Page 82 of Starry with a Chance of Nightshade
“I thought you liked this place,” he said.
She reached across the picnic table and patted his hand. “I love you, but you’re about as romantic as a dishcloth.”
“So, what you’re saying is I am at least a little romantic,” he added with a slight laugh.
She offered a flirtatious smile. “Yes, dear. That’s what I’m saying.”
Jim chuckled and stood. He wiped his hands on a napkin and then extended one to Stratton.
Stratton shook it and then stepped closer to me. “Jim. Faye.”
Faye’s gaze found me. “Did he apologize?”
“He did,” I said, sliding my arm through Stratton’s in a show of support. “And he brought me flowers.”
“Good,” she said, still giving him a hard stare. “But I’m pretty sure he has a cell phone. He should have called.”
“Yes, ma’am,” said Stratton. “You’re right. I should have. There is no excuse.”
“No excuse?” Looking bewildered, Jim tipped his head. “I ran into Brett on the way here tonight and he said the two of you spent the whole day trying to track down whatever is dropping bodies like flies in Mill Hollow. Then he said y’all found one here in the city limits this evening. That securing the scene and getting everything handled there ran into the night. And he mentioned being out of cell range for a chunk of the day and being worried sick about Poppy. That boy is always checking in with his wife to the point she’s blocked his number a few times.”
Stratton inclined his head. “That’s right, sir. I was with Brett all day.”
“Then how were you supposed to call if you didn’t have any service?” asked Jim.
Faye tapped the table and got Jim’s attention. “The minute hedidhave reception, he should have called. Don’t try helping. You’ll end up on the sofa, husband.”
Jim lifted his hands and shook his head. “You’re on your own, Stratton.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “We should let the two of you get back to your date night.”
Jim waggled his brows. “I’m taking her line dancing after this. She loves that.”
Faye blushed.
Stratton led me to the order window that was on the side of what could only be called a shed that was made to look like a red barn. He exhaled slowly. “Really, I’m fine taking you anywhere you want to go. I can get us in at any place even without a reservation. Say the word.”
I tugged lightly on his arm. “I swear. I’m fine here.”
“Okay, but Faye is likely to box my ears when I see her next,” he said, his gaze on my lips.
I found myself staring at his too. “Were you really doing everything Jim mentioned today?”
He nodded.
“Someone was murdered here today?” I asked. “I understand if you can’t talk about it.”
“Yes,” he said, his hand finding the small of my back. “Someone died senselessly. She was young and had her life cut short.”
I twisted toward him and leaned slightly against his body. “I’m sorry.”
His expression was hard to read but my heart said it bothered him.
I put my head to his shoulder, and he wrapped an arm around me, holding me tight to him. He kissed the top of my head and it hit me that we were behaving like a real couple. Not two people who’d only just met. That should have sent me running in the other direction or at least made me stop hanging on him. It didn’t. It left me reaching up and putting a hand on his chest.
Someone cleared their throat and I jerked around, noticing the man at the window was waiting for us to place our order.
“Sorry,” I blurted.
