More receipts slid my way.

“Most of what was done was labor, and that was free. Brett and Mary helped. Cam dropped by to see how things were going, and he helped move things in from the barn. He called another friend of yours—Jack—and he came and helped too.”

I was silent for a moment, amazed at what she had done and how she had accomplished it. Mentally, I added up the money spent and scrutinized her. “This is more than two hundred, Charly.”

“I used the money you gave me too, and Mary loaned me the rest. I owe her $147.53.” She twisted her hands. “I went over budget—sorry.”

I stared at her. Over budget. She had spent less than six hundred bucks, and my garage was epic. My house felt like me again. Charly had no idea.

“I owe her. And you.” I drummed my fingers on the table. “That money I gave you was for you—to buy things you need.”

“There was nothing I needed. This was far more important.”

Her words reverberated in my head. Nothing she needed. More important.

Once again, Shannon came to mind. She constantly needed. Wanted. Always asking for money, complaining about her lack of…everything, it seemed.

“You’ll have your money in the morning. And your paycheck.”

“I’m not worried. I trust you.”

The words were out before I could think. “I trust you as well.”

Her eyes grew round. “What was that? I didn’t hear you.”

“I am not repeating that. You heard me.” I scowled.

“Oh, there he goes, all grumpy bear-man again.”

“You seem to bring it out in me more than other people.”

“It’s okay, I like it—most of the time.”

“Most of the time?”

“I like your growls and when you’re kinda grouchy.” She tilted her head. “It’s rather hot. I don’t like it when you’re angry.”

“So growly Maxx, not angry Maxx. I’ll try to remember that.”

She slid one last piece of paper my way. “I had to register the domain name and pay for the website I’m building. That required a credit card, which I don’t have. Mary let me use hers, so you owe her for that.”

I scanned the document. “I’ll pay her this right away.”

Silence fell as I looked over everything, then slid it all back into the file Charly had on the table. She was very organized and detailed. I appreciated it more than she could understand. Then I gazed at her.

I couldn’t take my eyes off her. Sitting at my table, her legs pulled up to her chest, she looked as if she belonged there. She watched me watch her, the air around us beginning to heat the way it always did when we were close.

“You should hire Brett,” she blurted, instantly breaking the mood that was descending between us.

“Why?”

“The customers like him, he does great work, and he likes it here. He even likes his little room. He says it gives him a break from people. I think he means his dad.” She rubbed the end of her nose, scrunching it. “I think his dad treats him like he’s still sixteen when he’s there.”

“Yeah, I remember Brett saying that before.”

“Your email box is filled with inquiries about taking on motorcycle restorations,” she said.

“I know. I saw a bunch before I left the hotel.” I smiled at her. “That iPad of yours came in very handy for the presentations and keeping up with email. Thanks.”

“We should get you one. I could find a used one for you. Great to take pictures I can access easily.”

I nodded in agreement. “Sure—do that.”

Her eyes lit up. “Okay, I will.”

I sat back, regarding her. “I’ll talk to Brett. With the interest about hiring me for bike restorations from the conference, plus the fact that they asked if I would do another event with them, you’re right. I’m going to need help. If he’s willing to stay on for a while, with me supervising when needed, I can concentrate on that aspect of the business.”

Her eyes grew round. “They did? Maxx, that is amazing!”

“I was surprised,” I admitted. “But pleased.”

“So, the conference was great?”

“Many aspects, yes. I enjoyed giving my talks, I met some great connections, and I bought some things for the shop that are being shipped.”

“What aspects weren’t so great?”

I hesitated. “It was hot and crowded. Made me miss home. There were a few people I didn’t enjoy meeting as much as others. I’m going to leave it at that.”

“Told you the biker chicks would be after you.”

“Charly,” I growled in warning. “Leave it.”

As usual, she ignored my warnings. “You don’t like being chased. You’re too alpha.”

“Alpha? What the hell does that mean?”

“You like to be in control.”

I had no response. She wasn’t wrong about that.

“Were they pushy?” she asked.

“Like you, you mean?”

She huffed. “I’m not pushy, I’m interested. I worry about your poor morals being compromised.”

I burst out laughing. “Compromised?”

“Whatever. I bet you beat them off with a stick.”

Tags: Melanie Moreland Romance
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