Page 54 of Save the Drama for your Mama
“I’ve got mango tequila jello shots chillin’ in the fridge,” I said, trying not to laugh.
“I wish,” he said.
Dale sauntered through the side gate, smoothing his hair back. “Well, well, if it isn’t my two most favored associates. Let us expedite this affair, shall we? Apprise me of the details so we may conclude this undertaking.”
“Let’s take a lap and I’ll bring you up to speed,” I said, leading the way.
As we circled the perimeter of the house, I inventoried the restorations for Dale, providing him with a meticulous account to ensure strict adherence to the historic preservation standards he was overseeing.
“The terracotta tile work is done, as you can see,” I said, continuing toward the side of the house. “The stucco repair on the east wall will finish up today. We had to re-do some of the electrical, but most of the original fixtures were salvageable.”
“That’s what I like to hear,” Dale said, nodding. “The big cheeses want me watching you like a hawk, but hey, you seem like you’ve got your ducks in a row. I got your back, as long as you’ve got mine, if you know what I mean.”
Here we go again. Nope, still don’t know what you mean, Dale.
Dale was always dropping not-so-subtle hints that everything would pass his inspection if we showered him with gifts, but we had nothing to worry about because our work was impeccable.
He scratched his chin, deep in thought. “I know it’s early, but I suddenly got a hankering for some halibut. Can you believe that?”
I shook my head. “No, I can’t.”
“Well, you should,” he said without missing a beat. “But I need to calm those urges because money is kind of tight these days, if you know what I mean.”
Chip opened his wallet. “Sorry, bro, the only thing I’ve got is this twenty-dollar gift card to Subway sandwiches.”
“Now we’re cookin’ with gas!” Dale said, snagging the gift card out of Chip’s hand. “Looks like you got this restoration dialed in, so I’ve got nothing to worry about.”
“Thanks, boss man,” Chip said, throwing him a wink.
Dale glanced at me. “By the way, gorgeous, you got any big plans for lunch? Maybe I can interest you in a foot-long.” He grinned, then waved the Subway gift card in front of my face like it was an American Express Platinum card.
Eating my arm sounded more appealing than dining with him.
I hesitated, trying to think of a good excuse. “Oh, well . . .”
“Do you mind if I borrow Melody for a quick minute?” Cooper said, turning up at the absolute perfect moment.
It looked like he was my knight in shining armor, after all.
“Hey, whatever you need!” Dale said, stepping back like he just got caught with his hand in the proverbial cookie jar. “I’ll just be over here appreciating the exquisite tile work.”
I followed Cooper to the base of the giant oak tree.
He stopped, then turned around near the ladder that led up to the tree house, his eyes lighting up like he had something good to tell me. “I found out something very interesting.”
“What’s that?” I asked.
“James Blade has a photo gallery in—”
“San Clemente,” I said.
He stared at me.
“Did you expect me to sit around last night and do nothing?” I asked. “I told you I have a passion for history and mystery.”
“Passion or fixation?” he asked.
“Potato, tomato, does it matter?”
