problem, Will?” Joshua asked.
“I was going to ask the same thing,” Will said. “Did you have car trouble, Myka?”
She tried to keep her temper in check. After Tanner’s death, Will had been there for her—day or night. She knew he meant well, but this time he was going too far. “My car’s fine. Joshua’s next door now, so we decided to ride to the Spinning Wheels’ meeting together.”
He scowled at Joshua. “You taking up crochet?”
“I asked him to come,” she said, and explained, though she knew she didn’t have to. “You would have been welcome, too. Your welded sculptures, like that rearing horse you made out of scrap metal, are just stunning. They’re too large to ship easily, so it’s not a good match for my online business, but everyone would have valued your input.”
He expelled his breath in a hiss. “So far your online company’s doing okay, but I still think it’s dangerous for you to do business on the internet. There are too many crazies out there looking for trouble.”
“I really haven’t had any problems, not big ones anyway,” she said. “I’m very careful about protecting myself and my privacy.”
He looked at Joshua. “You never cared much for Independence, so why were you there?”
“To help brainstorm. I have a house to sell, and to do that, Independence will need to get back on its feet.”
“Had to go to college to figure that one out, did you?” Will snapped, then said “Myka, can I talk to you privately?”
She bristled at his tone of voice. Nodding to Will, she glanced at Joshua and added, “I’ll be back in a minute.”
Moments later, Myka stood with Will beside his cruiser. “Will Solis, why are you acting like such a horse’s butt, pulling Joshua over for no reason at all?” she demanded, keeping her voice low. “One of the reasons I asked him along tonight is because I know what it’s like to get a house in order after someone you love passes on. His dad died less than two weeks ago. Cut him some slack, and me, too. And on top of that, mind your own business.”
“Myka, you mean well, but—”
“Will, back off. Joshua’s got some real tough days ahead, getting his father’s things packed and sifting through a million memories. On top of that, he’ll have to deal with regrets—all those things he might have said or done if he’d known his dad was going to die...”
“You’re identifying too much with what he’s going through, Myka. He didn’t lose a spouse—you did.”
She swallowed hard. “Maybe you’re right, Will, but here’s what I think. This isn’t really about Joshua. It’s about you guarding what was Tanner’s—in this case, me—because you think he’d expect that of you.”
“There’s truth there, Myka, but Nez is still bad news,” Will said quietly. “People don’t change. He may have lived here most of his life, but he never really belonged. From what I hear he couldn’t run a business out in San Francisco, either. He’s a loser. Do yourself a favor and steer clear of him.”
“You’re really high and mighty tonight, aren’t you? Instead of playing bully cop and judging Joshua for who you think he was, why don’t you show a little objectivity for once and get to know him?” Myka stopped for a moment, realizing she was getting louder by the word.
“Look who’s getting...” Will began.
“I’m not finished yet, Will,” Myka whispered harshly. “Joshua is stopping by the B and B tomorrow. Betty asked him for advice on some renovations, and he agreed to help in exchange for breakfast. Come by, keep an open mind and leave your attitude in the squad car. Hear what he has to say. This isn’t high school anymore, Will, and you’re not the same kid you were back then, either. Grow up on the inside, too.”
His face turned red, then he took a deep breath. “All right, okay, I’ll give him a chance, but don’t expect miracles. I see things for what they are, not the way I’d like them to be.”
“Fair enough. Just take off the blinders.”
“I want you to do something for me, too, Myka. Don’t trust Joshua, you hear?”
“Trust is something I can figure out on my own. You’re reading way too much into this. To me, he’s just an old friend and neighbor going through a rough time. Back off and think before you get in someone’s face again.”
By the time Myka returned to Josh’s truck, she found that his mood had soured considerably.
Once Will drove off, Joshua put the truck in gear and pulled out. “I don’t know why he’s got a problem with me. I haven’t seen him in years.”
“You got into a lot of trouble back then, though you were usually provoked. I’m not apologizing for him, but with his brother gone, Will’s looking out for family,” Myka said. “He’s rough around the edges, sure, and he tends to go overboard sometimes. Hopefully he won’t act like such a jackass next time you meet.”
“I promised Betty I’d take a look at the inn, but I may have spoken too soon, considering Will’s attitude. I won’t take his bull, cop or not.”
“I’ll be there, and I can stop his nonsense without having to throw a punch. What if I buy you a cup of Mabel’s coffee, then we’ll both cross the street to the Blue Spruce Inn? Betty can cook breakfast burritos that are second to none, but her coffee’s just awful.”
“Mabel’s was my favorite haunt. I’m glad to hear it’s still there. Even when I was broke, I’d stand out on the sidewalk so I could enjoy the scent of fresh coffee and those incredible tiny doughnuts.”
“She only serves coffee these days but, yeah, Mabel’s is still there and her coffee’s better than ever. Money’s tight for everyone, but we all consider her signature blends a guilty pleasure.”
“Okay, then. You’re on. What time do I pick you up tomorrow?” he asked.
“How about we get an early start? Seven too early, city boy?” she teased.
He laughed. “By that time, I’d already battled traffic and was sitting at my desk.”
It didn’t take long for them to get home. As he parked in Myka’s driveway, she spotted movement by the juniper hedge. “Bear!”
She bolted out of the pickup and ran toward the dog, calling his name, but the animal vanished back into the dark.
“Are you sure that was him?” Joshua asked, catching up a heartbeat later. “It could’ve been a coyote.”
“Coyotes aren’t that big, and there aren’t many left around here these days,” she said, still trying to peer into the darkness.
“Bear!” she called again, but there was no response.
“If that was him, then it’s clear he stuck around. He’ll probably come back when he’s ready. All the activity around Dad’s house might have made him nervous, not to mention Dad’s absence. Once things settle down, I’m sure he’ll be back.” He walked her to her door. “Myka, one last thing...thanks.”
“For what?” she asked. The only thing she’d done was lose his father’s pet.
“For being Dad’s friend when I wasn’t around,” he said and gave her a quick hug.
His arms were strong and his chest rock solid. It felt good to lay her head against his shoulder and feel the beat of his heart. As his warmth enfolded her, her pulse quickened.
Realizing the danger, she stepped back. “No thanks are needed,” she said. “Do you mind if we postpone getting coffee till around eight tomorrow? That’ll give me time to feed my sheep and see if I can spot any sign of Bear.”
“I’m a lousy tracker, never was much of