Chapter 3
Aflash of anger heated Duke from head to toe.
The front window of Gurly’s Candy Shop was shattered.
Glass littered the front sidewalk like confetti, rays of sunlight sparkling through the debris.
Mrs. Gurly swept the mess inside the store.
Sadness covered her like a cobweb, a deep frown pulling down her wrinkled face more than gravity.
This wasn’t just a harmless prank. Someone had caused massive damage to a store owned by two of Hillmore’s most beloved residents.
Lane stood beside him, his fists balled at his sides. “This is bullshit.”
“Agreed,” Duke said.
Mrs. Gurly’s snow-white covered head shot up and she managed a tired smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Hello, boys. Glad you made it so quickly. Police just left and Eugene is pacing the store like he’s got a bee stuck in his bonnet. You’ll have a better time calming him down than me.”
Mr. Gurly strode out of the stock room on the opposite end of the store carrying a large garbage bag.
“Still can’t believe this happened,” he said.
“Over thirty years in business and never had anyone do something like this. And for what? Nothing was taken. Nothing gained. Just created a ton of problems for me and my wife. Insurance will cover most the cost, if not all, but it’s just one big pain in the behind. ”
Duke shook his head as he took in the destruction. “I’m real sorry about this. Sheriff’s department have any idea what happened?”
Sighing, Mrs. Gurly stopped sweeping and leaned on her broom. “Not a darn thing. No cameras close enough to the shop to catch anything.”
Duke stepped over shards of glass and took the broom from the older woman. “Why don’t you take a seat? I’ll get this for you.”
“What a sweet boy you are. I’d argue, but my feet are killing me.”
“Did you get the photos you need of the damage for insurance?” Lane asked. “I’d hate for you to clean up then not get the payment because they weren’t able to verify the extent of the damage.”
Mr. Gurly helped his wife onto a stool behind the glass display case.
White doily-covered cake stands boasted homemade candies and fudge.
He swiped a red handkerchief from the pocket of his denim overalls and dotted his face with the material before stuffing it back in its place.
“I talked to the insurance company and got all the pictures we needed. Now we need to put everything back and reopen before we lose too much business.”
“We can help you with that,” Duke said. “Then we can help make sure this doesn’t happen again.”
“Any and all help will be appreciated,” Mr. Gurly said.
Lane found a wide steel dustpan and placed it on the floor. “C’mon Duke. Let’s get this glass off the ground then handle the security issues.”
Duke whistled while he moved the broom along the old wood floor. He and Lane had been in business long enough to know his pal’s spiel came next. Best for him to let Lane do what he did best while he continued to help with the mess.
“So what do you think y’all are looking for?” Lane asked.
Duke bit back a smile. When Lane had the idea to start Rough Ride Security earlier that year, he’d been plagued with doubts.
Afraid he didn’t know how to run a business or make sales.
All of those fears had been for nothing because the man was a natural.
Caring and emotionally invested enough in the citizens of his hometown to earn their trust, knowledgeable enough to guide people to their best options.
Leaving Duke as installer, numbers guy, and in charge of whatever grunt work needed done.
Not like he minded. He enjoyed having a role and appreciated how well things had played out.
When he’d arrived in Hillmore months before, he had no plan, no job, and no idea how to escape the constant trouble that appeared no matter what he’d done.
Now, he’d settled into his new role and actually enjoyed it. Sure, he missed riding bulls. But at least Lane and Celine had rescued enough animals to fill their barn and give him a chance to connect with what he loved.
“Oh, I don’t know,” Mr. Gurly said. “Nothing fancy. Just some cameras to deter any more punks. If some hooligan knows their face is on a screen, they’ll think twice before making such a mess.”
Duke swept the pile of glass into the dustpan then leaned on the broom handle. “Do you want any alarms? Something to alert you if someone’s trying to break in?”
