Page 61 of Ambush

He sneezed at the straw dust motes kicked up by the wheels. “You’ve been great. I’m glad you’re here. In more ways than you know.”

He longed to tell her how he really felt. To hold her and talk about the future. It was smart to stay focused on the gargantuan task facing them—especially since today had shown previouslyunknown obstacles—but now that she was back in his life, he wanted her to know he didn’t take it for granted.

She turned off the vehicle and got out. He got out too and took her hand. “I’m late, so let’s grab the boys from the employee meeting Mom has started by now. We could run into town and get pizza with them. Bring some back for Mom.”

Her amber eyes smiled up at him with a promise he had no trouble deciphering.Patience, they said. It would be worth it in the end.

***

Light traffic dotted the streets of Pelican Harbor. Paradise had kept the boys entertained on the way to town by playing the license plate game, but they’d begun clamoring for pizza by the time Blake parked his truck in the parking lot. Pelican Pizza had been around since she was a teenager, and the aroma of garlic, cheese, and pepperoni made her mouth water when they entered. The iconic statue of a pelican guarded the entrance with a slice of pizza in its mouth, and the boys had to stop to touch it.

The hostess greeted Blake and led them to a back table near the arcade games. Levi and Isaac immediately asked to play, and Blake got up to get them passes. An hour pass for each was ten dollars, and it would satisfy the kids. They ordered pepperoni pizza and followed the boys from game to game until their food came.

Back at the table the boys dug into their slices, and Paradise nearly groaned when she bit into her first bite. “I’d forgotten how we used to love this place.”

“We all still do,” Blake mumbled around his full mouth.

Paradise never ate the pizza crusts, and she couldn’t resist tossing a tiny piece at Blake like the old days. It hit him on the chinand left a tiny red smear. She wiped it off with her napkin and moved her crusts out of the way before he could retaliate.

The good feelings fell away when Creed Greene appeared next to him. “I’m surprised you’re out celebrating after a tiger nearly took your brother.”

Blake set his glass of sweet tea on the table. “Please don’t talk about it in front of the boys.”

Eyes wide, Isaac glanced up. “Where was Tigey trying to take me?”

The detective scowled and didn’t answer. Maybe he’d allowed a little sense to enter his head.

Blake had said it wasn’t worth talking to Greene, but Paradise wasn’t so sure. His perpetual harassment had to end if he realized someone out there had an agenda and it wasn’t Blake. “Detective Greene, we discovered something interesting today.” She glanced at Blake. “Do you want to tell him?”

“I doubt it will do any good.” Blake took a sip of his tea and shook his head. “We discovered someone digging in our back pasture a little while ago. From what I can gather, we might have natural gas or oil back there.”

“Anything to try to throw suspicion off you, right, Lawson? I’m onto your games.” He tipped his hat at Paradise. “Y’all enjoy your dinner. The food isn’t nearly as good in prison.” He sauntered out the door.

“Sorry,” Paradise said. “I should have known he wouldn’t listen. I thought maybe hearing more evidence would finally get through that thick head.”

“I’ve given up.”

“I haven’t. Today’s information is huge, Blake. How can we find out what’s under the ground?”

“An official survey is probably pricey. I’ve never had one done, but I can only imagine how much it costs.”

“What if we talk to some utility companies and see if they would sponsor the survey if you agree to let them put in the wells and pay for the gas or oil?”

“It might work.” He straightened when his gaze landed on something over her shoulder. He rose and waved.

Paradise turned and saw Molly and her husband, Karson, waiting to be seated. She hadn’t seen Molly since the family dinner, and her cousin’s face lifted in a welcome that warmed Paradise. She’d wondered how things would be when they met again.

Blake arranged for more chairs to be brought over. “Glad you could join us.”

Molly settled beside Paradise and hugged her. “What a treat to run into the four of you! Blake, your brothers are adorable.”

Karson pulled out a chair by Blake, and the two launched into a conversation about football.

Isaac preened and scooted his chair closer to Molly. “I’m Isaac. I’m five.”

“And a very cute five. I’m Paradise’s cousin Molly. I heard you decided to visit one of the tigers the other night.”

He nodded. “Tigey likes me.”

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