“Which one got nabbed?” He grabbed a mug and filled it from the pot of coffee ever at the ready. He added a dollop of half and half with a pinch of raw sugar before handing it to me.
“Cash.” I hummed at the first sip.I should be winding down, but I was pretty sure nothing would keep me up after I got some silver dollars in my belly.
“The Million Dollar Arm, Cash?”
“I guess. I didn’t keep up on Cash Murdock.” Lies. I paid far too much attention before I left. Even if he never noticed me.
“Coach Kozlowski pinned all his hopes on that kid making a name for him.”
“Did he get hurt?”
“Nah, just didn’t have the heart for it. He played because it was fun, same as when he played baseball for me. I’ve never known anyone as naturally athletic as Cash.”
“Well, he managed to get Daisy off the fountain and into his truck by the time I found them.”
My dad’s head tipped back as he laughed. “I wonder where they were going to plant her?”
“Well, we aren’t finding out. Two of my officers are going to get it back up in the fountain today.” I took my cup. “I’m meeting Nora for breakfast.” I went on my toes and kissed his cheek.
“Good. Then you get some rest.”
“Yes, Pop.” I pushed through the door and smiled at Luisa. “Is my back booth open?”
“You know it. I just sat Nora over there.”
“Thanks.” I threaded my way through the few tables to the line of booths along the back of the diner. A few hello Chiefs slowed my roll and I chatted with a few patrons. I was getting used to the small-town nature of this job. Most of the time I dealt with gossip or a grievance that I catalogued away for the future.
Finally, I got away from Mrs. Dawson who thought the city should include a street sweeper once a month for beautification purposes. Good luck, that definitely wasn’t in my budget. I told her to talk to the mayor on that one.
I sat across from Nora. “Hey.”
“Hey, yourself.” A carafe of coffee was already on the table and I refilled my cup.
“Heard we had some excitement last night.”
I rolled my eyes. Nora was engaged to one of the elder Murdock brothers. “Was Sully in on it?”
Nora’s green eyes danced. “Pretty sure they’d have been a little more organized if my guy was in on the fun.”
“You’re probably right. I know Cash couldn’t do it all on his own.”
“Good luck getting any of the guys to own up to it.”
I sighed. “How are you doing?”
Nora fiddled with her ring. “Good. I need to go dress shopping soon. And I was wondering if you wanted to be my maid of honor.”
“Oh.” I sat back against the teal vinyl. “Wow. Me?”
Nora grinned. “You’ve always been one of my best friends.”
“I’d love to. Just don’t make me wear pink.”
She laughed. “I think we can make that work.” She pulled out her phone and pushed it across the table. “I was thinking ofsomething pretty simple. Since you’re the Chief maybe you could put a good word in for me when I ask to use the beach.”
The Pinterest board was full of autumnal colors and a deep burgundy plume of feathery things along with some wildflowers that suited Nora’s laid-back style. “Next fall?”
“This.”
