Chapter 15
Leo sat at the facility’s kitchen table and rubbed his forehead. Patch Shadow and Knight showed up a minute later and joined him. Saint arrived five minutes after with a box of freshly made donuts from Bryanna’s bakery.
“What’s wrong, boss? Did someone piss in your cereal this morning?” Patch asked.
“We have two jobs today.” He pulled out a small box and slid it across the table toward the men.
“Kit Kat, Melody, Grace, and Carol went on a girls’ trip for Carol’s birthday.
Derrick Jr. and I are bunking together for the first time.
When I work nights, he stays with Kassie and the night nurses.
I solemnly swore to take care of Melody’s goldfish and since I knew I was going to be here and dealing with Derrick, I gave it extra food to tide it over until I returned home this morning.
I found him floating on top of the water. ”
He saw the men shake their heads. Scowling, he continued, “Shadow, you’re in charge of picking up Taco and Tess.
Patch, you’re in charge of finding another goldfish exactly like this and have it in my daughter’s fishbowl by fifteen hundred.
Knight and Saint, you’re with me. Jeremy Stewart made a scene at the community center, spouting crap about the hospital and Chase and Kassie.
I staked out his house last night and he never left.
He went to bed at eight and left his son working until eleven.
Ben’s a couple of months away from turning eighteen and he treats him like crap. ”
“Do you think he’s causing all the problems?” Shadow asked.
“I don’t know. We don’t have any other suspects. The bored teens of Serenity have taken over the Pizza Palace since they’ve added the arcade. They don’t care to vandalize anything. Saint scared the bejesus out of a couple of them smoking weed behind the building.”
“One of them pissed his pants. His mama shot me dirty looks at church the next day. Either they know we’re on to him or he told her I caught him with the stuff,” Saint said, grabbing a donut.
“Boss, seriously? You expect me to carry a bloated ass goldfish around town and find a replica?” Patch said, disgustedly as he stared at the box.
Leo raised his brow. “No. I expect you to drive into Seattle and find one. If Kit Kat gets even a whiff of me killing the damn thing, I’ll be searching for a pet dog to replace it.”
“What’s the problem? You like dogs. You hired Cole Martin to train them for us,” Shadow reminded him.
Leo stroked his chin. “I don’t want a divorce. I happen to love my wife.”
Patch grunted. “What does getting a dog have to do with a divorce?”
“You don’t have kids. Melody has begged for a puppy forever.
But we all know I’ll be taking him outside to go potty and walking him.
We know Catherine won’t allow Melody to walk him alone, and I agree.
Derrick’s breastfeeding and Grace’s teething have made Kit Kat’s fuse very short.
I’ve worked nights the last two months, which means she’s played single parent.
If I have to tell her I killed the damn goldfish and we aren’t getting a freaking puppy, Melody will start crying.
Then it’ll set Grace off and wake up Derrick.
Gentlemen, I only have one set of balls and I’d like to keep them. ”
“Can’t you buy her another fish?” Patch asked.
The men chuckled. Knight shook his head at his friend. “Marcus isn’t old enough to understand, but I’ve seen my niece, Nugget, at work. If they sniff weakness, you’re finished.”
“You’re a SEAL, it’s your job to notice every spot of color, every line, and the distinction of his tail. I don’t care if you have to dive into an aquarium and pull each fish out and examine it,” Leo ordered.
“Why did I get picked for the job? Most of you have kids,” Patch grumbled.
“Because we’ve paid our dues. You’re taking one for the team,” Leo said. “I’m getting a couple of hours of shuteye. Saint and Knight will take over surveillance from Lucas and José .”
Whiskey entered, appearing rushed as he took his seat. “I got word from Seattle. The substance all over the bread truck tested positive for pesticides.”
Leo sighed deeply. “Get the Serenity officers on the phone and share the news. Keep your eyes open. We need to catch him before he hurts someone.”
Scarlett walked to the hospital cafeteria feeling restless. Her stomach growled as she and Ice waited for their turn.
“I thought you’d be tired of hospital food by now,” Ty’s deep voice came from behind her.
She smiled. “I have the afternoon off. Ice and I felt a little stir crazy in the cabin and decided to come here for the noise. Did you have a catering job today?” she asked.
“No. My sous chef felt bad for how crazy he’s acted about his breakup and offered to work the afternoon shift,” he explained. “I hoped to catch you at the cabin, but I saw you walking.”
“Oh, did you need something?”
