“What all is in here?”Zoey crouches at my side, still holding the light, but also reaching in to sift through the tools.
“Well, that’s a hammer.And there’s a screwdriver?—”
“Warner,” she cuts me off, “if you try to mansplain tools to me, I’m going to convince Bruce to piss on your bike.”Zoey’s dry comment has me choking on a laugh.“I just wanted to know what Minnie had in case I need to use it.”She rifles through the items.
I stare at her, not even trying to pretend I don’t find her fascinating.
“Not much.Just the basics,” she mutters.“Is there a good hardware store in town?”
“Yeah.”The question has my pulse thrumming.I know exactly where to send her.“Sawdust and Supplies.”
I catch a curl at the edge of her mouth.
Good.She likes the name.Just a matter of time before she shows up at the place.
Assured that tonight isn’t the only night I’ll run into Zoey Gunner, I’m able to return to the task at hand with enthusiasm.It’s not long before the wire is sitting back in place.
Still, a thought has snagged in the back of my head, and I can’t shake it loose.
“Zoey?”
“Hmm?”
She’s so close that my mind gets muddled as I soak in her scent.I shake my head and breathe through my mouth.It barely helps.
Still, her answer is important.
“Do you remember the Check Engine light coming on the last time you drove the truck?”
She’s quiet for a minute, and when I glance her way, I see a thoughtful expression on her face as she chews her lip.When she releases the poor, abused lip, I want to lean in and soothe it with my tongue.
Not yet.Go slow with her.
“I don’tthinkso, but honestly, I can’t remember.Was it supposed to turn on?”
“If the wire came loose while you were driving, then yeah.”
I don’t say the rest out loud, but I can’t help thinking it.
If the light didn’t turn on, that means the wire came loose after the truck was shut off.
And the only way I can see that happening is if someone popped the hood and took a wrench to the battery.
“I guess it did then.I’m still getting used to Minnie’s driveway.My eyes are usually more focused on the road than my dashboard.”Zoey shrugs, the light moving with the motion.
She’s probably right.
Yet, for some reason, the idea of someone messing with Zoey’s truck won’t leave my mind as I climb back onto my bike and rev it to life.
Keep her safe.Protect her.
The thoughts come through clear and in a distinctly growling tone.
My wolf is more present than I’ve ever felt before.
I wonder if that’s something I should be worried about.
7
