Chris Hart owns the only grocery shop in Nortown, but he isn't exactly overrun by customers. Some days he wonders why he bothers to open the doors at all. Spending his days smiling at the few people trickling in and his nights alone in bed isn't the most interesting life a man could lead. But when Chris suddenly gets the excitement he's been craving, it may be more than he bargained for.<br><br>Gabriel Miller loves his life. He's close to his sister, has a job he adores and is the proud owner of one and a half cats. But all of it is taken away when he witnesses a murder. To keep him safe, the police place him in Nortown, of all possible locations.<br><br>Chris can't believe they're letting someone live in his gran's old cabin in the middle of the winter. It's too cold. When the poor man shows up in his shop looking to buy clothes, Chris's heart melts, despite the freezing temperature. Gabriel notices the way the shopkeeper looks at him, but it can't be right. No one looks at a heavyset man with heat in their eyes. Do they?

Pet Delivery

A few minutes later Ward patted Gabe’s shoulder and came out through the door.


“Is he okay?” Chris gave Ward a challenging stare, daring him to tell him it was none of his business.


“It always is with domestic abuse. Is he in danger of his…partner finding him?” Chris prepared for an evasive answer. He knew it would come, or he hoped. From a vague answer, he might figure something out, from silence, he’d get nothing.


“Gabe is not a domestic abuse case.” Ward’s face was a blank mask. Chris searched for any signs of regret of having said what he’d said or if he didn’t mind talking about what had happened.


“So…if it isn’t domestic abuse—”


“If you want to help him, keep your eyes open. The moment something strange happens is the moment to start worrying.”


“Worrying?” What was it he should be worried about?


Chapter 16