Temptation Trails (The Haven Brothers #3)

I checked in with dispatch, letting them know I’d apprehended a suspect. Dirt and pine needles stuck to his clothes but that was his problem. After brushing myself off, I grabbed his arm so I could lead him back to where I’d left my car.

This is going to be a fun hike.

Shit. Harper. I wasn’t just going to be late, I wasn’t going to make it at all. Bringing in a suspect was great, but it meant a hell of a lot more work.

Fortunately, Trent didn’t seem interested in chatting as we hiked out of the woods. And he didn’t try to run again, either. Getting him off the streets again was a big win. He’d been caught for property crimes numerous times, but I wondered if he was guilty of more. My instincts weren’t evidence, but the way he habitually resisted arrest showed he had a violent streak.

I made a mental note to cross check any unsolved assault or murder cases that also included property crimes, just in case there were more serious charges Trent needed to face.

By the time I got him back to the sheriff’s office and booked him in a holding cell, I was hopelessly late. I called Owen and told him to make do with a sandwich for dinner and I’d get home when I could. Then I texted Harper to apologize. She’d probably been sitting at the Timberbeast waiting for me.

I felt bad about that, but I also had a job to do. Besides, it was for the best. I didn’t want to start dating anyway.

CHAPTER 2

Harper

My date was late. Because of course he was. That was my luck.

The Timberbeast Tavern might have seemed like an odd choice for a blind date, but I appreciated the casual atmosphere. The walls were decorated with vintage logging photos, old business signs, and rusty timber tools. The floor was sticky and my stool was a little wobbly, but the whole vibe made it feel like there wasn’t any pressure. We could have a drink, chat a little, and see if we hit it off.

I was new in town, so it seemed like a good idea to get out and meet someone.

Or it had seemed like a good idea when my aunt Doris had talked me into it earlier that week. Her friend Louise had a nephew named Garrett, and she and Doris had set us up.

More specifically, they had gushed about all the amazing qualities Garrett supposedly possessed. Which made me wonder how badly they were exaggerating. Handsome, loyal, protective, kind, good job, stable, generous, helpful… They’d gone on and on. Louise had added ample and well-endowed with obvious winks.

I didn’t buy it. Nobody is that perfect. Although if he were half as great as they claimed, he was certainly worth meeting.

Even worth breaking my self-imposed dating ban.

“Can I get you anything?” the bartender asked, his voice a low rumble.

He was the most intimidating bartender I’d ever seen in person. He was huge, tall, and barrel chested. He had a bushy beard and the sleeves on his red and black buffalo plaid flannel were rolled up to the elbows, revealing thick, hairy arms.

“No. I mean, not yet. I won’t just sit here taking up your stool all night and not buy anything. That would be rude.” I was babbling. “Maybe just a water for now?”

He didn’t seem bothered by my rambling. Just slid a coaster with the Timberbeast Tavern logo on it across the bar, then poured an ice water and set it on the coaster.

“Thanks.”

No answer. Just a chin tip.

“I’m new in town, so I thought, why not agree to a blind date?” I had no idea why I was talking to him. By his slightly puzzled expression, he didn’t know either. “Do you know my aunt Doris? Doris Tilburn? She owns Angel Cakes Bakery.”

With a grunt, he nodded.

“She’s not as young as she used to be. Turns out she was having health problems and barely keeping up with the bakery. But did she tell anyone? No, she didn’t, not until she was almost too behind to catch up. When I got here, she had a wedding cake due that very day. Thankfully I was able to finish and get it to the reception on time.”

He blinked but his expression didn’t change.

“Sugar cookies,” I mumbled. “Sorry, I’m rambling. But Angel Cakes is still open, so I guess that’s the good news.”

“You’re the new baker?”

“Yep.”

“You make good cookies.”