Chapter 28
The next day, Bear leaned against his truck, arms crossed as he surveyed the growing crowd. The entire town seemed to have shown up for Joy’s food truck debut in Oak Creek. Cars lined Main Street, and the grassy area of the town square was filled with folding chairs and picnic blankets, despite the colder weather. Families chatted while children darted between groups, their laughter carrying on the mild autumn breeze.
The light pink truck stood out in the middle of it all. A steady line had formed at the service window, where Joy and Sloane worked in synchronized harmony.
Pride swelled in Bear’s chest as he watched Joy hand a plate to Mrs. Peterson, whose eyes widened at the artful arrangement of French toast and berries. Joy’s smile was genuine—relaxed the way he loved to see her.
“Looks like a success,” Hudson said, materializing beside him with a steaming coffee cup from the truck. “Gotta admit, I was skeptical about fancy brunch, but this is damn good.”
Bear nodded. “She’s killing it.”
“Whole town turned out.” Hudson took a sip of his coffee. “Not bad for one day’s notice.”
“That’s Oak Creek for you.”
The quick turnaround had been a testament to both Joy’s determination and the town’s support. The permits had come through with a single phone call to Callum, who had connections at city hall.
It all would have been perfect if not for the latest theft.
Bear’s jaw tightened at the thought of discovering the missing ladder from Joy’s food truck this morning. It had been propped against the storage garage wall last night, taken off so Joy could finish painting the truck’s trim. By sunrise, it was gone.
Another item to add to the growing list of strange thefts around town. Another thing that made no sense to steal.
“You look like you’re ready to throw down with someone,” Hudson observed. “This is supposed to be a celebration.”
Bear forced his shoulders to relax. “Just thinking about the break-in at the storage garage.”
“Joy’s ladder?” Hudson shook his head. “Weird shit. You talk to Callum about it?”
“Added it to the list of stuff.” Bear’s gaze swept the crowd again. “Joy took it in stride, thankfully.”
Joy had definitely been more annoyed than frightened when they’d discovered the missing ladder. She’d rolled her eyes then immediately jumped into final prep for today’s launch rather than fixating on the theft.
Bear pushed off from his truck as he spotted Mrs. Fuller making a beeline toward him, determination written across her weathered face.
“There you are.” She patted his arm with a familiar affection that came from having known him since birth. “I need to thank you properly.”
“For what, Mrs. Fuller?”
“For finally making an honest woman of Joy Davis.” Her eyes twinkled. “You two have been dancing around each other for years. Word is you’re officially a couple now.”
Bear felt a slow smile spread across his face. “That’s right.”
“Good. It’s about time.” She squeezed his arm. “That girl finally returned my casserole dish, too. Must be your influence.”
“I take full credit,” he said with a wink.
Mrs. Fuller’s gaze shifted toward the food truck. “Those little pastry things with the lavender are divine. Absolutely divine. And to think, our Joy made them—the same girl who used to put frogs in my mailbox.”
Bear chuckled. “People change.”
“Some parts do.” Mrs. Fuller’s eyes were knowing. “The important parts stay the same.”
She patted his arm once more before wandering off toward a group of her friends. Bear watched her go, turning her words over in his mind. The important parts stay the same. It was true of Joy—her fire, her determination, her heart. The trauma had changed her, but those essential qualities remained.
The good thought was destroyed by the sight of Daniel on the other side of Main Street.
“Still think he’s the burglar?” Callum’s voice came from behind him.
Bear turned. “Just keeping an eye out.”
“He checks out, you know. Background’s clean. He’s some sort of freelance writer.”
“Doesn’t mean he’s not our guy.” Bear’s eyes narrowed. “Think I’ll have a chat with him.”
Callum shrugged. “Your call. But maybe wait until after you’ve tried those cinnamon roll things Joy made. They’re worth focusing on.”
Bear clapped him on the shoulder before heading toward Daniel, weaving through the crowd with determined strides. The man straightened as Bear approached, his expression shifting to something more guarded.
“Morning,” Bear greeted, keeping his tone neutral. “Enjoying the food?”
Daniel lifted his cup. “Good coffee. Haven’t tried the food yet.”
“You should. Joy’s an amazing cook.”
