Page 148 of Trouble Comes in Threes

“We could hire a crew to do that,” Joe said. “I hate that it hadn’t occurred to me already.”

“We can’t afford it,” I said. “Besides, Neely Kate and I have a system, and it’ll be easier to do it on my own than try to tell someone else how to do it.”

He chuckled. “If you say so.”

We were silent for a moment before I asked, “Did you find the dealer who had recruited those men?”

“No, he’d already taken off before we got there. He was obviously spooked by the murders of his new hires. The hotel manager said he checked out on Saturday.”

“Do you think he’s still around?”

“No, I suspect he’s on his way back to Texas.”

“Speaking of Texas…” I let my voice trail off. The topic of my possible sister was a conversation best had in person. “I have something to tell you about my visions, but I’d rather do it face to face.”

“Is it bad?” he asked, sounding concerned.

“No, it’s just…” I paused. “It’s about my father. Like I said, it’ll be better done face to face.”

He was silent for a moment. “Are you okay?”

My heart swelled with love. “I think so. I’ll be more okay after we come home.”

“Let me know when you leave tomorrow. Maybe I can drop by the office and spend a little time with you after the arraignment.”

“Neely Kate has her appointment at 9:30, and who knows how long she’ll be gone, so there’s a chance we might even get some time alone.”

“I like the sound of that,” he said in a low, sexy voice.

“And you can watch me sort through files.”

He laughed. “And maybe you’ll even let me help sort through some of them.”

“Maybe.” He laughed again, and I said, “Will you be working much later tonight?”

“No. I have some paperwork that needs to be tackled, but I’m beat. I’m about to head home and get some sleep.” He paused. “The bed’s sure gonna be lonely without you.”

“I’ll make up for it tomorrow night,” I said. “Maybe we can get the kids in bed early.”

“Deal.” That single word held a promise that made me tingle with anticipation.

Chapter Thirty-One

True to his word, Witt was gone by the time I was up at six and headed down to the kitchen to start a pot of coffee. His blanket and sheets were neatly folded and placed on top of his pillow.

Aunt Bessie came into the kitchen, wearing her beat-up robe, just as I was filling up the pot with water.

“Takin’ over my job,” she said with a chuckle as she walked through the door.

“Not on purpose,” I assured her. “Joe called last night and said it’s safe to come home.”

Her face fell. “So you’re leavin’.”

“We are. Ashley’s anxious about missing school, and Neely Kate and I need to clean up our trashed office.” I poured the water into the coffeemaker, then pulled out the coffee.

“I hated the circumstances for why you were here,” Aunt Bessie said, “but we’ve sure enjoyed having you. Albert hasn’t looked this happy in years.”

I started scooping coffee into the filter. “I hear he offered Witt a job workin’ on the farm.”

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