Obsession Falls (The Haven Brothers, #1)

by Claire Kingsley

“Depends on the property.”

“We’ve flipped a few over the years, but the market has been slowing down so it’s generally better for us to keep them and rent them out.” “Is it frustrating?” “Is what frustrating?”

“Being a landlord. You have to deal with tenants all the time, fix broken stuff, chase them down for late payments, that sort of thing.” “Annika deals with the tenants.” “Right, because you’re bad with people.” “Is that what she said?” “Something like that.” There was that cheerful smile again. Was she teasing me? “You did a great job on the house next door. It’s really nice.” “Thanks.” “Sorry, I should quit bugging you. I’m sure you have a lot of work to do.” She picked up the ball but kept it tucked against her chest while Max did a circle around her. “I’ll see you around.” “Yeah, see you.”

There. That was over with. We had a tenant in the two-bedroom, and Annika had smoothed things over after my screw-up last night. I didn’t need to worry about her. Or think about her in those shorts. But I did think about her in those shorts. I got back to work, ripping out the rest of the kitchen floor, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t stop thinking about Audrey Young and her annoyingly beautiful smile.

She turned toward the bar and raised her voice. “Hey, Rocco. What does a girl have to do to get a drink around here? Flash her boobs?” I covered my mouth and laughed behind my hand. Rocco, the lumberjack bartender, crossed his arms and raised his bushy eyebrows as if to say, Go ahead, I’m waiting. Sandra laughed. “Leave it to Rocco to call my bluff. I’ll go get us drinks. What do you want?”

I went to the bar. Rocco was busy with a customer, but another bartender came out from the back. He was younger than Rocco, with shaggy dark hair and no beard. He looked vaguely familiar, but a lot of people around here did. Plus I wasn’t great with faces—or names—unless I knew someone well.

Relevant?

His gaze swept over the bar in a quick arc. I couldn’t be sure in the dim light, but it seemed like his eyes might have narrowed when he saw me. I was probably imagining it. But it left a tingle in my stomach just the same. Actually, Josiah Haven did scare me. But I kind of liked it.

The skepticism in Sandra’s eyes almost made me laugh. She was clearly not impressed with Colin’s attempt to act interested in her. “We work together. And how do you know her, exactly?” Colin met my eyes and smiled. “We’re old friends from high school.” “Old friends?” Sandra asked. “Well,” Colin said, turning his palms up. “We were more than friends. In fact, we almost got married.” That took me aback and I sat up straighter. “We didn’t almost get married.” “Of course we did.” “We were never engaged. I think you need to at least be engaged to be able to say you almost got married.” “Most of us thought it was a foregone conclusion that we would get married.”

Without thinking about what I was doing, I pushed my chair back. “I’m sorry, Sandra, but I should probably get home.” “Audrey, sweetheart.” Colin’s tone was placating, like he was talking to an upset child. “Don’t do that.” “You shouldn’t call her that.”

Oooh he told you!!

Colin looked up at him. “Excuse me?” “I don’t think she likes you calling her ‘sweetheart.’ So how about you go find your own table and leave these ladies alone.” “How about you mind your own business.” “I would love to but you keep bothering them and I don’t like it.”

I had no idea why Josiah was standing up for me. Colin hadn’t been harassing us in an obvious way. Sitting at our table and making conversation wasn’t that bad. Except it was. It was making me uncomfortable. In a moment when I’d been about to run away, Josiah Haven, a guy I barely knew, was stepping in to stop it. Kind of restored my faith in humanity a little bit.

He probably spent time in the gym every week, but he had to be smart enough to realize that if this got physical, he didn’t stand a chance. And something told me Josiah would have no problem getting physical. After an agonizing moment, Colin turned to me, his face betraying nothing. “Sorry for intruding, Audrey. It’s always good to see you. We’ll pick up again where we left off another time.” Josiah growled. With one last glare at Josiah, Colin turned and left.

He kept his eyes on Colin’s back until the door shut behind him. His gaze moved to me but he didn’t say a word. Just glared, like he was mad at me now, and went back to his spot at the bar, leaving me wondering what on earth had just happened.