“So everyone keeps saying.” Daniel glanced toward the truck. “Quite the turnout for her.”
“Oak Creek takes care of its own.” Bear studied the man’s face. “You’ve been in town a while for someone who’s just passing through.”
Something flickered in Daniel’s eyes—too quick to identify. “I like the hiking trails. Thought I might stay a bit longer. Nice talking to you.”
Bear watched him as he walked away. The man was well-spoken. Didn’t seem like the type that would be stealing junk.
“You looked quite intimidating just now.” Lincoln appeared beside him, his gaze sharp. “The man you were talking to seemed uncomfortable.”
“That was the idea.” Bear turned to his cousin. “I wanted to try to get a read on whether he was the one behind the petty thefts happening around town, but I don’t think he is.”
Lincoln’s direct gaze rarely wavered. “The pattern is peculiar.”
“Exactly. Nothing valuable, but seems like very specific items.” Bear lowered his voice. “A ladder from Joy’s storage garage this morning. Some chains last week. Wood pallets from behind Hartley’s. Old tires, metal pipes, broken umbrellas, rope from the hardware store’s dumpster.”
Lincoln’s head tilted slightly. “What about the crates from behind the Eagle’s Nest?”
“Those too. And some plastic barrels from the recycling center.” Bear ran a hand through his hair. “Who steals this sort of junk? And why?”
Lincoln’s eyes narrowed, his gaze turning inward in that way it did when his mind was making connections others couldn’t see. “The items are all of substantial size. Structural, even.”
“What do you mean?”
“They could all be repurposed. Used to construct something.” Lincoln’s fingers tapped against his thigh—a self-soothing gesture he’d had since childhood. “The ladder, barrels, and tires, especially.”
Bear’s brow furrowed. “Construct what?”
Lincoln abruptly turned away, already walking toward the edge of the square without another word.
“Lincoln?” Bear called after him. “Construct what?”
But his cousin was gone, moving with singular purpose toward whatever conclusion he’d reached in that brilliant mind of his.
Bear shook his head, familiar with Lincoln’s abrupt departures when his brain latched on to something important. Linc would circle back eventually, usually with an answer that made perfect sense in hindsight.
Turning back toward the food truck, Bear felt some of his tension ease at the sight of Joy’s face in the service window. She caught his eye and smiled—a private, warm expression that made his chest tighten in the best possible way.
Whatever was happening with these thefts, they’d figure it out. Together, as partners. No more secrets, no more hiding vulnerabilities. Just trust, built day by day.
For now, though, he’d focus on this moment—Joy’s triumph, the community’s support, the foundation they were building together.
Nancy Drew-ing could wait.
* * *
“I still can’t believe it.” Joy closed the refrigerator with a satisfied sigh, her cheeks still flushed with excitement. She hadn’t stopped smiling since they’d sold out an hour before their planned closing time. “Did you see Mrs. Peterson’s face when she tried the lavender French toast? And Mr. Garcia ordered three— three —of the savory breakfast sandwiches!”
Bear leaned against the counter he’d just wiped down, content to watch her animated movements as she continued to flit around the small space, adjusting things that didn’t need adjusting, too wired to be still. They were back at the garage, and she hadn’t stopped glowing or talking since the moment they’d parked the truck and started cleaning everything.
“Callum said the station wants to place a standing weekly order,” she continued. “And at least four people asked if I’d cater a brunch party.” She laughed, shaking her head. “One day of operation and I’ve already got catering requests!”
“Told you people would love it.”
“I know, but there’s a difference between believing something might work and seeing it actually happen.” She grabbed a notepad and began scribbling. “I’m thinking the strawberry compote needs to be a permanent item. And the chai-spiced cinnamon rolls were a hit. But the avocado toast was just so-so, and honestly, I’m not sure the maple bacon donut?—”
He closed the distance between them in two steps, gently taking the pen from her hand and setting it down. “Joy,” he murmured, circling her waist with his arms.
She blinked up at him. “What?”
“You’re incredible.”
Her cheeks darkened, but her smile didn’t falter. “I’m just excited.”
“I can tell.” He brushed his thumb across the smudge of flour still clinging to her jawline. “It’s good to see you like this. Really good.”
