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I’m sorry Jacobs bothered you, Chief.”
    â€œDon’t apologize for other people. Go grab some lunch.”
    She couldn’t get out of the office fast enough. Halfway home she started to cry. Sloane wasn’t typically a weeper, but the barrage of harassment seemed to be starting all over again. For months she hadn’t felt safe in LA and thought Nugget would at least offer security—it was eight hours away from LA. But even here trouble shadowed her.
    She took the turn on Donner Road and bumped along the rutted road until she came to the duplex’s driveway. After parking in her usual spot, Sloane blew her nose and started for her apartment only to run into Brady on the porch.
    He tilted his head. “Hey, you okay?”
    â€œAllergies,” she said, and quickly turned the key in her lock. “I only have a half hour for lunch so I’ve got to . . .” She pointed at her door.
    He stood there anyway. “Something happen at work?”
    â€œI saw a bear,” she said, and in a move that was so out of character for her, burst into yet another round of tears.
    â€œMust’ve been some bear.” He somehow maneuvered her onto his porch swing and scooted next to her. “Tell me what’s wrong.”
    She wanted to hide, she was so embarrassed. What kind of cop cries on the job? This is why women got reputations for being too emotional in the workplace. “It’s nothing . . . just stuff I left behind. I really don’t want to talk about it, Brady.”
    â€œOkay. But just sit here for a second and take a couple of deep breaths.”
    She wished she had more tissues. Brady reached into his back pocket and pulled out a handkerchief.
    â€œUse this. It’s clean.”
    She wiped her nose. “Are you on a break from work too?” He had on the baggy chef pants.
    â€œYeah. Usually I just hang out at the inn and work on menus, but I was out late last night and thought I’d catch an hour’s sleep.”
    She wondered where he’d been. Not a lot going on in this town past nine, unless he’d gone to Reno.
    â€œSo you saw a bear, huh?”
    â€œIt was eating garbage at the Gas and Go. Ty from fish and wildlife came.”
    â€œI still haven’t seen one. Everyone says they’re all over the place.”
    She pulled out her phone and showed him the pictures. “I took them to send to my brothers.”
    â€œHe’s a big fellow.” He bent over to get a better look and his leg skimmed hers. It felt nice. Warm and solid.
    â€œDo you know Griffin, the guy who owns the Gas and Go? Does he really own Sierra Heights too?”
    Brady nodded. “The guy’s loaded. He’s half Wigluk and gets proceeds from the casino.”
    â€œWow.” She never would’ve guessed he was rich from looking at him. Just a working stiff like the rest of them.
    â€œYou feel better now?” he asked.
    She had started to shiver and he put his arm around her shoulders. Whether it was the comfort he offered or the crying jag, she did indeed feel better.
    â€œI do. Thank you, Brady.”
    â€œNo problem. Next time you want lunch, come over to the inn and I’ll feed you.”
    He probably felt sorry for her and wanted to save her. A lot of men she’d known were like that. Sloane was perfectly capable of saving herself. But she could always use a good meal.

Chapter 4
    B rady came into the Lumber Baron Tuesday morning to find Lina behind the desk.
    â€œHey, good to see you again. You remember me?” he asked.
    â€œOf course I do. Brady Benson, best chef in Nugget.”
    Not that that was saying much, but Brady appreciated the compliment just the same. “Don’t you have school?”
    â€œThe spring semester doesn’t start until the twentieth.”
    â€œYou settled in?”
    â€œI got an apartment off campus. Rhys and Maddy are helping me move in this weekend. Just trying to earn a few