Page 76 of Wolf's Mark

“Well, slow it down then. You’re crazy if you don’t want the man. I’ll take him.”

“What about that date?”

“Oh, who cares. Money is money. I would look good in diamonds and rubies. Can you see me in one of those hot sports cars they drive?”

I laughed because with Mattie, it was easy to do.

She moved to the cabinet, finding Britney’s favorite cereal.

“I need a favor, my bestest friend in the world and I realize it will interfere with your date.”

Her side eye was the best in the business. “What now? Did you get yourself in some kind of trouble?”

I could only imagine telling her the truth. “I need a little time to help with a case out of Chicago. Can you take Britney to spend a couple nights with you? I’m going to be carving out very long days and nights.”

I’d gotten very good at lying. That was beyond troublesome.

“A juicy case? Gory?”

She had no idea. “Just boring old stuff, but they like my work. It’s fairly urgent or I wouldn’t ask.”

“Well, all that expertise you have buried inside of you might keep you here in our little town longer. I can blow the guy off. He’s not that handsome anyway.”

Her taste in men was interesting. “I’ll make it up to you.”

“I’ll swing by and grab her from school later. Pack a little bag for her. Don’t forget the birthday party I planned. You know the one I mean.” While she was whispering, my little girl had keen hearing. So much so that she bounded in seconds later.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

I’d forgotten all about it.

“My burfday? I’ll be a big girl,” Britney squealed as she jumped up and down. The little brat could hear better than I could.

“Not yet, little munchkin.” I picked her up, swinging her around in the air. Soon, she’d get too big for her old mama to do that, so I relished these times. “Did you miss your mommy?” As soon as I tickled her tummy, she giggled. I adored the way her eyes lit up.

“Not that much. I had fun with Miss Mattie. You never let me eat candy after dinner.”

I slowly turned my head toward my bestie. “Candy, huh? A movie before breakfast, huh?”

Mattie shrugged. “Oops. You only live once.”

“Well, my little perfect girl, it’s almost time to eat your breakfast. Go wash your hands. No candy.”

“You’re a party pooper, Mama.”

It was all I could do to refrain from bursting into laughter as I eased her down. “You’re a terrible friend.”

“Hey,” Mattie objected. “It was one piece of candy.”

“About the birthday party,” I started, unsure it was such a good idea.

My bestie pointed her finger in my face. “Don’t you dare back out. It’s all planned. Shelly’s little boy is going to be there as well as twelve kids from her kindergarten class. They would be devastated if it was cancelled.”

“Fourteen kids. I’ll pull my hair out.”

“Don’t worry, I’ve recruited both Shelly and Camille to help. Maybe a couple other mothers. It’s going to be so much fun. Live a little more. Enjoy life. You’re like a lab rat.”

“I am not.”

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