She’d listened. He’d expected her to be horrified at what he’d done, but she hadn’t run. Had simply nodded, her expression showing the same unhappiness he’d felt.

She’d been…a friend.

Seemed like she could use one in return.

He glanced at her and couldn’t keep from asking, “Are you ever going to tell me what brought you here? And let me help?”

The way she stiffened up gave him his answer before she opened her mouth.

“I’m sorry, but it’s none of your business.”

He pulled the Jeep to a stop in front of her cabin and turned to face her. “I’ve been inside you, Goldilocks. Can’t get much closer.”

She turned red, first with embarrassment, then he saw her eyes spark with anger. “I thought you were a no-more-than-one-night guy. No relationships or ties, remember?”

His frustration died as her anger lit. As she hopped out of his Jeep, he started to grin. “Seems like you said the same thing. Just once, right? Does twice mean we have a relationship?”

“No!” She slammed the Jeep door shut so hard the vehicle rocked.

Chapter Fifteen

Following the crowd is a fine strategy if you’re a sheep. Are you a sheep, boy? ~ First Sergeant Michael “Mako” Tyne”

A domestic feline call made him late to the town meeting. In the municipal building, Gabe strode past the reception desk, turned into the large meeting room, and stared.

The place was packed. The number of vehicles on the street should have warned him, but who ever heard of citizens actually attending a town meeting?

In the front of the long rectangular room, the six commissioners and the mayor sat behind a long table, each with a nameplate in front. Gabe eyed the names and titles.

Dante, Sarah, and her husband, Uriah, were town council members. So was the Patriot Zealot leader, Reverend Parrish. Two were unfamiliar. Joe Kolbeck was a stocky bearded man who looked like an off-the-grid sort. The other, Eugene Jones, was a tall, lean, fifty-year-old male in casual business attire.

Julie’s friend, Lillian, was the mayor. Interesting.

As Gabe entered, Sarah was speaking into the mic about the council’s goals. That they hoped to balance the rural quality of life, protect the natural environment, and support the area economy. With the resort opening, the town needed to prepare for increasing numbers of tourists and to decide how to direct the growth.

She was an optimistic one, wasn’t she? Cynically, Gabe studied the audience.

The left rear corner was filled with men, some barely in their twenties to seniors in their sixties. Country clothing predominated—work shirts, jeans, and boots.

Where were their women?

Most of the preppers and off-the-gridders were scattered through the left side. The right half of the room held the business and town folk and many families.