The Family Gathering (Sullivan's Crossing #3)(49)

But then Sid was back and Neely ceased to exist for him.

“I think people are starting to talk,” she said. “You’re in here too much and the way you look at me is way too obvious.”

“Good,” he said. “I’d really like to put up a sign—Sid’s Off the Market.”

“I was already off the market,” she corrected. “Then you showed up and I had a slip in judgment.”

“Then we both did. I really like it like this.”

“I thought we agreed we’d keep it, you know, kind of low-key. Bad divorce and all.”

“Listen, I don’t know where this is going, Sid,” he said in a low voice, barely above a whisper. “But it doesn’t matter how we end up, I would never do to you what he did to you. Right now we’re checking it out. And it checks out pretty damn good. How late are you working tonight?”

“Rob went home to have dinner with the boys earlier so he said I could leave by nine if I want to. I really need some sleep!”

“I’ll hang around, get you home.”

“But I’m not going out tonight. I’m not going to your place. I really am tired. I must be getting worn out somehow.”

That made him smile. “I’ve never felt so well rested in my life.”

“I think there’s something seriously wrong with you.”

“Not anymore,” he said.

*

On Monday, Dakota’s day off, he spent the morning with Sid. After she’d gotten the kids off to school and Rob had gone to work to occupy himself with accounting and ordering supplies, she went to Dakota’s cabin. They had a leisurely morning of breakfast, love, quiet talk, and then Sid went home. Dakota was a little afraid of how this morning delight on his day off might change when the boys got out of school.

Having seen Neely’s reaction to him the previous night, Dakota decided he was going to follow up on his slashed tires with Stan, the police chief. He waited until after the lunch hour was over, then sauntered into the office. “Hey, Stan,” he said. “Got a minute?”

“For you, I got ten,” Stan said cheerfully.

“I’ll try to be brief. I wanted to follow up on something. I was wondering if the woman whose tire I was asked to fix came in here to talk to you. Neely. I’m afraid I don’t know her last name but she’s unforgettable. Very beautiful. Dresses real... Rich.”

Stan frowned. “Yes, she was here,” he said. “Have a seat, Dakota.”

“I don’t like that look,” Dakota said, sitting in front of Stan’s desk. They were not alone, which made him even more uncomfortable—there was a civilian woman and another officer, both working in the office. They seemed to be occupied with their own work, but still.

“Did you know she’d be coming in to talk to me?” Stan asked.

“I asked her to,” Dakota said. “I bumped into her and told her how much it pissed me off that my tire was punctured and all the others deflated and that I suspected her and she told me she had nothing to do with it. She claimed there was some ex-boyfriend who’d been stalking her or something like that. She seemed a little worried that he might’ve done that and I asked her to tell you.”

“That isn’t exactly what she told me,” Stan said. “She told me she asked you to help her put on a spare and after the tire was on there was a bit of a tussle. She couldn’t call it assault and didn’t want to press charges, but she said you crossed the line. You told her you assumed she’d return the favor with affection. And that she shoved you away and slapped your face.”

Dakota was speechless. His mouth hung open; he could feel it. “You have got to be kidding,” he said, shock drawing out each word. “Seriously?”

“I’m afraid so,” Stan said.

“Jesus, why didn’t you call me? Bring me in for a talking-to?” Dakota asked. “Something!”

“You need a talking-to, Dakota?” Stan asked sagely.

“Aw, hell, it was the other way around. She asked me to fix her tire but there wasn’t anything wrong with the tire, and once we were alone in the alley, she attacked me. Well, she plastered herself against me and kissed me and I had to peel her off me. You can ask Sid—I left my beer on the bar and was back in less than ten minutes, almost all of that time spent walking to the alley and back.” He shook his head. “Holy shit, there is something seriously wrong with that woman.”

“So, you didn’t come on a little too strong?” Stan asked.

“She’s been coming on to me and I guess she’s the one who’s pissed off. Just so you know, we’re trying to play it cool, be discreet, but I’m seeing Sid. I took her to my sister’s wedding. We work together at the soup kitchen in Colorado Springs every week. I don’t have any interest in this Neely character. And she’s real aggressive.”

“Neely Benedict,” Stan supplied. Then he smiled. “Sid, huh?”

“Don’t smile at that,” Dakota said. “Why didn’t you tell me I was accused of assault?”

“Well, it’s not exactly assault as it was described and there doesn’t seem to be a victim, since she said she wasn’t pressing charges. She just wanted me to be aware on the chance you’re a little off and we have trouble with you.”