“I wouldn’t know how,” Knox said, nodding at a couple of friends over by the bar. “I’ll get you guys some drinks.”
Serenity shook her head.
Quint smiled. “It’s good to see you back with Rory, Serenity.”
“I’m not exactlybackwith him,” she protested, but it sounded half-hearted at best.
Rory somehow managed to keep from smiling in triumph. Quint was his older brother and had the Albertini height but brown eyes and hair.
“Where’s Heather?” Rory looked around for Quint’s girlfriend.
“I think she went in search of Anna,” his brother said, brow furrowing. “I should probably find her before they blow the place up or something.” He glanced at Serenity. “You good after everything that happened at the hardware store?”
“Yeah.” She nodded. “I’d like to find who did it, but I’m fine.”
Quint’s jaw hardened.
“We’ve ordered a security system for your place, and we’ll get it installed as soon as it arrives,” Knox said, approaching with drinks in both hands. “You know, you should have brought your partner. She could sit in the corner.”
“She didn’t want to come.” Serenity’s gaze turned speculative. “But she is all alone watchingTheBig Bang Theoryif you lose interest in the festivities.”
A couple of women giggled as they walked by, but Knox didn’t even look. Last year, he would have. “Hmm, maybe I’ll take her something to eat,” he murmured.
Serenity wiped snow off her forehead. “I’ll be right back. I’m going to run to the restroom.”
“Alrighty,” Rory said just as Knox handed over two glasses of champagne. “I’ll hold your drink until you return.”
Knox watched Serenity wend through bodies to the bathroom. “So, things are going good, huh?”
“Finally,” Rory sighed. He caught sight of his cousin Tessa dancing with Nick Basanelli, the prosecuting attorney from Timber City. “What’s up with those two?”
“A lot,” Knox snorted.
Good. Tessa deserved to be happy. Now, to find himself in the same boat, all Rory had to do was convince Srenity to marry him and take care of whoever had shot at them the other night.
Knox leaned in. “I can tell you’re thinking about last night.”
“Of course, I am,” Rory said, keeping calm as he took a drink of the bubbly and wished for Scotch.
“You think they were shooting at her or you?”
Rory shook his head. “Probably her, considering the menacing flowers and multiple hang-ups from burner phones. I got her down fast so neither of us got hit, and the sheriff was even quicker. But honestly, I couldn’t tell you for sure.” Not knowing had given him nightmares. His training had never failed him, and honed instincts whispered that the shooter would come again—and fast.
Chapter13
Serenity reapplied her lipstick, leaning toward the small mirror above the lone sink in the quaint, two-stall bathroom. The facilities had obviously been added at some point in the 1950s. Velvety, bright pink wallpaper covered each wall, and a truly stunning antique chandelier hung from the center of the space, almost close enough to touch. Serenity smiled at the twinkling leaves dangling from the base.
“You do like a good shimmer, don’t you?” Heather said from next to her.
“Apparently that’s become common knowledge.” Serenity looked at her friend.
Heather had moved to town recently, and the pretty blonde looked stunning tonight in a light blue sheath with a crystal choker necklace and matching earrings. Her hair was up on her head, and she fluffed at it.
“How are things with you and Quint?” Serenity asked.
“Fantastic,” Heather said, grinning. “I mean, we fell fast, but he did rescue me from a mountain in the middle of a storm. So, you know, I was swept away.”
Serenity chuckled. She and Heather had gotten to know each other over the last month or so, and she really liked the woman. “You’re lucky you weren’t actually swept away. Avalanches are common on that part of the mountain.”