Mr. Gurly shrugged. “What for? Even when someone smashed my window, they didn’t grab a darn thing. Can’t see anyone causing a fuss about breaking down a door or crawling through a window.”
“Good point,” Duke said, pressing his mouth in a firm line. He’d learned not to argue with the client, especially when they were past a certain age and set in their ways.
“Do you want to come to the office and see what all we have to offer?” Lane asked. “We have a few selections on site. If one of those are fine, we can get you all set up within the hour.”
Mr. Gurly snorted and waved his hand through the air.
“Oh, I don’t know a thing about that stuff.
I trust you to figure out what’s best. The Mrs. and I will keep cleaning.
I think I have some cardboard around here somewhere we can tape across that big hole until we can get a replacement.
I just have to remember where I put that ladder so I can reach the top. ”
Duke met Lane’s wide eyes with his own before schooling his features. “We can handle that, too. Full-service place we’ve got.”
“You boys really are too sweet,” Mrs. Gurly said. “The ladder’s in the back room.”
“I’ll see to getting this boarded up if you want to pick a camera for the store,” Lane said. “That’s more your specialty.”
Duke touched his fingertips to the brim of his cowboy hat. “I’ve got you covered.” He swept the pile of glass into the dustpan then held open a trash bag for Lane to dump the debris into. “I won’t be long.”
Nodding his goodbye, he stepped out of the store and glanced over at The Dusty Armadillo on the other side of the square. Knowing Suzy was so close tied his insides into a pretzel. He’d love to stop and see how she was getting along with his sister, but he had a job to do.
Besides, seeing him hanging around would only add more fire to Heather’s theories about his feelings for Suzy.
A flash of long, dark blond hair caught his attention as a woman disappeared around the corner of the restaurant.
A flash of recognition moved his feet along the red brick sidewalk.
No way he’d seen her, no way she was here.
Jogging the same path the woman had been, he stared into an empty alley.
He lingered at the mouth of the alley, debating what to do next.
Sighing, he shook his head and hurried back to his truck. It couldn’t be her. Having Heather in town messed with his head. She was the only one who’d made the drive from Texas to see him, bringing nothing but ghosts from his past with her.
Suzy shoved her plate aside and sighed. “There’s no way I can finish that.”
She’d managed to eat most of the three-cheese omelet she’d ordered, but her stomach was officially stretched to its limits.
Heather grinned and bounced Parker on her knee. “Don’t think that means you get this little guy back. He makes me miss my nieces and nephews back home.”
Curiosity piqued Suzy’s interest. Duke had mentioned sisters back in Texas, but other than that, zero personal information leaked from his tight lips.
She wasn’t sure if he was hiding something, or if he’d set strict boundaries with her after they’d spent so much time together when he’d first arrived in town.
Either way, not asking Heather questions about her family would be rude.
“Do you have many?”
“A few. I have two sisters who each have a couple kids. It’s like a war zone when we all get together. A very fun, loud war zone.”
Suzy reached for Parker’s chubby hand and let him curl his fingers around her thumb. “I’m jealous. It was always just me and Lane growing up. Now at least there’s Parker and Celine in our little clan.”
“Well I’d say he makes up for a lot.” Heather smooshed the baby against her cheek.
Parker giggled and pressed a slobbery kiss to her forehead.
Celine hurried over with a smile. “Y’all finished?”
“Couldn’t eat another bite if I wanted to,” Suzy said. “I’ll take the check.”
Celine tsked and waved away the comment. “Food’s on the house. Consider it payment for babysitting.”
Suzy knew better than to argue so she just said, “Thank you.”
“You mentioned a stroller for this guy,” Heather said, resting her forehead on Parker’s. “How about a tour of the town?”
Suzy checked her watch. “Sure. I have to get my car to the shop soon, so it’ll have to be quick.” She shrugged Parker’s diaper bag on her back, waved goodbye to Celine, then led the way to her car. She grabbed the stroller and a blanket to drape over the baby.
Heather made quick work of settling Parker into his spot.
