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       CHAPTER FIVE

      BRETT RETURNED HIS focus to the only places it should be: work and family. He spent long hours on other people’s property, tiring himself out physically so that the only energy he had left was to grab take-out for dinner before heading to the remote cabin where he was living on the family property.

      Though there was plenty of gourmet fare to be had in Blue Arrow Lake, he was grateful for the invitation to have a home-cooked meal with his siblings and their significant others at Poppy and Ryan’s place a few days later. He arrived with a stack of fresh clothes and used one of the guest bathrooms at the expansive estate to clean up before joining the rest in the huge kitchen. Ryan handed him a beer and Poppy slid a plate of appetizers his way. He only took time to greet Mason, Poppy’s son, and then he chugged half the beer and ate a handful of crackers and cheese.

      “Good,” he said around his last bite. “Thanks.”

      In a more mellow mood than he’d been in of late, he settled onto his stool at the granite island and listened to the family chatter. Mason was sharing something about the classroom hamster. London, Jace’s teenage daughter, commented—kindly—without looking up from texting on her phone.

      “Kid,” Brett called, waving to get her attention.

      She glanced at him, her expression open, her face devoid of the heavy black makeup she’d worn when she’d first arrived months back. “Yes?”

      “High school going okay?”

      “High school’s going great. I’m on the homecoming committee and the yearbook staff, and my chemistry teacher wants me to wash the beakers and stuff during my free period. I’ll even get paid.”

      “Yeah? Proud of you.” Then he injected pitiful into his expression. “Too busy to help out with my files every once in a while?”

      Her brows came together and her voice took on a scolding tone. “Uncle Brett.”

      He loved that she called him that, he’d admit it. She was a great kid and that she feel comfortable in the family was a goal of every Walker. “I know, I know,” he said, hanging his head.

      “You’ve let the paperwork get away from you again, haven’t you?”

      He thought of the sheets swirling in the wind and Angelica and he racing around to retrieve them. Her pink cheeks, upturned ass, cold hands. His very basic urge to warm her in every way possible. “You can say that again.”

      London sighed. “I’ll see what I can do,” she said, returning her attention to her cell, “my next free Saturday morning.”

      “Thank you,” he said humbly. “I sure appreciate it.”

      His sister Mac dropped onto the stool beside his and spoke into his ear. “You big con.”

      “I don’t know what you mean,” he said, all innocence.

      “Making London feel sorry for you. She’s not onto you yet, but any minute now...”

      “Shh,” Brett said. “I’m milking it for as long as I can. And it’s true I need her help. You know how lousy I am with the invoices and billing.”

      Mac shook her head. “Anyway...you hear the news?”

      “Uh...” He’d been avoiding all media, not wanting to get sucked into any drama involving the duplicitous Ralph Rodriguez. “No. And I’m liking keeping my head clear of such stuff, thank you very much.”

      “There was another break-in.”

      The relief that she wasn’t talking about anything Angelica related was short-lived as the new information sunk in. He groaned. “I don’t like this.”

      Poppy nodded. “Me neither. I’m worried about you out at the cabins by yourself when there’s criminal activity going on in the area.”

      Ryan slid his arm around her shoulders and kissed the top of her head. “Sweetheart, your brother could scare the crap out of a grizzly bear if he had a mind to.”

      Brett appreciated the vote of confidence, but all he said was, “Hmm.” Then he tapped his chin. “Should we abandon the property again then, Pop?”

      “No,” she said quickly. After a second her eyes narrowed. “You’re teasing.”

      The idea of refurbishing the cabins at the abandoned property and turning them into a revenue stream for the Walker family was her baby. Somehow, though legend said the land was cursed, the siblings had been persuaded to get behind the idea. After a fire in the most secluded cabin in the woods occurred a few months back, Brett had even moved into another of the bungalows, partly as security and partly to make it more convenient for him to do his share working on the buildings in his—admittedly limited—free time.

      “I’m teasing,” he admitted.

      Jace strolled up, beer in hand. “Sorry I haven’t been much use out there recently.”

      “Hey, I understand,” Brett said. “You’ve got to get your home base established here.” Glancing over at London, he wagged a thumb in her direction. “Somebody else seems to be getting established just fine.”

      The other man smiled at his daughter. “I’m a lucky guy.” He reached over to snag Shay’s hand and draw her to his side. “Even mountain fires have been blessings for me.”

      “When the days get shorter, I’ll be able to work on the interiors of the cabins in the evening,” Brett said. “You and Shay have most of the exterior repairs done, so we’re ready for harsher weather.”

      “I just wish we knew what was going on with the break-ins,” Mac said.

      They all nodded. Poppy looked worried again. “I don’t know that I like you cleaning houses alone, Mac.”

      “She could scare a grizzly, too,” Brett said, elbowing her ribs. “Look at that mean face she makes.”

      “I’m serious,” Poppy said. “You should have a partner.”

      “I do need some help,” Mac conceded. “Haven’t found the right candidate yet.”

      “I can do Tuesdays and Thursdays,” Poppy offered.

      Ryan opened his mouth, then closed it. Smart man, Brett decided. Poppy, as Ryan’s wife, didn’t need to lift a finger. But that wasn’t the Walker way. They came from hard-working people.

      “I’ll meet you at the Maids by Mac office Tuesday at 8:00 a.m.”

      Brett took another swig of his beer, unwinding a crucial bit more at the idea that the two sisters would be working together.

      “Speaking of the office reminds me of other news,” Mac started. “Angelica Rodriguez.”

      Shay straightened. “You know Angelica?”

      Mac slid a gaze at Brett. “She came by the business. Seems she knows our big bro.”

      “Mmm.” Shay had a speculative gleam in her eye. “He doesn’t like her.”

      “She’s all right,” Brett heard himself say in a defensive tone.

      His youngest sister stared. “Oh, really? That’s a change of tune.”

      “Who