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“I don't know, maybe a bear?” I didn't want to scare her, but I needed to figure out what had happened. “Let's go back inside. It may still be close.” I pushed her out of the shop and across the yard toward the door. “Stay here.” I said as I walked out the front and jumped in my truck. I backed it as close to the building as I could, trying to block off the door. I didn't want anyone taking anything out of there if I could help it. The machinery was expensive, and with me giving Ryan all of my winnings from the season to buy the other half of the house, I didn't have the money to replace any of it. I pulled Emmy close to me when I finally got back in the bed, and she snuggled in close. I kissed her neck and then laid there trying to figure out what had happened.
***
“Can you come out here today?” I asked Ryan when he answered the phone.
“Good morning, honey.” His voice was gravely with sleep.
“Someone broke into the shop last night.”
“Wait, what?” He asked his voice a little clearer.
“If it was a bear, it had really dull claws because there isn't a scratch anywhere in or on the building.”
“Why would someone break into your shop?”
“I don't know.” I said.
“Yeah, give me an hour, and I'll be out there. I kinda miss breakfast with you, pookie.” I could hear him laughing as he took the phone away from his ear.
I pulled the truck away from the door while I waited for Ryan. Emmy was at the kitchen table with her laptop open, coffee in hand. She had asked if I wanted help, but honestly, I needed to see if I could salvage the table. The garage door on the front was ruined, and I couldn't get it open. I was beating it back out with a hammer when Ryan arrived.
“Shit,” he said when he walked in the door.
“Yeah.” It was all I could say. The table had been almost complete, and now I would have to start over.
“I don't think this was a bear.” he shook his head.
“I don't either. But who?”
“Maybe a drifter looking for easy money? You have a hundred grand in tools out here.”
“But who would know that?”
“Your address is on your card. Maybe it got into the wrong hands.”
“Maybe.” I shrugged and then went back to tapping the door back out so I could at least get it open.
“I've got breakfast ready for you guys.” Emmy said as she walked toward us.
“An angel she is.” Ryan kissed the top of her head then headed toward the house.
“I didn't realize it was this bad.” She looked over the damage.
“It wasn’t a bear. I think someone tried to steal my tools.”
“Oh no.” She frowned.
“I guess I'll have to figure out some kind of alarm system for out here.”
“I'm sorry, Luke.” she reached her arms around me and hugged me to her.
When we made it back into the house, Ryan was coming out of the bathroom.
“Breakfast looks great,” Ryan said as Emmy made him a plate and handed it to him.
“Thanks.” I kissed the side of her head, grabbed the plate she handed me, and then headed toward the table. Ryan was looking at her laptop when she walked over.
“That looks like Chinese.” He pointed.
