Loch smiled. He knew it.
“What’s wrong with it?”
“It’s just a bit banged up. A few things need replacing, but I’ll have it done by the end of the day. I told Johnny as much when he came to check in not too long ago.”
“For five hundred bucks, could you have possibly missed a complicated problem with the engine?”
“Ach, Loch,” Mac groaned. “I can’t be making deals like that anymore. My business is doing well. I can’t be risking my reputation.”
“One thousand.”
Mac paused.
“You don’t have that kind of money.”
“You sure about that?” Loch smiled wryly as he reached into his jacket pocket and flashed a wad of cash. “One thousand. Take it or leave it.”
“Why?”
“That’s an expensive question.” Loch frowned. “Are you sure you want to know the answer?”
“Do I have to actually damage the car?”
“If you think you can make it believable without damage, that’s fine. I just need the little lady to stay in town for as long as possible.”
“Why?”
“Again, with the questions,” Loch tutted. “Maybe I should give this money to someone else. Someone who likes smashing things with bats. Imagine how many whacks a thousand bucks could buy. Didn’t you just replace your windows?”
“Loch, knock it off. I’ll tell her there’s engine trouble. Give me the cash.”
“You’ll get it when you make the call.”
“I don’t have Holly’s information.”
“Call Johnny then,” Loch snapped. “He seems to be more than happy to take on her burdens.”
“Fine, fine.” Mac pulled out his phone. Johnny must not have answered, for Mac left a hurried and apologetic voicemail explaining a sudden problem he can’t believe he missed. “Happy?” he snapped when he hung up.
“No, but I’m never happy,” he joked and handed Mac the cash. “How much time did you give them?”
“Didn’t specify,” Mac replied. “Engines are tricky. There could be a potential transmission problem, too.”
“I’ll have more cash for you if a need for a transmission problem arises.” Loch nodded. “Now get out of here.”
“I came for a drink.”
“I’m sure there’s beer in your fridge.”
“You’re a fucking asshole,” Mac muttered as he turned to leave.
“You’re a sweetheart, Mac,” Loch spat back. Once Mac was gone, Loch drained his beer and ordered another. By the time he was halfway through with his second one, someone else came into The Bear’s Bane. This man wasn’t local, but he was no stranger to Silver Spruce.
He took the seat next to Loch and ordered a whiskey, neat.
“Is the girl staying in town?” he asked Loch without looking at him.
“Her car has engine trouble. Who knows when it’ll be fixed,” Loch replied.
“Good.” The man reached into his jacket and pulled out an envelope. “For your troubles.”
Loch pocketed the envelope. From the feel of it, it was more than enough to cover what he’d shelled out to Mac.
“Let me know if you need anything else,” Loch said.
“We’ll be in touch.” The man downed his whiskey in a single, smooth sip and left the bar, leaving Loch alone.
CHAPTER NINE - Holly
Holly set down her phone on the desk in the study and let out a long, frustrated groan. Keller poked his head into the study.
“What’s the verdict?”
“Have you been standing outside the door waiting?”
“No,” Keller said, right as Garret said, “Yes.”
“You guys are ridiculous. Just come in.”
All three piled into the study. They stood before the desk, watching Holly with careful gazes. She couldn’t help but laugh.
“What’s funny?” Garret asked.
“I feel like a mob boss.” Holly giggled. “Can’t say I hate it.”
“You look good behind the desk.” Keller nodded. “How did the call go?”
“According to the estate lawyer, Pearl’s letter is legally binding. She even got two people to sign it as witnesses. The lady was thorough.”
“That she was.” Garret nodded. “So, you’re staying?”
“I called my boss and explained the situation. She’s willing to let me work remotely for the next month.”
“It’s just as well,” Johnny said from the hallway before he entered the room. “I just listened to a voicemail from Mac. He found an engine issue that he missed before. He’s not sure how long it’ll take to fix.”
“What?” Holly’s face fell. “How much is that going to cost me?”
“We’ll work it out later,” Johnny said calmly. “What’s important is that you still have your job, and you don’t have to pay rent.”
“Oh, shit!” Holly swore. “I completely forgot to call my landlord.”
“We’ll leave you to it,” Keller said as he ushered the other two out of the study. “We’re going to start dinner.”
“Dinner?” Holly gasped. “What time is it?” She’d been making phone calls for what felt like an eternity, but she didn’t realize it was getting close to dinnertime. What was it about this place that made time seem to pass so quickly?
“It’s nearly six. The sun already went down.”
“That’ll teach me to work in a windowless room for hours on end,” she muttered before picking up her phone once more. More than anything, she wanted to stick the damn thing into a drawer and never look at it again. She still wanted to call her family, but that might have to wait until tomorrow.
She wasn’t sure what she’d say to them. Part of her wanted to hear their familiar voices. She wanted them to tell her that this was normal for their family and that everything would be fine. The other part of her was furious with them, her father specifically, for not giving her a heads up about Pearl’s eccentric will and weird marriage traditions. Someone should’ve given her a heads up. She shouldn’t have had
