Chapter 3

Of course, the next morning I ran across my landlord. Cheeks red and back to being tongue-tied, I stammered a greeting.

“Hello, Ms. Miller. How do you find your apartment?” Mr. Tall, Dark and Sexy was just coming out of his office.

“Uh, it’s great. Thank you. I love the shower.” If I hadn’t been blushing before, my cheeks were certainly on fire now.

“I’m glad to hear that.”

Change the topic! Change it now! I yelled at myself. “Uh, is there a bus system, or a ride share? I need to get to the dealership to get a car.”

“Ahh, not really.” Mr. Cofield’s brows furrowed while he thought. “What type of vehicle are you looking for?”

“Small SUV. Something that will handle the winters.” So different from what I’d once driven, but then I hadn’t had to deal with winter, either.

He nodded. “Davin Longmire is the man you want to talk to. He has a number of new and lightly used vehicles and you’ll get a better rate than if you go to the dealership in Mayday Hills. If you want to see his selection, I can call him. I believe he has time to come and retrieve you.”

“Oh. Uh, really?”

Mr. Cofield nodded.

“Thank you.”

My landlord went back into his office and picked up a desk phone. He dialed a number, apparently from memory, and, in moments, someone answered on the other line. I marveled at the old-fashioned phone and his ability to remember phone numbers. Automatically, I patted my pocket, making sure my cell phone was in its normal spot. I’d once dressed only in the cutest, trendiest outfits, but now I was a jeans and t-shirt girl. No matter how odd it felt. Don’t get noticed, that was the new plan.

“He’ll be right over. You can wait in here, or out front.”

“Thank you, Mr. Cofield.”

“Oliver is fine, if you prefer.” His smile melted my panties.

He wasn’t flirting with me. I was nearly certain. Still.

I needed to find a boyfriend or a fuck buddy fast. I did not need to be lusting after my landlord.

“Thanks, Oliver. You are welcome to call me Hannah. Ms. Miller sounds like you’re talking to my mom.” That was a blatant lie, but the sentiment was the same as if I’d been using my old last name.

He nodded. “Hannah then. Oh, look, Davin is already here.”

I glanced out, expecting a fancy car. My eyes widened at the old pickup that rolled up to the curb.

My expression must have let my inner thoughts out.

“Ahh, he loves that truck. No need to worry, Hannah, the vehicles he sells are top-notch.”

“Okay, thank you, Oliver.” His name felt oddly intimate on my tongue, and the way he said mine sent shivers through me. “I’d better just, uh, go then.”

“Have a nice day, Hannah.”

I bolted before I could say anything inappropriate.

The day promised to be warm and humid. Birdsong filled the air, and the trees appeared to be at peak blossom. I hurried down the sidewalk, slowing when I caught sight of the man who had climbed out of the big pickup.

“Fuck me, is anyone in this town not gorgeous?” I muttered to myself.

There was no way the man leaning against the truck could have heard me from here, but I swore an amused smile curled across his lips.

Davin had sandy blond hair, cut short. A neatly trimmed beard slightly darker than his hair, and broad shoulders stretched the material of his casual polo shirt. He wore slacks and dressy boots, but none of that concealed the muscles that filled out his clothing.

I really hoped my landlord knew what he was doing. I was screwed if Davin decided to be unfriendly.

His smile disarmed me a little.

“Hello, Ms. Miller,” he said, voice smooth, comforting, but powerful.

“Hi. Hannah, please.”

“Hannah. I’m Davin. It’s nice to meet you. Oliver says you need a car?”

“I do. Thanks.” Yeah, I definitely needed a fuck buddy. My ovaries had perked up and decided to cry a little at how his smooth voice went right through me. Trying to get myself under control, I thanked him when he opened the door for me.

His truck was old enough to have a bench seat, but not so old that it didn’t have seatbelts.

“What brings you to Beechworth?” he asked casually as he climbed back into the cab and started the truck. It roared to life.

I sensed more than basic curiosity from the man. Maybe he was going to flirt with me? Just because he wasn’t wearing a ring didn’t mean he was available. So sue me, I’d looked. For that matter, Oliver didn’t wear a ring, either.

“I needed a fresh start, and this place seemed quiet enough to get away from big city life.” I’d come up with a fake back story. It was very similar to my real life, but different enough to mask the real details. I’d lived in Miami, according to my backstory. I’d certainly been there enough to know the area.

“City girl?”

“Beach babe,” I added with a grin. That much was true. I’d miss the water, but I could visit again someday.

We drove through the small downtown I’d walked to yesterday. General store, grocery store, a few restaurants, and a bar. All the basics. There were other shops too. Antiques, crafts, things like that. I’d heard there was a farmer’s market every Saturday. Not much beyond that. The mail came from a post office on the edge of Mayday Hills—I’d asked.

