Answering that question might lead to others, so Rhys waved a hand in a silent order for Axel to back off. Sara watched them both warily and Rhys lifted his hands, palms out in front of him, and flashed her a smile. “Apologies. It’s just after what happened, you can’t blame us for being concerned about your safety.”
“I can when I don’t even know you,” she shot back.
“There are gentlemen still left in the world.” He might not always claim to be one, but he’d always protect a woman’s safety.
“Look, I have stuff I need to do to close up, so if you don’t mind… It’s been a day.”
Leave, yeah, he got it. Dipping his head in acknowledgment, he took a step back. “I’ll return tomorrow morning with the rest of the payment. Stay safe, Sara.”
He felt Sara’s gaze boring a hole into his back as Axel followed him toward the parking area. Once they were out of earshot, he glanced at Axel. “Would it be weird to have someone watch over her tonight?”
“Given the theft, I’d say it’s reasonable. Though I can’t say that you’ve ever asked anyone to watch over a raccoon.”
He chuckled. “Maybe Quinley was right, and I am a creeper.” His ex had hated her personal security detail and the reports they’d give him at the end of the day. It truly wasn’t a matter of him invading her privacy as much as it was protecting her from the danger that came from being associated with him. Kidnapping and ransom, not to mention death threats, had to be considered when someone had as much money as his family.
He’d only ever placed protection on his loved ones, exes included, but knowing Sara was alone in that little camper…
Axel’s grin flashed in the darkness around them.
“Only when it comes to ladies of interest, sir.”
Rhys chuckled and resigned himself to the news he was a borderline stalker but then shrugged. “She shouldn’t be here by herself, and it sounds as though her family is in trouble. Call one of the guys. Make sure he keeps watch.” He admired the fact that Sara tried to help her family in their time of need. Not all families had that kind of relationship. It also didn’t hurt that while she was wearing a raccoon costume, he still found her intriguing.
“Consider it done, sir.”
ChapterFive
The following morning, Sara glared at the elf costume and groaned.
She yanked the thick candy cane tights on and then grumbled her way into the green shirt and poofy red crinoline skirt, a black stretchy belt cinching everything into place like a Santa belt.
Elf ears and a festive hat her mother had handmade to match completed the ensemble. Now all she needed was the pointy-toed shoe toppers, and she could call herself a Christmas elf.
A glance in the mirror once she finished dressing left her frowning. Shelikedthe costumes with masks because they gave her some anonymity and helped with the embarrassment she felt at wearing them. She understood that some people were a little Christmas-crazy—her mother especially—but maybe she could find something else? Something a little more…understated?
Her mind scoffed as she glanced at the colorful closet of costumes. The odds were not in her favor there…
Glaring at the mirror, she added a final dusting of glitter face powder to her cheeks and nose and called it good enough.
Her mother demanded to see picture proof every day that she was actually wearing the costumes, claiming it made her smile, so Sara forced a grin for her phone and snapped, sending the photo off to her bedridden mom before stomping toward the camper door.
She liked weekdays on the lot because it was closed until four, and that left her mornings and days mostly free. But weekends meant being open by ten and all day long, making for a ten-hour day.
She unlocked the lock she now considered questionable—thanks forthat, big scary dude—and stepped out to find a man parked right outside the lot, leaning against his car with a cup of coffee and phone in hand.
When he heard her emerge, he said hello and toasted her with a lift of his cup, but he stayed where he was and continued scrolling as though waiting for someone.
She’d dumped her purse out before showering this morning, and now wore the crossbody as a cash box with half of the five hundred dollar deposit tucked safely inside for change. If the customer from last night actually showed up this morning as planned, she’d make a quick deposit just to be safe.
Sara turned to get the supplies for the beverage table ready to go for the day when the SUV from last night rolled onto the lot and parked beside the waiting man.
She growled out her frustration that she hadn’t been mindful enough after tossing and turning most of the night thinking of dark eyes and a handsome face to remember today might not be a normal day. If he took the trees, she wouldn’t have any to sell—which meant she didn’t need to wear a costume.
But it made Mama happy. So there was that, at least.
She’d texted her father once she’d settled in for the night but hadn’t mentioned the late-day tree sales because she hadn’t wanted to get his hopes up. What if the man didn’t return? Or changed his mind and wanted the equivalent five trees he’d paid for but no more?
The two men from last night exited the Mercedes, and she barely stifled her groan as the tree buyer’s gaze raked over her as though memorizing every detail before his face broke with a heart-stopping smile.