Rocco smirked at me. I hunched over my beer and locked my eyes on the bar. Why had I done that? I didn’t need to get involved. The asshole had been right, it wasn’t my business. She wasn’t my business. But every word out of that prick’s mouth had been like the sound of a fork scraping over a plate. Some people hated fingernails on a chalkboard; I hated a fork scraping on a plate.

I didn’t know who he was, although I’d heard the word ex-boyfriend at some point. Not that I’d been eavesdropping on Audrey and Sandra. I’d just been stupid enough to pick a spot at the bar right behind their table. Couldn’t help but overhear their conversation.

While Rocco poured my beer from the tap, I cast a quick glance over my shoulder. Audrey’s back was to me and Sandra had scooted closer to her. Their heads were down in quiet conversation. Sandra’s eyes flicked to me and her mouth twitched in a grin.

A light touch on my arm wrenched me from my thoughts. Before I even looked to see who it was, I had the offending wrist in my grip. Audrey’s eyes were wide and her lips parted. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.” Feeling like an absolute jackass, I let go. “Sorry.” She rubbed her wrist with her other hand. “It’s okay.” “I didn’t hurt you, did I?” “Oh no.” She held up her arm as if to prove it. “I just didn’t expect that. I startled you, you startled me. I guess we’re even. Except we’re not. What I mean is, I want to thank you for getting rid of Colin.”

“He lives up in Pinecrest so it’s kind of weirding me out that he was here. Anyway, you didn’t have to stand up for me like that and you did, so I appreciate it.” I grunted, keeping my eyes on the bar. “Okay, well, I’ll quit bugging you. I probably talk too much when I’m nervous, and right now I feel about as calm as a rabbit running through a field full of foxes.” That almost made me crack a smile. “Nice alliteration.”

“I’m going to go before I make this worse. Thanks again, Josiah. I’ll see you around.” I tried not to look when she left—and failed. Sandra hesitated, like she was deciding whether or not to say something to me. She stepped closer. “Thanks for that. She needed it.” “Just do me a favor.” “What’s that?” “Don’t tell my aunt Louise about this.” Sandra chuckled. “She won’...

But something about the whole thing kept eating at me. I met Rocco’s eyes and he stepped closer. “That asshole I chased out of here. Have you seen him in here before?” He shrugged. “Didn’t look familiar, but I don’t memorize faces.” I nodded. That was fair enough. But a cocky jerk like that would stand out. Seemed like Rocco would have remembered him.

I clenched my hands into fists. Damn it. She wasn’t my problem. But I got up anyway. I twisted off the stool, my boots hitting the floor with a thud, and was out the door in a few strides. I hadn’t paid for my drinks, but I didn’t worry about it. I’d square up with Rocco later.

I was being paranoid. The guy had probably come down to Tilikum to get a drink by himself, like he’d said, and running into Audrey had been a coincidence. But I couldn’t shake the thought that he might have followed her. She wasn’t my problem. I let out a resigned breath and stalked to my truck. She wasn’t, but apparently tonight I was making her my problem.

Audrey’s front door opened and I ducked behind the dumpster. “Let’s go, Max. Time to go potty.” I peeked around the edge. Max tore out the front door, and for a second, I thought he was heading straight for me. But he circled around a tree in the front yard, moving back and forth like he needed to find the perfect angle, before peeing on the trunk. “Good boy. Let’s go, back inside.” He stopped, lifting his nose in the air to sniff. “I know, lots of smells out here. Inside, Max.”

Who was the creeper now? I was worried about her ex-boyfriend and there I was, watching her from behind a dumpster. I was basically stalking her. How many times was this girl going to make me feel like an idiot? I had a feeling this wouldn’t be the last. She wasn’t supposed to be my problem, but as I got in my truck to head back to the bar and settle up with Rocco, I knew full well that I’d be over there early tomorrow. Not to get a jump on the day, but to make sure she was still okay. I couldn’t shake the feeling that Colin still could show up. Apparently Audrey Young was my problem now.

I opened the door and he shot outside. But he didn’t run straight for what had become his pee tree. He stopped a couple of feet from the door to sniff something on the ground. Wait. What was that? “Max, no! Leave it!” I darted out to get hold of his collar before he could grab the dead animal in his mouth. He jumped away, like this was a very fun game, and surged in again to grab it. “No, that’s not a toy. Gross, leave it!” He circled around the dead thing but I anticipated his move and headed him off. I grabbed his collar and dragged him away, back toward the front door.

