“What happened? What did he say?” she asked.
Vi blinked at her innocently. “Who?”
Lena rolled her eyes and gave her shoulder a little shove. “Don't play dumb. You're supposed to be gathering intel for me.”
“Intel? Really?” Vi did not look impressed.
“Vi, I have it all figured out. I've been handling this all wrong,” she said, pulling her hair up off her sweaty neck into a ponytail and securing it with an elastic band from around her wrist. “I went in guns blazing, and didn't think things through.”
“You don't say.” Vi sipped her wine.
Lena shot her a look. “All I'm saying is I need to study this guy. Find his weakness. Then . . . BAM!” She said the last part a little too loudly, perhaps, given the weird glances coming her way. “Mind your business, Mrs. Watson,” she called out to the old busybody. Mrs. Watson pursed her lips disapprovingly, and turned to walk away. She'd never liked Lena.
“As I was saying.” Lena lowered her voice a little. “I went into the situation with him having all the power. I had nothing to offer. No bargaining chips. I need a chip, Vi. I need all the chips.”
Kade came up then and wrapped an arm around Vi's waist, kissing her temple. “What are you ladies talking about?”
Vi smiled up at him. “Lena needs chips.”
Lena smacked her arm. “Don't tell him!”
“Why not?”
“He's a man,” she hissed. “He's the enemy.”
Vi eyed Lena warily. “I think—and I'm saying this as your friend—you may have lost your mind.”
Lena ignored her, peering at Kade. “Can you be trusted, Rivera?”
Kade shrugged and ran a hand through his dark hair. “I'd like to think so.”
“You're not going to go running off to your new friend the sheriff and tell him all my secrets?”
“The sheriff?” Kade’s eyebrows shot up. “You mean Gage?”
Lena shrugged. “Sheriff seems like it fits better. You know, shootout at the O.K. Corral at high noon. Whoa there, Pilgrim . . . Do you feel lucky, punk?”
“I don't think that last one—”
“Anyway,” Lena said, ignoring him. She glanced toward the hallway to the restrooms, knowing she didn't have much time before Gage returned. “The point is, you have an in,” she said to Vi. “So I need you to find me chips.”
Vi sighed. “What kind of chips?”
“If I knew that, I could do it myself!” Lena threw up her hands. “Just find out what he likes. What he wants. Anything I can use to get my parking space back.” She leaned in. “Do you know he had the sign put back up? Somehow he had someone go in there and pour concrete without me knowing. He's some kind of ninja, I swear.”
“I thought he was a sheriff?” Kade said. “Or Dirty Harry?” He looked genuinely confused. Which was fine, in Lena's opinion.
“Whatever.” She waved a hand. Then she spotted Gage emerging from the hallway. He deftly dodged Angela and Veronica with an apologetic smile and a little help from Mark Andrews.
“You do this for me, and it's free ice cream for life,” Lena hissed at Vi.
Vi perked up. “Really?”
“I want ice cream,” Kade said.
“Then don't stand in my way,” Lena told him. And really, she was beginning to get a little lost in the conversation herself, but she pointed at Kade anyway, emphasizing her words with a glare.
He held up his hands in acquiescence and Lena nodded before turning to walk away.
Right into the broad, and rather hard, chest of Gage Turner.
“Whoa,” he said, grabbing her upper arms to steady her. She got a whiff of his cologne, something spicy and musky and undeniably masculine, and couldn't keep from inhaling a little deeper before she caught herself and stepped back, pushing on his chest.
Wow, it was really hard. Her fingers flexed a bit into his sweater, and she yanked her hands away, her face flaming with embarrassment.
“Sorry,” she said. “Didn't mean to—I mean, I wasn't—”
He eyed her curiously, one brow cocked. “You all right there, Ms. McKenna?”
Lena smoothed her hair, flustered. “I'm fine, thank you. How are you, Sheriff?” And that was a slip, but Lena lifted her chin, unwilling to admit it.
“Uh, it's Chief, actually,” he replied, his green eyes twinkling. “But as I told you, Gage is fine.”
And he'd like that, wouldn't he? Getting her all comfortable, off guard, open to attack.
