Page 38 of Lake House Killer

“You would be, too, if it was your daughter,” she shoots back.

“It’s my sister,” I say, trying to sound reasonably calm. “And I’m handling it.”

Mom slices a dark look over at Jack. “Is that true, Hot Buns?”

“Hot Buns?” I sink in my seat a notch.

“You mind your own beeswax.” She’s quick to reprimand me. “I’m talking to him. What’s going on? I know you’ll tell me the truth.”

“As opposed to me?” I muse and I’m quickly hushed.

Jack nods my way as if he’s got this. “I can assure you, Bea. We’re doing everything we can to bring your daughter home safe.”

“Now that sounds like a crock pot full of baloney.” Mom is quick to put him in his place.

“It sort of did sound like baloney,” I tell him.

“It’s not baloney,” he says it firmly as he looks at the both of us. “Nobody here is going to go off half-cocked with a Glock and rushing at the mob. Got it?”

Both Mom and I give a reluctant nod.

“Would you look at that?” Mom fans herself with her fingers. “I do believe Hot Buns just ratcheted up the temperature out here by fifty degrees. Have you bagged this boy yet?” she asks with zero regard to my dignity.

“Please stop,” I practically spit the words out. “Jack and I are coworkers. We’re professionals. We work for the federal government, nothing more, nothing less.”

“Sorry, hon.” She makes a face at Jack. “This one can be as stubborn as a mule with a nail in its hoof. But don’t you worry, Hot Shot. There are plenty of women in Pine Ridge Falls who would be happy to keep you up all night.”

“Mother,” I growl.

“Oh, quit your witchin’.” She stands mercifully. “What can I get you? I’ve got clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl as the special of the night.”

“That,” I tell her. I would have opted for just about anything she offered just to send her back inside as fast as I can.

Jack nods. “Steak, rare, with a loaded potato for me.”

“Got it,” she says, giving Buddy a hearty scratch behind the ears. “And don’t think I’m leaving you out of the fold, handsome. I’ll bring you a treat you won’t forget. You’re gonna need one if you’re living with cranky.”

My eyes close a moment too long, and when I open them, my mother has vanished.

I look over at Jack. “I’d apologize, but I don’t know where to begin.”

Riley chuckles as she continues to hover above us and I shoot her a warning look.

“Don’t fall into the fire.” She winks at me before she takes off.

Dinner arrives and it’s as good as it looks.

“I can already tell the sourdough bread bowl will be my go-to all through winter,” I say.

“Buddy is glad to hear it,” Jack says. “Mostly because you fed him half your bowl.”

“I don’t know, he seemed to enjoy that steak my mother gave him.”

“Heck, I enjoyed that steak your mother gave me. The caramel apple pie with a mountain of whipped was a winner, too. What’s next?” Jack pins his gaze on mine and it feels as if he’s searing himself over me in far more intimate ways.

I’m not sure why, but with Jack it feels as if I’ve already fallen into the fire.

Our phones go off simultaneously and my stomach pinches because as of late it’s never a good sign.

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