Finding Peace - An Excerpt Part 2

Here's the conclusion of the excerpt I posted on my blog yesterday. Finding Peace is available pre-sale now, and will be released tomorrow. I hope you enjoy the first book in my Love's Compass series! 

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Laurie’s arms dropped to her sides and she pierced Kentucky with a glare. She turned on a heel and went inside the studio behind her. He followed at a distance and stopped just inside. 

He watched her shrug on a dark green jacket. Hair hung to the middle of her back, the ringlets tangled together in a mess of copper red.

He stared at her eyes. They were so green, they reminded him of jade.  

“My jacket’s on. Let’s go.”

He moved out of her way as her shoulder brushed his chest. He raised an eyebrow. If she was this frigid with the guy who was here to help, then it was a good thing the person who broke into her car was long gone. Kentucky might have been called in to investigate a homicide instead. 

Black boots that looked tiny compared to his own carried her around the car to the passenger side. She gestured to the broken window and buried her hands in her pockets. 

Kentucky reached for a small camera in his coat and took a few photos before pulling on the handle. The car door yielded with a creak and he leaned inside. 

His gaze swept over the faded seat covers, the stained floorboards, and landed on the dash. 

“That’s odd, the stereo is still here. It’s usually the first thing they take.” He stood up again. Laurie was watching him. “If you had nothing stashed in the car, what was the point?”

She shrugged. “They checked the trunk, too. It’s an old car. Probably wasn’t worth their time.”

“Maybe.” He examined the trunk and made a few more notes. “At this point, all you can do is make a claim with your insurance company to get the window repaired.”

At his words, a look of defeat crossed her face. 

“What is it?”

“I have liability only.” 

He gave her a nod. He remembered when Capturing the Moments Photography had opened up about six months ago. He had even commented to his partner about how the area of town was an unusual place for a business like that. Looking at Laurie’s car, he assumed she was here because it was all she could afford.

He rubbed the back of his neck with one hand. “We will investigate this. If we can find the guy who did it, we’ll let you know. I’m sorry there’s not much else I can do.”

The light from the studio reflected in her eyes. The frown on her face softened as she kicked one of the car’s tires with the toe of a boot. 

His eyes were drawn to her mouth as she worried her lower lip with her teeth.

 “Do you have any trash bags?”

Her brows came together. “What?”

“If you have a trash bag and some packing tape, I’ll help you cover up that window.” 

Her pretty eyes opened wide and she blinked at him as if she were seeing him for the first time. 

“Um. Yeah. I do.” 

Without another word, she disappeared into her studio. As he waited for her to return, Kentucky wondered about Laurie Blake. Her emotions seemed measured and she certainly was a woman of few words. But he had seen vulnerability – even if it was only for a moment. 

She came back with the materials he needed. Together, they sealed off the broken window. When they were finished, he nodded towards her place. “It’s getting colder out here and you have to be half frozen. You should go in for the night. I’ll file all of this first thing in the morning.”

He half expected her to argue with him. Instead, she took the tape back from him and jabbed a thumb at her car. “Thanks for the help.”

“You’re welcome.” He withdrew a card from his wallet and handed it to her. “If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call me.”

Their fingers brushed as she plucked the card from his hand. The warmth he felt at the touch surprised him. 

Without looking at the card, she slipped it into her jacket pocket. She walked to the door and turned slightly towards him again. 

The light lit her face and he admired the smattering of freckles across her nose. “I’m sorry this happened to you.” 

She shrugged her shoulders, copper curls falling forward to frame her delicate face. “It is what it is.” 

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