Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 85177 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85177 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
Chapter Seven
Cooper
By some luck when I got called out to the Blair house at the edge of town, the patrol from the next town over was already there. Betsy Blair is an older woman that lives almost on the border of two towns, so when she calls we always go. We don’t want there to be a time when she needs something and the other town doesn’t show up.
In this instance it helped because when I got the text from Juno that she needed me, I grabbed the guys, and we hauled ass back to town. I was there within a matter of moments, but it felt like forever.
“We’ll send it off to the lab and hopefully have something back for you by tomorrow,” Terrance, the other town's chief of police, tells me.
“I appreciate you coming, and I’m thankful for anything you can do to help me out.”
“She’s something special to you?” he asks, nodding up at the second floor where I left Juno.
“She is,” I admit out loud.
This might be the first time I’m allowing myself to consider what the future with Juno might appear to be, and I fucking love it. I’m just not sure she’ll ever feel that way. She’s so bright and full of light. She’ll get tired of my overbearing ways and take off.
“Cute little thing,” he says, mostly to himself, but I feel my hackles rise.
“Watch it, Terrance.” My voice is cold and cutting.
“Hey, no offense.” He holds his hands up and smiles like he’s seeing me in a new light. Maybe he is. “I’ll be in touch.”
“Thanks,” I say and nod to him and his guys as they pull out from their spots and take off.
I look over the broken window we patched with some cardboard and tape. It’s not secure, but nothing will be until the glass gets replaced. I called the auto shop in town, and they’re going to come by tonight and measure it so they can cut a piece to replace it. Thankfully we’ve got good people here that can help as soon as possible. But my biggest concern is who the fuck did it to begin with and why they would target Juno’s business.
It’s not even up and going, and the real estate people that sold it were happy with the deal. There’s no bad blood in town with this place or with Juno, as far as I know. Hell, from the going away party the diner gave her, you’d think she was the damn queen of Pink Springs.
I lock up the shop door and go upstairs to find her. I’m finished with work for the day anyway, but I’m also itching to get her back to my place.
“Juno,” I call out when I open the door, and I see her sitting on her bed with her arms crossed. “You ready?” When I call out, she doesn’t move.
“You’re going to answer some questions first.” She scowls at me, and I’m surprised. A few moments ago she was in tears, and now she looks pissed. I guess dealing with an angry Juno is much easier than dealing with a crying one. I don’t know how to fix tears, and it breaks my heart when I see her do it.
“I’ll answer your questions when we’re out of here.” I grab the bag sitting on the floor next to her, but she doesn’t move to get up. “Let’s go.”
“Why am I leaving? Where are we going? You can’t just bark orders at me and expect me to do what you say.”
“I don’t think it’s safe here, at least until we get your window fixed and some cameras. Maybe even a few more locks, a guard dog—”
“Cooper,” she hisses, cutting me off.
“You’re coming to stay with me for a few days while they fix your window.” Never mind that it will be fixed tomorrow. She doesn’t need to know all the details.
“Oh.” Her arms fall in her lap like she didn’t consider this.
“Did you think I was going to take you to the shelter at the church?” I want to laugh but have the feeling it will just piss her off more.
“Fine. But you can carry my bag.” She stands up and walks past me with her chin in the air. I shake my head because I’m already carrying her bag. But whatever it takes to get her to come willingly.
After a brief argument in the parking lot about leaving her car here, I finally give in, and she follows behind me in her Jeep on the way to my house. Luca still lives at home with me, but I hardly ever see him. He’s either hanging out with his friends or working, and sometimes his job takes him away for a few days at a time. He left town a few hours ago and won’t be back until next week, so I’m thankful I’ve got the place to myself with Juno.