“As a matter of fact, I do. It’s unseasonably warm today, and I thought to take advantage of it by enjoying a picnic. Do you know of anyone who might like to join me for a charcuterie board and lavender lemonade?” he whispered, conspiratorially.
“It depends,” she said cheekily. “What did you bring for dessert?”
“Hmmm. I must’ve forgotten. I guess you’ll have to go with me and find out. What do you say?” he asked.
“I think poor Randy, the cook, just lost a customer. Do we need anything else? My cabin’s not far,” she offered.
“No. I only needed you to accompany me. The trails have picnic tables placed along them. I’m parked out front. We can grab everything out of my truck and leave now if you’re ready.”
“Sure,” she said, turning toward him. Ty walked beside her as she navigated through the lunch crowd and stepped inside the elevator.
When they got to his truck, Ty pulled out a fold-up wagon and placed everything inside it, including a blanket in case the picnic tables were already occupied.
“Do you want to use your cane or hold onto my arm?” he asked, once he had everything situated. “The trails are paved.”
“Then, I’ll take your arm,” she said, folding up her cane and reaching for him. He placed her hand in the crook of his right arm and pulled the wagon with his left.
“How did you know to make a charcuterie board if you didn’t know your chef planned to kick you out for the afternoon?” she asked as they started toward the trails.
“I’m like a Boy Scout, always prepared,” he bragged.
She shook her head and laughed. “I’m glad you found me before going to my cabin. You almost missed me,” she said as they walked. The fresh, clean air seemed to calm her restlessness, or maybe it was Ty.
“I’m glad I didn’t miss you. Although if you eat all my charcuterie like you did my popcorn, we may not have enough food,” he teased.
Scarlett laughed. “You cheated by adding chocolate and caramel. I’ll never eat plain popcorn again.”
“Everyone deserves to indulge in life. I realized I haven’t lately. My business keeps me occupied the majority of the time. Don’t get me wrong, I love my restaurant, but sometimes, it’s nice to have a break to appreciate it.”
“I get it. I feel the same way about books. I used to have one in my hand at all times. Since the accident, I haven’t touched a single one,” she admitted sadly. “I appreciate all the stories these brilliant authors come up with. I don’t know how they do it.”
“I imagine it’s a lot harder than it appears.
Sometimes, a customer will say, ‘Oh my gosh, you whipped this meal up in ten minutes. I wish I could cook like you.’ In reality, they didn’t see all the time and prep put into it before my restaurant even opened.
I believe authors have an idea of what it feels like. ”
“Speaking of whipping up things, did you recall what you brought for dessert?” she asked, hopefully.
“I might’ve added something with chocolate,” he toyed with her.
“Ugh, Ty, you’re a tease,” she accused, laughing.
He chuckled as he squeezed her hand. “Only with you,” he declared.
“You make it too much fun. It’s also nice to see a woman eat and enjoy her food without moaning about calories.
I once dated a woman who refused to eat anything I cooked unless I weighed it on the scale at the table.
Needless to say, we didn’t last long. Do you ever hear guys complain after they’ve eaten three double burgers, a large fry, and a shake? Nope.”
‘It’s different for men, though. Women get judged by their appearance. Either we’re too skinny or too fat. Life’s too short, enjoy the chocolate and have the dessert,” she announced.
“I agree with you, except women aren’t the only ones judged.
Men get their fair share of ribbing for extra weight.
The eighty-twenty rule works fine for me.
Eighty percent of the time, I eat and serve healthy organic food from my ranch.
The other twenty, I enjoy a bit of indulgence,” he explained as he led her to a picnic table.
He pulled out a cloth to cover the table, and she spread it while he organized the food and opened containers.
Ice sat under the table with a fresh bowl of water.
He pulled out a tin pan and placed it on the table. She reached for it and he snatched it away.
Scarlett stuck out her lip in a pretty pout. “Oh, come on, tell me what you made,” she pleaded.
“You’re incorrigible,” he sighed heavily as he opened the lid. He pressed something against her lips, and she parted them, tasting the chocolate and sweetness of strawberries.
“Mmm,” she moaned. “Those are delicious. Did you happen to whip those up in ten minutes?”
“Like I said, I’m always prepared,” he said, his voice dropping an octave. “I made them this morning and you were the first person I thought of,” he confessed.
Scarlett ran her tongue over her lips, catching the juice from the fruit.
A warmth fluttered in her chest, reminding her of something she had given up long ago.
In the darkness, she felt cold and lonely.
When she spent time with Ty, it felt as if he brought a speck of light into her dark world, and his warmth filled the empty spaces.