CASE FOR THE TOY MAKER, A by HAVENS CANDACE

Author:HAVENS, CANDACE [HAVENS, CANDACE]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781952560859
Publisher: Tule Publishing
Published: 2020-10-26T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

“What are you doing here?” I asked, as Jake and his men circled the campfire. They were decked out in their full suits and held axes.

“We had a report of a fire here,” he said. His voice was gruff and no-nonsense. “Someone drove by and saw the campfire, which isn’t allowed in Sweet River’s city limits. It’s why we have the camp just outside of town.”

Rick moved forward. “Technically, we haven’t done anything wrong. The fire is in a self-contained pit, which is allowed. I double-checked the rules before we set up here.”

Jake wasn’t looking at Rick; his eyes were on me. What was he thinking? This was awkward. I’d say my brother had told him to check up on me, but I hadn’t said anything to Greg about tonight.

“The person who called it in must have been mistaken about what they saw.” He still hadn’t taken his eyes off me.

“Well, I certainly don’t mind you all stopping by,” Anika said. “Big, strong firemen. This night just got a whole lot more fun.”

There was some tense laughter.

“Uh. I made a lot of dessert, and there’s plenty to go around, if you guys would like some,” Anika said. “It’s blueberry cobbler.”

There was a long pause as Jake’s guys looked to him. They never turned down food. Ever. They were always hungry.

“We wouldn’t want to interrupt,” Jake said, finally tearing his eyes away. He focused on Anika.

“Nah. We were just hanging out,” Rob said. “Do you guys know Ainsley? She owns that great shop on Main Street.”

The firemen chuckled.

“He’s one of my brother’s best friends,” I said.

Rob glanced from me to Jake, and then back to me. “Huh. Okay great.”

“Where’s George?” Jake asked me.

“With Shannon and Mike. We’d originally planned to go to Dooley’s but he shut down for a family emergency.”

His focus moved from me to Rob again, and then back. “His sister is having twins. The whole family went down to Houston to wait it out at the hospital.”

“Oh. I had no idea he was going to be an uncle. He’ll be a great one.”

Dooley was a motorcycle dude who turned home cooking into an art. Which was why many articles and television specials had been made featuring him. While he looked like the gruffest dude on the planet, he was the opposite of that. He just liked to feed people and had a good time with everyone who walked through his door.

Jake’s eyebrow went up. Again.

I give up. I had no idea what was happening.

Introductions were made, and then everyone stood around and ate cobbler.

No that wasn’t awkward at all. Especially when Jake and Rob started talking about video games like they were best buds.

Ugh.

“I’m going to head out,” I whispered to Rob. “I have to teach at the university tomorrow.”

He turned away from Jake. “Wait, you still teach?”

“I do. A popular fiction class. It’s our last review before finals. I should get going.”

“Let me walk you to your car.”

“I’ll do it,” Jake said at the same time.

“It’s okay.

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