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Based on the trajectory of his gaze, Tyler was enjoying the view of her backside. “You going up or coming down? I didn’t eat my Wheaties this morning, so I don’t know how much longer I can keep this extension in place.”
Stormy began a careful descent. Once her feet were on the concrete floor, she realized, too late, that she was snugged between Tyler and the ladder, her back against his chest. “I’m on the ground. You can move now.”
“Can’t,” he said mischievously. He inhaled deeply. “I think my muscles have seized up,” he explained, somehow making the possibility sound provocative.
Stormy felt his breath warm on her neck. A blush rose to her face. Every inch of him rested against her, and she didn’t dare move. “Okay, you’ve had your little joke.”
“Are you inviting me in for coffee?”
“I’ll get you a cup and bring it out here. Nina and Tully are sleeping.”
He moved his left arm away. To escape, she was obliged to step over a foot that still braced the ladder.
“One sugar, no cream,” he said.
She puttwo mugs of that morning’s coffee into the microwave to reheat, then dashed to the downstairs bathroom to freshen up. She told herself she wasn’t doing it for Tyler, but she knew that if this were war, she’d be court-martialed and hanged for fraternizing with the enemy.
But Tyler is an amicable enemy, she told herself.
It was terrible logic, and she knew it. She abruptly shut down the inner debate.
Carrying the coffee, she reentered the garage.
Tyler was standing in a far corner, the better to get a glimpse into the rafters. “What’s up there?” he asked as he accepted the proffered mug.
“My things.”
He sipped the coffee, keeping his eyes on her over the rim of the cup. “Would yourthingsadd up to one hundred and two thousand dollars by any chance?”
She darted her eyes upward with quick amusement, and Tyler seemed to enjoy her play.
“Since you can’t take my word for anything,” she offered, “why don’t you help me go through them and see for yourself?”
“Well, shoot! Why didn’t I think of that?”
“Your brain cells are dead?”
“I love a woman with wit and charm.” He drained his cup and set it aside. “Let’s have at it.”
Stormy found an old rubber welcome mat, which Tyler placed under the foot of the ladder to keep it from sliding. Next, he demonstrated how to lock the ladder extensions into place.
He swooped his arm upward, adding a slight hinge at his waist. “Lead the way.”
The first three boxes they opened were filled with stuffed toys Liane had outgrown.
Stormy shoved them aside. “These aren’t what I’m looking for.”
“Really?” Tyler rummaged in the boxes anyway, surreptitiously but carefully squeezing and poking each animal. Nothing there.
The next box held only shredded paper. Perplexed, Stormy swirled the paper with her hands. Then she looked at the side of the box. It was clearly marked in her own hand, CRYSTAL.
She directed Tyler to a box marked T.V. “Drag that one over here.”
He tossed it. It was empty. Growing more perplexed and apprehensive, Stormy quickly checked others, working her way through boxes until she was on her knees in the eaves. Each and every box had been rifled. Even her clothes and linens and books had been ransacked.
Panicked, she moved around on her hands and knees, looking for the boxes labeled BLANKETS. She hauled them from beneath the dimly lit eaves and began quickly sorting through them. No use. Her jewelry box was gone, too.
She leaned back on her heels amid the paper and stared at Tyler, her expression a mixture of confusion and suspicion. “Did you do this?” she choked. “Have you already been up here looking for the money?”
