He went in search of Hailey and spotted her outside the tavern’s front door talking to Shane, who spun his hat in his hands. Unlike last time when the deputy had had his hands all over her, he stood at a respectable distance, head bowed and nodding, expression solemn, as if listening to something important. Hailey talked beside him, arms folded over her chest. Occasionally, she threw out her good hand as if making a point.
Noah ate up the distance to the front door, doing his best to act casual as he planted himself between them.
Shane gave him a chin lift and turned back to Hailey. “It does sound fishy, but I can’t see Montrose law enforcement—anylaw enforcement agency—putting resources toward tracking down a missing bag of dead mice. I’m sorry, Hailey.”
Hailey sighed. “I was afraid of that. Well, thanks for hearing me out anyway.”
Shane gave her a goofy grin. “My pleasure.” He opened his mouth as if to add something else, his gaze ricocheting between her and Noah.
Noah thought he recognized the signs of a man working up the nerve to ask an attractive woman out, so he decided to help the deputy along. He threw his arm around Hailey’s shoulders and pulled her tight to his side. “Are you cold, sweetheart?” He dropped a kiss on her temple for good measure.
Shane’s eyes widened.
Yeah, that’s right, Deputy O’Brien. She’s with me.
Hailey tilted her head and smirked at Noah. Yeah, she was on to him, though she remained fused to his side.
Shane pointed between them with his hat. “You two are … When did … Are you two seeing each other?”
Why, yes, we are. We’re seeing each other dressed, half-dressed, and buck naked. Mostly that last one. We’re seeing each other up close andverypersonal.“Yep.” Noah popped thep.
Hailey slid Noah a covert eye-roll. “We just started … seeing each other,” she explained to the gaping deputy in a soothing voice.
Shane’s cheeks reddened. Noahalmostfelt sorry for him. Dude plopped his hat on his head, mumbled, “Congratulations,” and hoofed it toward his vehicle.
Hailey slid out from under Noah’s grasp. “Did you have to act so smug?”
He grinned broadly. “Hell yeah! I got the girl, and I wanted him to know it before he asked you out and embarrassed himself. I’m considerate that way.”
“That’snotwhat you were doing. You were beating your chest like an ape-man.” Her lips twitched with a smile.
Letting out a gorilla growl, he placed his hand against the small of her back and nudged her inside the bar. Chance came trotting over, claws tip-tapping over the tile.
“He was doing me a favor,” she huffed as Noah pulled the door closed behind them.
“How so?”
“I needed his advice.”
He didn’t mask his surprise. “What kind of advice?”
Hailey motioned toward the bar. “Buy a girl a drink?”
“Sounds serious. May I join you?”
“Please do.”
The front door flew open, and Noah whirled, expecting Shane. Instead, he got a grinning Charlie. His brother had horrible timing.
“Hey, I hear Mountain Coffee’s adding a bookshop!”
Before Noah could suggest Charlie come back another time, Amy pressed herself through the door, her sparkling dark eyes pinned on Hailey. “I hope you don’t mind. I told Charlie our little secret—”
“And I’m here to help.” Charlie held up a grid sketchpad, clearly pleased with himself. “I’ve got all the measurements we need to get started.”
Hailey bounced in place. “I was afraid to ask,” she bubbled, “but could you maybe build us some bookshelves?”
During the next hour, Noah looked on while Hailey, Charlie, and Amy sat at one of his tables, their heads bent together as they drew up plans. Now and again, he distracted himself by walking Chance and playing with the dog, who eagerly lapped up the attention. Not exactly how he’d planned things to go after he’d chased Shane off, but how could he take this away from Hailey? The joy on her face telegraphed what this meant to her. He knew about chasing dreams, and he wanted to be part of her happiness, not be the guy who stole it from her. She’d had enough of that shit in her short life.
