Sandpaper Kisses by H Alton Lee

Author:H Alton Lee [Lee, H Alton]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-06-08T04:00:00+00:00

176

"Yokim. He's here inside running the register," Thad could contain himself no longer.

"What?! Jamie Threlkon? You're sure?"

Thad gave his partner a withering look.

"Okay, okay. But dessert?"

Thad raised a hand for silence. "Look and observe, oh giant inquiring one."

At that very moment, a smallish red truck pulled up in front of the store. A tall, very attractive woman, casually but appealingly dressed quickly emerged. She was carrying a large metal lunch box.

Thad was grinning at Yokim with amused vindication because even at this distance, they knew they were looking at Claudia Amstone. After all, they had both met Clarise and the resemblance here was striking.

"They might almost be twins," Yokim said in happy astonishment."Even though it says in our data Clarise was three years older."

Thad slugged his partner. "Easy now, big guy. Save your orgasms for later."

Yokim almost looked a little startled by Thad's rye suggestion, but was too excited to concentrate on anything but this dramatic moment. "God, to be inside," he said actually looking agitated and frustrated.

"Leave it to Deputy Winthrop," Thad teased. " We have to have some extra mustard. Stay here out of sight more or less and eat. I'll have another go." He scrambled off the bench and Yokim began eating.

After his first bite, he called behind Thad, "It's going to need more than mustard." Thad turned back laughing hard as he re-entered the store.

Jamie had come around the counter to speak to his aunt and Thad now realized that the boy must have been standing on a platform behind the counter before. He was smaller and much shorter than he had initially appeared shorter than his aunt and much shorter than Thad.

The two relatives seemed to be finishing their conversation as Thad approached and Claudia Amstone nodded about something and patted her nephew's arm.

"Sorry to interrupt," Thad said. "I was wondering if there are any packets of mustard."

"Yeah, sure," Jamie Threlkon was pleasant, if not as eager as before. He seemed a bit distracted actually, but his aunt turned and smiled at Thad warmly. "Here, let me show you. The condiments are over here."

Thad followed. "I didn't mean to intrude," he said.

"Oh, no. I was just making a lunch delivery. The service is complete," She smiled back at her nephew and he gave Thad a "You see?" glance as he turned back to a customer at the register.

"Here we are," Claudia Amstone spoke in her pleasant Midwestern voice and Thad scooped up a handful of packets.

"Thanks," he held the door open for her and she hesitated just as they exited the store .

177

"Just passing through?"

"Right," Thad smiled down at her. "I've never been this way before. Beautiful country."

"Oh, yes. I've loved it all my life."

An easy opening.

"So, you were born around here?" Thad asked with casual lightness.

"Oh, yes. Right here and I could live nowhere else."

"I think I can understand that," Thad smiled as if they were sharing a secret. "I feel that way about my home, too."

"I'm Claudia by the way," she said after hesitating a microsecond.

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