Return of the Maverick. Sue MacKay
voice is very distinctive.’ Her face coloured as she stepped back, holding the door wide. ‘Anyway, the lock is broken.’
His voice distinctive? How? ‘I’ll take a look at it.’
‘Thanks. I’ve already looked around outside. No one was hiding behind the shrubs.’
‘You did what?’ His heart stuttered. ‘What if your burglar had been out there? You could’ve been attacked.’
‘I’ll have you know I’m very well trained in self-defence.’ But there was a sheepish look in those startlingly blue eyes.
‘I’m sure you are.’ But he didn’t like the idea someone might’ve hurt her. Even more, he didn’t like it that he cared a lot about what happened to her. He stepped inside and pushed the door closed behind him, leaning back against it. Why her sheepish look?
‘Come through. Did you ask David if he’d seen anyone hanging around?’ She shrugged at him as though she didn’t care if he followed her or not.
Brad didn’t believe that nonchalance. It sounded forced. His estimation of her rose higher. She was one brave woman. He placed his hand on her shoulder, forcing her to turn around and meet his gaze full on. A hint of worry lurked in the deep blue shadows. ‘Want me to take a look through your house?’
The cat tensed in her arms, and Erin ran a soothing hand down its back. ‘I already did. The drawers in the kitchen dresser and my bedroom have been rifled but nothing else seems to have been touched.’
‘Then you’re fortunate.’ Relief swamped him. At least she was safe. He dropped his hand, but not before her heat radiated up his arm, sending jolts of yearning through his body.
‘I guess, but it does annoy me, someone breaking in. Whoever it was took a few dollars but that seems to be all.’ Her tongue slid across her bottom lip.
Brad dragged a hand over his head, trying to ignore her sweet mouth and the need to kiss it brought on by her action. Stepping back, he bumped up against the door again. ‘I’ll see what’s needed to repair your door.’
‘I’ve got some tools in the garage if you require them. Help yourself.’
‘Maybe you should call the police.’
Erin told him, ‘My neighbour’s a cop but he’s not home yet. I’ll call the watch house later.’
‘Okay.’ Brad left her and went to poke around in her minimal tool collection for a hammer and nails. ‘This’ll help secure the door for now but tomorrow I’ll get a new lock and install it,’ he told her as he passed the kitchen again.
‘Thank you, but that won’t be necessary. I’ll phone the locksmith in the morning.’
He had a sudden suspicion. ‘Any idea what time this happened?’
She shook her head, sending her shiny black hair swirling around her shoulders. ‘I only got home a few minutes ago.’
‘Cain and Tony.’ He’d bet his Harley on them being the culprits.
‘Who?’
‘The two boys from this morning. I had them come around and meet David before they mow his lawns next weekend. I’m trying to teach them that they have to earn money for the things they want in life. Which I think you mentioned to them quite forcefully.’ It had been her comments that had made him think about ways to help the boys.
‘There’s quite a leap from walking off with an abandoned bike to being guilty of breaking and entering.’ Amusement lit up her eyes.
‘You might be right.’ But the more he thought about it the more certain he was he’d found the culprits. ‘Will you give me a chance to talk to them before you talk to the cops?’
She folded her arms under her breasts. His mouth dried, and he had to struggle to hear her through the pounding in his ears.
‘How long have you known those boys?’
‘Since this morning.’ Most of my life. They are me at that age. ‘I’ve found out about their backgrounds. Not good. I’d like to help them if I can.’ Like David and Mary did for me.
Her gaze was disconcerting. As was her next question. ‘You sure you know what you’re doing?’
‘Yes.’ He wouldn’t plead for her to understand him. Neither would he divulge his history, if she didn’t already know it, in order to win some slack for the boys. She had to accept his opinion.
‘Okay.’
‘That’s it? No conditions? No questions? You’ll let me talk to them first?’ She’d surprised him. Deflated him, really. He sucked a breath, added belatedly, ‘Thanks.’
She nodded. ‘I’ll make some coffee while you’re fixing that door.’
‘I’d prefer a beer.’ Brad slipped into the laundry and tackled the broken lock.
Either the kettle was slow or he was fast because soon he was standing in her kitchen, watching her put her groceries away. The cat strolled across and used his boots to sharpen its claws. Unperturbed, he hunkered down and rubbed the back of its neck with his forefinger. ‘What’s the moggy’s name?’
‘Lucky. Lucky I found her at the SPCA.’
‘So you’re into looking out for strays, too.’ Cats. Boys. They all needed love and understanding.
Looking up at Erin, his chest tightened. Her gaze was fixed on his finger stroking the cat. A light flush coloured her cheeks, sending his imagination running riot. It wasn’t hard to envisage caressing her skin. Hell, it seemed they only had to be together for a few moments and the fireworks started.
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