“We will see you back in court,” Mrs. Klinkhissed.
Judge Sinclair sighed and leaned back in her chair. “I’m not sure what part of the country you’re from, but if you haven’t noticed, the rules are a little different here. This is a final ruling. I will transfer this will over to the one and only estate attorney in our town. He will be responsible for dividing the estate appropriately. Youwilltake the horse,” she said pointedly to the children. “And youwillvacate Mr. Klink’s property immediately,” she said to his widow. “There is no monetary gain left to be had.” The judge turned her attention to me. “And thanks to the testimony of Mr. Klink, I’ve already contacted the banks to have the family’s access stripped from his accounts.” She smiled at me and turned her attention back to Mr. Klink. “You will be required to return any purchases you made from Mr. Klink’s account within fourteen business days. Anything that can’t be returned will have to be reimbursed through the estate lawyer.” With a nod, it was obvious we were alldismissed.
Mrs. Klink was shaking like a leaf. The kid walked out wearing identical sullen expressions. I couldn’t help but feel a little bit bad for them. Martin Klink didn’t seem to be a terrible guy, but he certainly hadn’t beenfaithful.
I gave a nod to the judge and began to gather my thingsup.
“You did a good thing today, Ms.Reaper.”
My hand stilled. Normally people were super weirded out by my talent. What was happeningtoday?
“Thank you,” I saidquietly.
“Have you ever thought of working outside your home? Midnight Cove has quite a bit of open real estate. I can imagine you’re doing pretty well, but opening a shop might open up a whole new world for you.” Her glasses slid down to the edge of her nose as she studiedme.
Opening a shop in town gave me the hives. I wanted to, but it was hard to leave the comfort of my home. I shook my head. “I like working from thehouse.”
“Well,” she said, as if she suspected the reasons why I didn’t want to branch out, “there’s plenty of room for you if you decide tolater.”
I finished packing up the rest of my things and bid herfarewell.
I needed to cancel my next appointment because I was already late and I still hadn’t eatenlunch.
I rushed out of the courtroom and to my vehicle. My next appointment wasn’t terribly pleased, but I was able to squeeze her in the next day. I rarely had to reschedule but today’s case was so ridiculous it ran hours past when it should have. I drove to one of my favorite places, ordered two buttermilk chicken with corn salsa tacos and got it to go. All I wanted to do was get home, slip my shoes off, and inhale some tacos. Plus, I wanted to read a couple of chapters in the new paperback I’d just picked up. I had about three hours before my nextappointment.
I pulled into the long wooded drive toward my house. This was one of my favorite things about it. It obscured my residence, so unless you knew there was a house back here, you’d probably drive right on by. It led about a quarter of a mile down a rock and gravel road until it opened up into a large clearing. There sat the cute little house I loved so much and...Hank’struck.
My heart did a funny little skip of a beat, but it was quickly followed by anxiety. Had something happened to Margo? I pulled up to the drive, shut off my car, and grabbed all of my stuff. Just as I was exiting, Margo ran up and drooled all over myskirt.
“Aaack!” I yelled. She looked totally fine. “Hank?” Icalled.
He lumbered over to me with his slow easy walk and I swallowed hard as my gaze drifted up from the chest so accentuated in that white t-shirt he was wearing up to those warm eyes. He was, of course, scowling atme.
“Everything okay?” I asked as I slid out of my vehicle wincing at the long line of drool Margo had given me as a welcome homegift.
“Fine. I had a couple of appointments cancel today so I thought I’d come byearly.”
And not text. Or call. I bit back a grumbly response. “Come on in. It’s been a weird day and I need to eat something.” I unlocked the door and allowed him to walk in before me. Not because I wanted to see his backside encased in snug denim.Nosirree.
But it was oh so nice. I chewed my bottom lip and let my gaze linger a little bit too long before I shut the door behind me. Hank made himself at home in mykitchen.
“Devil’s?” he asked. “I love thatplace.”
I did not want to give up a taco, but that was polite, right? Sharing your oh so delicious tacos with friends? “Would you like my taco?” I askedHank.
He blinked atme.
I blinked back and horror slid into the pit of my stomach. “Oh. Um” I forced out a laugh. I shoved the bag at him. “Ataco. Notmytaco. Well, technically, it ismytaco. But notthattaco.” I pulled out the contents of the bag and shoved the foiled food at him. “Thistaco.”
He took it. “If I ever wanted your taco, Helen Reaper, I would not ask so politely, but I would still ask. But yes, I will acceptthistaco.” Amusement seeped into his face, lighting it up like the NorthStar.
Woo boy. Hank was one handsome devil. And somewhere under that tough exterior lurked a sense of humor. Whoknew?
My face burned with embarrassment, but I was never one to let witty repartee go by unanswered. “If I were to ever give you my taco,” I assured him, “I would ensure it was hot and ready. This one is merely lukewarm. A poor excuse for ataco.”
Hank swallowed hard. Our gazes clashed together like thunderclouds. “Are we still talking about tacos?” hewhispered.
I slowly opened the foil wrapper. “I don’t know. Are we?” I winked at him and took an enormousbite.
