Page 27 of A Veteran's Temptation
“Look at the way the glass has fallen across the pavement.” He indicates the glass where Kayla is sweeping. “This is deliberate. Someone used the storm as cover to vandalize the bakery.”
Grant’s expression is stony, and he glances at Hannah, who’s busy tidying up the inside.
“Don’t do any more clean up here. I’m getting Owen.”
He jogs up the street, and I catch Kayla’s hand so she stops sweeping.
“We’re going to go help at Pizza Feast.” Up the road, pizza boxes are strewn all over the street, and I lead Kayla away from Sweet & Strong.
“Everything okay?”
“I’m not sure. Grant needs to check something out, but it looks like the bakery was vandalized.”
Her eyes go wide. “Who would do that?”
I’ve heard about the pressure to sell properties in the area and the Baxter sisters’ place being of interest. Maybe it’s pressure to sell, or maybe it’s a coincidence. “Whatever it is, I’ll help Grant get to the bottom of it.”
“I’m sure you will.”
Kayla leans her broom against a mailbox and hands me a trash bag. “Come on. It’s our second date, and I want to hear all about where you grew up. I bet you were trouble at school.”
I take the bag off her, and we both move up the street, picking up soggy pizza boxes and other debris. “I was the perfect schoolboy,” I tease. “Never there.”
She grins, and I pause what I’m doing to stare up at her. Just stare at my beautiful woman. I’ve chosen to be here today, with Kayla, in our adopted town. And I know I won’t regret it.
