Page 7
“I’ll bet he is.”
“I meant chopping wood, fixing things, and doing odd jobs. He fixed my fence without even being asked.” I almost forgot about that, too.
“Exactly my point!”
“Phoebe told him to. You know what it’s like getting a contractor or handyperson around here.”
She smirks to herself. “I rest my case.”
I roll my eyes, grabbing the sandwich board as I poke my tongue at her. There is no point arguing, because the more fuel I give it, the more teasing will ensue.
I step out onto the sidewalk and look both ways before I cross the road. We place the sandwich board on the island in the middle of the road so motorists see it. I set it up, then cross the road again.
I turn my head, and out of nowhere, a speeding van squeals its tires and comes hurtling toward me. I hurry my pace. Oh, holy shit!
Suddenly, I feel strong arms around me as I’m pulled onto the sidewalk. The van mounts the curb, narrowly missing me, then swerves back onto the road, speeding away as onlookers gasp and someone even screams.
“Holy shit!” I shout. “Asshole!”
“I’ve got you. Are you okay?” His voice shouldn’t sound so familiar, but I’d know it anywhere.
I’m sprawled on the sidewalk in Decker’s arms.
Phoebe’s dad not only just saved my life, but he also put himself at risk. And no, I am not okay with that.
CHAPTER 4
DECKER
It all happens in slow motion. One second, I’m chewing the best pancake and bacon I’ve ever had. The next, I glance up, and there’s a van speeding up the street, heading straight for Pearl, who’s about to cross the road.
Pearl hasn’t noticed, and she steps off the island.
I’m on my feet in two seconds flat, running like my ass is on fire.
She hears the van, then breaks into a run, but it keeps coming. The accelerator roars full throttle, and it’s then I know this is no accident. Someone is deliberately going after her. I grab her, pulling her toward the café doors as the van careers onto the sidewalk, narrowly missing both of us. It takes out a fucking garbage can, then scrapes a parked car, and speeds away, tires screeching down the street.
Several onlookers gasp in horror, and a couple runs toward us.
Jade is even faster. “Holy shit, Pearl, Decker, are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” I tell Jade, my focus on Pearl.
She’s in my arms, and I’m mad at myself that she broke some of her fall on the pavement instead of my body.
“My wrist,” she says, wincing when I sit her up. “Ouch, that hurts.”
I check her over as she holds her left arm close to her chest. “It could be broken. We need to get you to the hospital.”
“Who was that crazy lunatic?” Dorothy, from Saddle Co Florist next door, chimes in, bending down to both of us.
“It was an unmarked car,” Gus, Diamond’s dad, replies, rushing over from down the street, his little dog Burt on his heels. “They had no plates. My truck is close by, so I can take her. Decker, you okay?”
“I’m fine. My truck is just here.” I point in front of where we’re sitting. Pearl is my responsibility.
“Are you okay?” She blinks up at me in surprise. “You got to me so fast.”
“Fortunately, I had a view of the street from where I was sitting and saw the van pull out before you did.” I swallow hard, my heart racing. “We need to report this to the sheriff’s office.”
