Page 28 of Micah

The thought catches me off guard.

Yet?

Since when did I start thinking there'd be a yet?

Christ.

I really am in trouble.

The bell jingles overhead as I step inside.

Warm air.

Good music.

Conversation.

The familiar clink of glasses.

Then her.

She's behind the bar, wiping down the counter with one hand while balancing three conversations at once.

She laughs at something one of the regulars says.

The sound lands somewhere behind my ribs.

There you are.

The ridiculous tension I'd been carrying since leaving the ranch eases without my permission.

She's okay.

Healthy.

Safe.

My shoulders actually relax.

Unbelievable.

She hasn't even looked at me yet.

“Well?” Benji mutters beside me, catching far more than I intended.

I don't answer.

He follows my line of sight, anyway.

Then the bastard grins.

“I knew it.”

“You know nothing.”

“Oh, I know plenty.”

“I came for a beer.”