Joy to the Wolves (Red Wolf #1) - Terry Spear Page 0,43
fudge sundae for himself. “About tonight—”
“I’ll be all right. The men said they’d come here when I wasn’t here.”
“I wouldn’t rely on that. My brother runs the reindeer ranch, so he’s needed back there tomorrow. I’m off work for the next two days, so I’ll stay close, help you get the shop back in order, and we can inventory those trunks in the morning. We can also start checking the boxes of stuff you think might contain something of value.”
“Before the shop opens at ten.”
“Correct.”
She chewed on her bottom lip. “Okay. I know I wouldn’t sleep a wink tonight, both from worry about getting the shop ready to open all over again and from concern those men will try to return there or come here. So thanks. I appreciate it.”
“You are sure you don’t have any idea what could be so important to those thieves?”
She let out her breath in exasperation. “Look, I have no idea what they were looking for. If suddenly something pops into my head that I think might be important, I’ll let you know. Seriously.”
“A simple no would have sufficed.”
“I seriously doubt it.”
He smiled.
Thirty minutes later, the front doorbell rang, and he went to check it. “Hot fudge sundae delivery, and all the rest.” He paid the guy at the door, then closed and locked it.
“Oh, I should have gotten some money for you,” she said.
“I took care of it. We’re good.” He was bringing the food over to the bar when there was a knock at the back door. “I’ll get it.”
“You’re handy to have around.” Especially since she was feeling so wiped out, and every time she walked, her leg hurt.
“You need someone to help you until you’re feeling better.” Josh saw that it was his brother and opened the door. “You guys get it done?”
“We did,” Maverick said, entering the house. “Adam wanted to know how come the two of us had to replace the window, with George’s help—but you got the girl.”
Brooke was taking a bite of her sandwich. She put her finger up in the air and finished chewing, then said, “He didn’t get the girl.”
“Who’s staying overnight to protect you?” Maverick asked.
“I am,” Josh said without hesitation.
“I rest my case,” Maverick said. He frowned at the meal Brooke was eating. “Don’t tell me you’re having dinner with Brooke too.”
“Dessert with her. I had dinner at the house with you, remember?”
“Where’s mine?”
Josh handed him the menu. “They can bring you something in a jiff.”
“Since you’re staying the night, do you want me to run to the store and pick up a couple things for you?” Maverick asked Josh.
“Sure, thanks. I’ve got my emergency kit with my toiletries and one change of clothes in the car, but I’ll be staying a couple of days.”
“Be right back with my very own dessert. Oh, and Adam said if it’s all right with you, Brooke, he’d stay at the shop tonight until we can get the security cameras installed, just in case someone tries to break in. First, he’s taking me home though.”
“Maverick, that would be great,” Brooke said. “There’s a Napoleon-replica bed in one of the rooms that Adam can sleep on. I’ll grab some sheets for it for when you return.”
“I’ll let him know.” Maverick left the house, then returned before Josh could lock the door. “Keys to your car? I rode with you.”
Josh fished out his keys. “Thanks, Maverick.”
“No problem.” Maverick headed through the courtyard, and Josh locked the door again.
“The house has two guest bedrooms and a foldout couch, so it’s your choice where you want to sleep tonight,” Brooke said to Josh.
“Thanks.” He sat down at the bar and scooped up some of his ice cream. “So about the front door of the shop. Had you locked it before the men entered it while you were in the attic?”
Chapter 11
Josh had to ask Brooke whether the door to her shop had been unlocked or not. It wasn’t just because he was a police detective. He couldn’t quit wondering how the intruders had gotten in. He knew she was perturbed with him for asking her questions about the break-in, but until it was resolved, like the issue with the stolen reindeer, he couldn’t let it go. Particularly if she was in some danger because of it. True, the would-be thieves had been shooting at a wolf and not a human woman, but he had to assume if they wanted something desperately enough, they would have shot her, too, if they’d found