Page 15 of Frostbite & Mistletoe
Tyler’s smile dimmed slightly.“Hey, I didn’t mean anything by it. I’m an honorary pack member, after all. We’re all on Kymberlie’s side here.”
After that shitshow at the VFW over in Salmon a few weeks ago, Tyler must’ve heard the rumors about howconvenientit was that the new fire marshal was shutting down local businesses, only for Swanson Construction to get the repair contracts.
Sure, Gabriel consulted for Tyler as a safety compliance consultant. But Gabriel wouldneverlet that influence his decisions as the county’s fire marshal. Still, he could understand how it added fuel to those rumors.
“The Barkers confirmed that the club’s electrical system needs to be completely replaced,” Gabriel said, redirecting the conversation.“And I noticed last night that the furnace venting is below minimum clearance standards. And then there are the emergency exits…the one next to the stage is nearly impossible to open if you aren’t a shifter, and the rear exit was completely blocked by storage crates.”
Tyler frowned.“Geez. That’s a big no-go right there. She’ll need panic hardware on every door—something you can open with one push, even in the dark. If the doors don’t swing out, we’ll have to rehang them too.”
“Exactly. The stage door frame’s warped, and the handle sticks. That has to be replaced,” Gabriel said.“And the back door needs a clear egress path—ten feet minimum from the threshold to open ground. Right now, there’s a wall of crates and a half-broken step.”
Tyler grunted and pulled his phone from his back pocket. He began typing notes.“We can rebuild the stoop and pour a small pad for footing. I’ll have Ward check the swing clearance and spec proper fire-rated doors.”
“Good,” Gabriel said, jotting a note on his clipboard.“Once the exits, wiring, and fire suppression systems are up to code, I can clear her for occupancy.” He paused, wondering if his next words were a conflict of interest. But his inner cat prodded him ruthlessly.“She, ah, had some big bookings coming up. Any chance your guys could get the work done before Christmas?”
Tyler nodded, suddenly serious.“We’ll do our best. Maybe? That fire could’ve been a lot worse. From what I’ve seen so far… it might be doable if all the stuff we order comes in on time. But I’m not making any promises,” he added hastily.
“Understood.” Gabriel’s gaze drifted once again to the main room. Through the open doorway, he could see Kymberlie dragging a large section of water-damaged drywall to a wheelbarrow. Her cheeks were flushed with exertion, and he couldn’t help noticing that her tight jeans and long-sleeved tee displayed a curvy body he longed to cuddle up with.
Stop it, he told himself.You’re being inappropriate. And a total perv.
His cat stirred again, more insistently this time.Protect mate. Help mate.
Gabriel nearly dropped his clipboard.Mate?Where the hell did that come from?He’d only met her last night, and under the worst possible circumstances. In fact, she probably hated his guts right now.
But his cat had never reacted this way to anyone before.
“You okay?” Tyler asked.“You look like you just saw a ghost.”
“I’m fine,” Gabriel muttered.“Just wondering if Kymberlie would mind if I volunteered to help with demo and cleanup.”
“Oh?” Tyler’s hazel eyes gleamed with amusement, and Gabriel wondered if he’d betrayed his cat’s interest in Kymberlie.“There’s only one way to find out.” The tall bear shifter clapped him on the shoulder.“I’d better get to work. I promised Kymber an estimate for a complete restoration and renovation by tonight.”
As Tyler moved off to examine the damage, Gabriel headed for the main room. His sabertooth was practically pushing him forward.Stop watching. Do something useful. Impress our mate.
“Need a hand?” he asked Kymberlie before he could reconsider.
She looked up. Her eyes narrowed in suspicion.
“Thought your job was to stand there with that clipboard and point out everything we’re doing wrong.”
Stung, Gabriel slapped the offending clipboard down on the bar.“Myjobis to make sure your place is safe to reopen. Right now, that means getting all this debris out so we can see what we’re working with.”
For a moment, he thought she might tell him to take a hike. Instead, she shrugged.“Grab that wheelbarrow, then, and take all that stuff out to the dumpster that Tyler donated.”
Gabriel wheeled the load of debris across the parking lot to where a twenty-yard roll-off dumpster sat next to the building. It was already half full of ruined drywall and rolls of wet, stained carpet.
When he returned to the dining room, Kymberlie gave him a grudging,“Thanks.” She hesitated, then asked,“Wanna help me tear away this wall?”
After the sopping drywall was gone, he saw layers of 130-year-old newspaper and clumps of sawdust insulation, peppered with old mouse droppings.“You’ve gotta be kidding me! This stuff’s basically tinder. You’re lucky this place hasn’t gone up before now.”
Kymberlie folded her arms and scowled.“Thanks for the pep talk, Mr. Fire Marshal.”
“Trust me, I’ve seen worse—but not by much,” he said, giving her a lopsided grin.“Why the heck did you buy this place, anyway?”
Kymberlie bit her lower lip as if debating whether to answer.“Because everyone said I couldn’t make it work,” she finally replied.“And I’m stubborn like that.”
A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.“Stubborn is good.”
