Temptation Trails (The Haven Brothers #3)

“They found him right here in Tilikum.”

“No, I didn’t know that.” I pointed to his shirt. “True crime fan?”

He grinned. “Yeah. I like to do a lot of my own research.”

“Oh. Interesting.”

I didn’t know if this guy was just a little bit awkward or if I had a reason for hoping he left soon. I didn’t want to be judgy, but there was something about him that was making me uncomfortable.

Oh well. Wouldn’t have been the first time. It was a hazard of dealing with the public. I’d just keep it professional and maybe clear my throat if he started staring at my chest again. Sometimes that worked.

“So, what can I get you?”

His eyes went straight to my chest. I cleared my throat, but he didn’t seem to notice.

“Would you like a suggestion?” I asked, working hard to keep my tone friendly.

“Sure.”

“The sugar cookies have been popular lately. Or the double chocolate chunk if you prefer chocolate.”

“Chocolate,” he said with a nod. “Are you new in town? I don’t remember seeing you.”

“Fairly new, yeah.” I used a pair of tongs to get his cookie out of the case and put it in a white bag.

“Tilikum is a nice place, even if it has a lot of secrets.”

“I suppose most places do.” I rang him up and took his payment.

“Yeah, you’d be surprised. There was a woman out in Pinecrest who kept marrying different men and then killing them. Made them all look like accidents.”

“Wow, that’s terrible.” I had a feeling this guy needed to find another hobby. His true crime fascination was a little much. “Can I get you anything else?”

“No.”

I hesitated, waiting for him to go. He had his cookie. He’d paid for it. But he just stood there. His eyes roved over me again. He was really starting to make my skin crawl.

“Okay, then have a nice evening.”

“You too. I’m Matt Rudolph.”

“Harper. Nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too. I’m glad you moved to Tilikum. The old baker wasn’t very pretty.”

What was with this guy? “Well, she’s my aunt, so…”

“You don’t look like her.”

I shrugged. “Maybe not.”

He grinned again. “See you again soon, Harper.”

“Bye.”

I let out a breath as he finally left, then hurried over to lock the door and turn the cupcake sign to closed.

I couldn’t put my finger on why that interaction had bothered me the way it did. Garrett Haven had stared at me when he’d been in with his son. That encounter had been arguably more awkward—it had seemed like he’d forgotten how to use words—but it had been cute, not weird.