Page 24 of Mother Parker
“We talked it over with Wyatt, and I’ll start working at the café for the foreseeable future and keep an eye on him and for any suspicious activity,” Asher replied.
“Yes, and the rest of you need to keep an eye out. I can drive by on weekdays to make sure there’s no one dubious around. Parker, do you think you can do that on weekends? The bar is very busy, so I won’t have the time.”
I nodded.
“Of course. Anything,” I said.
“Hopefully, it’s nothing, but something tells me it’s not, considering who his shop belonged to before. And Hwan is a vulnerable guy. He needs help,” Wyatt said.
Everyone around the kitchen island bobbed their heads in agreement.
“Did you say you’ll work at the café to keep an eye?” I asked Asher.
“Yeah. He can’t exactly pay me at the moment since it’s not as busy as he expected, but he agreed to let me in until we can decide if there’s a legitimate threat.”
“Let me do it,” I said.
It certainly beat hanging around this place and doing nothing.
“What?” Asher asked.
“You’re busy with your nook and helping at the bar. I’ve literally got nothing to do. That’s why I came here. To be helpful.”
Well, that, and start a new life away from everything that had broken me back in Virginia.
“Are you sure?” Wyatt asked.
Before I could confirm it, Autumn excitedly clapped her hands.
“Yes, yes, he’s sure. I think a dose of Hwan is just what the doctor ordered for Officer Grumpypants.”
“Huh?” I asked, not sure what the fuck she meant.
But no one cared to enlighten me as they all smiled as if they knew something I didn’t.
“Perfect. Should we get going? We’ll take you to him,” Wyatt said.
“What? Now?”
“There’s no time like today, my friend,” he replied and opened the door.
Autumn and he went out, and I followed suit.
“Listen, Wyatt,” I said as we walked down the road toward Main Street. “I’m sorry about yesterday. I didn’t mean to snap like that.”
Wyatt chuckled and glanced at me.
“Water under the bridge. I’ve heard much worse,” he said.
Autumn nodded in agreement as if she knew. Yet she’d only been in his life for the past three or four months.
“So tell me about this Hwan guy. Do I need to know anything?”
“Trust me, he’ll tell you everything you need to know himself,” Autumn said.
“Oookay.”
“He’s a workaholic, but he’s adorable and always has a smile. Unlike some guys,” she added, nudging my sides.
