Page 35 of My Favorite Hero

Casey was standing at the intake desk, speaking with Martha, who was shaking her head and looking concerned.

My heart rate sped up in worry.

Why was Casey here? Was she okay?

Did something happen?

What was she talking to the police for?

I set down my coffee, hurrying over.

“Casey,” I called out. “Everything okay?”

She turned and my breath caught. I’d somehow forgotten how pretty she was. Dressed casually in jeans and a long-sleeved shirt, she was effortlessly sexy. Her hair hung down her back, almost touching her ass, glossy and rich under the bright lights. She had on her usual Doc Martens, and her lips were shiny with gloss. I had a strange urge to lean down and kiss it off when I got close.

I resisted since she was my tenant. That was all.

And I was surrounded by coworkers and the police.

“What’s happened?” I demanded. “Everything okay at the house?”

Martha spoke. “Some vandalism has occurred.”

“What?” I asked, shocked. I had never had a single incident in the time I’d lived there.

Casey faced me. “I was robbed.”

“Robbed?” I repeated. “Are you okay?”

She nodded. “I think someone in the neighborhood hates my decorations. My wind chimes keep disappearing. I put them up, and poof, they’re gone.”

Martha shook her head. “Damn kids.”

“I was just dropping off some treats, and I thought I’d ask Martha if anyone else had reported missing, ah, decorations.”

I gaped at her, then looked at Martha, who was watching me closely.

Dammit, this girl was good.

I cleared my throat. “Well, no need to involve the police, Casey. As your landlord, I’ll look into it. I’m sure it was just someone pulling a joke.” I had to swallow, trying not to laugh. “I mean, who takes people’s wind chimes? Just a prank.”

“I hope so,” she murmured. “I hate to think there is some sicko out there and what they’re doing with my wind chimes.”

“Not getting any cookies, that’s for sure,” I griped.

“What?” Martha said, looking amused.

“Nothing.”

The police chief walked out with my chief, looking our way and coming over.

“Shit,” I muttered as Fleming and Arnold stopped beside Martha.

“Problem, Thorne?” Chief Fleming asked, looking between our little trio.

I stepped closer to Casey, reaching for her hand and squeezing it.

“You win,” I said as quietly as possible.