If only she could figure out who. “We’ve been over all the evidence in the drug bust, interviewed all the employees and anyone resembling a witness.” As he replaced the ladder on the hooks, she picked up the red box and led the way out to the front yard. Riley followed with the heavier bin full of lights. “And we’re no closer to unraveling who’s really behind it all.”
She opened the bins and pulled out the pictures she’d taken of last year’s display while he plugged in the work lights.
He peered over her shoulder at the pictures, looked back at her house and then laughed.
“It looks that bad to your expert eye?” she asked, annoyed just a little.
“Not at all,” he said, taking a step back. “I’ve just never seen anyone so—” he shrugged “—organized.”
“Your dad taught you to swing a hammer—mine taught me to plan and document.” His face clouded over, but before she could ask him anything, he motioned for the paper and pictures.
“You want the same setup?” He glanced from the pictures to the bins at their feet to the front of her house.
“It’s simple, but pretty. No one complains.” She’d thought the wreaths on the shutters had framed her Christmas tree in the front window rather nicely last year. And the lit evergreen garland around her front door tied it all together.
“All right. Give me an hour.”
“I don’t believe in double standards. We’re doing this together.” The teamwork wasn’t just about safety.
“Want me to wait while you change clothes?”
“I’ll just get my boots from the back door. Give me a second.”
As they worked, she discovered she liked the company of the new guy in town. Give him time, she bemoaned, and he’d learn to hate her, too. Irritated with her uncharacteristic self-pity, she pulled out the garland for the door and its extension cord. She plugged it in, confirmed the lights were working and then handed the garland to him. “You should be able to reach this without the ladder.”
He arched an eyebrow but followed her over and, as she’d said, centered the garland on the hook above the door frame. When it was positioned to his satisfaction, she plugged it in again and smiled. “Perfect.”
“Thanks.” He took a theater-worthy bow. “What’s next?”
“I’ll start lighting the shrubs if you hang the wreaths on the shutters.”
“Deal.”
Under the glare of the work lights they finished transforming her home in record time. He made a few little changes and she liked the improved overall effect. “You are good at this,” she said as he packed up the work lights.
“I’ve had plenty of practice these past few days.”
She stacked the empty bins together and returned them to the garage.
“I drove down Main Street this afternoon,” she said when she found him waiting for her in the driveway. “It looks amazing, a step up from last year.”
“That’s what the boss asked for. I bet it’s even prettier when it’s lit up at night,” he said. “Want to go for a drive?”
She did. Desperately. The intensity scared her. “Aren’t you tired of Christmas lights and holiday displays by now?”
“Aren’t you tired of police work?”
“A little,” she confessed, startling a laugh out of both of them.
“Take a drive with me. I’ll buy you a drink.”
“Didn’t you offer to fix me dinner?”
He unhooked his tool belt and stowed it in the truck. “Maybe I’ll let a professional handle it tonight. I wouldn’t want to overwhelm you with all my talents at once.”
“You’re a terrible flirt.”
“So I’ve been told.” He winked, opening the passenger door of his truck for her.
“No, I mean you’re really bad at it.”
“You want me to up my game?”
Yes. No. Uncertain, she pulled the door shut. When he slid into the driver’s seat she said, “I don’t want any games. I want you to be yourself.”
“Easy enough.” He stared at her for a moment that went on and on and she realized she was holding her breath. “What you see is what you get, Abby.”
How did he do that? How did he make her feel so wanted and alive with just a few words? She tried to analyze it, to view him as she might a suspect, searching for motive, but she couldn’t quite pin him down. His body language screamed sincere interest, she knew that much. And yet he was utterly unflappable about the attraction sparking between them.
“I heard you had an inside tip on the shipment,” he asked as they left the serenity of their street behind.