Staying For Good
Page 62

Felix pulled him back while Zane jumped behind the wheel and kicked up dirt as he sped away.
All the attention turned on Zoe the moment Zane was gone.
She trembled. “I shouldn’t have touched him.”
Luke reached her in two steps and took over for Mel and Miss Gina.
Felix waved his hands in the air as he walked in front of them. “Drama is over . . . everyone get that kitchen cleaned up. We have a wedding to prepare for.”
Zoe couldn’t stop shaking. She’d taken a shower, cleaned the scrapes on the palms of her hands . . . and downed a full glass of Miss Gina’s special lemonade. The trembling didn’t stop.
“I shouldn’t have touched him.”
“Stop, Zoe. He pushed you. He had no right.” Mel sat on the edge of the bed while she dressed.
Jo hadn’t dressed in something other than her uniform in what seemed like forever. “I can bring him in. Just say the word.”
“No. Please. Tension is high . . . that’s all. Ziggy is spreading shit. My mom is being an idiot.”
“Don’t justify bad behavior.”
Zoe knew how her words sounded. Knew the pattern her mother had taken for years. “If it happens again, you have my blessing. Let this go. He didn’t go after Luke when he punched him.” She tried to hide the tremor in her hands and failed. “Good God, I feel like I need a Xanax.”
Mel grasped both hands in hers. “It’s okay. You have a right to be shook up.”
“I’m sorry, Mel. I don’t want any of this touching you.”
Mel looked at her as if she were crazy. “You mean everything to me, Zoe. I hate that this is happening to you. But I’m glad I’m here to hold your hand and talk trash about the whole lot of them.”
Zoe pulled her into a fierce hug. “I love you.”
Mel hugged her back. “I’m already taken.”
The three of them worked their way downstairs together. The voices in the living room faded from whispers to nothing when they entered.
Jo called out everyone in the room. “Could you be more obvious?”
Luke was on his feet and at her side. “Feel better?”
“I’m fine.” She took his hand, knew he had to feel her shaking.
Felix winked at her from across the room. “You get the award for crazy family, Zoe.”
“Let’s just keep Ziggy from showing up.”
Jo sat on the arm of the sofa. “I’m already on that.”
“Oh?” Wyatt had joined the group and sat beside Mel.
“A couple of my friends from Waterville agreed to keep an eye on things.”
Zoe read through those lines quickly. “Not a bad idea. I’m sorry it has to be that way.”
“Enough, Zoe. Not your fault. I don’t want to hear another word.” Mel used her Mom voice.
Zoe bowed out.
Luke pulled her closer.
Felix leaned close to Mel. “How do you get her to stop arguing so easily?”
“Practice.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Waterville was the next closest anything to River Bend. It was three times as big, with a lot more anonymity to suit the needs of Ziggy Brown.
Jo was certain it was only a matter of time until the man pushed his limits and found himself in the town where he’d committed the crime that put him away for close to two decades of his life.
Jo walked into the tractor supply store and straight to where the semi drivers dropped off their shipments.
She wasn’t wearing her uniform, something she did with purpose. She was pissed, more than she’d been in a long time, and wearing a uniform would probably set her in the mood to cuff the man she was coming to see. Since she’d promised Zoe she wouldn’t do that, Jo left her badge behind.
There was, however, a .38 strapped to her ankle—she wasn’t stupid.
Zane Brown wore the light blue issued uniform shirt with the logo of the store and a belt around his waist to help protect his back.
Jo was fairly certain her presence in the employee only section of the warehouse caught the attention of a few people. She also knew that when you acted like you belonged somewhere, people seldom called you out.
She approached Zane, who had yet to notice her walking in.
He was helping a driver stack boxes half his size onto a dolly.
The man inside the truck noticed her first.
That’s when Zane’s startled gaze found hers.
With one look, she knew he understood this wasn’t a social visit.
The truck driver eyed her with a slight smile.
Not gonna happen, buddy.
After a few more stacked boxes, Zane made his excuses and walked toward her.
“Zane.”
“Sheriff.” He said her title softly enough to avoid anyone else hearing it.
“You have a minute?”
“I’m kinda busy right now.”
Jo tilted her head. “You have a minute.” She turned and walked out of the warehouse and into the massive parking lot.
It took Zane less than a minute to find her side.
Their eyes locked before he broke his gaze away. “I didn’t mean to push her.”
“Half a dozen eyewitnesses would disagree.”
Zane shoved his hands in the front pockets of his jeans. “How is she?”
“She’s hurting, Zane!” Jo pushed two fingers into her own chest. “Right here. I don’t know what crap Ziggy is feeding all of you, but he is going to destroy you.”