A Change in Altitude by Cindy Myers Read Free Book Online

daughter’s unblemished, baby-soft skin. Alina was growing into a woman, but she was still so young. Bringing her here had been hard, but it had been the right thing to do. “So do I, baby. So do I.”
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    The next morning, Sharon tried to ignore the feeling that everyone was staring at her as she walked down the sidewalk on Eureka’s Main Street. Having lived in one small town or another all her life, she was pretty sure everyone who wasn’t otherwise occupied was looking out the window at the newcomer, wondering what she was up to. That’s what people did in small towns. Some of them probably knew already that she was Jameso Clark’s sister, and that would only increase their interest.
    She exited the bank—which had no job openings, sorry—and passed under the awning for a florist’s, which was closed. At the school where she’d enrolled Alina this morning she’d asked about work, much to her daughter’s mortification, but the school secretary had told her they were under a hiring freeze. The grocery store, hardware store, and liquor store didn’t need anyone either. She’d really hoped her brother would be more help with this. When Jameso had stopped by last night to pack up some clothes and toiletries he’d told her the saloon where he worked and the café where she’d eaten lunch didn’t need help either. “I’ll ask around,” he said, after she’d pressed him. “If you’re sure you want to stay.”
    She’d gotten the impression that Jameso hoped she’d change her mind about living in the same town. Maybe it made him uncomfortable having someone here who knew his secrets. Well, he’d have to get used to it. She was sticking it out here. It wasn’t as if she had anywhere else to go, and he was the only living relative she could have anything to do with. When she’d been younger, he’d always looked after her, so she wasn’t being unreasonable to expect him to help her again, was she?
    A familiar black and white vehicle pulled to the curb ahead and Sharon slowed her steps. Sergeant Josh Miller emerged from the big SUV, hatless this time, and lifted his hand in a wave. “How are you doing, Sharon?” he asked, when she drew nearer.
    â€œI’m getting settled in,” she said. “Thanks for the recommendation of the Last Dollar. The food was delicious.”
    â€œI’ve eaten probably too many meals there myself,” he said, patting his flat stomach.
    Either his wife didn’t cook or there was no wife. He didn’t wear a wedding ring, but that didn’t mean anything. Joe had never worn a ring either. And she wasn’t going to ask. She didn’t want him to think she was fishing for information, because she wasn’t. His marital status was no concern of hers.
    â€œDid you ever track down your brother?” he asked.
    â€œYes, he’s Jameso Clark—the bartender at the Dirty Sally.”
    â€œWell, sure, I know Jameso. We’ve been climbing together a couple of times.”
    â€œMountain climbing?” That sounded like the daredevil kind of thing Jay had always liked.
    â€œMore rock climbing. The canyons around here have some great climbs. I’ve seen him up at the ski resort at Telluride a few times, too.”
    â€œSo I guess you’re a big outdoorsman,” she said.
    â€œThat’s what brought me to the mountains. Law enforcement pays better in the city, but I prefer the lifestyle here.”
    â€œI’m looking for a job,” she said. “Do you know if the sheriff’s department is hiring?”
    He grinned, and fine lines formed around his eyes—nice brown eyes, she noticed, now that he wasn’t hiding them behind sunglasses. “You thinking of becoming a deputy?” he asked.
    â€œI’m probably more qualified for clerical work.”
    â€œI haven’t seen any job postings, but