My Ex's Baby (Crescent Cove 8)

“It’s private.”

“It’s the Cove. There is no private here.”

Was that why she didn’t want to date me? Beyond her favorite excuse of Ivy, that is.

“I’m sick of looking at this thing.”

“Handily, I’m sick of looking at your mug too.”

I straightened and grabbed my end of the surprisingly heavy piece of furniture. Then again, it was all solid wood. None of the particle board crap that newer furniture was made out of. Nope, this was solid and would definitely stand the test of time.

Then again, so did my pieces.

We shuffled our way out the front of my shop and onto the sidewalk. Our two businesses didn’t share an entrance. The wind was howling and the sky was churning. So much for that sunny January day we were enjoying.

Then again, lake effect was often cruel and capricious. Most likely, I’d be doing some more plowing by tonight.

Jared grunted. “Is there a body in here?”

“Need some help, old man?”

“Who are you calling old?” The wind gusted and Sheriff Brooks’ hat went soaring.

I sighed.

Lucky hustled after it. I winced at he stomped his size fifteen on it to halt its progress.

“Dammit,” Jared muttered.

Lucky lumbered back to us. He was a big dude and while not exactly clumsy, he definitely didn’t excel in the grace or tact department. He glanced down at the khaki-colored hat now wearing said size fifteen boot mark and crushed it back on Jared’s head. “Want me to take that?”

“I got it.”

I pressed my lips together at Jared’s rapidly reddening face. It was damn heavy. I’d had to use my dolly to get it off my truck and into the workshop. And okay, maybe I should have waited to unwrap it fully before I took it up to Kinleigh. But she’d pissed me off and I’d actually contemplated refinishing it myself.

Ugh, this woman was going to make me insane. I never overthought stuff. Plan, act, sell or gift merchandise and move on. Period.

“Can we put it down for a second?” Jared’s vein was going to pop out of his freaking neck.

Lucky slid one big paw under it and lifted it easily. “Got it.”

Just then, Jared’s radio chirped on his shoulder. “Sheriff, we’ve got a 10-54 on Elm Street.”

Jared frowned and tapped on his mic to reply. “A what? Gina? Is that you? Where’s Bonnie?”

“Mom had an emergency.”

He gave Lucky a disgusted grunt as he effortlessly helped me maneuver the console toward Kinleigh’s doorway.

“We got this.” I nodded to Jared. “Oh, what’s a 10-54?” I called after him.

“You don’t want to know.” He slapped his hat against his thigh then tossed it into his SUV with a grumble of words that were snatched by the wind.

“Sure we have to do those stairs?”

“I’m sure.”

Lucky waggled his eyebrows. “Think Kin would want to go out with me sometime? She’s hot.”