“Right,” she said slowly. “I see you’ve caught the eye of the Merry Widows.”
“The who?”
Lena smirked. “Angela and Veronica,” she said. “Named more for the spider than their actual marital status.”
He glanced back at the two women, who smiled and waved, and his face reddened. “I don’t—That’s, uh.”
Lena patted his arm. “Relax, Sheriff. Their bark is worse than their bite. I think.” She fought back a laugh. The Merry Widows actually were kind of terrifying. “Other than that, are you enjoying the party?”
Gage took a breath and seemed to pull himself together. “It's very nice,” he replied. “The music was impressive. Has your band been performing together for long?”
At that, Lena laughed, Kade and Vi as well.
“Yes, well, most of my life, actually,” she replied. “My parents had us playing Irish music as soon as we could pick up an instrument.”
“Your parents?” Gage glanced toward them, across the room.
“Yeah, my mom plays the flute and my dad the concertina,” she replied. “Boomer's not related, of course, but he's pretty good on the spoons, so . . .” She didn't know why she was telling him all of this. “Anyway, Irish family. Irish bar. Irish music. It only makes sense.”
“You'll have to come out on St. Patrick's Day,” Kade said. “That's when they really get this place rocking.”
“So I've heard,” Gage said slowly. “I'll probably be on duty, but I'll be sure to drop by.”
Lena stiffened. “Don't worry, Sheriff. We won't be disturbing the peace.”
“Not that there's much peace to disturb on St. Patrick's Day,” Kade said with a wry grin.
Lena wanted to hit him. St. Patrick's Day was one of the biggest nights of the year for the pub. The last thing she wanted was any trouble coming Braden's way.
“I'm sure it will be fine,” Gage said. “I'm well aware of the importance of holiday celebrations around here. Mayor Kendricks was very clear about that.”
And that was it, wasn't it? Joshua Kendricks and the town council called the shots where Gage was concerned. “Yes, well, wouldn't want to upset the mayor, would we?” It came out a little snarkier than she'd intended.
Gage definitely noticed, if the way his smile fell was any indication. “I'm simply saying I can be flexible where the good of the town is concerned.”
Lena's eyes narrowed, a rush of heat racing up her spine. “But not where the good of one of its residents is?”
Gage sighed heavily, his gaze flying to the ceiling in irritation. “Is this about the parking space? Again?”
“Yes, it is. Again.” Lena knew her temper was getting the better of her, but she couldn't rein it in. “I can't believe you put the sign back up. Was that just to spite me?”
“Spite you?” Gage spluttered.
“Maybe we should all calm down,” Vi suggested.
Lena wouldn't hear of it. “I wasn't even in the alley,” she said. “I parked blocks away. Had to haul two cases of sugar, thank you very much.”
“I noted the damaged sign in my initial report,” Gage said. “After that, it was out of my hands. Nothing was done out of spite.”
“So you wouldn't mind if it disappeared?” Lena glared at him.
“You wouldn't dare.” Gage propped his fists on his hips, looming over her. “That's destruction of town property.”
“Guys—” Kade tried to intervene.
“I wouldn't do anything,” Lena said loftily. “
I'm just saying things have been known to vanish in that alley. Could be leprechauns. Who knows at this time of year?”
“Leprechauns,” Gage said flatly.
Lena shrugged. She wasn't really going to do anything to the sign. She wasn't stupid. But it was nice to keep him off balance a bit.
“So this is the illustrious new Chief of Police.” Lena's mother, Chelsea, chose that moment to interrupt the conversation. She held out a hand to Gage. “Chief Turner, I'm Chelsea McKenna.” She gave him her most winning smile. Lena had told her about the whole parking debacle, and she'd thought her mother was supportive. But at that moment, she practically glowed at Gage, and Lena felt a bit betrayed.
“Gage, please, Ms. McKenna.” He shook her hand, his irritated expression immediately softening.
“Then call me Chelsea,” she said, pulling Lena's dad forward. “This is my husband, Sean.”
“Nice to meet you,” Gage said, shaking the man's hand. Although Lena resembled her mother in coloring with her brown hair and eyes, her height and dimples came from her father. He grinned at the chief, blue eyes sparkling.
