Page 28 of Bear In A Boutique
“I turned off the main breaker. Something is going on with the electrical system in this building.”
The adrenaline rush of their kiss completely dissolved. “What does that mean?”
“It’s not safe to have the power on until the electrician gets here. I’m worried this place is going to go up in flames. I’m sorry, Olive, but the building isn’t safe.”
She hugged herself. “So, my apartment also isn’t safe.”
The hard press of his lips confirmed what she already knew.
“I’m going to make a few calls.” Ryker took out his phone and walked through the store and out the front door.
Damn it.
This building was a ticking timebomb and she wouldn’t blame Cara if she washed her hands of it and moved the boutique somewhere else. Thankfully, the automotive dealer had waited for her yesterday so she could pick up the van, and generously let her keep it through the weekend to try it out. It could be the backup plan housing she desperately needed at this point.
Cara had Olive close the store and said she’d arranged for an electrician to come. The fire department came to make a sweep of the building. And an hour later, the electrician diagnosed the problem, confirmed it was a doozy, and said he couldn’t get to it until maybe Friday—which left her homeless for three days.
Her upper lip curled at the idea of packing her things in the van and making it her home for the next few days. Those days were supposed to be behind her.
A notification popped up on her phone that the campsite she’d reserved at the state park was confirmed. Grabbing a flashlight, she went into the storage room where her camping gear was stored in large plastic totes. Popping the tops, she dug around for some essentials, all remnants of when living in a vehicle had been her only shelter.
Arms filled with a sleeping bag, wool blankets, a lantern, and a box of cooking gear, she shuffled back out front and dumped everything on her desk.
“What’s this?”
Ryker strode over. Her heart fluttered as he approached the way it always did.
“I’m getting ready to pack up the van. What a great time to test it out, right?”
“Don’t do that. My uncle Rowan said you can stay at the lodge as long as you’d like. You’ll be so much more comfortable there.”
She’d never seen Rowan Mitchell’s massive log cabin mansion but heard it was breathtaking. He built it so members of the Estes Park shifters pack would never be without a home. Anyone from the pack who needed shelter found it there.
“Please thank him for me, but I’ve got it covered.”
“Do you even know how to operate the mods in that van?”
“I have a manual for the water and heat modifications, and the dealer said it drives fine.”
“People will say anything to make a sale. This guy could have given you a line of bullshit if he thinks you don’t know what problems to look for.”
She went back to the storage room to collect another box of gadgets.
“That’s why I’m testing it out.”
Ryker sighed. “Why not move it behind the building so you’re not camping out on the side of the street?”
“Oh, I’m not. I’m staying at the state park. Site 115.”
He glanced at the phone again. “I have to go, but I’ll meet you there. What time are you checking in?”
A warm tingle went down her spine. “What?”
“What do you mean, what?”
“Why would you meet me there?”
Grabbing her wrist, he pulled her closer. Shadows danced across the beautiful angles of his face. “You’re not going alone. Besides, someone needs to help you figure out that death trap you insist on staying in.”
