15. Hannah

Chapter 15

Hannah

“ I ’ll be fine by myself for a short time while you go get your clothing,” I told Reylor. “I have work to do today. That’ll occupy my mind.” And distract me from him for a few hours. “You don’t need to be my bodyguard all day and night.”

“You can come with me,” he said.

Sylvia had left with two more muffins in a plastic bag, promising to stop by again soon. Probably when her muffins were gone and she needed to restock.

But she was lonely, and I was a great cook. I didn’t mind her company. She was one of the first people in town to reach out to me in welcome, stopping by my first night here with a casserole. It took me a week to finish it since I wasn’t partial to anything with turnip, even if it was loaded with cheese. I appreciated the heart she put into it.

“Tell you what,” Reylor said, looking quite irresistible wearing only my sofa throw. “I’ll call someone to go get some things from my place for me. At least something I can wear until I can collect more myself.”

Truly, I hated that he had to leave to go collect clothing, though I liked the idea that he was moving in and not only because he’d provide protection. Would it be foolish to let myself fall for a guy like him? He could have whoever he pleased. My best friend, most likely. A sour taste filled my mouth, and I swallowed it away. Time to stop thinking about her and my ex. Time to focus on my new life here in Mystic Harbor.

And maybe on Reylor.

Despite telling myself I was burned, that I wasn’t going to trust someone new for at least ten years, I wanted to get to know him better. This would be my chance.

To make a friend, I told myself.

Sure.

“You can leave.” I nudged him toward the foyer, trying not to notice how smooth his skin was. How taut over all those muscles. “I’ve got a toilet to install in one of the bedrooms on the second floor. I’ll be stuck in that bathroom the entire time you’re gone.”

He frowned, glancing that way. “Toilets are heavy.”

“Don’t I know it. But this will be my fourth toilet install, and I’m quite slick with my tools.” I flapped my hands at him. “Go. I’ll be here when you get back.”

“Lock all the doors and windows.”

I didn’t point out that this made no difference last night. But the sun had come up and everything looked brighter already.

“Will do,” I said.

He watched me for a very long time. “I’m hauling that toilet upstairs before I leave. Where is it?”

“It’s already in the bathroom. I had the delivery guys take things to the rooms where I planned to install them. I’m tough,” I lifted my arm and made a muscle, “but I’m more than happy to accept help when it’s offered.”

“Like mine. I’m going to investigate, but I’m also helping you work on this place. I wasn’t just using that for a cover with Sylvia.”

“We can tell her why you’re here. She’s bound to find out if she asks around town. You’re the only dragon shifter in Mystic Harbor.”

“You can share some details if she finds out, but keep most of what’s happened to yourself.”

I paused. “You don’t think she’s involved, do you?”

“I’m not discounting anyone. We have three suspects.” He ticked them off on his long fingers. He really was a big guy, so much taller and broader than me. Must be his dragon genes. “Sylvia.”

“Motive?”

“It’s clear she wants you to sell.”

“Because she worries about me.”

“I didn’t like the way she suggested something bad could happen here.”

“Still expressing concern,” I said lightly, though I appreciated that he wasn’t going to let anyone off the hook until he’d fully cleared them. “Who else?”

“Grant Murray.”

“He does keep offering to buy the building, but he’s a nice man. And Estadore comes highly recommended. The manager of Creature Cones told me he was able to sell her place in Florida for a hefty profit, and let me tell you, that’s not easy nowadays with all those hurricanes going through. Not only that, but he also sold her home here in Mystic Harbor on the water for such a great price, she had enough to buy a nice condo.”

“I’m not discounting him until I’ve researched him thoroughly. He has a motive. If he can get you to sell, I’m sure he has people with a crane already loaded, eager to raze this place and put in those condos Sylvia mentioned.”

“Who else is on your list?”

“Evelyn Blakemore.”

“She is pretty angry that she didn’t inherit the place. But she’s just one of many of Justin’s grandchildren. As his only surviving child, her aunt inherited it. It went through probate and that took forever. His daughter was very happy to sign by the time that was settled. I’m sure if Evelyn had spoken to her and made her a solid offer, she wouldn’t have put it on the market.”

“Where is his daughter now?”

“She lives in Arizona. She came here for the sale and left the next morning. I haven’t heard from her since.” I tilted my head. “Anyone else on the suspect list?”

He shot me a smile that made my knees quake. “Not yet, but I’ve just gotten started.”

