Page 25 of Haystacks and Hoaxes

“Please?” Of the two of them, Gage was the only one who was a trained investigator. However, Rock’s gut told him he was on to something.

“Already working on it.” Gage’s voice was dry. “Pat’s behavior didn’t set well with Johnny, either. He thought it was a little too convenient that the guy begged off calling the police, then immediately went on vacation.”

“Appreciate you guys for looking into it.” Rock would’ve preferred to examine the crime scene himself. However, he understood Deck’s reasoning for giving him and Mila a different assignment. She was too close to the case, which could cloud her judgment.

Gage gave the air a suspicious sniff. “Is it my imagination, or did you go a little heavy on the aftershave this morning?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Rock didn’t crack so much as a smile as he moved to the beverage station to grab a plastic lid for his cardboard cup. Since the coffee was piping hot, he added a coffee straw for the road.

“Sure, you don’t.” Not sounding convinced, Gage eyed him over the top of his own cup of coffee. “I feel obligated as an older brother to remind you to be careful.”

“Wasn’t born yesterday,” Rock grumbled. Mila reported to him. He had no intention of treating her with anything less than the respect she deserved. He grabbed his duffle bag and headed for the door.

“No, but you’ve spent your entire career in the Special Forces.” Gage straightened. “You haven’t worked with many women on the job. Trust me. It’s a whole different game.”

Rock paused at the door without turning around. “If you’ve got something to get off your chest, you may as well do it.” Not only were they brothers, they currently lived under the same roof, making honesty between them all the more important.

“Oh, come on! I saw how you looked at her, bro.”

Ouch!He’d have to be more careful today.

“And how she looked at you.”

Rock’s shoulders tensed. “That’s not funny.” Or possible. He was a broken-down soldier with an injury that had cut his first choice of careers short and had all but ended his social life. A guy with a limp like his didn’t get invited to many basketball scrimmages, hikes, and what not.

“That’s why I’m not laughing.” His brother’s voice was flat.

“She and I only met yesterday.”

“I know.”

“I’m also her supervisor,” he twisted the door handle, “and her brother is my supervisor.”

“I am aware. Still asking you to be careful. That’s all.”

“Fine. I’ll be careful.” Hating the fact that his brother’s warning was fully justified, Rock pushed open the door and stepped outside. Though Gage kept offering to let him park in the garage, Rock had insisted on parking out front. Every time he defrosted the windshield of the classic Chevy pickup he’d bought second hand, it served as a reminder that living with his brother was a temporary arrangement. He didn’t want to get too comfortable there and wear out his welcome.

Like Johnny Cuba.

As Rock climbed behind the wheel of his truck, Gage’s partner gunned his way up the driveway, kicking up dust and gravel. Rock gritted his teeth and waited for the black Jeep to skid to a halt behind him.

While the dust was settling, Johnny hopped to the ground and jogged his way.

Guess I should’ve driven off quicker.Rock waited until the guy rapped on the window with the backs of his knuckles before rolling it down for him. “What’s up?”

Johnny smirked. “Got an awkward question. Not sure if it’s something I should even bring up.”

Rock’s heart sank. He already knew what was coming. “That’s never stopped you before.” From his angle, Johnny was the king of awkward, poor timing, and everything in between.

“True.” Johnny adjusted the brim of his Stetson, glancing away as he spoke. “So, um…I was thinking of inviting Mila over for Christmas.”

Rock’s eyebrows rose. “I thought you were hanging out with me and Gage for Christmas.”

“Still am.” Johnny’s dark gaze skittered his way again. “Just wanted to make sure it was okay if Mila joined us.”

Resentment spurted through Rock. The thought of having to watch the guy flirt with Mila rubbed him every way but the right way. So did his insistence on worming his way into their lives like he was family.

“Never mind. Bad idea. I won’t ask her,” Johnny declared in a rush. “It’s not like it’s my house.”

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