Page 79 of Wild Embers
She folds her arms. “I just wanted to make sure you're adjusting.”
“How thoughtful,” Santiago comments.
Victoria doesn’t even look in Santiago’s direction. “It wouldn't do for you to find yourself in trouble.
If there’s one thing I know about Victoria, it’s that she likes to talk a big game. At the end of the day, she’d never get her hands dirty.
“I’ve managed several years without your guidance.” I retort. “I think it’d be best if you kept that long nose of yours in your own business.”
Her smile never wavers as she glances toward Walker. “I’d just hate to see the sheriff distracted.”
Walker barely gives Victoria a glance. “Tell your husband that if he wants my badge, he knows where he can find me.”
“I’ll be sure to relay the message,” Victoria replies sweetly.
The words sound polite, but her tone doesn’t.
She looks back at me. “Enjoy your stay, Blake.”
She turns on her heel and heads toward the exit, and I watch her leave. “Does she ever get tired?” I mutter.
“No.” Santiago snorts. “Back to the menu.”
“The menu hasn’t changed in years. What could you possibly get that you haven’t tried already?” Levi argues back.
“Pumpkin pancakes.” Santiago drops the menu on the table, emphasizing his answer.
Levi’s expression goes flat. “It’s January. Pumpkin is seasonal.”
“Excuse me.” I try speaking up again.
Levi turns his face toward me. “What’s up?”
“You see me sitting here, right?” I gesture to my spot.
Santiago makes a confused face. “Of course. Why do you think we sat down?”
My face scrunches. “Because you’re so tired that your legs were about to give out?”
Santiago snorts. “That’s a good joke.”
“Why are you here?” I ask all of them.
Unexpectedly, it's Walker who responds for all of them. “I’m hungry. I had a long night of interviews, collecting evidence, putting out a fire.”
I should be an adult about the situation. I should take the high road.
But the high road wasn't built into my DNA.
“I figured that after this morning, you’d ignore me.” My nostrils flare.
Santiago narrows his eyes at me with a hint of a grin on his lips. “Why would Walker ignore you?”
“No reason,” Walker answers for me, his tone cold and disapproving. “I'm going to head back to the station.”
Holding out Walker's coat to him, I don't realize how much I wanted it until it's about to be taken away. It's as if Walker can see the hesitation in my eyes. He holds his hand up, refusing the jacket.
With only his measly flannel to keep him warm, Walker heads out into the cold.
