Read You've Got Tail for Free Online

least that’s what I told myself, and I was too tired to fight the logic.
    I woke with a yelp as the front door closed.
    Adrenaline surged as I bolted up on the counter. Babel held up a hand. “Hey. I’m back as promised.”
    I fell off the counter, landing on my ass once again, and looked around for the dog. “Where is he?”
    Babel raised a brow. “Who?”
    â€œThe dog. The stupid dog that’s been holding me hostage for—” I looked at my watch, “—nearly two hours. Wow, I can’t believe I’ve been asleep that long.”
    â€œA dog held you hostage?” Babel set down the bucket of cleaning supplies he’d been carrying. “Did he put a gun to your head?”
    â€œSmart-ass.” I stood up and dusted my butt. “If you didn’t see him go out the front door when you came in, then there’s got to be some other way in and out.”
    â€œI didn’t see a dog coming or going. Are you sure you didn’t dream it?”
    The fear had passed, and now that free thought could function in my brain once more, all I could think about was how damn sexy Babel looked. He’d brushed his wild hair, and if he hadn’t been such a mountain man, I’d have bet money he used product. His face was freshly shaven, and he smelled really nice.
    Damn him.
    â€œNo, I didn’t dream it.” I chewed on the inside of my cheek. “Maybe you could just look around, make sure nothing can get back in.”
    He grunted. “Okay.”
    While he checked the place out, I spent my time thinking about Chav, and wishing I could get a sense or a vibe about what had happened to her. It wasn’t my fault that every once in a while important thoughts were interrupted with visions (and not the psychic kind) of Babel naked. Again. Shaking my head, I tried to put him out of my mind. I didn’t need the complication or the heartache.
    â€œDid you find anything?” I yelled when he’d disappeared into the kitchen.
    Babel reappeared in the front. “Nothing.” He wiped his hands on his jeans. “If the dog made it in or out without using the door, then I’m not sure how he did it.”
    I sighed. Heavily. “Damn.”
    â€œSunny,” he said, friendly but wary. “I don’t know why Chav invited you to this town, or why she thought, well, that you’d be a good fit for Peculiar. But you’re not.”
    Seriously? I was beginning to develop a complex. “In time, when we find Chav, I’ll fit in just fine.” After all, if they’d accepted Chavvah, who, for all intents, was an outsider, why wouldn’t they accept me? I really liked this place. It felt comfortable, and I never feel comfortable anywhere.
    â€œNo. No, you won’t.” He rubbed his eyebrows. “The townsfolk are all the same. You’re different.”
    â€œDifferent makes the world go ’round. At least that’s what my father used to say.”
    â€œIn this case, your father would be wrong.”
    â€œSo, what? Are you all aliens or something?” I asked, trying to lighten the ever-increasing oppression filling the room.
    â€œOr something.” He didn’t even smile.
    â€œDon’t tell me you all have some kind of Jonestown, crazy-Waco thing going on here. Because if ATF guys start showing up in full-on weapons and gear, I might consider leaving.” I flinched as soon as I said it. Growing up the way I did, I had to hear the same kind of jibes about our community. But I was just super tired of him trying to get rid of me. “Other than that, you and the town are just going to have to get used to the idea of having me around.”
    His so-serious face didn’t even twitch. “I’m afraid you can’t stay. I’ll buy you out of your share of the diner if that’s what it takes.”
    I huffed my frustration. “Fine, you can buy it back.” Yeah, when cows