Davin gave me a quick once-over before returning his attention to the road. “Beechworth is a quiet town. It takes us a while to get used to new folks. I hope you give us a chance to adjust to a newcomer.”

“Oh, of course. Everyone has been very nice, so far. I don’t expect the entire town to throw open their doors to me.”

He smiled and pulled into a small car lot on the far side of town. I could have walked the four miles, but it would have taken me an hour or more.

“Thank you so much for the ride.”

“Not a problem. Take a look at what I’ve got and see if anything suits you. Keys are in the ignitions. Feel free to take them for a test drive.”

“Wait, you don’t want to go with me?”

“I will, if you prefer, but I don’t need to.”

“Oh. Okay.”

“If you have questions once you’ve looked around, I’ll be in the office. I feel people prefer not to have me staring over their shoulder.”

“That’s great. Thank you.” I had no idea what to say. I’d never encountered a dealership like this. Keys in the ignition? What if I ran off with the car?

Davin slipped out of the truck and before I could put my hand on the handle, he opened the door for me and offered me a hand down.

I didn’t need it, but I automatically accepted, his hand warm in mine.

“Prices are on the windshields.”

Feeling in something of a daze, I headed over to the section of vehicles that had the small SUVs.

***

A few hours later, I was the proud owner of a new compact SUV that should withstand the snowy conditions we’d experience a few months in my future. It was the least stressful experience I’d ever had buying a car. Paying cash had sped things up a bit, but Davin hadn’t batted an eye. I’d even gotten his number. Well, I had his business card and directions to call him should I have any problems with the vehicle. He promised to make sure I was happy. We’d see what actually happened if I had troubles, but I felt good about the purchase.

Wanting to get a better feel for my new home, I decided to head to the diner. I could use lunch, and local color always showed up at places like that.

Now that I had wheels, the trip took mere minutes. I parked on the street and headed inside. The building had a fifties fa?ade, making it feel even more like an old-time, small-town diner. Inside, the tables had chrome edges and the barstools were black vinyl.

The woman behind the bar had a white-frilled apron, and another woman worked the grill, visible in the back through the service window.

The tables were about half-full, and I recognized a few people I’d seen working at the grocery store yesterday. Their tables were piled high, and they shoveled food in their faces with enthusiasm.

I took a seat at the bar.

“Hi, hun.” Her nametag said May. She looked to be a bit older than me, with a friendly smile and a relaxed air about her.

“Hi. What’s the special?”

She gave me a rundown of the menu, and I ordered. While I waited, a man slid onto the stool next to me.

“They’re werewolves.”

“Say what?” I turned and studied the man next to me. He looked fit, well-muscled, and, like everyone else in this town, he was attractive. His reddish-brown hair was a little longer with a curl to it, and he had green eyes. If I had to guess, standing, he’d be about six foot tall, maybe just a hair over.

He pointed at the folks I recognized from the grocery store. “Werewolves. Most of the people you see during the day are werewolves. The vampires come out at night, of course. Except the few that got stuck with the day shift at the coffee shop. You been there?”

“Uh, yeah.” I thought back to Jaz. Vampire did kind of fit her, but seriously? I knew the town had a reputation for strange, but vampires and werewolves were a little out there.

“Bridger Sullivan, do not spread your conspiracy theories at my counter.” May came back with my food and a frown for my companion.

“It’s not a conspiracy and you know it, May.” He turned to me. “She’s the only normal one in Beechworth.”

May snorted. “Don’t listen to his nonsense.”

I took a drink of my water and nodded. “Sure.”

When May turned away to get Bridger a coffee, he returned his attention to me. “Haven’t figured out what they all are of course, and they’re careful, so I can’t prove it yet, but if you find anything out, be sure to tell me. Don’t go out after dark.” He slid me a card, downed his coffee in a gulp, though it had to be steaming hot still, and left.

I glanced at the card. “Bridger Sullivan, Vampire Hunter,” it said. And in smaller letters was a phone number and words about being willing to tackle werewolf problems and other supernatural creatures.

Just in case I needed to do novel research, I slipped it into my pocket before May returned.

“Now, hun, don’t listen to Bridger. He’s got a few screws loose. Just let me know if you have any problems with him.”

“Thanks, May. I’m Hannah, by the way. I just moved here.”

“Ahh, Oliver mentioned you. Welcome. Always nice to see a new face around here.”

I wasn’t sure, but I detected a hint of caution behind her cheerful words. Was Bridger on to something? Or was it just more of the wariness of newcomers that everyone had warned me of?

I could see why he thought the other occupants of the diner might be werewolves. I watched as they paid and filed out, their plates nearly licked clean from what I could see from the bar. Maybe I’d hit the coffeeshop tonight and check things out. Just to see. There was no such thing as vampires and werewolves, but the rumors about this town had to come from somewhere.

If nothing else, I now had two men’s phone numbers. Not that I was attracted to either of them. No. Not at all.