An Extraordinary Match (The Match Series Book 3) by Barbara Dunlop

piece.
    Elroy measured the remaining space. “Twenty-two and three-quarters.”
    Logan used a measuring tape and pencil to mark the cut.
    “You got any theories about what’s going on with her?” Elroy asked.
    “I did at first,” said Logan. “I thought she was guilty as sin.”
    “And now?”
    “Now, I wonder why she went along with Sam’s plan. If she’s guilty, his investigation is likely to reinforce it.”
    Elroy lifted one end of the plywood sheet, bracing it to feed the saw. “If she’s innocent, it might clear her.”
    “Or, she knows we already have all the evidence, and there’s nothing more for Sam to find. So, it’s a wash.” Logan found himself glancing at the back of the two-story cottage. “In which case, she might as well play along and pretend she can be exonerated. It could make us question the truth.”
    “So, you still think she did it.”
    “I do.”
    “Why did you agree to bring her out here?”
    “Out of respect for Sam. It seemed important to him. I think he wants her to stick around so he can ask her some questions.”
    It was also the path of least resistance on a couple of fronts. Logan didn’t want to admit he was conflicted about Jade. He knew his attraction to her was overruling common sense. Truth was, keeping her around gave him a few more hours to watch her and fantasize.
    They ripped through the new sheet of plywood, screwing it onto the shed frame. As they finished, Jade appeared on the back porch of the cottage.
    “Are you two getting hungry?”
    “And thirsty,” said Elroy.
    The sun had climbed high in the sky, and it was beating down on their heads.
    “I’ve made some lunch,” she told them.
    Elroy sent Logan an expression of surprise. “That was nice of you.”
    Somehow, the action didn’t surprise Logan. Jade seemed to just pick up and do whatever was in front of her.
    “I had to do something to keep busy,” she responded before turning back into the cottage.
    “Quite the domesticated little criminal,” Elroy noted.
    “I guess thieves have to eat, too.”
    “I assumed they’d do takeout. I mean, you don’t really hear about gourmet embezzlers or bank robbers.”
    “She probably made sandwiches,” said Logan, trying to keep himself from appreciating her efforts.
    “I’ll eat anything.”
    Logan would, too. He was trying to keep his emotions at a distance. But, privately, he had to admit it was nice of her to help out.
    He and Elroy took the short staircase to the mudroom. Inside, Logan pulled off his work boots and ran a hand through his sweaty hair. There was a small bathroom in the back of the house, and they both washed off the sweat and sawdust.
    When Logan entered the kitchen, he came to an abrupt halt. Something was wrong. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it. The air smelled different, like lemons. And there was a brightness to the room.
    “You cleaned,” said Elroy, brushing past him.
    Wow. That was definitely what had happened.
    “I couldn’t just sit here all morning. My tablet is being held as evidence. And you don’t have an Internet connection anyway. I had to do something.”
    Elroy grinned at Logan as he made his way to the table. “Aren’t you the industrious houseguest?”
    “I’m a workaholic,” said Jade, transferring a platter from the oven to the table.
    “What are these?” asked Logan, scrutinizing the pastries.
    “Beef empanadas. I made tomato chutney to go with them.”
    “I didn’t pack empanadas.”
    “You packed beef, and I found some flour.”
    “I was planning on making burgers.”
    “They smell fantastic,” said Elroy.
    “Suck it up, control freak,” Jade told Logan. “We’re having empanadas.”
    She turned from the table and crossed to the refrigerator. Elroy helped himself to one of the hot pastries and slathered on the tomato chutney. He tried a bite as Jade returned to the table with a pitcher of iced tea.
    “These are fantastic. You’re welcome to visit here any old time you