Page 659 of Cold Case, Warm Hearts

He took her briefcase and ushered her in his truck. “It won’t take long. I promise.”

They drove in silence out of the sawmill. Sean inserted a CD into the player. “Do you like Harry Connick, Jr.?”

Sydney nodded, all the while trying to figure out what he was up to. She stole a glance at him. He had one hand on the wheel, and the other resting on the console, dangerously close to her hand. She looked at his long lean fingers and moved her handaway from his to her lap. She waited for him to speak first. When it became apparent that he had no intention of doing so, she broke the ice.

“Where are we going?”

“You’ll see.”

A dull headache was pounding across the bridge of her nose. She didn’t have time to play this juvenile game. “Where are we going?” she asked again. This time her voice was firm.

He reached and patted her hand. “Lean back. Relax. We’ll be there in a few minutes.”

She smirked. “It’s not like I have a choice.” It was just like him to keep her guessing. He always had to have the upper hand.

He turned up the music and began humming under his breath. Sydney leaned back and looked out her window. They were crossing over the bridge that led out of Stoney Creek. The Tennessee River sparkled like a million diamonds in the afternoon sun, and the birds opened their wings like miniature gliders and soared lazily over it like they had all the time in the world. At that moment she would have given anything to be one of them.

A few minutes later, they arrived at their destination. “We’re here.”

Sydney wrinkled her nose. “The Riverton Catfish House? You’re taking me here?”

A crooked smile curved on his lips, and she wondered if he’d intentionally smiled that way to send her heart fluttering. “Yep, the best catfish in three counties. Or so I’ve heard.”

She shook her head and reached for her door. This guy was unbelievable.

“Don’t you touch that.” He jumped out and came around to open it. She was reminded of how disappointed she’d been when Kendall didn’t open the door for her. A thundercloud of irritation clouded her and she told herself that it didn’t matter.Kendall was so beyond Sean in other ways. Opening a door. How inconsequential was that?

The Riverton Catfish Place was a house converted into a restaurant. Even though it was one big open expanse, a musty smell permeated the caramel-colored shag carpet in the foyer. And if Sydney looked close enough, she was sure to see a thin layer of dust covering the mounted shark hanging on the wall. A predominately pink picture of spring flowers in a vase hung next to a black and white photograph of a lighthouse, and Sydney could imagine the owners scouring their homes to find enough artwork and knick knacks to adorn the walls.

The food, however, made up for the lack of ambience. They sat in their metal diner-style chairs, the seats covered in black vinyl, and feasted on fried catfish filets. The fish was light and tender and just greasy enough to melt in your mouth.Comfort food.

Sydney leaned back in her chair as the young waitress approached the table. The freckled-faced girl, with her cherry hair pulled in a tight ponytail, couldn’t have been older than fourteen. She was probably a member of the family.

“Would you like some dessert?”

“I don’t think so.” She’d stuffed herself to the point that her stomach was hurting. A phrase that Avery used to say flashed in her mind. He’d lean back and pat his belly. “I’ve eaten so much that you’re gonna need a wheelbarrow to tote me out of here.” Sydney smiled to herself and pictured what Sean’s expression would be if she said that.

“What? No dessert?” Sean made a face and then looked at the waitress. “We’ll each have a piece of buttermilk pie.” His eyes met Sydney’s. “Unless you want to share?”

There was an intimacy in his tone that caused Sydney’s eyes to widen. Her face flamed. “No, I don’t want to share.” She wasabout to reiterate to the waitress that she didn’t want dessert but Sean didn’t give her a chance.

“Two desserts it is.” They watched the waitress flutter away.

“Why did you do that?”

“Do what?”

“I don’t want dessert.”

Sean leaned back in his chair. “Of course you do. You just don’t know it yet.”

Her eyes narrowed, causing a smile to tug at the corners of Sean’s mouth. Why did she get the feeling they were talking about more than just dessert? Was he hitting on her? He was all Dr. Jekyll now. The question was when would Mr. Hyde return?

Sydney looked him square in the eyes. “Well aren’t you just peaches and cream today.”

“What do you mean? I’m always nice.”

She folded her arms across her chest. “Humph.”

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