Monte got out of Jed’s SUV when the other man pulled up to the curb in front of the Sportsman’s Stop.
“I’ve got to take care of a few loose ends, Monte. I’ll try to get back in an hour or two and give you a hand for a while. I know you’re way behind on getting the clean-up done. I’m sorry—I wish it hadn’t happened this way.”
It wasn’t easy, but Monte summoned a smile. “It’ll all work out one way or another. Don’t feel like you owe me anything. You were doing your job. I just ended up at the wrong place at the right time or something.”
“It’ll be okay. I’ll be back.”
He made himself turn around and head for the door before Jed pulled away. Inside, everything was just as he’d left it. Four days? In some ways, it felt like four hours and in others, like four weeks. All he could do was take
