I’ve learned a lot about my little deputy since I moved here. I may have taken some liberties with getting that information, but I knew I needed every advantage I could get when it came to her. I mean what’s the use of being a good hacker if you can’t use it to your benefit?

Through my digging, I found out that she’s been in the position for six months. It doesn’t look as if she’s had any formal training. Her education background showed she has a degree in social work. After poking around a bit, I also discovered she is single. Which is perfect, since she’s meant to be mine.

I need to get started on getting this place in tip top shape. That way the only thing left to do is figure out how to lure my little deputy here. It shouldn’t be hard, to be honest. I mean, she has to come and check things out if I put in a call. And since she’s the newbie, I know she’s the one they’ll send if I call. So I’m not really worried about getting her here, but keeping her once she is here. But things are looking up for me. The impending snowstorm is just the thing I need to help me.

A growl leaves me when my alarm for the front gate goes off. I pull out my phone and see it’s my food delivery. I hit the code, letting the gate swing open for the kid. I pop the locks on my front door and watch him pull down my driveaway.

“Mr. Brooks.” He waves as he gets out of his truck. “I got it all!” He rushes around to the back of his truck, almost busting his ass in the process. The snow is already coming down in thick layers.

As much as I don’t enjoy having people over, Arthur has been more than helpful. Especially when it came to getting me as much information as he could on Marley. I can hack into a lot of things, but finding out my girl’s favorite things to eat was a bit harder.

“I bought all the Reese’s candy in the store. Even cleared out the two gas stations while I was at it,” he says as he makes his way over to the front porch, setting down his first round of bags. I lean down and open a few of them. Inside are bags and bags of candy. Any kind of Reese’s candy you could think of.

“What’s with all the candy?”

“They’re her favorite, so I got them all. Unfortunately for everyone else, there’s not one Reese’s cup left in this town. Apparently, she prefers the tree-shaped ones.” He reaches into the bag and pulls one out. It doesn’t look like anything special to me. I snatch it from his hand.