Foundation for Three by Vella Day Page B

tomorrow, she needed to get back out and run. With all that had happened at work, coupled with the shooting, she’d slacked off.
    Thad placed his hands on the cup, as if he enjoyed the warmth. “Tell me how you ended up in Rock Hard, Montana.” He leaned back in his seat and kept his gaze focused on her.
    Crap . She couldn’t say she wanted to move as far away from Connecticut as possible because of a failed relationship. That wouldn’t paint her in a very good light, even though it was the truth. That was one reason why she and newcomer, Amber Delacroix, had hit it off. They both came to town after some emotional fiasco. At least Zoey hadn’t married her men. In all honesty, her issues with Dave and Mark were just the tip of the iceberg.
    “Wow. This must be some story.” Thad cocked a brow.
    “What do you mean?” He couldn’t be that perceptive. She hadn’t even said a word.
    “With the way you’ve nearly mangled the napkin and how your eyes are darting around, it’s some tale.”
    “I’m thinking.” What and how much to tell.
    “Pete said you were from Connecticut. Your hometown anywhere near New York City?”
    Now she relaxed. She could talk about geography. “Yes. Right outside.” Tell him the truth. He won’t judge. “I worked on Staten Island. The pace there was rather hectic, and after a rather unsuccessful relationship I had with two men, I applied to several places out west. I started working for a clinic here, but after almost two years, I decided I wanted to go out on my own.” That wasn’t so hard. Her story seemed similar to Pete’s, actually.
    She had inwardly winced at saying the part about having been with two men. Now, Thad would think she was fair game. Would that be so bad?
    “That’s a big change to go from Connecticut to Montana. The weather is harsher and the population of the entire state here can’t be more than a fraction the size of New York City.”
    When he didn’t drill her on her failed relationship, she was grateful. “I love it here. While I am a water person and enjoyed fishing and swimming in the Sound, I like the mountains better. In Montana, the people are far friendlier and life flows at a slower pace.”
    He lifted a brow. “Slower, huh? Come work for the Police Department. I’ve never worked outside of Montana, but there’s a lot going on every day, all day.”
    Darn. She hadn’t meant to imply his job was easy, and that if he’d worked in New York, it would have been more frantic. “I just meant there’s less traffic here, less pollution, nicer people.”
    He smiled as if he enjoyed seeing her squirm. “I’ve never been to New York. When I have the time and money, I’d love to go sometime.”
    She held her breath. He drank his coffee, but he didn’t seem to be waiting for an invitation for her to be his guide. She exhaled. “It’s a magical place, especially around Christmas. You should see Rockefeller Center with the skating rink and all the festive decorations.” She’d missed that part of the city. “Then there are the museums and plays.” Why bring that up? A macho man like Thad wouldn’t be interested.
    “Never had the chance to see a live play, but I’m not against it.”
    That surprised her. Talking about herself wasn’t her favorite topic. “Have you always worked in the Street Crime Unit?”
    “No.” He drank his coffee. She thought he wasn’t going to give her any more information, until he drew in a big breath. “After the service, I went to college, and then joined the Force here in Rock Hard. Cade Carter and I were actually partners for a bit.”
    “I never knew that.”
    “Many people don’t. I’ll never forget. One time, Cade and I got called out to this robbery that involved a local gang. After we caught the kid, he spilled everything for a reduced sentence. I can’t tell you why I was intrigued by how gangs worked, but I was.”
    Maybe he wanted to help the kids. Underneath it all, Thad was a caregiver, but