Read Online Rollover by Susan Slater - Free Book Online Page A

maybe less in importance…such as a talk with Chet’s grandson, a call to the Hobbs office to see who knew when he was heading out that morning after the meeting and what route he would be taking…and maybe a look around Roy. Tough to check on cut hoses at this late date, but you never knew. If there was one thing thirty years in the business had taught him—never, never second-guess. And to drop the word assume from your vocabulary.
    He looked up as Elaine opened the door and slipped into the driver’s seat.
    â€œHere we are.” She dangled an old-fashioned actual door key from an index finger and handed him his card and a receipt. “Three weeks, five hundred dollars a week paid in advance—I think four hundred of that is because of Simon—a kitchenette, queen-sized bed, all linens, private bath…it’s really not half bad.”
    â€œSounds great. Actually, United Life will think they’re getting off cheap.”
    â€œAnd there it is.” She leaned forward to point out the windshield. “On the front corner, private outside stairs, and a side yard for Simon.”
    Dan didn’t say anything but outside stairs translated to easy entry…of course, with Simon the warning system was no fail. And he’d just make sure he took his computer with him when he wasn’t in the room. “Looks great. Where do we park?”
    â€œOver there on the street. Our landlady’s name is Mrs. Patrick. Ina Patrick. But she’s not one you’d call by her first name. Nice enough but really no nonsense. I had to tell her about Simon’s heroics just to get him in.”
    Simon’s humans seemed to be milking his one good deed for all it was worth. Dan glanced at the dog who was sitting up watching their every move. Well, there had been other good deeds. Dan wasn’t being fair and if this one got them in the door, then it was worth it. Simon needed a little praise.
    â€œSo what do you think, boy? Think you can be quiet and not spill your food?” At this Simon scooted forward to put his head between them.
    â€œLet me get the car parked and get our bags upstairs. Then I’ll run back to the convenience store and pick up something to eat.”
    ***
    â€œI hate to tell you this, but the choices were pizza, frozen hoagies, ham and cheese frozen pockets, egg biscuit and sausage sans and…oh yes, corn dogs.”
    â€œAnd the winner is?” Pretend drum roll—Dan doing a staccato series of taps on the counter ending in a flourish before realizing how much his right wrist ached.
    â€œPizza, and which hand do you want?” Elaine was holding something behind her back.
    â€œRight.”
    â€œWrong.” But she brought out her left hand holding a DVD. The Bridesmaid.
    â€œHey, great.” Feigned approval. Whatever happened to movies like Cowboys and Aliens ? That one was filmed in New Mexico somewhere outside Santa Fe—surely it was on DVD by now. But he smiled; he wasn’t going to disappoint Elaine who looked absolutely triumphant standing there with a DVD in one hand and a boxed cheese and mushroom pizza in the other. He grabbed her around the waist and was glad the pizza was frozen as it hit the floor. “I feel like we’re living in never-ending picnic mode.” She laughed and put both arms around his neck as he leaned in and kissed her…long and longingly.
    â€œThat was nice. I should leave you alone more often.”
    â€œNo, never.” He pulled her into him but she stepped back.
    â€œI almost forgot. Mrs. Patrick met me in the hall…seems she got a call from the local Gestapo asking her to warn guests about recent auto vandalism in the neighborhood. She thought we’d be fine if we left the dog in the car. Simon’s not going to like that.”
    The advice to leave Simon in the SUV overnight was probably good. Small towns always seemed to have their share of petty