Page 19 of Midnight Whispers
Griffin waved off the comment. “You need time with Mom. Let her baby you.”
“Dinner with Dad later?” Riley met Zinnie’s gaze. “What about you? Will you come?”
“I’ll be there. It’s been a while since I’ve given Iven hell.”
“A whole five minutes, mom?”
“More like a week. Far too long.”
Riley chuckled. Griffin shared a similar humor with Zinnie.
Life had been too serious. He hadn’t had time to laugh. He didn’t know how much he needed it until he was with Zinnie and Griffin.
Chapter Ten
It didn’t look right for a Fortune Falls deputy to sneak outside someone’s home. And it wasn’t just anyone’s house, but the sheriff himself. Cass had sunk to a new low.
He also felt like a stalker. He could see Riley through the window, curled up on the couch. He wore blue pajama bottoms and a matching long-sleeved T-shirt. The pants had little cats all over them, and his shirt had a big black cat in the center of his chest. The cat had big green eyes and smiled. The words "cat lady" were above the cat’s head like a word cloud.
Iven sat in a recliner. He wore jeans and a sweater, which meant he was ready if a call came in. He’d sleep in those same clothes just so he didn’t have to take the time to change. Cass knew because he did the same thing whenever he was on call.
If they didn’t solve the murders soon, they’d need an extra deputy. They could probably use one, anyway. Cass made a mental note to talk to Iven about hiring someone.
His immediate problem was getting Riley’s attention without alerting Iven.
Cass didn’t have to wait long before Riley seemed bored enough with whatever they were watching on television to avert his gaze to the window.
It was dark outside. Cass wondered if Riley saw him through the blackness. But Riley widened his eyes and then bit his lip.
“I’m tired. I think I’ll turn in.”
Cass felt bad for eavesdropping on their conversation.
Iven looked at the clock on the wall and drew his eyebrows together. “So early?”
“I don’t know if you know this, but following Griffin around all day is hard work.” Riley stood and hugged Iven.
Iven chuckled. “I thought that was Zinnie.”
“Her too. It must be genetic on her side.” Riley patted Iven’s shoulder.
Iven touched his hand. “I love you, kid. Never doubt it.”
“I don’t. Love was never the problem.”
“Attention was. I know.”
Riley smiled. “We’ll work through it. It’s easier now that I’m here.”
“I’m paying attention now.”
“I love you too, Dad.” Riley glanced at the window and winced, but Iven was still sitting in the chair facing the television, although Cass knew Iven well enough to know he hadn’t been focusing on anything other than Riley for a while.
He was sorry he’d taken their time away from each other. The last thing he wanted to do was make the dynamics between them even more difficult.
Cass had wanted to avoid this exact scenario, but he moved the ball in the direction it was going. He had to follow through, which meant finding Riley’s bedroom window.
He moved around the house, sniffing as he went, searching for where Riley’s scent was the strongest.