Eww no icky presents!!

“Whatever that is out there, it’s not a snack.” That brought up a good question. What was it and why was it right outside my door?

went to the window and looked outside. It was still there—because of course it was, it was dead. When Max had gone after it, I’d been too preoccupied with keeping it out of his mouth to worry about what it was. It was small and gray with a bushy tail—probably a squirrel. Why on earth had a squirrel died right in front of my door?

And how was I going to get rid of it? I felt my gag reflex threaten at the thought of disposing of it. I didn’t think I could do it. But I couldn’t leave it there, either. The rumble of a truck outside caught my attention. Josiah Haven pulled into the driveway next door. Perfect. That big flannel-wearing grump could help me.

Josiah was just shutting his truck door. I didn’t miss the flash of surprise that crossed his features when he saw me—eyes widening, his mouth parting. Then I realized I wasn’t wearing a bra and it was still chilly. Great. Oh well, too late now. Besides, after the tub incident, this wasn’t so bad. And I really needed his help.

“I’m sorry to bug you, but I’m so glad you’re here.” His brow furrowed. “There’s a dead squirrel outside my front door.” “What do you mean, there’s a dead squirrel outside your front door?” “I mean it’s there and it’s dead and I don’t know what to do with it. Max will try to eat it, or roll in it, so I need to get rid of it. And I’m not at all ashamed to say that if I try to do it myself, I’ll probably puke.” “But why is there a dead squirrel outside your door?”

“What the fuck?” “Yeah, it’s gross. Poor thing. What are the chances it would just keel over and die right here?” “Almost zero.” He glanced around then picked up a stick and poked at it. I gagged a little. “What are you doing?” He crouched down and used the stick to turn it over. “You don’t have a cat, do you?” “No, just Max. Why?” “Cats sometimes leave dead things for their owners. Have you seen a cat around?” “No.”

“What did you mean by that?” “By what?” “The chances are almost zero that a squirrel would just die right there.” He stood. “It didn’t just die. Something, or someone, killed it.” I winced. “What would have killed a squirrel and left it lying around?” “I don’t know. Have you ever had this happen before?” “A dead animal on my doorstep? No, definitely not.”

“The guy at the bar last night,” he said. “How long ago did you break up?” “Colin? Years ago.” “Is it normal for him to harass you?” “No. He doesn’t harass me, really. He just—” “He was harassing you.” “Okay, he was. But no, it’s not normal. Although after I moved away, I went a long time without seeing him, so I guess if he wanted to harass me, he didn’t have the chance. He was a little weird at my dad’s funeral, but that was two years ago, and it could have been because it was a funeral and everything.” “Do you always make excuses for people?”

“You’re doing it right now.” I was not making excuses for Colin. “Are you asking about him because you think he might have killed a squirrel and left it on my doorstep?” “The thought did occur to me.” “That seems… I don’t know, crazy.” “Yeah, you think?”

“I can’t imagine Colin doing something like that.” “How well do you actually know him?” “True, I don’t know him very well now. I don’t know how well I knew him back then, either. Then again, how well can you know a guy in his late teens and early twenties? Their brains are still developing until what, twenty-five?” “Audrey.” “Yeah?” “You’re rambling.”

“I don’t know. If he wants you back, or at least to get in your pants, leaving a dead animal at your door isn’t a smart move.” “He’s married. He doesn’t want me back. Or in my pants.” His eyes lifted to meet mine. “He definitely wants to get in your pants.” “No, he doesn’t. I told you, he’s married. He got married right after we broke up.” “Sounds healthy.” “Half the time I can’t tell if you’re being sarcastic. You have the ability to deadpan everything.” “Assume sarcasm.”

“Well, he’s out of luck there. I wouldn’t even if he wasn’t married, but I’d never, ever sleep with a married man.”

“Who lived here last?” I asked, trying to change the subject. “Maybe they had an enemy who wanted to terrorize them with dead animals. Or they had a cat and it came back, thinking this is home.” “I’d have to ask Annika.” “I’ll keep my eye out for a cat. I like that explanation the best.”

