He extracted two twenties and slid them across the counter along with a credit card. “The cash is for the cookies. You can put the rest on the card.”
“Are you sure? This is a lot of money for a few cookies.”
He shrugged. “I’ve got a soft spot for strays.”
Her eyes softened, and he would have gladly given her everything in his wallet if it would keep her looking at him like that.
“Kate,” a woman said, emerging from the back with a roll of tickets in her hand. “Dad said to put these—well, hello there.”
Just that quickly, Kate’s pretty blue eyes shuttered, and she started ringing up his purchases. Wondering what—or rather, who—was responsible for the sudden change, he looked down into the face of the very attractive, petite brunette who had spoken.
“Hello,” he replied out of courtesy and then looked immediately back to Kate, who now seemed determined not to look at him.
“Kate, aren’t you going to introduce us?” the newcomer asked.
Because he was watching Kate so closely, he saw her eyes close for a moment and her back expand and contract as she took a deep breath. When she turned back to him, she was smiling again, but this time, it didn’t quite reach her eyes.
“Kylie, this is ...” Kate hesitated.
“Brian. Brian Sheppard.”
“Nice to meet you, Brian,” the younger woman said, moving closer. “I’m Kylie, Kate’s sister.”
He nodded in acknowledgment and turned back to Kate. “Thanks for the rock salt and for the cookies.”
Her eyes brightened again. “You’re very welcome.”
Mad Dog turned to go, and the sister, Kylie, stopped him with a hand on his arm.
“Since you’re in a giving mood, maybe you’d like to buy some tickets to tonight’s spaghetti dinner at the fire hall? Ten bucks a ticket, all you can eat. And I’ll bet you can eat a lot, can’t you?” Her hand moved up to his bicep and squeezed. “Wow.”
“Kylie,” Kate warned in a low growl. The sound skittered happily through his chest.
Kylie dropped her hand. “Kate’s cooking, you know. If you think her brownies are good, you should try her meatballs.”
“In that case, I’ll take two tickets.”
Kylie smiled triumphantly, and then a horn sounded out front, drawing her attention. “Oh, there’s Chad. I have to run. Later!”
She scampered off, leaving him at the counter with an embarrassed-looking Kate.
“I’m sorry about that,” she said. “My sister’s ... well, she’s ...”
He laughed. “No explanation necessary.”
“You don’t have to buy tickets, you know.”
“I know. I don’t mind donating to a good cause. I won’t be able to make the dinner though, so maybe you can give them to someone who can?”
“Sure, I can do that.”
“Thanks.” He slid another twenty on the counter.
“Do you want help getting the salt to your truck?”
His eyes flicked to the storefront window where he could see Smoke approaching. “We’ve got it covered, thanks. Just head around back?”
She nodded and handed him the receipt. “Anything else I can set aside for your next visit, Mr. Sheppard?”
“Most people call me Mad Dog.” He winced as soon as the words were out of his mouth.
Rather than be put off, however, she grinned. “I bet that’s a story.”
“See you soon, Kate. And as for setting something aside? Surprise me.”
“You’re on.”
Mad Dog once again left the shop, feeling lighter than he had all week.
Chapter Six
Kate
“Where’s your guard dog today?”
Kate looked up from restocking the shelves to find Luther smiling at her. He appeared freshly showered, the scruff on his jaw somehow managing to look as perfect as the rest of him.
Scruff on a man shouldn’t look that perfect, as if it had been Photoshopped on there.
She wondered how long ago he’d had to shave to achieve the effect. Knowing him, he had the timing down to an exact science.
“Out and about,” she answered.
“Are you ready?”
“Ready for what?”
“To head over to the fire hall. Spaghetti dinner, remember?”
She had forgotten. Admittedly, her mind had been in somewhat of a fog since Brian Sheppard—aka Mad Dog—left a few hours earlier. She alternated between theorizing how he’d gotten the nickname and marveling over the fact that he’d all but ignored Kylie’s not-so-subtle flirting. That had been unexpected. Most men tended to forget Kate was around when Kylie set her sights on them.
It wasn’t that Kate had poor self-esteem; she was quite comfortable with herself. Kylie was just that gorgeous. In physical appearance alone, she and Luther would make the perfect couple. They were similarly self-absorbed as well. Still, Kate hoped that didn’t happen. Kylie was a spoiled brat and a pain in the ass, but she deserved better than a serial cheater like Luther.
Speaking of Kylie, Kate glanced at the clock on the wall. One thirty. Kylie was supposed to have been back at noon to take over the register so that Kate could take care of a few things and be over at the fire hall by two. She’d thought an hour-and-a-half cushion was enough, but obviously, she’d been wrong.
“I can’t leave. Kylie’s not here yet.”
“Yes, you can,” her father said, joining them. “I’ve got this. Luther’s going to head over with you.” He beamed at Luther as if he were the prodigal son.
“Why?”
Her dad’s gaze shifted to the new display. Luther’s smile was both innocent and calculating. Collusion was clearly afoot.
“Dad, can I talk to you for a minute? Privately?”
“Sure, Katy-belle.” He smiled, but the look in his eyes suggested he’d rather do anything but. He gave Luther a manly slap on the back and shepherded her toward the door.
“What are you up to, Dad?”
“Me? Nothing.”
Unlike Luther, her father was not an accomplished liar. He stuffed his hands in his pockets and refused to look Kate in the eye.
She crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes at him. “Dad.”
He took a deep breath. “I’m worried, okay?”
“Worried?” she asked, confused. “About what?”
“Kylie told your mother that one of the Sanctuary guys has been sniffing around.”
“Sniffing around?” She laughed. “Dad, he bought rock salt, just like half the people in town.”
“She also said he bought a couple of tickets to the dinner tonight.”
“It’s for a good cause. So?”
“So ... I’d feel better if someone I trusted was around, just in case there’s any trouble.”
Kate blinked. “What kind of trouble?”
Her father shifted his weight, looking uncomfortable. “Look, honey, Matt Winston’s father and I were friends; you know that.”
She nodded.
“And I think what his boy is doing up there is a good thing in theory, but some of the things I’m hearing have me concerned.”