Page 47 of Whispers of Redemption

“Har, har,” she said, putting a hand on one hip. “If you’re done making jokes at my expense, we can go.”

At the top of the steps, he presented her with the crook of his arm, and with a bemused expression, she took it. They descended the staircase together and strolled toward the main house. Angel acted like the guide as she padded along in front of them. Cassie tapped at the side door and then opened it, calling out her usual, “I’m in the house,” but both Mark and Rachel were already in the kitchen, seated at the table in front of the bay window. They had cups of tea in front of them and goofy looking smiles on their faces. It was obvious to Cassie they were trying very hard to act casual.

“Hi, guys,” Cassie said, trying to ignore how intently the couple was staring at Wade. “Um...this is Wade Riley. Wade, these are Mark and Rachel Wainwright.”

Angel scampered over to receive her due attention from the couple before going to investigate the doggie toy box they’d placed in the kitchen for her.

Wade crossed the dark, hardwood floor to shake hands with them both.

“Would you like some tea?” Rachel asked.

So much for a quick greeting, Cassie thought, observing the teapot on the table and two additional cups and saucers set in front of them. Cassie recognized it would’ve been really awkward to refuse. Wade didn’t hesitate, however. “Sure,” he said, taking the open seat beside Rachel. Reluctantly, Cassie pulled out the chair next to Mark and sat down.

As Rachel poured them each a cup, Mark removed his glasses and rubbed the lenses with the bottom of his shirt, looking thoughtful. Cassie groaned inwardly. That’s what he always did when he was about to launch into some long-winded spiel. Rachel was watching her husband, too, and she quickly said, “So, Wade, Cassie tells us you’re a police officer and you’re working to figure out what happened to that package that was stolen from her.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Wade said. “We thought we had a lead—actually, Cassie helped us find it,” he looked at Cassie and smiled, “but so far, it hasn’t panned out.”

“That’s a shame. But you’re not giving up, I’m sure,” Rachel said, taking a sip of her tea.

“Oh, no, ma’am!” Wade said, and took a drink from his cup. Cassie watched in amusement as his mouth turned down slightly at the bitter taste. Mark and Rachel drank their tea strong. “Um... Do you have any sugar?”

“Oh, of course! I’m sorry.” Rachel jumped up and went to the cupboard, pulling out a container. She poured the sugar into a small serving bowl, selected a spoon, and brought everything back to the table with her.

Mark cleared his throat. “So, Wade, tell us a little bit about yourself, aside from the fact that you’re a police officer. For instance, do you have any family in the area?”

“Yes, sir,” Wade replied, stirring several spoonfuls of sugar into his tea. “My brother and his fiancée live here in Whispering Pines, as well as my grandfather and new step-grandmother. I also have a younger brother who lives in Grand Rapids.”

“Ah, good, good,” Mark said with a nod. “Did you grow up in Whispering Pines then?”

“No, sir. I was raised in Grand Rapids. My brothers and I spent most summers here, though, living with our grandparents. We all love this area.”

“We do, too. We do, too,” Mark murmured, taking a sip of his tea. He set down the cup. “So, what are your plans for this evening?”

“I’m taking Cassie to Oasis on the Water for dinner.”

“Oooh, I love that place!” Rachel said.

“Yes, a very nice place,” Mark acknowledged, then leaned forward, his bespectacled gaze locking with Wade’s. “Tell me, Wade, do you ever drink and drive?”

“Mark!” Cassie exclaimed.

“It’s all right, Cassie,” Wade said with a small smile. “It’s a fair question. And anyone who cares about their child would ask it.”

Cassie felt her heart flutter at being referred to as Mark and Rachel’s child. In truth, over the past years, she’d grown to feel so. Although the couple had three grown children of their own, they all lived out of state. And the two of them had demonstrated to her over and over again how much they loved and cared about her.

“To answer your question, no, sir,” Wade said. “I would never drink and drive. In fact, I don’t drink at all.”

“Oh,” Cassie, Rachel, and Mark all said together in surprise. Angel, who had been busily gnawing the life out of a small stuffed cat, also stopped and looked at Wade.

Mark recovered first. “Well, that’s good, that’s good.” He nodded slowly. “So tell me, what sort of things do you like to do in your free time?”

Oh my gosh! What is this? The third degree! Cassie thought. Then another thought entered her head. She realized that this was the first guy they’d met since the string of deadbeats she’d dated in high school. In fact, Wade was the first “nice” boy she’d ever introduced them to. That thought made her feel a little strange.

“Well, sir,” Wade said without missing a beat, “I do a lot of hiking and mountain biking. I also love doing things out on the lake, like fishing and boating. Recently, I’ve been getting into windsurfing.”

“Mhm, mhm.” Mark studied Wade through his dark-rimmed spectacles and took another sip of his tea.

“I also like baking,” Wade said.

---