“Sorry, Mrs. Blackfire, Poppy needs to watch his salt intake, along with getting more fiber. How about the rosemary and garlic toast bits I made?”
“Yes, they’re better. Well, hello, Officer Stone. Were you called out to the bingo hall? Marilyn said there’s a thief who’s stealing the petty cash. Did you catch her?”
Stone nodded a greeting, clapped Patrick’s shoulder, and eased into the kitchen. “Wasn’t a theft, Mrs. Blackfire. Mr. Olsen is beginning to forget things, so he moved the cash and didn’t tell anyone. We found it. Crisis averted.”
“Oh. Well, I’d keep an eye on him. I always knew he looked suspicious. He’s even wearing an eye patch now!”
“He had cataract surgery.” He stopped in front of Arilyn. “Hi.”
She smiled and his heart stuttered. Damn undependable organ. “Hi.” He kissed her properly, his hands skating over her slim hips. “Need help?”
She laughed, rising up on her toes, and kissed him again. “Not your kind.”
“Hey, I helped the last time.”
“You thought the Brussels sprouts were broccoli.”
“They look the same.”
“Trust me, you’re a better help out there. Keep an eye on Poppy and make sure he’s not sneaking slugs of beer. I cut him off.”
“Mmm. ’Kay.” They stared at each other for a few moments. Funny, he’d never experienced that sensation of having the world melt away, but he couldn’t give a crap if a crime happened right in front of him. Stone seemed unable to move from the spell of those green eyes. Her delicious clean scent rose to his nostrils like heaven. “Whatcha making?”
“Pasta with creamy cauliflower sauce. I saw it on Thug Kitchen. I promise you’ll like this one.”
His lip twitched. It was a fifty-fifty shot. Some of her recipes he was actually getting used to. Other times she finally took pity on him and gave him something he recognized. Still, he left with his belly full, feeling pampered and cared for in a way he had never experienced.
Patrick spoke up. “With real sausage. She promised.”
He raised his brow. “Seriously?”
She shook her head but grinned. “Yes. I went to the organic butcher. I bend if you bend.”
“Sweet.” He opened the refrigerator, grabbed an IPA, and took a pull. Reaching into the right top cabinet, he took down four bowls and lined up the silverware. “Mrs. Blackfire, I saw your driveway is starting to crack. It’ll never make the winter. Do you have someone you trust to do it?”
“The last company did a terrible job, but they won’t come back to fix it. I called several times.”
Stone frowned as he set the table. “Is it that place on the edge of town with the dirty red truck parked in front?”
“Yes! I can’t get them to make good on the work, even though I paid for a guarantee.”
“I’ll take care of it. I know some people over there.”
“Thank you.” It came out soft and grudgingly, but Stone had been making great strides in cracking Mrs. Blackfire’s hard shell. The more he got to know her, he realized it was all a farce. She had no one in her life, and because she was so abrasive, people didn’t stay around long enough to get to know her. Arilyn set out the portions, with a vase of happy yellow flowers, and poured water in all the glasses. “Of course, you can really help if you convince your girlfriend to chop down that tree for the winter. When the snow piles up, it’s going to fall.”
Patrick shook his head. “Joan, I promise you, it won’t fall.”
“You don’t know that, Patrick! It’s leaning much more to the right!”
Stone spoke up. “How about I personally trim that bigger branch back?”
“Great idea,” Patrick said. “A compromise.”
Mrs. Blackfire glanced back and forth, then sighed. “Fine. I can compromise.”
“Done. Hey, how about—”
“Stone.” His name shot out in the room like a cannon ball. He turned to Arilyn, worried, and saw her staring at something behind the counter. Her face reflected a bit of shock mixed with something close to joy. “Come over here. Slowly.”
He took a few steps toward her and followed her gaze.
Pinky was sprawled out on Robert’s back, her small head resting on his, nestled in the soft spot between his ears. Her eyes were half-closed in ecstasy. Robert didn’t move, his chin comfortably resting on the ground, a look of pleasure planted on his face, a half doggy grin widening his mouth.
And in that moment, something broke inside Stone’s chest.
A gooey mess of junk poured out, making his damn eyes sting and a tightness squeeze his heart. Damned if that wasn’t a sight to see. The two survivors, together, happy, and safe. A rush of emotion fought for dominance. He engaged in the fight of his life to keep it together.