“You as well,” he said. “I hear you've been giving my girl here a bit of trouble.” Lena winced, feeling like a child. She didn't need her father fighting her battles.
“Nothing you need to worry about, Dad,” she said. “I'm sure we'll work things out.”
“Oh?” Chelsea looked from her to Gage. “Is that what you were doing?”
“Absolutely.” She shot Gage a pointed look. “Right?”
Gage cleared his throat. “Right.” He nodded. “I have to say, I really enjoyed the music earlier.”
“Oh, thank you, Gage,” Chelsea replied. “We do love playing together. Have you met Braden yet?” She scanned the crowd, then spotted him behind the bar and waved him over.
“That's all right, you don't have to—” Gage stammered, but Braden was already on the way.
He stood right behind Lena and crossed his beefy arms over his chest. Her brother was always on her side, always her backup. She could feel him glaring at Gage, even without looking.
“Braden, sweetie, this is Gage Turner,” Chelsea said with a quelling look. Lena could tell what was happening, even if Gage couldn't. Her mom was silently telling Braden to be nice. It was a look Lena had been on the receiving end of many, many times.
Braden sighed and held out a hand. “Nice to meet you.”
They shook hands, and Lena noticed the tension in Braden's forearm as he squeezed, just a little too tightly. Gage's jaw clenched, but his smile didn't falter. “Braden,” he said. “Nice place you have here.”
Braden held the grip a moment longer, much to her mother's consternation, if her quiet sigh was any indication.
“Thanks,” he said. “All our permits are up to date, in case you were wondering.”
Gage's lips twisted. “I wasn't, but good to know.”
Braden nodded, and Lena felt a little curl of satisfaction.
“I noticed you have Kamawock Ale,” Gage said, nodding to the chalkboard behind the bar with the hand-written menu. “You don't see that a lot in these parts.”
Braden's chest puffed up a little. He prided himself on his unique selection. “Tried it at a brewer's convention a few years ago and thought it'd do well here. It has.”
“The brewery's just outside of Chicago,” Gage said. “I met the owner a while back. Nice guy.”
“Oh yeah?” Braden's posture softened a bit. “So you know beer?”
“It's a bit of a hobby,” Gage replied, which led to a rather in-depth conversation about hops, malt, and mouth feel. Which led to Braden inviting Gage behind the bar, while Lena watched with shocked betrayal.
“What just happened?” she asked Vi.
Her friend patted her shoulder. “Looks like you've lost one to the enemy.”
“Enemy?” Chelsea tipped her head, watching the two men sample a stout. “I don't know, sweetie, he doesn't seem nearly as bad as you made him out to be.”
“Et tu, mother?” Lena grumped.
The rest of the evening passed in relative harmony, and Lena tried to put the whole Gage thing out of her mind. When she finally left and was about to get into her car in the parking lot behind the Shamrock, she spotted him walking down the street. Without thinking twice, she slipped into the shadows, following him at a distance until she saw him get into a shiny blue muscle car of some kind. He pulled out and drove away and the gears turned in Lena's mind. Alpha males did love their muscle cars, didn't they?
Maybe that was a big, shiny, blue chip.
* * *
Saturday night, Gage was out on patrol, munching on a sandwich while he drove down Main Street. It was after ten, so Holiday Junction was relatively quiet, except for a weekend crowd at the Shamrock, which seemed to be relatively well-behaved, if a bit loud.
He wasn't sure what to think about the events of the party the night before. It had been a pleasant evening, if not for the little confrontation with Lena McKenna. She couldn't let it go about the parking spot, and Gage wasn't sure what to do about it. He was only doing his job, after all. Why couldn't she see that?
On top of that, he didn't know why it bothered him so much. Sure, there'd been a moment of attraction there. He wasn't dead, and Lena was definitely pretty, with those doe eyes and dimples, and that voice? Transcendent was the word that came to mind. But she was certainly not Gage's type. He'd come to Holiday Junction for peace and quiet. Lena McKenna was neither of those things. So why did he care if she didn't like him?