“You do have experience with kids. It takes me forever to get him buckled into that thing.” Suzy pushed the stroller, keeping her pace slow so Heather could take in the sights and look through the windows. “None of your own?”
Heather chuckled. “No. I’m a lot more like Duke than my sisters. They both wanted nothing more than to settle down and start families. Houses and babies and PTA.”
Suzy ignored her twinge of jealousy. All those things sounded lovely, even if they felt so outside of her grasp. “You and Duke don’t want any of that?” She tried to keep the interest out of her voice when she mentioned Duke.
Shrugging, Heather turned curious eyes her way.
“Never been too high on my list. I don’t like to be tied down.
Rather have the freedom to come and go as I please.
Duke…well, he’s more of a mystery. He’s been on the road since he graduated high school but he keeps a lot hidden.
Doesn’t like people knowing his business. ”
“I get that.”
Growing up in a small town, Suzy was used to people knowing every detail about her life—her family.
All her mistakes exposed, all her baggage slashed open for people to discuss and have opinions on.
As she got older, that part of living in Hillmore bothered her less and less, but it also taught her to play things as close to the vest as possible.
Heather stopped in front of Hidden Treasures. “Is this a thrift store?”
“Yep. Second hand finds and some new, locally made products as well. Want to look inside?”
“Nah, I’ll make a mental note to stop by later.” Heather started down the sidewalk, hands shoved in the pocket of her black jacket. “So why don’t you have the whole kids and family deal yet? Not your style or just hasn’t happened?”
Suzy weighed her words. She didn’t mind opening up to Heather—hell, she felt a connection to the woman that made her want to spill her guts—but she also didn’t want whatever she said reported back to Duke.
“I always figured I’d have both. Most people around here do. But it hasn’t been in the cards.”
“And have you been playing with a lot of handsome cards who don’t want to settle down? That seems to be my problem,” Heather said with a sigh.
Suzy couldn’t help but grin. “The whole deck I’ve been given is filled with jokers and wild cards.”
Heather snorted out a laugh. “What a waste. Especially since it’s clear you prefer cowboys.”
She could object, but what was the point? “I live in Wyoming, what do you expect? I can’t get away from them, and I can’t tell the good ones from the bad. I’m starting to think there’s no such thing as a good one anymore. At least not one for me.”
A heaviness settled on her shoulders. She hated how much hope she’d lost over the last few years. How much she’d given over and over to the men she’d fallen for and loved only to be left behind in the dust. Something shinier waiting in the distance.
Heather was quiet, her attention shifting from window to window before stopping and facing Suzy. “Sometimes you have to shuffle the deck for the right one to rise to the top. It can take a while, I know, but I’ve heard it’s worth the wait.” She paused before adding. “Duke is worth the wait.”
Suzy made sure to keep her expression neutral. “I’m sure he is for someone. We’re friends, and that’s all we’ll ever be.”
Heather lifted her palms in surrender. “Okay. I’ve said my piece. I promised myself I wouldn’t sweep in and be a pain in the ass for Duke and, well, I really like you. No need to spout off my opinions and piss you off because then you won’t take me for hot chocolate.”
“Well, good thing for you I can’t say no to chocolate in any form. Let’s grab some before we head back to my car. We’ll call Duke or Lane after I drop off my car to come pick us up and take us back to the house.”
“Deal.”
Comfortable silence settled between them as they walked to Higher Grounds and each ordered a warm, decadent drink.
Strolling back to where she’d parked in the alley beside the restaurant, she tilted her face toward the sun and enjoyed the brisk air on her skin.
Parker had fallen asleep, and she flipped through everything she needed to get done today.
The list was short. Hopefully she could get some more time with Heather.
She liked the other woman a lot. Even if Duke’s sister was a little too insightful for Suzy’s comfort.
Fishing her keys from her pocket, she stopped in front of her trunk.
Words scratched into the paint constricted her heart with fear.
I found you.