Page 69 of Dealing with Kate

“I’d be glad to help.”

When they pulled into Burt’s driveway, his wife rushed out to meet them.

“What happened?” she asked. “Roberta called and said she saw you sitting on a bench downtown just staring off into space. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine, honey. But we need to talk. Let’s go inside.”

He gave Adam a solid handshake and told him he could take it from here.

“Good luck,” Adam said.

“Thanks, son,” he said before turning back to his house.

CHAPTER THIRTY

Adam drove straight back to the newspaper office and went in to set the record straight. Burt had given him permission to tell them everything and provide them with his phone number in case they wanted to corroborate Adam’s statement. After he finished there, he headed to the flower shop. His plan was to right as many wrongs as possible before tracking down Kate to apologize.

He’d devised a new tactic that didn’t rely on charming a woman and had practiced what he meant to say in the car on the drive over. He stumbled in, pretending to be in a frantic hurry, and went straight to the front counter. The twenty-something woman at the computer gave him an appreciative up and down scan. Of course,nowit was a woman. He rolled his eyes but stuck with his plan.

“Hello,” he greeted. “I’m Mr. Doyle’s assistant. He asked me to swing by and pay the bill for some flowers he purchased on Monday. Apparently, he forgot his wallet, but someone told him he could pay later. The flowers were sent to Kate Parker?”

“Oh, well, let me check.” She typed a few things into the computer and turned back to him, confused. “It says here he already paid.”

“What?” Adam faked surprise, then frustration. “Why didn’t he tell me that?” he muttered. “I drove all the way over here…Oh, never mind. That’s not your problem.” He sighed, pretended to relax, and smiled. “Could you perhaps print a receipt for me? It’s work-related and tax-deductible. I’m sure he forgot to ask for one, and since I’m here…”

“Oh sure, no problem.” The girl hit another button, and he heard the printer fire up and begin printing. When she handed it to him, he doubled-checked to make sure Doyle’s name and Kate’s were on it. It even spelled out the message he’d had printed on the card. Perfect.

“Also,” the girl said. “In case he asks, we were able to have the delivery person he requested deliver the flowers.”

“Huh?”

“He was very adamant that Billy Sandoval make the delivery.”

“Okay. Well, thank you for your help. I appreciate your time.” He gave a quick flip of his hand as goodbye on his way out.

Strike two, Doug Doyle.

Kate’s office was on the way to his next stop, and when he noticed her car in the parking lot, decided to pop in and see if she’d talk to him. Brooke gave him the evil eye, but said she’d tell Kate he was there. He may be the enemy now, but he was still a client. She returned from Kate’s office with a confused look, saying Kate had been there ten minutes ago, but was now gone.

So, she’d seen him coming and fled. Okay, obviously, not ready to see him yet. Guess he’d give her a little more time.

On his drive to city hall, he remembered Archie’s last name was Sandoval. It was unique, and Adam wondered if he was related to the flower delivery guy. After parking at the mayor’s office, he called The Drip and asked to talk to Archie. Turned out, Billy was Archie’s grandson. When Archie asked why he wanted to know, Adam said he’d explain later and hung up.

Could Doug have wanted Billy to deliver the flowers, thinking the news would somehow get back to his grandpa? Knowing that if that happened, news of Kate’s pregnancy would be all over town in no time. Subtle, and potentially a long shot, but also cunning.

Walking into city hall felt like a death march. And when he introduced himself and asked to see the mayor, the secretary shot him a look that should have killed. Clearly, she’d attended the debate.

Amazed she didn’t turn him away immediately, he gave her a weak smile when she picked up the phone to find out if Edward would talk to him. “Mr. Mayor, Adam King is here to see you?” She was talking to Edward but didn’t take her narrowed glare off Adam.

Her eyes widened in surprise when, apparently, Edward agreed to meet with him. She hung up and stood. “This way,” she bit out.

He was surprised himself that Edward was willing to see him, but grateful just the same. They had some things to hash out.

Edward met him at the door and offered a hand. “Adam.”

“Sir,” Adam said, shaking his hand. Edward closed the door and led him to a small meeting area away from where his desk stood.

“What can I do for you?” Edward said, sitting opposite Adam and leaning back as if he didn’t have a care in the world.

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