Page 51 of Ambush

She opened her door. “We’ll find out how much.”

No wonder thoughts of her filled his every waking moment. She was still an enigma. He shook his head and followed her inside to an aging space painted a dingy beige. Cracked vinyl tiles the same color covered the floor. A waiting room with two guys watching TV was to the left through an open door.

A woman behind a long green counter glanced their way. “Can I help you folks?” Her dark eyes gave them a once-over in a curious but friendly way.

Paradise approached her with a smile. “Do you know Clark Reynolds down the road?”

“Matter of fact, I do. He’s a regular, or he was until that old truck of his died on him.”

“How much would it cost to fix his transmission?”

The woman’s brows winged up, and she quoted a price that made Blake’s eyes widen too. It was much less than he’d expected. The woman must have noticed his surprise because she glanced his way. “Our owner, Glen, is Clark’s third cousin and they gobowling sometimes. He was trying to help, but Clark didn’t have the funds even for a discount rate.”

“I’d like to pay for it,” Paradise said.

“He your boyfriend or something?”

Paradise handed over her debit card. “No, but I think he needs a hand.”

“He’s going to ask how this happened.” The woman took the card and went to her computer. “What do I tell him?”

“Just tell him a friend wanted to help.”

Warmth flooded Blake’s chest, and he wanted to wrap Paradise up in his arms. Something deep had happened last night. He’d loved the old Paradise, but this new one was more intriguing in a lot of ways. He had thought of offering to help with the repair, but he saw her deep desire to do this herself.

The woman returned the card, and Paradise signed the receipt. “You’re a good person,” the woman said. “Thank you.”

“I’m not good at all, but other people have helped me. And God did too.” Paradise slid the pen back across the counter and headed for the door.

“I wish we could be mice in the corner to see his reaction,” Blake said once they reached his truck. He stretched his arm across the seat and touched her shoulder. “That was a terrific thing to do, Paradise.”

He could get lost in those amber eyes she turned his way. They’d always been full of mystery and secrets, but today they were clear. And content, definitely content. He’d never seen contentment in her before.

She reached up and put her right hand on top of his. “I had a good teacher. You never gave up on me, Blake. Even when I showed up here angry and distant, you were kind. Always. I caused a lot of upheaval in your life, and I’m sorry for that.”

“Most of us can use having a little shake-up in life. We get into a rut.” He didn’t move until she dropped her hand back onto her lap and turned her gaze away. Even then, it took a few seconds for him to start the truck and put his attention on driving back to The Sanctuary.

They might have struck out on their investigation, but their lives had taken a turn for the better. At least he hoped so.

Chapter 24

Jenna was in the office with the boys when Paradise and Blake returned from talking to Clark. Levi’s face brightened when they came in, but he stayed at his mom’s desk where he was sharpening pencils in her electric sharpener.

“Hey, Levi,” Paradise said. “That’s a super-fun job.”

He nodded. “Mommy told me I could make all of them as sharp as they can get.” Isaac left his job of organizing paper clips to run to Paradise, and she picked him up. “Hey, little man.”

He scowled. “I’m a big guy now, Paradise. Let’s go see the tigers. I think Tigey misses me. I heard her calling me before you got here.”

A lion roared in the distance, and Paradise waited for the fear to creep in, but it never happened. This little guy’s escapades had made her face her fear and conquer it. Or maybe it was all God. She hugged Isaac tight. “We’ll go see how she’s doing after scaring me half to death yesterday.”

Isaac palmed her face and stared in her eyes as if willing her to listen to him. “She didn’t mean it. I could tell she likes you. She might even love you like I do.” He planted a kiss on her cheek.

She nuzzled his neck and inhaled the scent of little boy and patchouli soap. “You’re the best, Isaac.” When she glanced at Blake, she found him staring at her with a longing expression. She wet her lips and focused her attention back on the little boy. “Who’s game to go see Tigey?”

“Me,” Levi called. “I have to finish two more pencils.”

Paradise set Isaac back down. “And Blake and I want to talk to your mommy a minute.”

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