Legend is typing on his phone, no doubt messaging Faith since it’s been half an hour since they saw each other. Aro is trying to get the cashier’s, at the next register, phone number.
I thank the cashier as she hands over the receipt.
“The guys out front will help you load if you need it.” Her eyes dart to my chest. “But somehow I doubt you will.”
I nod in appreciation for the information, refusing to acknowledge her obvious flirting. It doesn’t feel the same as it did before. I don’t jump into bed with every woman that bats her eyes at me, but I always flirt back if I feel like I might want to keep someone on the line. This woman doesn’t even register.
The silence continues as we load up the lumber, and it’s starting to grate on my last damn nerve.
Sylvie’s car is gone, but I suspect that Legend let Faith know I was tagging along and Faith passed that information on to her friend.
“Varon is being extradited back to Colorado,” Legend says as he drops the tailgate of the truck and reaches for the first stack of lumber. “Police in Telluride had to call in federal agents to help with what they found on his property.”
I reach for the second stack of wood. “Any news on Sylvie’s mom?”
Legend shakes his head. “They just started excavating the property he grew up on. He might have been lying just to hurt her.”
“He had her mother’s necklace,” I argue.
“Colton knows someone from the department there. There were no missing persons reports in a hundred-mile radius that have gone unsolved. I think if Theodore Davis was suspicious about his daughter leaving town, he would’ve filed a report.”
“I don’t understand why the piece of shit didn’t just leave,” Aro says, stepping up to grab another pile of wood from the truck. “I mean, there’s a good chance he never would’ve been found if he went underground. Why come back here?”
“People are fucking stupid,” Legend mutters, coming back for more wood.
I look from the truck to the damaged porch, not questioning why we have so much fucking wood just to replace the single railing that was damaged.
“What the fuck is going on?” I mutter, pointing from the pile we’ve created to Sylvie’s front porch.
Legend shrugs. “Faith said Sylvie mentioned wanting a bigger porch when they were discussing repairs.”
“Did he get a good attorney?” Aro asks as he drops more lumber on the pile.
“Varon?” Legend asks. “No. All of his assets were frozen, and since he can’t access them, he’s stuck with a public defender.”
“Must suck that none of his friends in the industry are willing to put their names out there to help him,” Aro mutters. “Are you guys going to stand around and fucking chat or are you going to help finish unloading?”
We both sigh, but head back to the truck and help.
It takes hours for us to rip out the old porch, but by lunchtime, several of the other guys show up and give us a hand.
“I think she’ll like it,” Legend says from the middle of the yard as I swipe a stain-coated paintbrush over the very last piece of wood.
I nod my agreement, wishing I had come over here and fixed it sooner.
“I think I missed a spot,” I say, pointing to the far corner of the new porch.
“You’re just trying to stall,” Aro says as he swipes his forearm over his face.
Cool air doesn’t matter when you’re busting your ass to get a project done before the sun goes down.
My brow creases as I look down at my watch. Sylvie has been gone all damn day, and although I have no right, I can’t help but wonder where she is.
“We’re meeting them for dinner,” Legend says as he tosses his toolbox into the back of the truck. “We’re going to head home, grab a quick shower and meet them in town. You’re welcome to join us.”
I climb into the passenger side as Legend gets behind the wheel.
“Sylvie’s paying for dinner as a thank you for fixing the porch. You should come,” Aro says from the back seat.