Page 88 of Reckless Harmony

She could almost hear Emma’s concern over the phone. “Rayna, I hate this. If Stark hadn’t been there last night…”

“He was, and I’m fine,” Rayna said. “It was a scary experience, and I never want to go through it again, but I have zero doubts that Louis will do a repeat performance. He won’t, Emma. Listen, I better go. I’m almost home, and you know there’s another dead zone coming up. I’ll lose the call anyway.”

“All right,” Emma said. “But we’re having lunch together tomorrow, and there will be a serious discussion about you getting a doorbell cam and a better lock for your door. I don’t care if I have to pay for it myself. It’s happening, Rayna.”

Love for Emma rushed over her, and her throat tightened with emotion. “I love you, Emmy.”

“I love you, too, Rayna. Text me later.”

“I will.”

Three minutes later, she pulled up to her property, staring in surprise at the familiar red pickup in her driveway. She parked next to it and climbed out of her vehicle, glancing at the decal on the truck door. The decal was a large black oval with a hammer and screwdriver crisscrossed over the top of the oval, and the words “North Handyman Services” were in bold font across the bottom. She walked toward the house, joining the man standing on her porch.

“Hey, Wallace.”

“Hi, Rayna. How are you?”

“Good,” she said. She studied Wallace as he turned and rummaged through a reusable bag sitting on one of the porch chairs. Wallace North was in his mid-forties with dark hair and eyes. He had a quiet and calm energy and was the guy most people in Harmony Falls called when they needed something repaired. He was particularly popular with the single ladies, and Rayna could see why. He was nearly twenty years her senior, but she could appreciate a good looking man when she saw one. She studied his ass in his jeans. Especially one with an ass like his.

Sure, but it’s not as nice as Stark’s ass. His dick probably isn’t as big either.

She flushed bright red as Wallace turned to face her. He stared at her red cheeks before saying, “Something wrong?”

“No,” she said. “What, uh, are you doing here?”

He pointed to the door. “Installing your new door cam.”

“I’m sorry, what?” She stared at the camera installed next to the door.

“Your new door cam,” he said before holding out an envelope. “Here are the instructions on downloading the app.”

She took it from him numbly, staring at it as Wallace said. “If you unlock your door, I’ll install the new door locks next.”

She blinked at him. “New door lock?”

“Yes,” he said, giving her a puzzled look. “Why do you look so confused?”

“Because I had no idea this was happening,” she said. “Who hired you?”

Now, he looked as confused as her. “You didn’t know I was coming by this evening?”

“No,” she said. “Who asked you to do this?”

“Isaac Stark,” Wallace said, glancing over Rayna’s head at Stark’s house. “Well, more accurately, it was his assistant, but she was calling on his behalf, she said.”

He frowned. “I assumed you knew about it, although I guess I should have known better.”

“What do you mean?” Rayna asked.

“Stark’s assistant was very clear that I was to install both the door cam and the new locks no matter what you said. Stark said you can talk to him if there’s a problem.”

She sighed in exasperation. “Of course he did, the arrogant son of a bitch.”

Wallace raised his eyebrows at her, and she sighed again. “Sorry, it’s not… that is… sorry.”

“It’s fine. So, do you want to unlock the door, and I’ll get started?”

“And if I say no?” Rayna said.

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