* *
Gray clouds and freezing temperatures were the order of the day as Matt climbed the front steps at the Collier house shortly before nine the next morning. When he’d dropped Lacie off last night, he’d barely brought his Jeep to a stop before she hopped out. Leaving him to wonder why she was being so standoffish.
Sure they hadn’t seen each other in years, but time couldn’t erase the fact that they’d once been really good friends. From seventh to eleventh grade, they’d had no problem confiding in one another. Then he’d started dating Marissa and Lacie no longer wanted anything to do with him. Just like last night.
Later Marissa told him Lacie had had a crush on him. Making him feel like the biggest jerk ever for not recognizing it.
But that was sixteen years ago. That couldn’t be the problem now, could it?
Regardless, his friend had a dead battery to contend with and her mother had a business to run. Even if Lacie were to use Barbara’s car, she’d still have to remove the battery and find a replacement all with a child in tow. He couldn’t let her do that. Not in this weather.
He knocked on the door of the slate-colored, sixties-era, single-story rambler, thinking of all the times he’d been there before. Back when two teenage girls lived there and the house was an ugly pea green. Much had changed in the last sixteen years. And not all for the better.
The door swung open then and Barbara Collier smiled at him, just as she had all those years ago. These days, her short, dark blond hair sported a little more gray and her blue eyes had lost some of their spark, but given what she’d been through, having lost her husband and a daughter, he supposed it was understandable.
She pushed open the storm door. “Matt, what a pleasant surprise.” Her gaze skimmed his uniform. “At least, I hope so.” She looked him in the eye again. “You’re not here on official business, are you?”
He couldn’t help chuckling. “No, ma’am. You’re in the clear.”
“Well, in that case, come on in.”
He wiped his booted feet on the mat before following her inside the comfortable living room with its pale yellow walls and overstuffed beige furniture.
“Can I get you some coffee?” She gestured to the adjoining kitchen.
“No, thank you. I don’t suppose Lacie’s up, is sh—”
“I’m gonna get you, you little stinker.” Lacie’s voice trailed down the hallway to the right, as a small child came running into the room wearing bright pink pajamas.
“No...” The little girl laughed and bounded onto the couch.
“I’ve got you now.” Lacie closed in on her, stopping short when she spotted Matt. “I didn’t know we had company.”
“Don’t let me interrupt your fun,” he said with a smile.
She grabbed the small shirt and pants that were draped over her shoulder. “Somebody’s giving me a hard time about getting dressed this morning.”
The child grew quiet and clung to her aunt’s leg once she realized there was a stranger in the house. She was a cute little thing. Dark brown curls, dark eyes... Not at all like Marissa. Yet there was something about her.
Obviously sensing the girl’s hesitation, Barbara said, “Kenzie, this is our friend Officer Matt.”
Did she remember him from the other day, when he’d pulled Lacie over?
Moving closer, he felt almost mesmerized as he crouched to her level. She was little, all right. How old was she anyway? Three? Maybe four?
“It’s nice to meet you, Kenzie.”
Her smile returned, albeit a shy one as she tightened her hold on Lacie. Still, the pleasure it brought him was inexplicable. Never had a stranger’s eyes looked so familiar.
“What brings you by?” Lacie’s tone carried that same stubborn edge he’d heard yesterday.
“You.”
Her eyes widened as he stood. “Me?”
“Yes. You have a dead battery that needs to be replaced. I’m here to help.”
“Oh, that won’t be—”
“That is so sweet of you, Matt.” Barbara made her way toward them. “Lacie’s been stressing all morning, wondering if she was going to need to have her car towed or not.”
One glance at a chagrined Lacie had him biting back a smile. “Nope, no towing needed. We’ll simply take out the old battery, pick up a new one and put it in right there on Main Street.”
“We?” Lacie’s glare bounced between him and her mother.
“Okay, you’ll just be there to supervise and pay for the battery. I’ll do the rest.”
She looked over his uniform. “But you’re working. I’m sure you have plenty of deputy things to keep you busy.”
“Helping the community is part of my work.”
She paused. “Well, what about Kenzie? I can’t let her ride in the back seat of a sheriff’s vehicle.”
Man, she really did not want his help. Or was simply too obstinate to accept it.
“That’s all right, dear,” said Barbara. “Kenzie can come to the shop with me.” She smiled at her granddaughter. “You want to come to work with Grandma?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Okay, we’ll have to get you dressed first.” Barbara snagged the clothes from Lacie, then held out her other hand to Kenzie, who promptly took hold and accompanied her grandmother down the hall.
He managed to contain the laughter bubbling inside him. “Looks like we’re free to go whenever you’re ready.”
Lacie continued to stare down the hall. While he’d appreciated her mother’s intervention, it was obvious Lacie didn’t share his opinion. “I’ll get my coat.”
“Might want to grab some gloves, too. It’s kind of cold out there.” After last night, he figured a friendly reminder wouldn’t hurt.
Though, based on the look she sent him, she found his suggestion more irritating than friendly.
A short time later, he pulled behind her SUV on a slowly awakening Main Street.
“You can wait here, if you like. I just need to remove the old battery and—”
Lacie unhooked her seat belt. “I want you to show me how to do it.”
He glanced across the center console to her lined jacket. Definitely more work appropriate than that pink coat she’d worn yesterday. “That’s admirable. Most women leave this sort of stuff to someone else.”
“Yeah, well, maybe I’m not most women. Should I ever find myself in this situation again—”
“Hopefully you won’t, but I understand. Why don’t you go pop the hood while I grab a couple of tools?”
He watched the set of her shoulders and the determination in her stride as she walked toward her vehicle. He had no doubt that Lacie could do anything she set her mind to, whether it was acting, becoming an instant mother or auto repair.
“First thing we need to do is remove the cables from the battery.” A semi rumbled past as he hovered over the frozen engine. “A wrench is better, but you could also use pliers.”
“Okay.” The expectant look on her face was beyond endearing.
He continued, explaining each step until the battery was freed. “All we have to do now is lift it out, go get a new one and we’re golden.”
“Golden,” she said with a rapt smile on her face. “Where