Free Smoky Mountain Investigation by Annslee Urban Page A

remembered.
    Even before Nick completely finished the thought, the bell on the front door jangled and Roger walked in.
    Just in time. Standing upright, Nick untied his shop apron and tossed it under the register. He worked his way around the counter, giving the employee a firm pat on the shoulder as he made his way to the exit. “Thanks, Roger. There will be a bonus in your paycheck for this.”
    “Hey, no problem. And thanks for the extra bucks.” The clatter of the bell punctuated Roger’s words as Nick walked out the century-old door.
    He couldn’t pay Roger enough.
    Thankfully, his brother didn’t mind him taking some time to be with Kylie. He seemed rather intrigued, in fact. Steven was probably surmising that something might rekindle between them. But after all this time, that wasn’t going to happen.
    Sorrow settled in Nick’s chest. Bad memories died hard, and so did regret.
    In the few days since he’d arrived, every recollection he wanted to erase from his life had seemed to slap him in the face. Conrad’s death still pricked at his heart like a rusty nail. And now Kylie reignited memories that he’d carefully kept hidden.
    If that wasn’t enough, Kylie was in danger. Anger welled up in his chest at the thought. He hated to even consider how much torment the stalker had planned before he physically harmed her.
    Something Nick wasn’t going to let happen.
    That notion started out as a plan and quickly bumped up to determination, giving him an adrenaline rush. Picking up his stride, he wove his way through the tightly packed parking area until he spotted his brother’s motorcycle.
    He stood there a moment and scratched his chin.
    The back tire was low. He’d probably hit a rock or nail on that rough road to Jake Plyler’s Barn. He made a mental note to stop by the gas station and have it checked out. One more thing on his overflowing list of things he had to get done today.
    Lunch first, he reminded himself as he fished keys from his front pocket.
    Nick swung onto the seat and started the cycle. Forty minutes later, he pulled into a parking spot at the Asheville Daily News. He’d promised Kylie he’d be there by one. He checked his watch—right on time. He secured his helmet on the back of the seat and pulled a bag and two canned drinks from the side pouch. Not an easy feat, stopping to pick up lunch and getting it to the destination uncrushed. Steven obviously hadn’t thought out that scenario when he purchased a motorcycle as his primary mode of transportation. Then again, bicycle riding hadn’t proved any better.
    Nick smiled at the thought of his brother holed up in the hospital with one leg in traction. A motorcycle spill could have been lethal. He’d have to remind his brother of that. A Hummer or a tank might prove to be a safer bet.
    As Nick neared Kylie’s desk, she looked up.
    “Lunch.” He lifted a crinkled bag.
    “Great. Do you mind if we eat inside? I’m waiting on my edits.”
    “Sure.”
    Grabbing a spare chair, he pulled it beside hers. He waited as she cleared a spot on her desk and spread a page from the newspaper on top.
    “Recycled, but clean.” She inclined her head and smiled.
    An impromptu picnic. Ah, so Kylie. He settled in the chair and handed her a soda.
    She popped the lid. “Smells good. Kind of rich and tangy. What did you bring?”
    Nick opened the bag. He glanced in and shook his head. “It started as barbecued grilled-chicken sandwiches and chips. Now I believe we have chicken flatbread and potato crumbs.”
    “Umm. Sounds good.” She laughed.
    “Still game for an adventure, I see.” He removed her lunch from the bag and handed it to her.
    She accepted his offering and arranged it on the desk in front of her.
    “That was one of the things I used to love about you. You never were afraid of trying new things.”
    She broke eye contact with him and took a bite of her sandwich, but not before he saw her gaze turn stormy.
    Nick nearly choked on the bite