He went out to my backyard, where he said he was going to toss my sofa throw onto one of the wicker chairs. He’d shift into his dragon form, fly to his apartment, dress, pack a few things, and drive his truck over to park in my driveway.

After studying my face for a very long time, he left, and I locked the back door behind him.

Honestly, I peeked. Who wouldn’t take advantage of the chance to see him change into a dragon? And, whoa. I’d barely had time to admire his ass before a huge, gleaming, scaly dragon with spikes down his spine and a wicked tail stood on my patio. His wings snapped out, and he took flight. I watched long after he’d disappeared from view before collecting my throw and locking the back door once more.

Shaking my head about what I’d just seen, I got to work on the toilet, which was an easy enough job once you knew what you were doing.

After I’d finished, I stood back to admire my handiwork. I’d replaced the linoleum floor with ceramic tile that I’d laid and grouted myself, plus I’d added a shower. Each bedroom came with an old clawfoot tub, and I’d kept them since they were in great shape. But while people enjoyed taking baths, they also liked the convenience of a shower.

I left the bathroom and went downstairs, realizing two hours had passed and Reylor hadn’t returned.

Was he alright?

I thought of calling, but I didn’t want to pester him. He might be busy looking into my case or handling something at Monsters, PI. With a glass of water in hand, I stepped out to my back patio, where I sat with Max lounging beneath my seat. With a heady sigh, I took in the sway and swirl of the gorgeous ocean beyond the dunes.

Victor passed by, stomping through the sand, and I waved, but my neighbor from a few doors down didn’t appear to see the gesture.

I must’ve dozed, because I woke to footsteps coming in my direction. Max had slunk away somewhere, but he’d be back. My kitty might hide in the bushes and refuse to come out when I called, or hiss when I tried to bring him in after dark, but he never left my yard.

“There you are.” Sylvia strode down the path alongside the building and settled on one of the other wicker chairs, primly placing her clasped hands on her lap. “I meant to ask you something this morning, but I got distracted by Reylor. Such a fine specimen of a man, isn’t he, dear?”

That he was.

I nodded.

“Have you had a chance to look through the things in the attic?” she asked, her gaze traveling to the window on the fourth floor. “Justin had many antiques, and I’ve been dying to get my hands on them.”

She knew the items in the house were part of the sale. I’d carted everything up to the attic, planning to go through it as I renovated and use things where I thought they’d fit, though so far, I’d only brought things done.

“It’s on my to-do list.” I sipped my water and placed the glass on the table beside my chair.

“I thought you were going to organize everything before you started.”

“I’d planned to.” I’d thought it might be easier if I sorted through ahead of time. Put lamps with other lamps, bureaus together. That sort of thing. “Once I got started on the renovation, I haven’t wanted to take a day off to do something like that.”

“Well, when you do, remember me,” she said brightly. “I’ll give you a great cut on whatever I sell.”

“I’ll keep you in mind. It beats holding a yard sale.”

She shuddered; her hand fluttered against the lacy collar at her throat. “You can never do such a thing. I repeat, never sell anything from that attic at a yard sale.”

“Why not? Some of it is basically trash, though I guess someone else might believe it’s treasure.”

“What treasure?” she barked. Her gaze traveled to the solitary window on the fourth floor. Funny how attics had the best view, this one high enough to see over the tallest trees in my backyard. I should put a deck up there. I could sit there in the evening with a beer or a glass of wine and take in the view.

“I was referring to the saying, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure,” I said. “Although, in this case, I guess we should say woman’s treasure, don’t you think?”

“Oh, yes. Anyway.” She stood. “Let me know when you plan to go through the attic, and I’ll come right away to help.”

“It’s dusty up there.” She was old. I wouldn’t want to compromise her lungs.

“I can wear a mask.” Her gaze slid toward the window again. “Or we can open that up and turn on a fan.”

“Alright.” I stood as she hurried back down the path, then grabbed my nearly empty water glass. I took it inside, where I rinsed it and put it in the dishwasher, something I’d had installed within a day of moving in since there wasn’t one.

Since I needed more paint for the bedroom I planned to start tackling this afternoon, I grabbed my card and opted to walk to Shriek I couldn’t suck in enough wind to make my mind function.

“What . . .?” I raced around him and up onto my front porch, where I gaped at the shattered glass covering the wooden floorboards on my list to be painted.