Page 37 of For the Birds

“Who’s your date?” she asked with agrin.

Levi was eyeing me closely, and then he shifted his attention to Joe. I needed to nip this in the bud before things became even moreawkward.

I stood to make the introductions. “Dena, this is Dr. Levi Romano, the new vet in town. He took over the Henryetta Animal Clinic after Dr. Ritchie retired. Levi, this is Dena Breene, the owner of Dena’s Bakery, and if you haven’t tried one of her pastries, you don’t know what you’re missin’.”

Levi stood and offered Dena his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Dena. I’ll be sure to stop by sometime and tryone.”

“I heard you were taking over,” Dena said. “I also heard that the pet population doubled after you came totown.”

Levi chuckled. “Well, pets do bring joy to people’s lives.” He turned to Joe, and his body posture changed slightly. “Who’s yourdate?”

Dena glanced over at Joe and said, “Thisis—”

Joe stuck out his hand, using his no-nonsense voice. “Joe Simmons, Fenton County Chief Deputy Sheriff.”

Levi clasped his hand and squeezed. “That’s an impressive title, Chief Deputy.”

Joe pulled his hand free and stared him in the eyes. “It’s not as fancy as it sounds. I arrest criminals just like all the other deputiesdo.”

My mouth dropped open, and Dena’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Joe,” I warned.

Joe held Levi’s gaze for a second more; then his face relaxed . . . slightly. “Sorry. I’m a bit defensive about the title. I want my men to respect me, not the nameplate.”

“Understandable,” Levi said, still onedge.

Dena seemed to have bought Joe’s story, but I sure didn’t. Was he acting out of jealousy, or did he know something about Levi I didn’t? That latter seemed unlikely, but—

My head began to tingle, and I shot a panicked look to Joe before everything faded, leaving me smack-dab in the middle of a vision.

I was in Dena’s head, watching Joe as he pulled up in front of a dark house.

“You didn’t leave any lights on?” Joe asked, sounding concerned.

“I left the bakery late and forgot to turn themon.”

“Then I insist on coming in and makin’ sure everything’sokay.”

I laughed. “Why, Sheriff Simmons, did you just invite yourself inside?”

His mouth dropped open. “Dena . . . I didn’tmean—”

I leaned forward and kissed him on the lips, cutting him off. He was shocked at first, but then he eagerly kissed meback.

“So you still want to come in and check my house?” I asked. “Because I was thinkin’ about one room in particular.”

My vision ended and I blurted out, “You’re gonna invite him to yourroom.”

Horror instantly washed through me, and I gasped as Dena gave me a look of disbelief.

“I know I talked about it,” Joe said, giving me a grin I knew from experience was forced.

“But Randy doesn’t have time to come help me with the drywall until nextweek.”

Dena released a nervous laugh. “That’s right. You’re remodeling your house.”

“It’s a rental,” Joe said, then cast me a glance. “And I’m almost done. Next week I’m gonna look for something to buy. Now that I’ve started this house flipping thing, I kind of likeit.”

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