Chapter Seven #2
He whistled, getting Stewy’s attention. The kid lifted his head, smiled, and walked to Roark. “Hey, boss.” He looked down at what Roark held and grinned wider. “She’s in the far bay on the right. Man, is she fantastic! We’re lucky to have her on board. Been busier than ever.”
Roark chuckled. “Yeah, and I think she has something to do with that. Everybody’s curious about the new girl in town.”
“Ah, well, good for business. Keeping a steady pace all morning. She needs the break. Has yet to take one.”
Roark didn’t like to hear that. He didn’t want Charli running herself ragged.
Nodding to Stewy, he made his way to the last bay where an older pickup was up on a lift.
Charli stood beneath it, dressed in overalls, operating an impact gun.
She removed several bolts and brackets before lowering a rusted-out muffler.
When she turned and saw him, a wide smile formed.
Charli then looked down at his offerings and blew him a kiss.
“Be right with ya.” She chucked the metal into a bin and walked to him, removing her gloves and safety glasses.
“Hey, sexy.” Charli stood on her toes and gave him a kiss.
And when she started to pull away, Roark snaked his hand around her neck and pulled her back for a deeper kiss.
When he released her, she kept her eyes closed a few seconds longer and hummed.
“Hey,” he said, voice raspy. “I hear you could use a break.”
She chuckled. “I could, but it’ll have to be a quick one. As you can see, we’re swamped. I never would’ve guessed Harvey’s shop would be this busy.”
Roark laughed, causing Charli to stare curiously at him. “Darling, Harvey’s never this busy in a full week. They’re here to check out the newbie in town.”
“They are not.”
“Are too. The boys are just too polite to tell you that. And those customers had better be polite too. You have any concerns this morning?”
“Concerns? In what way?”
Roark nodded to the open bay door, and they walked outside to the back of the shop before he handed Charli the iced coffee. “I know you’ve only just returned, but anything unusual get your attention? Anything stand out in the way of odd vehicles, people, behavior?”
“No, can’t say anything’s got my attention.
But like you said, I’m new and have no clue who’s local or what vehicles travel around here regularly.
I’ve barely spoken to anyone but the guys.
I did have to explain to one gentleman the importance of not only changing his oil, but the filter as well.
” She shook her head. “It’s a wonder the damn truck was still running. ”
Roark chuckled and took a protein cookie out of the bag, handing it to her. He then pulled out one for himself.
“Thanks for this,” Charli said.
“My pleasure. I had no idea what to order, so this is Gemma’s recommendation.”
Charli took a sip and sighed. “Oh, hello, that’s good. I’ll have to thank Gemma.”
Roark smiled then had to get serious. “Listen, I don’t want to worry you, but I want you to be vigilant. I haven’t had a chance to talk to you about the Club’s businesses, but we’ve had some concerns over the last two months.”
“What concerns? Nothing serious, I hope.”
“Well, destroyed equipment and one of Glenda’s coffee stands getting burned to the ground for example. I’d say that’s serious.”
Charli’s eyes went round. “What the hell? Was anyone hurt?”
“No.” He shook his head. “And that’s a blessing.
We’re looking into the matters, trying to figure out who and why.
Don’t know if someone’s specifically targeting SoS or if it’s coincidental shit.
Just be careful, okay? You get an off feeling, listen to your gut.
You have questions about someone or something, ask.
Any of the guys will talk to you. I’ll be here at 5:00 sharp to follow you home, got it? ”
“Yes, sir. Or, yes, Sarg.” She grinned.
Roark couldn’t help but grin as well, but he wanted her to take this seriously. “I mean it, Charli, if you get a bad vibe from anyone, tell the guys then tell me tonight. I’m not taking any chances where you’re involved.”
“Well, I hardly think any of this involves me. I just returned to town three days ago.”
“Doesn’t matter. This is a small community, and as you can see, word travels. I expect these curious busy bodies won’t be as thick tomorrow. And you don’t work weekends, got it?”
“Got it.”
She went to kiss his cheek, but he turned, capturing her mouth. When Roark pulled away, her flushed face made him want to snatch her up and go have his way with her in the back of the SUV.
“I was going to have the Club SUV serviced but you’re busy enough. I’ll get it in another day. I better let you get back to it,” he said. “Otherwise, I’m liable to take you away right now and do dirty deeds.”
“Hmm, save that thought for tonight.” She winked. “Thank you again for this.” She saluted him with her drink. “I’ll see you at 5:00.”
Roark nodded then kissed her forehead before they returned to the shop. Leaving Charli in her bay, he walked back into the reception area to speak with Harvey. He’d just hung up the phone and waved at Roark to follow him into the small office up front.
“Tell me,” Harvey said after closing the door.
Roark detailed what happened to the equipment as well as the coffee stand.
“Christ almighty. What in the hell is wrong with people?”
“Hopefully, it won’t take long to figure it out. Also, there’s that newer model SUV that’s got me curious. Never seen it in town before, then I follow it up here, watch it cruise by, turn around and speed back south. Didn’t memorize the plate, so we can’t run it.”
“I’ll keep a watch for it. And I’ll keep an eye on Charli. That woman is something, isn’t she?”
Roark’s head turned toward the shop, even though he couldn’t see beyond the wall to see her. “She sure is.” He turned back to Harvey. “She’s everything to me now, Harv. I just got her back, and I don’t want a damn thing happening to her.”
“We won’t let it. You let me know if there’s anything else you need from me. I’m here.”
“Appreciate it. I’ll be back at 5:00.”
Harvey nodded and they said their goodbyes.
Roark made his way back to Hunt, driving to see his dad and mom.
When he got to where the coffee stand used to be, smoldering rubble greeted him as a fire team from Jerome’s Fire Department sifted through the debris.
His parents were standing about fifty yards away, speaking with a guy he presumed to be the insurance agent.
Roark parked near their pickup, stood outside, and checked in with Motley while he waited for them to finish.
When the agent drove away thirty minutes later, Owen and Glenda walked over.
“Looks to be a clear case of arson,” Owen started, “but the fire boys will do a bit more investigating and write up their report as well.”
“How’s Charli?” His mom asked.
Roark settled his arm around her shoulder and kissed the top of her head. “She’s good. Just saw her at the shop where nearly a dozen people are crowding Havery’s shop. Fu—freaking ridiculous when most aren’t even going to see or speak with her. I swear, small towns sometimes.”
His mom squeezed his side. “Yeah, but you wouldn’t live anywhere else, am I right?”
Roark chuckled. “You’re right.”
“Anything else going on?” Owen asked.
“Yeah, another piece of equipment was destroyed last night.” Roark gave a quick synopsis of what took place along with Griff’s line of thinking about sabotaging the farmers.
“Still means someone is targeting SoS too,” Glenda said. “They could’ve left the equipment alone and dealt directly with the fields. I swear, criminals are assholes.”
Roark and his father sputtered with laughter. “That they are, dear, that they are,” Owen said. “Nothing else to do here, so let’s go down to The Grill for some eats. Roark, care to join us?”
“Normally, I’d love to, but I’ll take a rain check. Charli and I will see you all Saturday.”
They said goodbye then Roark loaded up and headed for the yard where he’d meet Motley. They’d see if they could figure out what the hell was happening around here.