Gramps had called this morning to let Claire know Ruby and he would be home around noon. They were both relieved that nobody had been hurt. Lucky for him, the RV was insured … although as ancient as it was, he wasn’t likely to receive much compensation for it.
A raven cawed at Claire from the top of the cottonwood tree next to the house.
“Don’t boss me around,” she snapped and grabbed a handful of deck screws, dumping them into her tool belt pouch.
The raven screeched and flew off in a rush, its wings swooshing over her head. She frowned after it. What was that about?
Claire tugged her Mighty Mouse cap lower, scanning the campground and the hills beyond from under the brim. Was someone out there right now watching her? Scaring off birds?
She probably shouldn’t be out here alone. Mac had warned her that Grady wanted Ronnie and her babysat at all times, but she was tired of waiting around for an escort to go to work. The deck was right outside the back door. One scream and somebody would come running.
Still, to be safe, she searched the area around the RV park for a glare off a pair of binoculars; an ominous shadow in one of the camper windows; or a sniper draped in desert camouflage with a long-range rifle.
She snorted at the last one. “As if you’d be able to see that, dummy.”
“Talking to yourself again?” Mac asked from where he was leaning against the side of the house.
“Where did you come from?” She hadn’t heard the back door open.
He pushed off the wall and strolled her way. “I was over talking to Grady about the fire.”
“Do they have any idea what caused it yet?”
“It’s too soon. The fire marshal is still investigating the scene.”
She blew her hair out of her face. “This is bad, Mac.”
“It could’ve been the wiring, Slugger.” Catching her by the wrist, he pulled her close. He sniffed around her neck. “Why do you smell like a smoldering Winnebago? I thought you showered this morning.”
She pulled back and unbuttoned the top of her flannel jacket, showing him her shirt underneath. “Last night’s T-shirt. I figured I’d wear it again since I’m going to get dirty.” She frowned toward the back of the RV park where Grady and the fire marshal were probably busy sifting through ashes. “I don’t think it’s the wiring. Gramps took good care of his Winnebago.”
His brow lifted. “You think it was arson?”
She nodded.
“With the intention to take out Ronnie or you?”
“Probably Ronnie, but maybe both of us.”
“Why not rig it to blow up if that was the case? Make it a sure thing?”
That was a question she’d pondered as well, not coming up with an answer. “I don’t know. But after the two anonymous letters stuck on the windshield, it’s clear somebody knew we were using the Winnebago.”
He scratched his jaw. “Let’s see what the fire marshal comes up with and go from there. In the meantime, I’m here to help you build a deck.” He rubbed his hands together. “So, put me to work.”
She crossed her arms and stared him up and down. He looked lumberjack hot in his plaid fleece shirt, jeans, and boots. “If you’re going to help, you need to take off your shirt. It’s a requirement for males working on the jobsite.”
“Oh, yeah? You don’t make Chester take off his shirt.”
“He’s not working, only observing.” And bossing her around. And telling dirty jokes. And …
“That’s called sexual harassment, woman.”
She winked. “I was hoping you’d pick up on that.”
Mac’s gaze narrowed. “That was a wink, right? You’re not twitching like Kate now, are you?”
She faked spasms in her shoulder and the left half of her face. “What twitch?”
“Funny, Slugger. Meanwhile, your sister’s electricity is flickering in her penthouse.”
“It’s not just flickering, she’s short-circuiting.” Claire pointed at the stack of composite boards piled next to the house. “You think a big strong man like you can carry a couple of those boards over here?”
“And then what?”
“We line them up, pre-drill holes, and get to screwing.” She wiggled her eyebrows at him.
He laughed. “You’ve been hanging around Chester way too long.”
After he carried a board over and set it on the joists, she handed a drill to him. “You can use Natalie’s drill to screw.”
He caught her by the coat collar and hauled her close for a hard kiss. “Sweetheart, you know I prefer my own tool for that sort of work.”
Claire grinned up at him. “I think I’m going to like working closely with you, McStudly. Especially if you keep getting lippy with me.” She kissed him back and then leaned down to grab her leather gloves.
“Speaking of working closely,” Mac said, lining up one of the boards. “I need to talk to you.”
She glanced up from the drill bit she was changing. “About what?”
“About us.” He joined her, standing extra close, and reached into her tool belt pouch. “I need a screw,” he explained with a sexy grin.
She glanced down at where his hand was taking its sweet time finding purchase. “You want that screw right now?”
His gaze dipped to her mouth. “As soon as I can get it.” He held up one of the deck screws between them.
She batted her eyelashes at him. “Tell me, Mr. Garner. Do you always flirt this much with your co-workers?”
“Only the hot ones sporting a tool belt.” He reached up and rubbed his thumb along her jaw. “Claire, I’m going to quit my job.”
Claire tried to make his declaration fit into the little flirting game they had going, but she couldn’t connect the dots. “I don’t get it.”
“There’s nothing to get. When I return to work next week I’m turning in my resignation.”
She took a step back, feeling like she’d been sucker punched. “What? Is this a joke?”
“No joke.” He was watching her closely, his hazel gaze cautious. Serious. Intense. “I’ll give them two weeks. If they need more time, I’ll go up to three, but that’s it.”
She shook
