Page 9 of Long Hard Road

“He did?” Harper whirled toward me and widened her eyes.

“At the Nest,” I emphasized. “I was working.”

“Right. He was the bartender. I was the customer.” Madison’s eyes darted between us and she shifted the stack of books in her arms.

“She’s also my new neighbor,” I said, unable to hold back a smile. She looked so damn cute with her wide eyes and parted pink lips.

Harper was so thrilled by that news she actually clapped her hands. “How wonderful! Welcome to Crestwood, Madison.” She held out her hand for the books. “You are in luck. We have a New-to-Crestwood discount.”

“You do?” Madison and I asked at the same time.

“Sure do.” Harper started ringing up the sale. “Is there anything we can help you with while you’re in town? The Sullivans have lived in Crestwood for generations, so we’re probably able to help you with almost anything.”

Madison looked at me and then hurried to look away as her cheeks turned pink. I suspected that she’d been thinking of a naughty way that I might be able to help her and I couldn’t help but enjoy that thought.

“Harp is right. What do you need, Madison?”

She tugged on a strand of her pale hair as she gnawed on her lower lip. “Actually, my car is making a weird noise. Could you recommend a trustworthy mechanic?”

“Sure. Lou is great. His shop is just down the road, too. Maybe Nate could show you?” Harper looked at me and raised an eyebrow.

“Nonsense. I’ll take a look at it myself. It’s probably a quick fix.” I had spent two years in high school working at Lou’s shop and was still pretty handy when it came to fixing cars.

“No!” Madison put a delicate hand over her mouth as if she was trying to catch the word after it had already left her lips. “I mean, I can’t ask you to do that.”

“You didn’t. I offered.” I pushed the drawer shut. “This just had a loose screw that was blocking the roller. I would’ve thought you’d know a thing or two about having a screw loose, Harp, but you’re all set now.”

“You are my favorite brother. Don’t tell the others.” Harper smiled enigmatically at me. “The floorboards can be fixed some other time. Go help Madison with her car.”

Madison made a strangled noise in her throat. “You don’t have to do that. I don’t want to cause you any trouble.”

“It’s no trouble.” I bent down and tossed the screwdriver back into the toolbox before hefting it. “I’ve already got the tools and everything.”

“Okay.” She turned her attention to paying for her books and avoided eye contact with me as she looped the tote that Harper handed her over her shoulder. “My car is right outside.”

I stepped around her to open the door. “I’ll see you at Sunday dinner, Harp.”

“Don’t be afraid to bring a date!” Harper called back. I just barely stifled my groan.

Madison glanced nervously at me and I smiled reassuringly. “Lead the way, angel.”

I had no idea why I had started using that nickname for her. Maybe it was the way her golden hair reminded me of a halo when the sun illuminated it exactly the way it was now. It also might have been the perfection of her beauty. I had never seen another woman even half as beautiful as Madison.

She stopped next to a car that had cost more than the five other vehicles in the parking lot. “This is it,” she said quietly.

“Nice ride.” I didn’t want to make a snap judgment, but Madison either had an incredibly high-paying job or a nice trust fund.

“It’s ostentatious,” she replied with a nervous laugh. “A bit of an impulse purchase, you might say.”

A beautiful woman who casually used the word ostentatious was my new kryptonite. “When I was ten, my grandmother gave me $100 for my birthday and I spent every cent of it on candy. Believe me, I understand a good impulse purchase.”

“You have a sweet tooth. Cute.” Madison’s normally guarded expression had shifted into something much more genuine and relaxed. It was a good look on her.

“I guess you would be the expert on cute.” I tested my most charming smile on her and was instantly rewarded with a flush in her cheeks. “Can you start the car for me and pop the hood?”

“Sure.” Madison opened the back door first and placed her bag of books next to several paper bags from the market. She must have spent her morning doing some grocery shopping. After she started the car, we both listened carefully to the mysterious rattling noise.

“That’s not coming from under the hood,” I said confidently, slamming it shut. “Do you mind if I get in your car?”

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