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The Hunk Next Door(26)

By:Debra Webb & Regan Black


“Peg and Danny helped. Plus a few of the kids after the school bus dropped them off. It was a team effort.”

Danny wasn’t much more than a kid himself, so that made sense. “Peg?” Abby felt her jaw drop. “You’re kidding.” After the deep freeze she’d given Abby today, she was surprised the woman came anywhere near here. But, then, Calder was her friend, too.

“Not at all,” Riley assured her. “Peg came over to take a look at the kitchen and talk flooring. She did all the gas lamps. I think she got a kick out of pitching in.”

“Peg,” Abby repeated dumbly. It seemed impossible that the woman had decorated anywhere near Abby’s house rather than pummel it with eggs. “You’re like the Pied Piper,” Abby said with a shake of her head, “the way you get people to cooperate.”

“The nuns said Tom Sawyer, but it’s about the same, I guess.” He gave another careless hitch of his shoulder.

“Nuns?” Now she was really confused.

His gaze shifted to Calder’s place and back to her. “My teachers. Irish parents, remember? Catholic school’s practically a requirement. Our school did a lot of community outreach like repair work and local theater. We learned early that jobs were easier when more people got involved.”

“Well, it doesn’t matter what they said then, I’m grateful to you now. It looks beautiful.”

“I thought the street could use a mood lifter.”

“You thought right.”

He walked over and held up a shiny brass key. “Your lock is repaired and the new snow shovel is right inside the door.”

“Thanks,” she said, pulling out her key ring. Anything to keep her from gawking at the man making such a positive impact around her town. All evidence pointed to him as an asset, one of the good guys, but she couldn’t help wondering if she was being a fool to trust him so easily.

He tucked his hands into his pockets. “Any leads?”

“On which case?”

He shrugged. “Any or all of them.”

“No leads on anything. At this point, I’m lucky I still have a job.”

“It’s not your fault Belclare is under siege.”

She shook her head, tired of making zip for progress. “Under siege feels about right.” Abby indulged in a heartfelt sigh. “Unfortunately.”

As she’d gone through her day, his words had been in the back of her mind. Who would gain the most if she was gone or if she even backed down? There was no clear answer, but she knew he was right. The question had her considering almost everyone in town as a threat again. A position that danced on the edge of paranoia.

“How’s Calder?”

She turned, feeling her lips curve in a relieved smile. “Healing quickly enough to give the nursing staff a hard time.” She pulled out her phone to take a picture of his house. “He’ll be thrilled when he sees this.”

“Peg already did that,” Riley said.

“Oh.” She lowered her phone, feeling silly. “Of course she did.”

“I’m sure he wouldn’t mind another one. All lit up at night it’s even better.”

“True.” She snapped the picture and sent it to Calder. “Well, I’d better get busy with my own yard or I’ll get the Grinch award.”

“Seriously? They give those out?”

“Well, it’s not an official thing.” She raised her arms wide, indicating the whole block. “But it’s real enough and I’m obviously way behind. When you live in Belclare, holiday spirit is kind of required.”

“Let me help.”

She waved an arm, indicating the entire block. “You’ve done plenty.”

He looked at her house, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “You’ll need a ladder.”

She clenched her teeth against the memory of last night. “There are other options.” She could just string lights over the bushes and around the doorway. A couple wreaths on the shutters would help. It wouldn’t be an award-winning display, but it would be enough. Maybe she’d pick up an inflatable ornament this year.

“I don’t think so. Whatever you have planned, you’re not working out here alone. Come with me.”

She automatically fell into step behind him, before she caught herself. “Wait. Who made you boss of the evening?”

When he turned, his mouth was twitching. “Which one of us is current on holiday decorating skills?”

“I have plenty of experience.”

“Great. Tell me what you want done and where the decorations are stored and I’ll do it for you. Even my boss says I’m the fastest guy on the team this year.”