Page 19 of Immortal By Morning
“Oh.” She hadn’t thought of that. “Sensible I guess.”
Lilith was tugging pretty hard on the leash, eager to join the people working in the hole, digging up the treasure she’d discovered. Holding her back was starting to be a strain on her muscles, so she finally said, “I suppose I should take her inside, before she breaks loose and starts digging up more bodies or something.”
“Yeah, Bill wouldn’t like that. Digging is his job.”
Abril chuckled at what was obviously a joke and gave him a little wave as she dragged Lilith away to take her inside.
She fed Lilith first, and then started her own supper. Sadly, it took much longer to make her meal than it had to heat up the homemade dog food Gina insisted on for her “baby.” Lilith was done eating long before Abril was finished cooking fries and Bob’s famous chili. Sadly, Lilith was ready to go outside again just as Abril deemed her meal ready and pulled out a plate to serve herself.
“Now?” She groaned, eyeing her unhappily. When Lilith whimpered, ran to the sliding door, and gave her the big sad eyes, Abril gave in with a sigh. “Fine. But I’m hungry. So, there will be no messing around. No sniffing half the yard before deciding on the perfect spot to poop. You will take care of business and come right back in. Understood?”
Abril wasn’t surprised when Lilith didn’t respond. Still, she muttered under her breath about how she’d got stuck watching the dog when she didn’t have a dog herself as she set down her plate. Abril then turned the flames off under the chili, checked the fries in the oven, turned that off as well, and went to grab Lilith’s leash.
A new vehicle had joined the others in the driveway when Abril stepped outside. It was a white van with the police logo on the side. She was eyeing it with interest when Officer Peters and another man appeared from the other side of the van, carrying items toward the excavation area. Abril was curious, but Lilith was tugging at her leash, forcing her back to what they were out there for.
Turning her attention to the Labrador, she followed her around the corner of the house. It was a spot Lilith always ended up going to whenever she needed to do number two. Abril supposed she felt more protected here. The main house was on one side, Abril in front, and the pool room jutted out from the back of the house behind Lilith. It left only one direction unprotected, and Lilith always faced that direction so she was covered on all sides.
“Yeah, I suppose I’d feel better pooping here too, girl,” Abril murmured as Lilith began walking in a small circle with her nose to the ground.
“I would think you would prefer one of the indoor washrooms.”
Abril jerked her head around to see Roberts and Delacort approaching. It was Detective Roberts who had made the teasing comment. Detective Delacort was actually scowling at him for it and when he said something to him under his breath, she was quite sure it was, “Do not embarrass her.” At least, that’s what it sounded like to her, and she thought it was sweet that he would be protective of her like that.
Roberts was less impressed. He rolled his eyes at his friend for his trouble.
Grinning at the interaction, Abril asked, “Done grilling the neighbors?”
“How did you know where we were?” Roberts asked, but it was Delacort who answered his question.
“No doubt Peters told her.”
“Yes, he did,” she admitted. “Find out anything new or interesting?”
The two men glanced at each other.
“You did!” Abril guessed with excitement. “Well,you have to tell me. I mean I’m the one presently living here with a bunch of dead people in the garden.” When they both hesitated, still looking at each other in question, she added bribery to the mix. “I’ll give you some of Bob’s world-famous chili and chips if you tell me.”
“Chili and chips?” Delacort asked with what might have been interest.
“Mm-hmm.” She nodded solemnly and assured him, “It’s Bob’s recipe andreallygood.”
“Bob?” Delacort asked, a small frown pulling at his mouth.
“He was the cook in a restaurant he and his wife, Barb, owned and ran. I worked there for a while. His chili was kind of famous in the area for how good it was.”
“Ah,” Delacort relaxed and smiled faintly.
“Oh, go on,” Roberts said lightly. “Take her inside and tell her what we learned over chili and chips while I see if the men need help with the tent.”
“The tent is here?” Abril asked, but then thought that must have been what she’d seen Officer Peters and the new man carrying from the van.
“They were just starting to set it up when we pulled in,” Delacort told her. “But we saw you outside with Lilith and decided we should first talk to you about our staying to guard the site.”
“Now that we have, I should get over there and see what I can do to help.” Roberts nodded at her, then turned to walk away.
Abril stared after him with amazement. His idea of talking about their staying to guard was apparently just mentioning it. Shaking her head, she watched ashe disappeared around the corner of the house, and then smiled shyly at Delacort before turning to focus on Lilith.
It was ridiculous. She wasn’t the shy sort as a rule, and certainly hadn’t felt shy around him earlier. But now that they’d kissed it was different. Every time she looked at him, she felt a blush heating her cheeks. Mind you, that wasn’t the only place she got warm when she looked at him. In fact, the heat that raced through her body when she was near him might very well be causing her blushes. It was rather embarrassing reacting to a near stranger like a bitch in heat. At least it was for Abril. Unfortunately, she didn’t see an end to her response to him in the near future. Which meant she’d better get used to it, she supposed.
