Page 99 of Hero Mine

Bear watched him as he walked away. The man was well-spoken. Didn’t seem like the type that would be stealing junk.

“You looked quite intimidating just now.” Lincoln appeared beside him, his gaze sharp. “The man you were talking to seemed uncomfortable.”

“That was the idea.” Bear turned to his cousin. “I wanted to try to get a read on whether he was the one behind the petty thefts happening around town, but I don’t think he is.”

Lincoln’s direct gaze rarely wavered. “The pattern is peculiar.”

“Exactly. Nothing valuable, but seems like very specific items.” Bear lowered his voice. “A ladder from Joy’s storage garage this morning. Some chains last week. Wood pallets from behind Hartley’s. Old tires, metal pipes, broken umbrellas, rope from the hardware store’s dumpster.”

Lincoln’s head tilted slightly. “What about the crates from behind the Eagle’s Nest?”

“Those too. And some plastic barrels from the recycling center.” Bear ran a hand through his hair. “Who steals this sort of junk? And why?”

Lincoln’s eyes narrowed, his gaze turning inward in that way it did when his mind was making connections others couldn’t see. “The items are all of substantial size. Structural, even.”

“What do you mean?”

“They could all be repurposed. Used to construct something.” Lincoln’s fingers tapped against his thigh—a self-soothing gesture he’d had since childhood. “The ladder, barrels, and tires, especially.”

Bear’s brow furrowed. “Construct what?”

Lincoln abruptly turned away, already walking toward the edge of the square without another word.

“Lincoln?” Bear called after him. “Construct what?”

But his cousin was gone, moving with singular purpose toward whatever conclusion he’d reached in that brilliant mind of his.

Bear shook his head, familiar with Lincoln’s abrupt departures when his brain latched on to something important. Linc would circle back eventually, usually with an answer that made perfect sense in hindsight.

Turning back toward the food truck, Bear felt some of his tension ease at the sight of Joy’s face in the service window. She caught his eye and smiled—a private, warm expression that made his chest tighten in the best possible way.

Whatever was happening with these thefts, they’d figure it out. Together, as partners. No more secrets, no more hiding vulnerabilities. Just trust, built day by day.

For now, though, he’d focus on this moment—Joy’s triumph, the community’s support, the foundation they were building together.

Nancy Drew-ing could wait.

* * *

“I still can’t believe it.” Joy closed the refrigerator with a satisfied sigh, her cheeks still flushed with excitement. She hadn’t stopped smiling since they’d sold out an hour before their planned closing time. “Did you see Mrs. Peterson’s face when she tried the lavender French toast? And Mr. Garcia ordered three—three—of the savory breakfast sandwiches!”

Bear leaned against the counter he’d just wiped down, content to watch her animated movements as she continued to flit around the small space, adjusting things that didn’t need adjusting, too wired to be still. They were back at the garage, and she hadn’t stopped glowing or talking since the moment they’d parked the truck and started cleaning everything.

“Callum said the station wants to place a standing weekly order,” she continued. “And at least four people asked if I’d cater a brunch party.” She laughed, shaking her head. “One day of operation and I’ve already got catering requests!”

“Told you people would love it.”

“I know, but there’s a difference between believing something might work and seeing it actually happen.” She grabbed a notepad and began scribbling. “I’m thinking the strawberry compote needs to be a permanent item. And the chai-spiced cinnamon rolls were a hit. But the avocado toast was just so-so, and honestly, I’m not sure the maple bacon donut?—”

He closed the distance between them in two steps, gently taking the pen from her hand and setting it down. “Joy,” he murmured, circling her waist with his arms.

She blinked up at him. “What?”

“You’re incredible.”

Her cheeks darkened, but her smile didn’t falter. “I’m just excited.”

“I can tell.” He brushed his thumb across the smudge of flour still clinging to her jawline. “It’s good to see you like this. Really good.”

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