I’ll head there after. Don’t eat them all before I get there.”
“Did you hear Jeb and Jenny Morrison’s pups are about ready for homes?” Mr. Goldhirsh asked.
“I hadn’t heard,” Fin said, wondering where this was going. Knowing the man usually had an agenda, he waited.
“You should take one.”
“Should I?”
“Yes. He can work with you and keep you company. Nothing like a dog to teach you a few lessons.”
“And I need a few lessons?”
“Everyone needs lessons, boy.”
“I’ll see you soon,” he said as they reached the bank. “A dog,” he muttered entering the building. But the idea had lodged inside his head now, and he found he couldn’t shake it. “A dog,” he said again. Do I want a dog?
“Morning.”
“Morning.” Fin nodded to a teller—who wore a red Santa hat—he didn’t know by name but by sight, then walked into line behind a handful of people.
Banks were banks wherever you were; it was just a matter of dimensions, to his mind. This one was decorated with tinsel and some shiny big red balls. Christmas carols had people humming along. He wasn’t one of those. After a month of them, he was pretty much done with Jingle Bells and We Wish You A Merry Christmas.
Looking at the woman ahead of him, he took in the red curls under the cream wool beanie. She was wrapped up in a coat, jeans, and boots. A cream-and-green-striped scarf was wound several times around her neck. He felt the tingle of awareness he always got when she was nearby.
“Hey, Maggs.”
She turned. “Oh, hi, Fin.”
His eyes settled briefly on her lips, and he remembered the kiss. The brief taste and feel of her had not been anywhere near enough.
“Settling in?”
“Sure. It’s good to be back.” The smile she gave him was close to the old Maggs and reached her eyes. She did look better than when he’d seen her four days ago. Less tense. Maybe Joe had been right. She just needed some rest and time to settle back into Ryker.
“How’s the gallery?”
Maggs owned Artsy Fartsy. He still wasn’t sure about the name, but the gallery was popular, and he’d purchased a few pieces from there himself over the years.
“Good. Jean has done a great job while I was gone. I’m enjoying being back there though. I have a few plans I want to put into place.”
He wasn’t sure what it was about this woman that got to him. She was beautiful. Lovely body, pretty face, but there was more to it. She pulled at something deep inside him.
“I’m sorry about what you found up there, Fin. Can’t have been nice.”
“Not so much, but I’m okay, and thanks. Mr. Goldhirsh wants me to take one of Jeb and Jenny Morrison’s pups. He thinks it will help me recover and that I also need the companionship.”
She frowned. “I saw him yesterday, and he told me the same thing.”
“Apparently it will teach me stuff.”
“I got that talk too.” She pursed her lips, and all he’d have to do is lean in to kiss them. Shit. “Not sure what I have to learn, but apparently I’m a work in progress and a dog will help mold me.”
“Is that a possibility? You being molded, I mean?”
Her eyes narrowed. “What are you getting at?”
“I’ve never known you to take advice from anyone, and from where I’m standing you’re the least pliable person I know.” Fin had forgotten just how much he loved annoying Maggs, seeing her lovely eyes flare and color ride her cheekbones.
“And you are? You’re made of granite! About as pliable as the building we’re standing in.”
Fin made a tsking sound. “Harsh, Maggs. I need to be tough in my job.”
“And I don’t?” Her hands were on her hips now.
“A bit different, don’t you think? I have to stop idiots trying to kill themselves in nature, and you have to stop people replicating the great masters.”
Her cheeks puffed out.
“Got your tree up yet?”
“You always do that to me. Annoy me, then move on to something like you haven’t just done that.”
“It’s a skill.” He smiled.
“Everyone drop to the floor and put your hands where we can see them! Do it now, and no one gets hurt!”
Fin turned and found two masked gunmen in the doorway of the bank. Well, fuck! How the hell was it possible there was a bank robbery happening in Ryker Falls? To his knowledge, that had never happened.
“Down!”
He dropped to his knees and turned to reassure Maggs.
“I said down!”
She was still standing. Grabbing her hand, Fin