Joy to the Wolves (Red Wolf #1) - Terry Spear Page 0,53
the business I’m in. Everyone, yourself excluded, is suspect.”
She turned her sign from Closed to Open. “You still think I stole Jingles.”
“Maybe so you could meet me.”
She laughed out loud. “In your dreams.”
Maverick finally texted Josh back about bringing the reindeer calves to the shop: Man, are you making a play for the she-wolf!
Josh texted: Just have someone bring the calves. And bring the reindeer sign.
Maverick texted: Will do, but you owe me.
Josh smiled and pocketed his phone.
When Brooke opened the shop, three people came inside, and a trickle of customers continued to come in after that.
Adam texted Josh: The guys are over here installing the security cameras. They’ll be over there in a couple of hours.
Josh texted back: I’ll let Brooke know. She just opened the door for her customers.
Josh was watching everyone who turned up at the shop, smiling and greeting them as if he were part owner of the establishment. They were all women shoppers so far. He suspected the thieves wouldn’t show up when the store was open, but still, he would be vigilant, just in case.
He was planning to go over Brooke’s inventory lists in more detail, though he wasn’t sure what to look for except high-dollar items. But while she was at the register or talking to customers, he continued to oversee things. Then he heard Maverick’s truck pull up. He headed outside to help his brother with the reindeer.
Before Josh, his brother, and the reindeer reached the shop, Brooke was getting the door for a customer who was leaving with packages in hand. As soon as Brooke saw the two reindeer, she smiled the brightest smile, and Josh knew he’d done the right thing. He was glad she was happy to see them.
“Ohmigosh, two reindeer calves this time? How fun. So that’s Jingles and…?” Brooke said, hurrying to pet them.
“This is Cinnamon. They’re best friends,” Maverick said. “We figured these two could keep each other company. I’ll get the reindeer sign and put it out front.”
“Since there are two of them, we could take them out back and have them on that section of grass in the courtyard,” Josh said. “We have the sign to put out front that says Santa’s reindeer are here, but we usually have an adult reindeer for that, so that’s what is pictured on the sign. I’ll post about it on social media.”
“Oh, me too,” Brooke said. “This is so much fun. I’ll go get my phone.”
The lady who was leaving with her packages deposited them in her car, then returned to take pictures before Josh could move the reindeer calves to the courtyard.
“Thanks so much for bringing the reindeer,” Brooke said to Maverick as she brought out her phone and took some pictures of the sign and the calves in front of her shop, then posted them.
“You’re welcome. I would like to take credit for thinking of it, but it was all Josh’s idea.”
She smiled at Josh. “Really? Thanks so much, Josh.”
“I hoped you wouldn’t think they were underfoot too much,” Josh said. “I should have asked, but I wanted it to be a surprise.”
“I love surprises like this. I’m thrilled to have them here, and it will be really nice for them to keep each other company.”
“I agree. I’ll stick around and watch the reindeer while Josh is in the shop helping you. When he wants to swap places, I’m available.” At least Maverick was all bundled up in a parka, gloves, hat, and scarf.
“For bathroom breaks and when you need to warm up, we can switch off,” Josh said.
“I’ll spell you so I can pet the reindeer,” Brooke said.
Josh and his brother laughed. “Adam said the guys were installing the security cameras at your place and they’ll be over here next.” Josh glanced at the heated birdbaths and remembered he needed to buy one. “And we want to buy one of your heated birdbaths.”
Brooke frowned at him. “Seriously?”
Maverick was smiling at Josh.
“Which of you is a birder?” She sounded as though she didn’t believe either of them were.
Maverick waited for Josh to answer her.
“We both are,” Josh said.
She laughed. “Sure. For all your help, pick out any you’d like and it’s yours.”
“I meant to buy it.”
“After all you’ve both done for me, no way.”
Then Josh took the reindeer back to the courtyard, and Maverick hauled food back there for them while Brooke returned to the shop.
“How long will they be here?” a lady asked Josh, following him out to the courtyard with two other ladies