Page 8 of The Bad Boy's Homecoming
“Yikes, you want me to tell them they failed?”
“No, but I’ll let you buy me a coffee after I tell them.They’ve each got about two more minutes to show me just how out of shape and inept they are.”
“Sounds great.In the meantime why don’t you tell me why you let a random freeloader move into Gran’s house?”
“What freeloader?Because unless Gran has a new boyfriend, last I checked it’s just her and Missy Shaw living there.”
“Exactly, are you too sheltered in this town to know trouble when you see her?”
Wesley eyed him again.“No, I can recognize it just fine.Missy is a kind young woman.Her cousin Declan Shaw, our family attorney, was just one of her references.She arrived back in town in time when Dalton and I were looking for someone to keep an eye on Gran after she had a bad fall.All of which you would know if you returned even one of my phone calls in the last year.”
“I heard your messages, and I sent that big check to pay for the back taxes on the pier.I speak to Gran almost every month and she never mentioned a live-in helper, just that Dalton fell for her tricks, and she got him to stay.So like I said, what’s the freeloader’s story?Or maybe you were hoping to ingratiate yourself with the beautiful young woman?Give her a reason to stay close?”
Wesley sighed.“Alright, leave the dummy there and y’all get some water.I’ll be right over.”Then to Levi he said, “Don’t mess with Missy.She’s a nice girl who’s had a tough time.We don’t need you making waves.She’s good for Gran.”
“What’s that mean?”Levi asked, but Wesley walked away to talk to the recruits.
Ten minutes later they were walking into May’s coffee shop and Levi felt eyes on them in the crowded secret-garden-themed coffee stand.
“Well look at the stray dog that found his way home this week,” May Garcia called out as she came from around the counter and threw herself into Levi’s arms for a hug.“Damn, what a nice surprise.”
Levi couldn’t help but enjoy May’s boisterous welcome.
“Alright, May, enough fangirling him—he’s already cocky enough.This is only feeding his huge ego.”
Levi set her back down on her feet.“I disagree, maybe next time you could get the high school band to serenade me as I walk around town for at least the first few days.”
May laughed and grabbed a few empty mugs off a table before heading back behind the counter.
“Wow all three Hart boys in town at the same time.Single and hot.Are we going out tonight?I can’t wait to watch the show,” May said as she worked the espresso machine.
Levi laughed but then noticed a pile of curly hair shaking in the corner as Missy grabbed her green, foamy beverage and stood to leave.But when she picked up her paint bag there was yellow goo spreading from her bag.And in two big strides he stood in front of her as she struggled with how to clean the mess.
“If you hadn’t been so stubborn earlier, I could have replaced that when it broke.”
Before she could respond, Wesley appeared like a knight in shining armor with a stack of napkins.
Missy’s cheeks were flushed pink, and a curl fell over her eyes.
“Thanks, Wesley, but I’m going to need more than a stack of napkins.This paint has probably already stained the table.”
May appeared.“Sheriff, don’t you touch that paint.If I can get a Missy Shaw original, I’ll gladly take it.Just make sure you sign it.”
Missy looked at May.“What?”
“Paint it, in fact, could I commission you to paint all the table tops?Or is that tacky?You’re a famous artist, maybe you don’t want your art on my second-hand tables?”
“You want me to paint your tables?”
“Yes, if you don’t mind.I’ll pay you.”
Missy stood with her eyes open wide and rosy red cheeks, but looked like she was trying to think of a good reason why May’s idea was bad.Levi was struck with how surprised she was that someone would see her spilled paint as an opportunity.
“Might be a nice way to leave your mark on Sandy Point,” Wesley said with encouragement.
And he was surprised how annoyed he was by everyone fawning over the beautiful woman, who didn’t seem to trust her own talent, or anyone else.
“I guess I do owe you a new table top,” Missy said looking around.“If I take this table out back I can make something of this mess and then grab some sealant over at the hardware store.We’ll want a nice wipeable finish.”
