Free The Hunk Next Door by Debra Webb, Regan Black

attend the Christmas Village, she owed him a big thank-you.
    “Will you at least decorate the police cars?” the historic society’s president asked.
    “That’s a favorite tradition around here, Mr. Filmore,” Abby agreed. “I’ll make sure someone takes care of that right away.” She’d already assigned Danny to follow up on that detail, but she didn’t see the need to let Filmore know she’d had the idea first. Maybe appeasing was necessary at this point.
    “Thank you,” he allowed.
    Never an easy person to be around, Filmore fidgeted more than usual today. She chalked it up to distress over the ruination of the heirloom welcome sign on top of his disapproval of her new patrol protocol.
    Both men stood. Finally. With handshakes and an exchange of “Merry Christmas,” they left her alone in her office.
    Turning to her computer, she found websites for the local television and radio stations. The impromptu media junket Deke had managed this morning was getting an outpouring of positive responses. The man had single-handedly muted the negative press regarding the crime wave in Belclare. Offering an additional painting for the silent auction that benefitted the Belclare Food Bank was a lure that would bring in serious tourist traffic. Maynard rarely sold his original paintings, though he displayed new work in the local gallery and occasionally chose pieces for limited commercial print runs. Abby was overwhelmed with gratitude for the man who seemed to be her only ally in town. She picked up her cell phone and dialed his number.
    His assistant answered in his typical muted monotone and, moments later, Deke’s voice filled her ear.
    “Darling, how are you today?”
    Better than Calder, she thought with no small measure of guilt. While the officers who’d taken over the search had found tracks in the snow behind the house, they’d lost the trail at the next street. “At the moment I’m out of the mayor’s doghouse,” she replied. “Thanks to you.”
    “Anything for a friend. We can’t let something as silly and petty as vandals get in the way of a good tourist season.”
    She wished petty and silly crimes were all she had to think about. “Well, once more you’ve put your support into action and I’m immensely grateful.”
    “Does that mean you’ll skip your meeting and join me this evening?”
    She hesitated. Was that what she wanted it to mean? Sharing dinner with Deke would be a marvelous escape from a typical evening. She indulged in the fantasy, imagining the balm of excellent food paired with the perfect wine and intelligent conversation in front of the fireplace in his dining room. Would anything be better?
    An image of those threats on the welcome sign and then on her neighbor’s house blotted out her fantasy. She tried to shake it off, but the memory of Calder pinned under the ladder shivered through her.
    “Abby? Are you there?”
    “Yes, of course.” Her palms went clammy. Calder was a good neighbor. He’d made minor repairs around her house, sometimes in exchange for only a six-pack of beer. It helped to have a neighbor like him when she didn’t have time for a man in her life otherwise. Was time really the problem or was it just another excuse? She pushed the thought away and answered Deke’s question. “Yes. Sorry, I’m here. As much as I’d like to join you, I’m afraid I will have to pass on dinner.”
    She pressed her thumb to the point between her eyebrows, hoping to ease another wave of tension. Putting off Deke after he’d done so much for her felt like an insult. At the very least it felt like she was taking him for granted. She didn’t want to visit him in the hospital, either. Someone out there had made a public vow to hurt her and the people she cared about. The threats weren’t going away and the problem was escalating. Whoever put the vandals and assailants in motion knew how to get under her skin. Injuring her neighbor and going through her garage were way too