Page 43 of A Little Luck

“We’re on our way to the Popcorn Palace to see if Harold knows any good vets for cats,” my son announces. “Cats aren’t as easy as dogs, you know.”

“You’ll do no such thing!” Britt steps forward, catching Ryan’s shoulder. “Cass can help us with Fudge.”

Cass’s smile is more of a wince. “I only do flea dips, and I don’t have any of my cat gear anymore. I donated it after the last bout of mites.”

“Wait, I’m confused.” Adam’s brow furrows. “Why can’t we take Fudge to the president of the kennel club, who knows all things pets in town?”

“It’s Harold’s dog running for mayor!” Britt’s eyes are wide, and Marshall clears his throat.

It’s when we all notice him standing on the periphery of our group listening intently.

“Hey, friend.” Adam stands straighter, towering over the small detective. “We haven’t met.”

“Sorry, friend.” Marshall’s voice is surprisingly sarcastic, considering Adam is a head and shoulders taller than him with attractive muscles on full display. “I gather you’re Adam Stone, the sheriff’s brother?”

“That’s right. And you are?”

“Marshall Gregg.” He shakes Adam’s hand. “Private investigator. I’m just in town, getting to know the place.”

“You’re getting to know Eureka?” Adam’s eyes narrow. “Why?”

Britt steps up beside him. “He’s working on a missing person’s case—a female—but he won’t tell us if it’s a kidnapping victim or a runaway. It could be a murder for all we know.”

“I don’t think it’s a murder.” Marshall shakes his head. “At least I hope not.”

“Do you have a photo?” Adam is all helpful now. “Eureka is growing, but I can’t think of any new, single women in town. At least not for years.”

He glances at Cass and Jemima, and I don’t like how it bugs me that he’s keeping track of the new single women in town.

“It’s more of a cold case file, but that’s as much as I can say.” Marshall holds up a hand. “If you’ll just go about your business as usual, I’ll do my best to stay out of the way.”

We all hesitate, but Adam puts his hand on my son’s shoulder. “We’ve got to take care of Fudge before the movie tonight.”

“Oh, yeah! It’s Headless Horseman night. My favorite!” Cass loops her arm through her sister’s and takes the wedding dress from me. “Come on, Jemma. I’ll get you settled in at Alex’s place, and you have to meet Pinky. She’s going to love having Taylor Swift staying at our house.”

“I’m not Taylor Swift,” Jemima protests. “Those days are over.”

Adam’s eyes linger on mine, and I hold his gaze a little too long. Luckily no one seems to notice, except maybe Marshall, who’s watching everything with an eagle eye. Britt is on her phone, and I can’t help wondering about this cold case.

A missing single mother from years ago? How has this never been in the paper? Marshall Gregg isn’t getting off that easily, at least not where I’m concerned.

CHAPTER10

ADAM

Ichabod Crane’s giant nose dominates the cinema-sized silver screen erected in the courthouse square in front of the gazebo. Piper sits on a blanket in the front row beside Cass, who has Pinky on her lap singing every word to the classic Disney song.

The whole town is out for the monthly Movies in the Park, and of course, this night is Halloween themed. They’re starting withThe Legend of Sleepy Hollowto be followed byHocus Pocus.

Off to the side, Ryan is with Owen and the other boys running from Edward and pretending to be the headless horseman.

I’m standing along the periphery with the other men, dads mostly. Their arms are crossed over their chests, and they form a kind of protective wall around their most valued possessions. I feel the emotion, even if I’m not technically a bio-dad.

Ryan and I spent the afternoon searching for a vet to give his new cat a physical and shots, then we headed over to Piper’s little house to inspect the damage. The house is almost 100 years old, so a busted pipe is only the start of her worries.

Still, it can be replaced with PVC, and I have a contractor all set to give us an estimate on Monday.

It leaves two days of her without a place to live—at least a place with running water.

---