Summer Burns (30 page)

And there was the military base--lots of military families in and out as well. Some stayed--though I don't get why anyone would. We're practically the bad cheek zit of the country.

There were so many other, prettier, nicer places in the country to live. Why would anyone settle here, with its wind that blows a zillion miles an hour, tornadoes, earthquakes, winters so cold you wanna cry. Summers so hot you want to tear your skin off...

"This place sucks," I said.

"Well, that answers that," came a man's voice.

I spun around.

And tried not to choke.

Louie Castle stood there, dressed in his police officer's uniform, looking his usual perfect self. Even his shoes were clean and perfect.

But he wasn't alone.

On a leash next to him, was a very pretty dog, with tan fur and black ears. The dog sat perfectly still, not moving.

"Oh, what a pretty dog," I said as I started to kneel down.

The dog sort of turned his nose up at me. Well, if that's even possible for a dog to do, but I swear the dog did.

"Don't, Autumn," Louie said. "We're working."

I raised my eyebrow. "And what makes you think I'm not?"

His gaze ran over me. "Really?"

I put my hands on my hips. "I'm on my way to get sandwiches for the shop, if you must know."

"So you're still here, then."

"Obviously." I started walking toward the deli.

"When are you leaving this time?" Louie's voice echoed behind me.

"As soon as I can," I said. Though why he wanted to know boggled me. Ever since I left town right after high school, he decided that I was prime evil on a stick.

This was the nicest he'd ever been to me when I came home for a short stay.

"That's good. Because I'm way too busy to spend any time with you."

I turned to look back at him. "I didn't ask you to."

His gaze ran over me again. "You were going to."

"No I wasn't." Okay, maybe I was.

For old time's sake.

Since, well, I had my hair done.

Maybe.

He smirked and walked away, and I swear, that dog actually laughed at me.

~*~

Available fall 2015

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This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer's imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organizations is entirely coincidental.

Summer Burns

Copyright © 2015 by Candice Gilmer

Cover by For The Muse Designs

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