‘She’s in Denmark with her new husband.’ Kira made a face at that as though this new husband was something foul. ‘And I’m here alone.’
Alone. And cold.
She shrugged and gave a self-deprecating laugh. ‘I couldn’t even survive one day of being open without needing you to rush in and help me.’
‘I didn’t actually do anything.’
‘Well, that’s true.’
He laughed and her smile grew, warming him up even in this drafty house. ‘How about I call my dad later and see if he has any tips about these old radiators?’
A sharp shake of her head sent her hair cascading over her shoulders. ‘You don’t have to do that.’
‘Consider it a favor to me,’ he said, leaning toward her across the table, just a little, just enough to watch her blush spread. ‘It gets me off, remember?’
She sputtered. ‘I never should have said that.’
‘You were right. I like it. I like feeling … useful.’
Her lips twitched somewhere between a smile and a scowl.
‘Okay, fine. But that’s it.’
‘Deal.’
She eyed him over the rim of her coffee mug, and he found he had more questions after this little chat than he’d had before they started.
‘I should go,’ he said, standing before he could do any more, offer any more. He needed to go before he did something crazy, like suggest he wrap Kira in his arms to warm her up. A pointless daydream.
‘Sure. Thanks again.’
There was just one more thing, because Bennett still wasn’t smart about women, despite his best efforts. ‘Will I see you at the tree lighting?’
Kira scrunched up her face like a child being forced to eat their vegetables. ‘I guess so.’
He chuckled. ‘It might be fun.’
‘Crazier things have happened.’
As he rounded up his dogs and headed out, Bennett refused to think of all the crazier things he’d like to happen with the prickly and intriguing Kira North.
Chapter Five
Did you find anything?
Bennett glanced at the text from his sister. He debated ignoring it. He was already working far later than he wanted to, but he had projects to catch up on after his morning of playing Mr. Fix-It at Kira’s. But he hated leaving messages unanswered. It made him feel itchy.
No. Not a single dead body in sight.
Okay. Phew. When are you going back?
He sighed, leaning back against Jeanie’s couch cushions. Her small apartment lacked a desk, and he was still trying to figure out the most comfortable place to work.
I don’t think I’m going back.
He needed to stay away from Kira. That’s what his little visit had proven to him this morning. Seeing her in that drafty old house had stirred up too many things in him and he needed those things to stay buried just like Edwin’s dead wife.
You have to! Just a few more times. Just to be sure.
You do know this is insane, right?
Of course I do. But the mayor had a dream and he’s rarely wrong.
And what did the wise and powerful mayor see in this dream?
Well … they’re always a little fuzzy, but basically something important is buried on that farm.
So, shouldn’t we let Kira find it?
Even as he typed it, his stomach dropped at the idea of Kira making a gruesome discovery by herself. And Jeanie knew it, too.
We can’t let her just stumble upon something like that!
Fine. One more time.
Thank you, Ben!! You’re the best!
He didn’t feel like the best. He felt like an absolute sucker who got conned into doing ridiculous errands for his sister because he was too much of a sap to let her down.
