I studied Shay for a moment and saw the concern creasing her features. She’d been coming into the store for a few years now, ever since she took over as caretaker for one of the small private islands in our little chain. But I truly didn’t know much about her other than that she had a kind smile and word every time she came in. I went on instinct, reaching out and squeezing her arm. “I’m fine. I promise. But I’ll look into getting a taser.”

The set of her shoulders eased a fraction. “Good.”

“Now, I’ve got your order in the back. Do you need to do some shopping? Want a sandwich?” Shay only came in once every week or so. I’d taken to placing orders from the mainland for her for whatever she needed. Books, puzzles, specialty items.

Shay smiled. “You know I can never turn down one of your concoctions. And I’ve got to do a grocery haul.”

“You do that, and I’ll grab your stuff.”

Shay paused for a moment. “Maybe you should call the sheriff first. Just to give him a heads-up.”

“I don’t know that it’s necessary.” Sheriff Raines was a good man, but he didn’t need to be bothered with something as small as this.

“Better safe than sorry. You don’t want that guy to come back and cause trouble.”

Shay had a point. I tapped on my cell phone to wake it up. “I’ll just be a minute.”

I carefully balanced two pizza boxes and a bag of groceries as I shut the SUV door with my hip. First thing tomorrow, I was taking Big Bertha to the mechanic and getting that heater hose fixed. No more overheating for me.

Not even the midday creeper run-in had marred my day. Sheriff Raines had been more than kind when I called to let him know what had happened. He’d sent a deputy over to check out the gas station and then came to talk to me, but the man had been long gone by then. I appreciated the effort, nonetheless. Hopefully, now that he knew we didn’t carry cigarettes, he’d avoid The General Store.

I gave my head a little shake as I made my way up the walk. The spring flowers Ava, Mia, and I had planted were just starting to bloom. Before long, the front of our small house would be awash with color.

“I come bearing gifts,” I called as I pulled open the door.

“Gifts? I want gifts!” Mia shouted, jumping off the couch.

“Is that pizza? On a weeknight?”

The shock in Will’s voice had me fighting a laugh. “And I’ve got stuff for sundaes for dessert.”

Ava took in the bag from the store. “No carob chips and frozen yogurt?”

Kenna laughed. “Told you carob wasn’t the same as chocolate.”