Page 16 of The Jade Stone Sleuth

Brex’s gaze zeroed in on her. “Are you dating?”

“No.” She shook her head. “Friends.”

“Has he tried to be more than friends?” Brex might be pushing past boundaries asking that question. He needed to know for the job and wanted to know for himself.

“At times, but I’m not interested in him like that, and he went through a rough divorce a couple years ago.” She shrugged. “We’re better as friends.”

“Maybe you should tell him that.” He needed to know the timing of Weston’s marriage and divorce. There were years long gaps in boyfriend deaths.

“I have.”

“I could tell him for you.” He arched his eyebrows.

“Somehow I don’t think that would go over well.”

“You never know.” He smiled and raised his hands. “What does Weston do?”

“He’s the varsity football coach and teaches science at the high school.”

He nodded. It was more than enough to find the last name online.

Clara changed the subject. “You’ve seen Melody on social media?”

Brex realized his mistake of recognizing Melody. Though she had a massive following, her channel wasn’t one he would typically look at and Clara already knew that about him.

“When I met you this morning …” He hated lying. He flicked his wrist and glanced at his watch. “I Googled you, and some photos of you were tagged on Melody’s page.”

“You Googled me, eh?” Her jade eyes grew warmer.

“What can I say?” He lowered his voice and stepped in closer. “I’m very intrigued by you, Clara Gem.” That was true personally and professionally.

He wanted to wrap her up in his arms and show her his kiss goodbye was better than his kiss hello.

A horn honked and an older Suburban pulled into the driveway. Clara stepped back and murmured, “Ah, no. You should’ve left while you could. Maybe you should run. Now.”

Brex studied the middle-aged couple as they parked the vehicle and the man hurried around to escort the woman out of her seat and across the grass to the front porch. He recognized them from the photos. Curtis Gem was in a suit and his wife Ruth in a flattering pale blue dress. Their clothes weren’t high quality, but they were presentable and attractive. They were also a great contrast as a couple. Clara’s dad was tall, burly, and redheaded with the distinctive jade eyes. Clara’s mom was brunette, olive-skinned, and petite with deep-brown eyes like Lincoln and Melody.

Gray interspersed with red in Clara’s dad’s hair. He didn’t look like he’d ever had a facial, and he was driving a car older than Lincoln. Alayna’s dad wouldn’t have been caught in a family vehicle from the early 2000s and in a suit bought at Wal-Mart. Brex was surprised how comfortable those facts and Clara’s home life made him. A large family in an older but well-kept home. No one but Weston had shown any inclination to posture or check out the label on his golf shirt.

“My parents,” she muttered.

“I can’t wait to meet them.”

“Your funeral.”

He chuckled at that but felt a blip of concern. Alayna’s dad had separated them, determining Brex didn’t make the cut. What if Clara’s dad felt the same? Maybe it had nothing to do with his bank account and everything to do with his nonexistent faith.

He stepped forward, shoulders back and confidence oozing, even if it was a façade, offering his hand to her father first. “Brex Cabella. Nice to meet you, sir.”

“Wonderful to meet you, son.” Her dad gave him a hearty handshake. His gaze was welcoming and kind. Brex was instantly put at ease. “I’m Curtis Gem, and this beauty is my breathtaking wife, Ruth.”

“Oh, you.” Ruth pushed at her husband’s shoulder with her palm, smiling hugely, and then turned and shook Brex’s hand. Her hand was small and her grip firm. “A friend of Clara’s?”

“Yes, ma’am. Hiking buddies. She kindly invited me over for dinner and to meet Linc.”

“Oh?” Ruth arched an eyebrow. “She didn’t tell us about a handsome hiking buddy coming to dinner.”

“Brex was just leaving,” Clara said quickly. “I’m walking him to his … SUV thingie.”

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