“Like what?”
“Happy. Passionate. You .”
Her expression softened, and she wound her arms around his neck. “I feel like myself again.”
Bear couldn’t resist any longer. He dipped his head, capturing her lips in a kiss that started gentle but quickly deepened. Joy melted against him, rising onto her toes to press closer. He could taste coffee and sweetness on her lips, could feel the rapid flutter of her heartbeat where his palm rested against her neck.
When they finally broke apart, they were both breathing harder. Joy kept her arms looped around his neck, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
“If that’s my reward for a successful launch day, I should open food trucks more often.”
“I’ve got other rewards planned,” Bear promised, his voice low. “Once we get home.”
“I like the sound of?—”
Bear’s phone buzzed in his pocket, interrupting whatever Joy had been about to say. He reluctantly released her to check the message, though he kept one hand at her waist.
“It’s from Lincoln,” he said, frowning at the screen.
“Everything okay?”
The stolen items are being used to construct an obstacle course. Similar to the one at Linear Tactical last summer, though less professionally executed. -Lincoln
Bear rolled his eyes that his cousin—a certified technological genius—had signed his text. But signed or not, that info was definitely very interesting.
“An obstacle course?” Joy peered at the message over his shoulder. “How does he know?”
He shrugged. “It’s Lincoln. How does he know anything? That giant brain of his puts together things everyone else thinks are inconsequential. Sees patterns no one else sees.”
And he was rarely wrong.
Bear considered the inventory of missing items: ladder, tires, wooden pallets, metal pipes, rope, plastic barrels. “Makes sense, actually. Those are exactly the kinds of things you’d need.”
“But who would—” Joy paused, her brow furrowing. “Oh! I just remembered something. When I was working the service window, I noticed Aaron and Kyle Johnson watching you. They kept whispering and nudging each other.”
“The Johnson boys?” Bear pictured the teenagers—athletic, always moving, with that restless energy of youth. “I saw them at the Jackalope Fair too, hovering around the edges. Didn’t think much of it at the time. Aaron had talked to me about a job, and I wondered if he was getting up the nerve to formally apply.”
“Weren’t they on the high school track team? The one that set all those records last spring?”
Bear nodded slowly, pieces clicking into place. “They’re into that obstacle course racing. Mud runs and stuff. Their mom mentions it every time she brings her car in for service.”
“They’d definitely be fast enough to outrun you in the woods,” Joy said, lips quirking. “No offense.”
“Hey, I almost caught them.” Bear couldn’t help but grin. “But you might be right. Damn, I got outrun by teenagers.”
“The horror.”
“So much for my fearsome reputation.” He shook his head, a mixture of relief and amusement washing over him. “All this time, I was suspecting Daniel.”
“The hiker?”
“Yeah. Something about him struck me as off.”
Joy smirked. “Maybe he just annoyed you by talking to me.”
“That’s…entirely possible,” Bear admitted.
“You’re cute when you’re jealous.”
“I wasn’t—” He caught her knowing look and gave up. “Fine. Maybe a little.”
Joy’s laughter filled the small space, bright and genuine. “So, what now? Do we tell Callum his mystery thieves might be teenagers building a homemade training course?”
Bear considered it. “I don’t want to accuse them without proof. Could be we’re wrong.”
“What do you suggest?”
“A little reconnaissance mission.” Bear leaned against the counter. “We follow them after school tomorrow, see where they go.”
“Like spies?” Joy’s eyes lit up with mischief. “Count me in.”
“You sure? It might get boring.”
“Are you kidding? After spending a month too scared to leave my house, boring sounds perfect.” Her expression turned serious despite her light tone. “What will happen to them? I mean, they did steal a lot of stuff.”
“Let’s confirm it’s them first.” Bear stroked his thumb across her knuckles. “Then we’ll figure out the right thing to do.”
Joy turned in his arms, rising on her toes to brush her lips against his. “Now, about those other rewards you mentioned…”
Bear grinned, all thoughts of teenage thieves temporarily forgotten as he followed Joy out of the food truck, locking it securely behind them. Whatever happened tomorrow, tonight was for celebrating—both Joy’s success and the fact that they were finally moving forward, together.