7. Luke
CHAPTER 7
Luke
What the hell was wrong with me?
I stalked out to my car, blood simmering with rage. All I’d wanted to do was chill out and have a beer after a long day. And there she was, sitting in my seat, taking up space in my bar. Antagonizing me just by existing.
What was it about her? If it had been anyone else in the world, I would have just pulled up another chair. No big thing. I was an easygoing guy. I could go with the flow.
Not when she was involved.
It had been the same when she’d almost hit me with her car. If that had been any other person, I would have made sure they were all right, then been on my way. No harm, no foul. But Melanie? The woman made me crazy.
I opened my car door but Theo’s voice made me pause.
“Dude, what was that about?”
“Nothing.”
“It looked like something.”
I turned to face him and gestured toward the bar. “She was in my seat.”
“You know how childish that sounds, right?”
“It’s not childish, I—” I shut my mouth because he was right, it was. And my desire to argue was already cooling off. “Did you follow me out here?”
“Obviously I need to find out who you are and what you did with Luke.”
I shook my head. “I don’t know, man. She messes with my head.”
“Still?”
“I know. It’s idiotic, right?”
“Yeah. It is.”
I scowled at him. “Thanks.”
“You said it. Besides, why are you letting her get to you?”
That was an excellent question. Why was I letting her get to me? “I don’t know. I just didn’t expect to see her.”
“Sounds like you better get used to it.”
“That’s the thing. Why did she have to move back to my town?”
“There you go again with the my town thing.”
“You know what I mean.”
“Not really.”
I blew out a frustrated breath. “She just shows up after all these years and…”
“And?”
“I don’t know. Pisses me off.”
“You’re both adults. I’m sure you can find a way to live in the same town.”
Could we, though?
“It’s fine. I’ll just avoid her.”
“That’s a healthy option.”
“Nice sarcasm.”
He grinned. “Always.”
The longer I stood outside in the cool evening air—and away from her—the calmer I felt. Avoiding her wasn’t unhealthy, it was smart. We’d always been volatile when we were together, and clearly that hadn’t changed .
“I should expect a call from Mom about this tomorrow, shouldn’t I?”
“She won’t hear it from me,” Theo said. “But you know she’ll hear it from someone.”
That was true enough. I’d just caused a scene. And I wasn’t the Haven brother who usually caused scenes.
“Nothing I can do about it now.”
“I’m going to head out.” His brow furrowed. “You sure you’re okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine.”
He nodded and went to his truck, although I wasn’t sure if he believed me.
I glared at the door to the Timberbeast and got in my car. Thanks for screwing up my night, Mel.
Restless and dissatisfied, I headed home.
I poured a cup of the sludge Patrick considered coffee and took a sip. The garage was busy, as usual. The Dodge Patrick was working on would be ready for paint soon. That would make the client happy. And Ollie was in a pair of coveralls, head buried in the engine compartment of what had once been a 1964 Jeep Gladiator pickup. We’d scored that job from a guy down in California. It needed a lot of work, but it would be killer when it was done.
The dark roast had been brewed too strong, but I drank it anyway. I needed the caffeine. After the previous night’s run-in with Melanie the human hurricane, I’d slept like crap. Although my initial rush of anger had worn off, I’d gone home still amped with adrenaline. It had taken hours to come down.
My phone buzzed in my pocket, so I went into my office where I’d be able to hear. It was my mom.
I groaned. I loved my mom, and we got along fine. But I wasn’t looking forward to her questions about a certain ex-girlfriend.
“Hi, Mom.”
“Hi, honey. Sorry to bother you at work.”
“That’s okay. What’s going on?”
“Well, I was just at Nature’s Basket and ran into Doris Tilburn. She said she heard you got into a bit of a quarrel with someone at the Timberbeast last night. Is everything all right?”
“Yeah, everything is fine.”
“Was it Melanie?”
“It was.”
“How is she? I haven’t seen her in so long.”
I blinked in confusion. “I guess she’s fine, although we weren’t hanging out to catch up.”
“I’ll have to reach out to Krista.”
“Okay…” I didn’t really care if my mom talked to her mom, but I didn’t know why she seemed concerned. “Is that why you called?”
“I’m not trying to be nosy. I just wondered what happened. Doris heard there was quite a commotion, and that doesn’t sound like you.”
“That’s just the gossip line blowing things up, as usual. There was no commotion.”
“Good to hear. Okay, honey, I’ll talk to you later.”
“Bye, Mom.”
I slipped my phone back into my pocket and rolled my eyes. Commotion? Come on, we hadn’t caused a commotion.
Much.
Ollie knocked and poked his head into my office. “Someone in the lobby to see you.”
I tipped my chin to him in acknowledgment and went to see who it was.
Pausing just inside the lobby, I suppressed a groan. The petite old lady in a lime-green velour tracksuit was not who I’d been hoping to see.
