Ripple of Secrets: Rose Gardner Mystery Novella #6.5 (Rose Gardner series Book 3) by Denise Grover Swank

Author:Denise Grover Swank [Swank, Denise Grover]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: DGS
Published: 2015-03-17T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

Joe

“Hello, big brother,” she said, getting to her feet and adjusting her purse strap on her shoulder. She wore jeans covered with holes, a flannel shirt and a tan jacket.

“I’m surprised to see you here.” It was an understatement.

“After your meeting with dear old Dad, you ran out of the house like a man on fire. We didn’t get a chance to have our little chat.”

I shifted my weight. “You never thought to pick up your phone and call me? You could have easily gotten the number from Mom.”

“Nah, I prefer a face-to-face meeting.”

I glanced toward the door leading to the back offices. I knew I didn’t have anything pressing waiting on me and I was still a bit early for my shift. I could take Kate back to my office, but I preferred to keep the Simmons family chaos as far from my work life as possible. “Judy,” I said to the receptionist behind the glass partition. “I’m going out for a bit. Call me if you need me.”

She barely glanced up. “Will do.”

“Have you had breakfast?” I asked my sister, gesturing to the door.

Kate followed me out to the parking lot. “No. Are you going to take me to some quaint Podunk restaurant?”

I stopped and turned to face her, my back muscles tight. “I live in this town and county. If you are bringing our parents’ small-minded attitude with you, just get back in your car and drive back to wherever it is you came from. Because I’m not putting up with it.”

She held up her hands in defense, a sly grin spreading across her face. “Down, boy. I didn’t mean it like it sounded. Sometimes the snark slips out unchecked.”

I gave her a brisk nod. “Okay.”

“But I really do want to eat at a small-town restaurant with down-home cooking. Like Roberta used to make.”

I watched her for a second. She hadn’t mentioned Roberta since she left when we were teens. What was she up to? “We can go to Merilee’s in the town square. They make great pancakes and waffles.”

“Sounds great to me.”

I gestured to my sheriff’s cruiser behind me. “I’m technically on duty, so we better take separate cars.”

“Don’t want your sister sitting in a police car, tarnishing the Simmons name?” she sneered.

“No, there’s a chance I’ll get called in. If that happens, I don’t want to leave you stranded.”

“Oh.”

I pushed out a heavy breath. “Look, I appreciate that you drove out here, but maybe you should just go.” I wanted to talk to her, but I didn’t like her here on my turf. The truth was, I didn’t trust her. Until I knew she wasn’t up to trouble, I wanted her as far away from my new life as possible. I’d just arrange to talk to her on more neutral territory.

Her cockiness slipped away and she gave me a genuine smile. “No. I really do want to see you. Sorry. Old habits are too easy to fall back into.”

Hilary came to mind. “Tell me about it.

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