Page 115 of Bad Seed

“Did you bring me canned cheese?” she asked.

He laughed, gave her one last turn around the room, and then stopped and began digging through the sacks.

“Voilà! Cheese, peanut butter, two kinds of crackers,a jar of spicy mustard, and a couple of cans of Vienna sausages. Also, a bucket of fried chicken and sides from the deli.”

She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him, and then kissed him again and again, until Brendan groaned.

“You’re killin’ me, Sunshine. All I want is to take you to bed, but we didn’t eat before we went to Mom’s, and you need to take your meds, but you can’t take them on an empty stomach, so hold that thought, okay?”

He was right, so she tried to lighten the moment for both of them. “I happily wait when it matters, although I’ve been put on hold while waiting for a computer tech, and that pushes every button I have.”

“Well, you’ll never have to suffer that again. We have Sean.”

Her eyes widened. “Right! I’d forgotten about that. Your family is as handy as a pocket on a shirt. A saint for a mother. A darling little sister. A computer guru, and two cops for brothers. Three of the nicest women I’ve ever met who are going to be my sisters-in-law. And my man…the best chef in the history of ever. I’ll get the plates.”

“And I’ll get the groceries put up and the food on the table,” he said.

Minutes later, they were eating together, listening to music in the background and rain on the roof, while Brendan doled out her antibiotics.

She smiled her thanks and downed them, then took another bite of fried chicken.

“Mom called,” he said. “Uncle John says we have good water under the property.”

“Fabulous!” Harley said.

He nodded. “Agreed. Also, I saw Liz Devon. She said Wolf Outen moves into the inn tomorrow. She also thinks he’ll probably rearrange some offices to accommodate his needs and set aside some suites below the penthouse for his bodyguards.”

“I’m excited and also a little nervous at tackling the job he’s given me,” Harley said.

“It’s nothing new, just more of it. That’s what I tell myself when we bake for guests every day and then add private parties and holidays to it. We’re still doing the same things. Just more of it.”

Harley frowned. “That’s a good way to look at it. Nothing new. Just more of the same, and you’re right. I know how to do my job six ways to Sunday.”

“I’m not going to lie. I’m really glad he won’t be wanting you to do investigations on your own anymore,” Brendan said.

“I’m not going to lie, either. Getting shot took the thrill out of that chase. I’ll happily find the flaws and holes and let him deal with the criminal activities on his own. He’s certainly equipped for it,” Harley said.

Brendan nodded and went on eating, but her engagement ring was burning a hole in his pocket. He wanted to just give it to her now, but this wasn’t the time.

“I’ll make some good dessert for you tomorrow, butI did bring home some candy bars and ice cream, if you want to save room,” he said.

“I am going to resist the urge to clap my hands. My penchant for sweets is my downfall,” Harley said. “That and squirt cheese.”

They finished their meal and, after cleaning up the kitchen, headed for the living room with bowls of ice cream to eat by the fire.

“How did you know Rocky Road is my favorite?” Harley asked as she settled into her spot on the sofa.

“I didn’t. But I figured I couldn’t go wrong with chocolate ice cream that came with almonds and marshmallows.”

“Oink,” she said, and took her first bite, then another and another, until her bowl was empty. “I’m stuffed and that was so good. Thank you.”

Before he could answer, her cell phone rang. She glanced at it. “It’s my mother,” she said, then answered. “Hey, Mom.”

“Harley darling, your father and I are coming to Jubilee the day after tomorrow. We have reservations at the Serenity Inn. We wanted to see where you both work, so we chose that hotel. I’m already in Houston with Jason. We’ve chartered a helicopter at your suggestion. It seemed the better choice. Depending on the weather, our scheduled arrival is just after twelve noon. We’ll let you know when we’ve arrived, okay?”

“Yes, that’s great,” Harley said. “Safe travels. See you then.” And she disconnected. “Both of them. Dayafter tomorrow. Reservations at the Serenity Inn, likely hoping for a glimpse of you-know-who.”

He grinned. “Are they really that impressed with fame?”

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