Aunt Louise.
She had silver hair she’d recently cut short that curled at the nape of her neck, and a large blue quilted handbag hung from her elbow. She took slow steps, gazing at the photos on the wall.
Don’t get me wrong, the almost-groan wasn’t because I don’t like my aunt. I like her fine. I just avoided her as much as possible because she’d appointed herself Haven family matchmaker. She was forever on a quest to get me and my brothers married off. I’d been subjected to her matchmaking attempts often enough that I knew better than to say yes. Ever.
“Hi, Aunt Louise,” I said, getting her attention.
She turned with a big pink-lipstick smile and took a pair of oversized sunglasses off her face. “Hi there, dear. You’re just the man I wanted to see.”
“Do you have a car that needs to be restored?”
“No, no, nothing like that.”
I knew she wasn’t there about a car. She drove a beige Buick that my uncle George kept in pristine condition for her. There was only one reason Aunt Louise ever appeared, and I needed to head her off before she got too deep into her ask.
“I didn’t think so,” I said. “Before you say anything, I love you, but the answer is no.”
“No to what? I haven’t asked you anything.”
“But you were going to.”
“Hear me out first. You’re going to love this.”
“I don’t care who she is. This isn’t a good time.”
“Who, who is?”
“The girl you’re trying to set me up with.”
She blinked in confusion. “I’m not trying to set you up with a girl.”
“You’re not? ”
“No, of course not.”
I resisted the urge to facepalm. “Don’t sound so shocked. You’re usually trying to set me up with someone.”
She waved that off. “Another time. I’m here about the Squirrel Protection Squad.”
I didn’t know what was weirder—that my aunt was forever trying to set up her nephews on dates or that I lived in a town with an organization called the Squirrel Protection Squad. And they were completely serious.
They’d formed when someone was stalking my now sister-in-law Audrey and left a dead squirrel outside her house. Somehow, they’d morphed from protecting wildlife to a civilian security detail.
“What about the SPS? I think they have plenty of volunteers.”
“They certainly do. Which is why they need a headquarters.”
“Headquarters? Wow.”
“It’s going to be fantastic. Plenty of space for meeting with new recruits, and they’ll be able to hold first aid and CPR classes—for humans and squirrels.”
“CPR for squirrels?”
She nodded. “Mm-hmm. You know the empty storefront in that old strip mall? The one next to the Knotty Knitter? They got a great deal from the owner, which is why the whole thing is possible. Josiah and your dad already volunteered to help with any necessary renovations. But there’s still more to be done, which is where I come in.”
“You need more help with renovations?”
“No, no. Doris Tilburn and I are planning a fundraiser. It’s going to be very fancy. The Grand Peak Hotel donated their ballroom.”
“So you’re looking for donations or sponsors or something? ”
“That would be wonderful, but it’s not why I came. I need your help with the event itself.”
Help with a fundraiser? That didn’t sound terrible. But I still hesitated, my instincts telling me she was up to something.
What was the catch?
“What kind of help?”
She clasped her hands together. “Are you ready for this? I’m so excited. It’s going to be such a treat. We’re holding a bachelor auction.”
“Oh no.”
“Oh yes!” Her eyes were bright, and she smiled as she spoke. “Isn’t that the most delightful idea? I came up with it.”
“I’m not surprised.”
“I knew you’d love it.”
“Hmm. Don’t think I love it, to be honest.”
“Oh, don’t be a fuddy-duddy. It’s for a good cause. The winner will get an evening with their bachelor, nothing scandalous.”
“Can’t you get Theo to do it?”
“He’ll be there too.”
I eyed her with skepticism. “Does he know that?”
“I haven’t had a chance to ask him yet, but I’m sure he will. Besides, I only have the two of you left. The Havens need to make a good showing.”
“This isn’t your newest way of trying to set me up with someone, is it? It’s actually a charity auction, and anyone who bids has the chance of winning?”
“Luke, if I wanted to set you up, I’d just do it. I wouldn’t go to all this trouble just to get you a date. Believe it or not, I have other interests besides the love lives of my nephews.”
I raised my eyebrows in disbelief.
She didn’t seem to notice. “Wonderful. I knew you’d agree. Thank you, honey.” She slipped her sunglasses back on and hurried for the door. “Ta-ta for now. I’ll be in touch with details.”
My mouth hung open as the door closed behind her. Agree? When had I agreed?
For a second, I thought about chasing her down. I didn’t want to be auctioned off for charity. Although she was right, the SPS was a good cause. They did a lot for our community.
I took a drink of coffee and headed back to the garage. It was probably easier to just let it happen. I’d have to make sure Theo agreed to go too. I would not be the only Haven brother on the chopping block.
In the meantime, I had too much work to do to worry about Aunt Louise’s shenanigans. Besides, she hadn’t tried to set me up on a date, so I had that going for me.