Page 61 of Will Bark for Pizza (Bluebell Springs #1)

FIFTY

KIRA

I refreshed the link for the bookshelf shipping information, hoping for an update. Despite the delays I’d already been notified about, the two dozen shelves I ordered were supposed to be here today. Yet I hadn’t received a confirmation text from the shipping company that they were on their way.

“No update?” I grumbled.

Husker perked his head from the dog bed I tucked behind the front counter.

Most days, I left him at the farm due to the excessive number of book stacks littered around the store.

I could just see him getting excited and knocking them over with an enthusiastic butt wiggle.

Not only would it create more work, but I didn’t want him to get buried underneath them.

Today however, the store was quiet. I gave everyone the morning off in anticipation of a late night of bookshelf assembling, promising to update them the minute I had one .

When things were quiet, Husker tended to nap.

I searched the order confirmation email for a phone number. I was not in the mood to have a chat with a robot.

Before I could locate one, the bells jingled overhead.

I almost forgot Dad rehung them last night while the rest of us were sorting the remaining books into keep and donate piles. I looked up, expecting to see one of the book club members or a family member. But I didn’t recognize the tall, slender woman with wavy chestnut hair who walked in.

“I’m sorry, we’re not open.”

“I can see that,” she said, extending a smile as she scanned the mess.

“We’re re-opening next week.”

“I’m not here to buy a book.”

My patience was running a little thin, on account of the bookshelf fiasco and a lack of sleep from a late night of writing. “Is there something else I can help you with?”

“I just wanted to meet you.”

Okay, this was starting to feel uncomfortable.

“I didn’t catch your name.”

“No, you didn’t.”

I reached for my phone, ready to text Luke. I’d bribe him with a free lunch if I needed him to stop by and defuse . . . whatever situation this might be.

“I’m sorry, ma’am, but we’re not open.”

The woman visibly shuddered. “Please don’t call me that.”

I held onto Husker’s collar as he started to rise.

He was the friendliest dog I knew—he’d probably fawn all over a burglar, especially if they were smart enough to bring treats—but my Husky mix looked like a German Shepherd.

Some days, that worked in my favor. I wondered if today would be one of them.

“If you come back next week?—”

“Oh, I doubt I’ll still be here then.”

A million possibilities rushed through my mind about who this woman might be. Was she one of Diana’s crazy superfans who might threaten to kidnap me if I didn’t finish Mateo’s book? Was she Travis’ new girlfriend, searching out the crazy ex for herself? Or was she?—

“I’m Madeline.”

“Madeline.”

“Beckett’s sister.”

“Oh,” I said, a sense of relief flooding my nervous system, and cooling it off. “I’m sorry if I was being rude.”

“You didn’t know who I was, so it’s fair.”

Madeline approached the counter. Her makeup was minimal, but it was expertly applied. It paired well with her denim shorts and loose floral blouse. She didn’t look like she hated me. But she hadn’t had a chance to size me up for herself.

I waited until she saw Husker to let go of his collar. He trotted around to her, and she extended her hand for him to sniff. I relaxed a little more.

“I didn’t mean to barge in. I was surprised the door was unlocked, actually. I just wanted to see the building my brother bought.”

“And meet me?” I reminded her.

“Yes.”

“Did Pauline send you?” I asked, half teasing, half serious .

“Not exactly,” Madeline said, leaning her elbows on the counter. “But she did mention you.”

“Probably all bad things,” I muttered.

“She’s just looking out for Beckett. Same as me.”

“Because of the redheaded curse?” I supplied.

“You’ve heard, then.”

“A little.”

“Beckett’s got a big heart, but he tends to place his trust in the wrong people. At least, when it comes to women.”

“So, you came to see if I was one of the wrong people .”

“Yes.”

Her honesty made me like her a little more.

“We’re just friends,” I told her.

“I doubt that,” Madeline shot back, a knowing twinkle in her hazel eyes.

The same color as Beckett’s. The resemblance was easier to spot, the longer she stood on the other side of the counter.

“But I’m not here to lecture you or anything.

You two are grown adults. What you do—or don’t do—is none of my business.

So long as you aren’t taking advantage of my brother. ”

“Is that a threat?”

Madeline shrugged. “Does it need to be?”

“No.”

“Then, it’s not.”

The bells chimed overhead again, and Husker sprinted to the front door.

Beckett walked in, carrying two coffees—one of them iced. “I see you two have met.”

“We were just having a little chat,” Madeline said, pushing up off the counter and taking the warm coffee from him.

“Madeline,” he said, his voice a low warning.

A little late, considering his sister already had her cards on the table, but still kind of sweet.

“She’s right,” I chimed in. I didn’t need Beckett getting in the middle of whatever this was. I could handle his sister, even if I did have something to hide. I was done being pushed around. “We were just chatting.”

“Ready to go?” Madeline asked Beckett.

Beckett set the iced coffee on the counter and gave me a wink. “I’m taking her to the Kniffen Street house.” To Madeline, he said, “You do know I’m putting you to work, right?”

“I thought of it as more of a supervisory position.”

“It’s not.”

“We’ll see.”

“Everything good here?” Beckett fished a treat out of his pocket and Husker plopped his butt down in anticipation.

“Yep.” I forced a smile, hoping he bought it.

I was not about to admit I had an issue with bookshelves in front of Madeline. I didn’t need to give her any reason to think I was taking advantage of her brother. I understood her protective nature. I felt the same way when it came to my brothers. But I didn’t care for her snap judgment.

“Just getting some work done while it’s quiet,” I said.

“If you need anything?—”

“Thanks,” I said quickly, glancing at Madeline, who was already at the door .

Beckett’s gaze lingered on mine. For a moment, I forgot we had an audience. The wicked gleam in his eyes brought me back to the cabin, where he gave me so many orgasms I lost count.

“See you at family dinner tomorrow, Red.”