Interrupted

Rob thought they had time to relax and get to know each other. Just the two of them alone in his office, away from the rush of closing, or his brother’s influence or her friend’s protectiveness. That wasn’t the case. They’d been in his office less than an hour when a fist started banging on the door and his cellphone rang.

He picked up the call and barked into it. “What? This better be good.”

“Sorry. But the general store is on fire, as is the hardware store. We called the fire department, and the police. But we have to get everyone out of the building just in case. The fire’s really close.”

“Perfect timing. What about Old Man Jacobs?”

“No one knows. He left here after last call and that’s the last time anyone’s seen him.”

“The general storekeeper?”

“Found behind his store messed up pretty bad. He’s headed for the hospital now.”

“I’m going over to make sure Old Man Jacobs isn’t passed out in his apartment again.”