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The sergeant’s mouth tightened. “No. I don’t. We have had an uptick in graffiti around town though, so it’s possible it’s related to that.”
“But you don’t think so,” Rafe said. It wasn’t a question.
“Mary was telling me you had an incident in the store the other day, with Patricia Leighton.”
“Oh, Scott, really,” Mary said, rolling her eyes. “You can’t possibly think that stuck-up cow would do something like this. She might break a nail.”
Scott handed her the coffee mug. “That’s what I love about you, Mary, you never mince words.”
“It saves time,” Mary and Jane said together, and shared a short-lived but affectionate laugh.
“Leave it with me,” Scott said. “It’s probably just bored kids but it doesn’t hurt to ask around.” Then he climbed back in his cruiser and drove away.
“Are you all right, Mary?” Rafe asked. “Have you called Alec?”
Mary swiped a stray tear from her cheek and looked up at Rafe. “I’m fine, and yes, I called him. He was going to come back today but I told him not to. There’s nothing he can do here. And Richard needs him more than I do right now.”
“Why?”
“Laura won’t let him see the kids,” she explained.
“Maybe I should give him a call,” Rafe said, shocking the hell out of Jane.
After Richard had cheated on and then divorced their sister, the Bennett brothers had essentially made it their life’s mission to make Richard’s life hell at every given opportunity.
Mary cocked one brow and shot Rafe a severe look. “Why?”
“Because I’m in love with your daughter and I fully intend to marry her,” he said. “And what sort of brother-in-law would I be if I didn’t offer my services. I do specialise in family law, after all.”
Jane’s eyes widened and her cheeks felt hot. “Rafe!”
Mary snickered. “Sounds like you two had an eventful trip. Come inside and tell me about it.”
Jane followed her mother but Rafe pulled out his phone. “I’ll be there in a tick.”
Once inside, Jane surveyed the damage again. It didn’t look as bad from inside the shop, still, it was bad enough that Jane reconsidered asking her mum about Rafe and her dad. Especially since it was almost lunchtime and there wasn’t a single customer within cooee of the place.
“What’s on your mind, baby?”
Jane shook her head. “It can wait. You have more important things to think about.”
“Not really,” Mary said, as she pulled down three mugs and started making coffee. “Although, I suppose I could start planning your wedding. Have you set a date?”
Scowling at her mother’s impish grin, she said, “Don’t encourage him.”
“Don’t encourage whom?” Rafe said, shutting the door behind him. “Dad and the others are coming down to help clean off the graffiti. Uly says he has something that will take off the paint without damaging the glass.” Mary nodded her thanks then handed Rafe a coffee. “Thanks.”
When she handed one to Jane, Jane looked at Rafe who was scowling at Mary.
“Is that decaf?” he growled.
“Now why on Earth would I serve my own daughter a big ol’ cup of steaming disappointment.”
“She’s not supposed to be drinking caffeine,” he grumbled.
“Rubbish. One cup a day won’t hurt,” Mary said, then cocked a brow at his continuing glare. “You do recall that I’m married to a doctor, yes?”
“How about this,” Jane said, keeping her tone reasonable. “You let me drink one cup ofnormalcoffee a day, and I won’t cut your balls off in your sleep. Okay?”
