Page 20 of Shelter for Martina

“I dunno. We got it stuck. Sat there for a good while with the motor running, trying to keep warm that way. When it got light outside, she took off one way and I took off another. Had to get the truck and pull that sucker out. I don’t know where she went. She got some cousins down the road. I reckon she went down there.”

“Uh-huh. Okay. So you watched her walk away and that’s the last you saw of her?”

“Yessir. Last time. I thought you was meanin’ another time before. I know what you’s askin’ ‘bout now. Yeah. Walked off, she did.”

“Uh-huh. Well, okay then. Just wanted to clear that up.”

“Glad I could. Clear it up, that is. Okay, so anythin’ else?”

Bud slipped his notepad back into his pocket. “Nope. That clears it up.”

“Okay. Well, you have yourself a nice day there, detective.” The door slammed shut behind Bud as he made his way back to his car. In his mind, he could almost hear PhilAdams’ ass beeping as he backed up. Nothing like catching somebody in a lie to make your day.

He’d only been home about thirty minutes when he heard the car in his drive. It had been a long, difficult day after his encounter that morning, most of it spent trying to get more information on Adams. Oddly, it seemed that everywhere he turned, he found a roadblock, and that didn’t make sense.

The meat had just been flipped and the potatoes were cooking as the rap on his door told him she was right outside. His smile was huge when he slung the door open. “Hey there! Come on in!”

“I know you told me not to bring anything, but I picked up some dessert on the way home. I hope that was okay.” She had a bakery box in her hand and she thrust it toward him. “I ran down to Linkhoff’sBakery and picked these up.”

“Ah, I love their stuff! That’s great, although you didn’t have to.” Reaching down to take the box from her gave him an opportunity to drop a little kiss on her cheek, which resulted in a giggle behind her lips that made something in his chest flutter.

“I know, but I wanted to. If you’re going to the trouble of feeding me, it’s the least I can do. Wow, what smells so good?”

“Oh, not much trouble. Just roasted asparagus and au gratin potatoes made with mozzarella.”

“Wow, fancy, aren’t we?”

Bud laughed. “It’s what I know how to make!”

“At least you won’t starve, huh?” She was grinning. “What can I do to help?”

“Um… there’s a pan in there and there’s a can of biscuits in the refrigerator, if you want to get them ready.”

That got an outright laugh from her. “Canned biscuits? You’re making au gratin potatoes with mozzarella cheese and having canned biscuits?”

“Hey, bread’s not my thing, okay?” he answered, laughing.

“I guess not! But I’m not complaining.” She opened the refrigerator door. “Oh! Well, you got the big, flaky kind! High class biscuits!”

“That’s right! Only the best for my girl!” he crowed and headed out the door.

“Where are you going?”

“The grill! I’m grilling pork chops!”

She winked at him. “Why, AlbertGriffin! You’re going to spoil me!”

The wiggling of his eyebrows made her laugh again. “I hope so!”

Ten minutes later, they sat down to a crispy little side salad with tiny tomatoes and shredded cheese. “Boy, I feel like a queen.”

“Beats frozen dinners,” Bud said as he forked up a tomato.

“So you said you had something to tell me that was too complicated for the phone?”

He shook his head. “Don’t make me give myself indigestion. Let’s try to finish our dinner. It’s not like it’ll spoil if I don’t tell you right now.” She just shrugged and went on eating.

The meal was pleasant, but sitting on the sofa in the den, her legs across his lap and his arm around her, was a lot more pleasant. “Okay, spill, buster,” she play-growled, and he shook his head.

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