Chapter Fourteen #2
“Yeah.” Ry made a mental note to call the man tonight.
“When did you last look at your car?” He pulled the small notebook out of his back pocket and a pen from the front one.
Even if Katie hadn’t called him as the sheriff but as her lover, he was still the sheriff. He took his responsibility seriously.
“Last night, when I came home from your place.”
“Nothing amiss then.”
“Not that I saw. The security lights…” Katie looked up and shook her head. “They were working, and now they’re all broken.”
The lights and fixtures were totally destroyed.
Ry pulled his phone out and dialed. He was going to need help to get those lights fixed.
“Jed, can you come over to Katie’s? Thanks.
” He slipped his phone back into the belt holder, and then he put his arm around Katie’s shoulders when he noticed her slight tremor.
“Jed will be here in a few, and we’ll get it all fixed. ”
“I don’t understand it,” Katie said.
“I don’t, either.” And he didn’t. But something was going on, and he was going to get to the bottom of it. It might mean long hours for Josh and himself, but if it meant catching these punks in the act, he’d do it.
Jed’s truck squealed to a stop at the curb. He got out and jogged up to the pair. “What happened?”
Ry gestured to the scratched-up car and the broken security lights.
Jed swore, and Katie’s trembling increased. Ry frowned.
“I’m going back inside.” Katie shrugged away from Ry’s hold. Ry’s frown increased as Katie went back to the house. She didn’t even greet Jed. Why? He wanted to call her back, but Miss Mazie met her at the door and guided her inside.
“How is she?” Jed asked.
“Scared. She doesn’t understand why someone would target her car, and frankly, neither do I.”
“Who the hell would do this?”
“Don’t know. We’ve had so many little things happening, but now things are escalating. What bothers me the most is why only Katie’s car?”
“I heard about Roc.” Jed ran his hand over the scratches on Katie’s car.
Ry nodded as his radio went off.
“Go,” Jed said. “I’ll take care of things here.”
Ry hesitated. “Katie didn’t call me here as the sheriff, but as one of her men.”
“Well, that’s progress.” Jed grinned.
“Yes, progress I don’t want to lose.” His radio went off again.
“You are the sheriff, so go.”
Ry grimaced. “Tell Katie I’ll have a report for her insurance company.”
He didn’t want to leave, but duty called.
* * * *
Jed watched Ry drive away. The incident bothered him. Why would someone want to do this to Katie? He pulled his cell out of his pocket, called the local body shop, and asked them to send someone over with the tow truck.
He glanced at the broken lights. He’d need a couple of new fixtures. In fact, he wanted to put a few extras in. Jed started for the front door of the house. Ry had said Katie was scared, but that didn’t explain why she went into the house without even saying hi to him.
Was she mad because Ry had called him? His muscles stiffened at the thought, and then the jealousy welled up in his gut. Did she want Ry’s help more than his? Damn. Jed wiped his hand down his face.
His jaw clenched as he pushed aside his anger. First things first. He jumped into his truck and drove to the local hardware store to get what he needed.
Within an hour, Jed had the security lights fixed, had installed a couple more, and had the mechanic tow Katie’s car to the shop.
“Katie?” he called, walking into the house.
“In the office.”
Jed smiled when he saw her sitting behind the big oak desk, pencil tapping against her full lips as she stared at the computer screen.
“All fixed.” He sauntered up to her desk, fighting the urge to snatch her out of her chair and drag her into his arms.
She didn’t look up from the screen.
“Ry said he’d bring you the police report for your insurance company.”
“Thanks.” Her tone was dismissive.
Jed frowned. “What’s bothering you?” he asked, leaning against her desk.
“Nothing.”
“Liar.”
Her head snapped up. “Jed, I’m not in the mood.”
“Katie.” He straightened from his position.
“Jed, honey, can you come help me for a minute?” Miss Mazie called out.
“I thought Miss Mazie was at the shop.” Damn, this was all he needed. He wanted to talk to Katie and find out what was bugging her.
“No, she’s been in the kitchen,” Katie said.
“We’ll talk about this later.” And they would. He would get to the bottom of her sudden disinterest because it gnawed at his gut and heart. He dropped a soft kiss on her nose.
He found Miss Mazie standing in the living room. “What do you need, Miss Mazie?”
“Can you come into the kitchen for a minute?”
Jed nodded then followed Miss Mazie into the kitchen. She probably needed him to pull something off a shelf for her.
“Jed, I’m worried.” Her hands tangled in her apron.
“I’ve fixed the lights.” He hadn’t expected this. “It was probably just kids.”
“That’s fine. But it’s Katie I’m worried about.” She moved to the sink, her back to him.
Jed stiffened. “Why?” What was going on that they didn’t know about?
Miss Mazie turned from the sink, and Jed could see the concern in her eyes. “She’s been getting phone calls.”
“Hang-ups?”
“No, and I’m not going to elaborate. You need to ask her.” Miss Mazie shook her head. “She’s going to be angry enough that I told you about them.”
“Don’t you worry.” Jed touched Miss Mazie’s shoulder. “I’ll talk with her. She won’t be angry because you’re concerned.”
“Jed.” Miss Mazie placed her hand on his arm. “Please tread carefully.”
Jed smiled at her. “Miss Mazie, I would cut my right arm off before I hurt Katie.”
“You’re such a good man. Just like Ry.” She patted his cheek and then went to check something in the oven.
Jed digested Miss Mazie’s words before he marched out of the kitchen to Katie’s office. Her head was down as she typed on the computer. He didn’t want to disturb her working. But he wasn’t going to leave without telling her goodbye.
“Katie.”
She raised her head. Her green eyes somewhat unfocused and clouded.
Jed didn’t like it. He made a spur-of-the-moment decision.
“Would you pack a bag and come stay with Ry and me?” At least then they could keep her safe.
Katie shook her head. “I can’t leave Gran alone.”
He understood. “I don’t like it. What happened?”
“Jed.” Her eyes became brighter. “Please leave it for now. I have a ton of work to do, and I really want to get it done.”
“Fine.” He didn’t like it, but he did understand her request to get work done. “But you need to tell us if anything out of the ordinary happens.”
“Okay.” A ghost of a smile crossed her lips. “Thanks for fixing the lights and taking care of my car.”
“My pleasure.” Her mood seemed better, but something was off since her smile didn’t reach her eyes. Tonight, he and Ry would find out what was bugging her.