Page 13 of Cold Case, Warm Hearts

“It’s none of my business.”

“I guess Bart Bradley thinks it’s his.” The old man knew more about her mother than Aspen did.

“You know what that was about?” Garrett asked.

“Not really.” She swallowed the grief and fear that rose in her throat. “But I need to find out.”

CHAPTER FIVE

Garrett had witnessed Bart Bradley grousing and grumbling his way through life, but he’d never seen the man be outright rude.

What in the world could Aspen’s mother have done to elicit that much animosity? And so many years after the fact? He’d ask Uncle Dean. He and Aunt Deborah had been in town all their lives. Surely, if there was some scandal involving Aspen’s family, they’d know about it.

Except… he’d been right when he’d told Aspen it wasn’t his business. He had no right to go behind her back or to encourage people to gossip about her family just to satisfy his own curiosity.

He wouldn’t. He’d do his job and make no effort to learn her secrets. If she wanted to tell him anything, he’d be a willing listener. And an ally that, based on the confrontation with Bradley, she might need.

He’d excused himself to use the restroom and was on his way back to the table when he caught sight of more than one person sneaking glances at Aspen. He could only see the back of her head, but she seemed to be looking down. Maybe oblivious.

Maybe avoiding their eyes.

He glared at an older guy who attended his church and kept glaring until the man turned his way. He seemed embarrassed to have been caught staring.

Aspen was beautiful, but he didn’t see admiration in the guy’s eyes. Curiosity, maybe. But also animosity.

Why?

Did she feel it in the room? Did she know?

He slid into the booth across from her, and she glanced up from her phone. Her skin was pale, her countenance almost…sad. “Everything okay?”

She seemed to force a smile. “Sure. Why wouldn’t it be?”

Should he mention what he’d seen? Or let it go.

The server delivered their meals, asked if they needed anything else, and then walked away.

“Want me to say grace?” he asked.

Her eyes brightened considerably. “That’d be nice.”

He squelched the desire to reach across the table and take her hand and bowed his head. He prayed not just for God to bless their food, but for Him to lead both of them as they planned the renovations. And then, thinking of the people who were likely watching them, he prayed for Aspen’s peace and protection. Though he had no idea what was going on, he figured she’d appreciate the first and feared she’d need the second.

After his amen, she looked up with a shy smile. “Thank you.”

“Of course.” He grabbed a fried scallop, dipped it in tartar sauce, and popped it in his mouth.

After she tasted her meal, he said, “How is it?”

“Delicious. Yours?”

“Great. Do you want to try something?”

“Oh, that’s okay.”

He scooted his plate closer to her and pointed at the items. “Shrimp, scallops, cod, and onion rings. Help yourself.”

“I’m guessing you could eat all that by yourself, especially after all the shoveling this morning.”

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