And why was he even thinking about this? Even if he wanted to get to know Lena better—and he definitely didn't—there was the big guy named Braden that he assumed was her boyfriend. Her parents even referred to him as family, so they had to be close.
“Get a hold of yourself, Turner,” he mumbled to himself. Gage had enough on his plate right now. A new job. A new town. He had no desire to throw dating into the mix. Especially not with someone like Lena McKenna.
No, if he were to try dating again—and he was a long way from that still—he wanted someone sweet and comforting. Someone with whom he had a lot in common, so their relationship would be serene and harmonious. Definitely not someone who would challenge him at every turn.
He'd seen enough conflict in his life—experienced more than his fair share when it came to relationships. Gage had learned his lesson. The screaming matches with Tia had been the last straw.
Never again.
Gage had just turned the corner to head back to the station when a car pulled onto the street a block ahead of him. One of the car's tail lights was out, so he flipped on his lights and bleeped the siren. He'd give the driver a warning, so he or she could get it fixed. It wasn't a huge danger, after all, but Gage was all about better safe than sorry.
The car pulled to the curb and Gage parked behind it, leaving the lights flashing as he got out and approached the driver's side window. The glass rolled down and he put on his professional smile.
“Good evening—”
“Oh, you've got to be kidding.” Lena McKenna scowled up at him. “Are you stalking me now?”
Gage's eyes narrowed. “Of course not. Stalking is against the law.”
Lena snorted, her lips twitching slightly. “Well, I know I wasn't speeding. And I came to a full stop back there. So what law have I broken this time, Sheriff?”
“It's Chief,” he muttered, irritation niggling at him. He was determined to remain professional, though. “License, registration, and proof of insurance, please.”
“Right.” She pulled out the documents and handed them over. “You know, there is such a thing as police harassment.”
“I'm aware,” he replied. “That is not the case at the moment, however. You have a broken tail light.”
Lena stuck her head out the window and glanced toward the back of the car. “I know. I was going to get it fixed, but I haven't had time.”
“Well, it is a safety issue—”
L
ena gaped up at him. “Seriously?” She pointedly looked down the road. “We are literally the only two people on this street right now.”
Man, this girl was annoying. “That's right now. It could change at any moment.”
Lena inhaled deeply. “Fine,” she said through gritted teeth. “I promise I'll get it taken care of.”
He examined the documents in his hands. “This proof of insurance is expired.”
“Of course it is,” she mumbled, leaning back on the headrest, her eyes closed. “Look, I've had a long day. Could you please just write me a ticket or whatever so I can go home and get some sleep?”
He handed the papers back to her. “I'm not going to write you a ticket,” he said.
“You're not?”
Gage rubbed the back of his neck. “Nah. Consider this a warning. Get the tail light fixed and an up to date proof of insurance, okay?”
Lena gave him a small smile. “I will. Thanks, Sheriff.”
“It's Chief.”
She waved a hand. “Whatever.”
He tapped on the roof of the car. “Drive carefully.”
She pulled away and Gage got back into his car, watching her single light go down the street.
And straight through a stop sign.
“You're not making this easy, lady,” he muttered as he turned on the siren.
This time, she didn't say a word. She handed him her license and registration. He handed her a ticket.
They went their separate ways, and Gage felt that any ground he'd gained in making peace with Lena McKenna, had been hard fought and lost.
* * *
On Sunday morning, Chelsea McKenna walked out of Our Lady of Perpetual Sorrow and told her husband she'd meet him at the HJ Diner for brunch in a little while. Sean kissed her cheek and walked away as she crossed the street, heading in the opposite direction to the First Methodist church. She checked her watch as she waited for services to let out.
It was a sunny day, the first hints of spring showing in the tips of crocuses poking through the ground along the walkway leading to the church's front doors. Chelsea made a mental note to check her mulch when she got home.
It only took about ten minutes or so before the doors opened and the strains of organ music drifted down to the sidewalk. She scanned the crowd and hurried over to meet Lou Chalmers as she came down the steps.
Lena’s Lucky Charm: Love in Holiday Junction, Book 2 Page 4
