Page 57 of The Fixer

Dragging a hand over his jaw, Shane stared at the tires. “You said your dogs went nuts in the middle of the night?”

“Yeah. I’m guessing that’s when whoever did this was … doing this.”

“Security cameras?”

Charlie shook his head. Those had come in handy when someone had tried to set fire to the Miners Tavern. Maybe Charlie should put them up here too. Crystal Harmony Haven too, in case they wanted to mess with him there.

Shane slid him a sidelong glance. “Your dogs know Cully, though, right?” Charlie nodded. “They ever go nuts around him before?”

“No, not that I recall. You think them barking means it wasn’t anyone they recognized?”

“It’s a thought. One thing I do know: whoever did this to you definitely doesn’t like you.”

“Gee, ya think?” Charlie snorted. “Whoever he is, I’d like to wrap my hands around his neck.”

Shane’s mouth twitched with a wicked grin. “Don’t count out the ladies in your life, bro. They can be handy at slashing tires too, especially when they’re pissed. Ever heard of a woman scorned?”

Charlie’s mouth dropped open. “No. No way.” Much as they annoyed him, he couldn’t fathom Germaine or Lauren skulking around in the middle of the night carving up his tires.

“Yes way. They might smell good, but women are vicious. Some women.” Shane tucked his notebook into his pocket. “I’ll let you know if I find anything, but I wouldn’t get my hopes up. Meanwhile, think about adding cameras. You might only be a few blocks from Bowen, but it’s still kinda isolated here, and whoever you’ve rubbed the wrong way might return to do more damage.”

A half hour later, Charlie stood at the Haven’s frontdoor. It opened it before he could knock, making the little bell tinkle. He eyed it.I’m taking you down first.

“Good morning,” Joy greeted. He lowered his gaze to her and was caught off guard. She was fresh and dewy, dressed in a pink T-shirt, overly large gray sweats, and white crew socks. Her lines were softer somehow. She looked mostun-Joy-like, which made her almost approachable.

“Is Felix here yet?” His newly minted project manager hadn’t replied, and Charlie was hoping the guy had parked in back. Charlie had only been able to bring a few tools from his truck, and he needed Felix’s to fill in the rest.

“Haven’t seen him.” She shook her head, and her hair, caught in a high ponytail, brushed her T-shirt. A black bra showed through the thin pinkfabric—not that he was taking inventory, although the observation did distract him from his frustration over Felix’s absence. Hopefully, the guy wasn’t hurt or broken down somewhere without cell service.

She pointed at the load he held in his hand. “What’s in the bag?”

“A housewarming gift.” He strode to the kitchen, and she followed in his wake, sputtering protests. Even if she hadn’t been yapping at him, he would have known she was there because whatever perfume she was wearing—almonds and some kind of flower, he thought—wreathed him. Shane was right. Womendidsmell good.

He opened the bag on the old counter and extracted a boxed coffeemaker, followed by a grinder, a bag of dark roast coffee beans, a pint of cream, and a box of artificial sweetener.

Her eyes went saucer-wide. “What’s all this?”

“Coffee-making fixings. The essentials for every home.”

“But … but I …”

He held up his hand. “I know. You were going to get it yourself, but I happened to be in Montrose yesterday, so I thought I’d pick this stuff up.” Her eyes turned soft and glossy, and she cast them down and to the side. He panicked. “It’s as much for me as it is for you. I can’t start my day without coffee, and since I’ll behereearly every morning, I thought …” Shit. Had he totally screwed up his peace offering?

She looked up at him then, and a beautiful smile lit her entire face. The effect was … stunning. “Thank you. That was very considerate. What do I owe you?”

“It’s a gift, so nothing.”

“We can discuss that later.”

“Of course we can, but we won’t.” He folded his arms over his chest and raised an eyebrow. She mirrored the motion. They started a stare-down like they’d done yesterday, but it didn’t last because she soon cracked up. He hadn’t heard her laugh much, but the sound did funny things to his insides. It was a melodious sound, and one she should indulge in more often.

“All right, I’ll let you win this time.”

This tugged a grin from him. “You’llletme?”

“That’s right. I’m in control here.” Defiance danced in her tawny eyes.

The crazy urge to crash his mouth down on hers and show hercontrolseized him. “Woman, someday someone is going to tame that mouth of yours, and I hope I’m around to see it.”

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