.
There was a mirror above it with a motor oil company sticker in the top corner that looked like it’d been there for a few decades.
The seat was up, a reminder that this space had probably only been for guys for…
well, ever. I wasn’t sure how long Shep owned the business, but the building had to be older than him.
It wasn’t dirty, but it wasn’t clean either.
Didn’t matter. It was warm, dry, and safe.
I peed, then brushed my teeth, having already changed into cozy sweats and hoodie at the rec center. I came out, turned off the light, ready to climb into my car and sleep. Or try to. It was early, but I didn’t have anything to do but try.
“Hello, Frankie.”
I screamed and on instinct, threw my toothpaste at the voice.
There, leaning against the workbench that ran the length of the wall, was a man who now held my minty weapon. I could only see his silhouette from the street light through the bay doors. He was big. Had on a hat.
“Nice throw.”
I snatched a wrench off the counter and held it up. I had a weapon, but the place was loaded with tools that he could grab and use to harm me. Now being alone didn’t seem like a good idea and the shop was creepy and dangerous.
“I’m Colt. Shep’s brother.”
My heart was beating so fast I was probably going to go into cardiac arrest. I couldn’t speak and I was shaking like a leaf.
Colt. Colt Wilder. Shep’s brother.
Shep’s brother. Not a threat.
I remembered Shep mentioning his name at lunch. Still, what was he doing here?
He backed up the length of the workbench, eyes staying on me, then flipped a switch. The overhead lights came on and–
“Oh fuck,” I whispered, seeing the man now for the first time. He had on a tan Stetson, jeans, boots… and a uniform shirt with a big star on the chest. At his waist was a gun.
Colt wasn’t just Shep’s brother, he was the sheriff.
I swallowed hard, tears welling in my eyes. “I’m not stealing anything. I promise. Please don’t arrest me.”
He looked me over, took in my outfit, my car in the bay, then glanced down at the toothpaste in his hand.
“I think it’s time we had a little talk.”