“Hey. There’s a dead squirrel outside one of my tenant’s houses.” He paused. “No, it’s not roadkill. It’s right outside her front door. Something slashed it open but there’s not a lot of blood on the ground, so it looks like they did it elsewhere and left it here.” He paused again, listening. I wanted to ask who he was talking to, but he didn’t make eye contact. “How the hell would I know? I’m asking you because what if someone did it on purpose?” Another pause. “Okay. Bye.” “Who was that?” “My brother, Garrett. He’s a cop.” My eyebrows drew in. “I don’t think this warrants calling the cops.” “I didn’t ‘call the cops.’ I called my brother to see what he thinks.”

“That it’s probably just a dead animal a predator left behind and I should get rid of it for you.” “Okay, then.” His eyes flicked to my chest and he looked away.

I glanced at it again, tilting my head. “Should we have a funeral?” “What?” “The poor thing deserves better than to wind up in a dumpster with no one to mourn him.” Josiah looked at me like I’d just suggested we eat it for dinner. “It’s a squirrel.” “I know but I feel bad. We don’t have to do anything fancy. Just get it in the bag ready to go in the dumpster and let me say a few words before you toss it in.”

“Got it,” Josiah said. “What do you want me to do now?” I hated to throw it in the dumpster like garbage, but I hadn’t been kidding when I’d said Max would find it or dig it up. I appeased my guilt by telling myself that if we put it in the dumpster, Max wouldn’t be able to desecrate the body. “Let’s take it over there but don’t toss it in yet.”

“Okay, I guess I’ll start,” I said. “And you’ll finish.” That made me laugh a little. “Dearly beloved, we’re gathered here today… Um, I don’t actually know how that’s supposed to go. Let me start over.” I took a deep breath. “The life of a wild animal, even a little Tilikum squirrel, is hard and fraught with danger. Although this small creature met its end, we appreciate its role in nature. May it rest in a land of abundant nuts.” Josiah cracked a smile.

“Go ahead and put it in its final resting place.” He tossed the bag into the dumpster. “I guess that’s that.”

“Call me if anything else weird happens.” I nodded. “I will, but I don’t think I have your number.” He slipped his phone out of his pocket and lifted his eyebrows. My heart seemed to skip and a pleasant tingle swirled low in my tummy. I gave him my number and he typed something. “I texted you.” He met my eyes again. His were a stormy blue-gray. “And seriously, anything weird happens, call me.”

Eeeepppp!!

Looking at his name on my screen, I realized something. It wasn’t just that I didn’t want to bother him. I wanted Josiah Haven to like me.

Although I was old enough to remember my biological mother, Marlene Haven was the only mom I’d ever had. She’d been in my life since I was pretty young and adopted me and my brothers when I was about ten, making the relationship official. I didn’t need the paperwork to think of her as my mother, but I’d always appreciated that she and my dad had done everything they could to take two broken families and make them whole.

“So I heard there was a little incident at the Timberbeast last night.” The microwave beeped and I took out my plate. I knew exactly what she was talking about, but I decided to play dumb. “What incident?” “Something about the new girl in town and her ex-boyfriend. Ring any bells?” I shrugged. “It wasn’t a big deal.” “I’m just wondering what really happened. According to Doris Tilburn, you were on a date with the girl, and he showed up claiming she was his wife. But Margie Hauser said he was her ex-boyfriend, not her husband, and you threw him out of the bar. Amy Garrett heard it was Zachary, not you, or that you almost started a fight but Zachary stopped it. I know that one’s just town gossip. Zachary would escalate a situation, not calm it down.”

Lol oh my that’s quite a story

I took my plate to the living room and sat in an armchair. “Why do you care?” “Call it motherly curiosity. You’re not exactly forthcoming about what’s going on in your life. Whether or not there really was drama at the Timberbeast, it makes me wonder if you were out with a girl.” “I wasn’t.” “Then what happened?” I let out a breath. “Her ex-boyfriend showed up and wouldn’t leave her alone.” “And you intervened?” “Yeah.” “Hmm,” she said, and I couldn’t tell what it meant. “Did you throw him out?” “I got him to leave.” “Good for you. I’m sure the girl appreciated it.” “Audrey.”

“So you do know her.” “She’s a tenant.” “But you know her name.” “Yeah. She’s a tenant.” “Tell me the name of one of your other tenants. Any one.”