Chapter 4

Dawson trundled across the room and settled his bulk on a stool at the counter. He growled something at Millie, the owner of the coffee shop. She made a face he couldn’t see as she filled a big mug for him and set it on the counter without the pleasantries she usually exchanged with her customers.

“I see the fuckin’ delivery truck’s out there. He’d better have my order today or there’ll be hell to pay. It’s late. I need that stuff before deer season starts next weekend. Lazy bum’s prob’ly scared to drive up my road just ‘cause it’s got a few rocks. I oughta go look and see if my stuff is in there. Nobody near the truck when I drove up.”

Whether Dawson recognized that the driver he discussed was only a few feet behind him, Monte did not know, but he sensed Jed’s tension at the rude remarks. What would Jed do? Monte sensed he was not one to back down from a conflict, although he didn’t seem to be the type to provoke one.