Page 3 of Condemned By Secrets

She caught him staring, and her cheeks flushed an attractive shade of pink. He grinned, then turned his attention back to the tire. “So, what brings you to Rolling Brook?” he asked as he struggled with the last lug nut. It was clear the car was new, and the tire had never been changed. The nuts were still on factory tight. He’d already worked up a sweat loosening the first few.

“I just moved here.”

Well, isn’t that interesting.Luther was grinning at the idea of seeing her again as he moved the jack into position. “Welcome to town. Do you need any recommendations on where to stay or eat?” Luther turned to look at her as he cranked the jack.

Anna was staring at him, and her eyes were guarded. Had he said something to offend her? Curious, he lifted an eyebrow as he waited for her response. “No. I mean, thank you, but I’m staying at the bed and breakfast until I find an apartment.”

“We’ll probably see more of each other then.” Luther turned his attention to the car as he finished cranking the jack. With her vehicle lifted, he started to remove the loosened lug nuts.

“What do you mean?” Anna’s voice was sharp, and when Luther looked up at her, she’d propped her hands on her hips.

He figured he’d better not point out she was getting more grease on her white shirt, even though he enjoyed getting a rise out of her. Maybe it was the way her face flushed beautifully in anger or the way she managed to look haughtily down her nose at him despite her current disheveled state, but the image had excitement flooding his veins and heating his blood. She was different than any woman he’d ever met. There was something refined and even a little uptight about Anna. He wondered what it would take to loosen her up. She seemed as stubborn as the lug nuts he’d struggled with, but the challenge only made her more appealing.

Not wanting to scare her off, Luther gave her an affable smile and went back to the flat. “My mother runs it. I go by every Sunday.”

“Oh.” He heard her soft reply as he removed the tire from the wheel well.

Checking if it was able to be patched, he gave it a roll to see what had caused the air to leak out. Luther frowned when he finished the inspection. He’d expected to find a nail or some other sharp object still embedded in the tire, but it was clear this was no accident. There was a gash in between the grooves that could only be made by a knife. He’d almost missed it. Whoever had done this had been careful to strike where the cut wouldn’t be obvious.

But who would want to slash the woman’s tire? She’d just arrived. Had she already made enemies? Luther propped the flat against the car and pulled out his phone to take photos. He was going to have to report this.

“What are you doing?” Anna’s tone hinted at her confusion as she watched him take pictures of the puncture.

He straightened and turned to look at her. “Do you have any idea who would want to slash your tire?”

“What?” Anna’s eyes widened as she realized what he was saying. “Someone cut it?”

Luther kept his eyes trained on her face as she processed that. The shock gave way to curiosity, and she bent down to get a closer look at the tire. “I’ve never seen a slashed tire before.”

“Anna,” Luther waited for her to look at him.

When she did, her golden-brown eyes had narrowed. “It’s just a little cut. How do you know someone did that? Couldn’t I have just driven over something sharp?”

“Not likely. The puncture’s too perfect.” Luther didn’t want to freak her out, but denial wasn’t going to help him find who did this.

Anna frowned at his words, and he tried not to notice how enticing her mouth looked, the way it bowed into a cute little pout that puffed out those full strawberry-colored lips.

Concentrate, Luther!He cleared his throat and tried again. “Do you know who would want to sabotage your tire?”

Anna sighed, and her eyes flashed their frustration when she answered. “Honestly? Any number of people who were at the meeting.” She shook her head. “Let’s just say I didn’t make any friends today.”

Luther blinked. “Oh. That’s right. There was a town hall to introduce the new preservationist, but wait, you’re her?” He couldn’t help the surprise that colored his voice. “I thought you’d be a little old lady.”

He’d smiled to soften the remark, but Anna still glared at him. “Thanks.”

“So, historic preservation, huh. How’d you get into that?” Luther was genuinely curious about Anna. He wanted to know everything about her—where she was from, why she’d studied preservation, whether she had a boyfriend . . .

“Look, Luther. I’m sorry, but I’m already behind schedule. Can you please just change the tire?”

Luther smiled, undeterred. Her reticence made him want to find out even more. “Sure.” He picked up the spare and finished changing out her tire. As he worked, he told her, “I’ll get a list of everyone at the meeting, and there should be camera footage from the building’s security system.”

With the tire changed, he stood and brushed his hands on his black uniform pants. Then he reached into his pocket for the small notepad he kept there. “I have to file a report on this. I need you to give me your full name and a way to contact you.”

Anna nodded and rattled off her name and phone number. “You already know where I’m staying.”

Luther looked up from his notepad to find her smirking at him. Damned, if that wasn’t sexy. He liked her sarcastic streak. “That I do.” He winked and chuckled under his breath as it wiped the smirk off her face.Two could play this game.

“Right, well. Thank you.”

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