“James Puckett from the bank. He and Billy Ray duked it out, and James won. Though to be honest, I think Billy Ray egged him on to get the bid up.”
Coop snorted. “I’m sure he did. They’ve been competing against each other since high school.”
“I hope he thinks it’s worth the price he paid,” murmured Sam.
“Oh, he did. So did everyone else. In fact, it was all gone by the time he left.”
Sam couldn’t hide her surprise. “He paid for it, and gave it away?”
Eva shrugged as she placed biscuits and sausage on the table. “Most people did. Though I must say, yours got the most attention. I lost track of the people wanting the recipe.” She retrieved eggs from the stove. “If you don’t mind sharing it, I mean.”
“Of course not. I’d be glad to.”
“Wonderful. Just write it out, and I’ll make copies.”
“Now, I really want that cake,” said Coop as he filled his plate. “Can you bake it after we go fishing?”
“You fish, too?” asked Jason with a playful grin. “No wonder Dad’s in hog heaven.”
There was no use pretending he hadn’t seen them. Taking the old if-you-can’t-beat-them-join-them approach, she arched one brow and grinned as she plucked a biscuit from the pile. “I’m a woman of many and varied talents.”
He nodded at her and winked. “You go, girl.”
“I have work to do this afternoon, so we’re going after breakfast,” said Coop. “Wanna come along?”
“Another time,” said the young man. “I’m spending the day with Laurie and her folks.” He sat up straighter and cleared his throat as he slid his plate to the side, not looking at anyone.
Sam found his demeanor intriguing. Gone was the jovial, carefree young man who delighted in teasing her. This Jason fidgeted in his seat and toyed with his food. Thanks to her recent conversations with Coop, she suspected the reason why.
He looked at his father who gave a slight nod. “Um, Miss Eva, Sam. I, um, have an announcement.” The words ran together when he blurted out the news. “Laurie and me are getting married.”
Eva clapped her hands, then popped up and pulled him into a heartfelt hug. “How wonderful! Wonderful! About time, too.” She looked at Sam, face beaming with happiness. “We have a lot of work to do!”
“Congratulations, Jason,” said Sam. “I wish you both all the best.”
“Thanks. We haven’t told her parents yet. We’re springing the news tonight, but I wanted my family to know now.” His exuberant gaze took in the small group.
My family.
The lump in her throat made words impossible. She reached for Coop’s hand and squeezed.
His smile said it all.
Family.
He plucked a petal from the pale-pink rose and watched it float on the morning breeze. He loved roses. So beautiful to gaze upon, but possessed the ability to hurt if you weren’t careful. And he was always careful.
Eyes closed, he sniffed the fragrant bloom, recalling how it looked as he drew it across her creamy skin. She didn’t appreciate the symbolism of beauty and pain in one object and protested loudly when he pricked her with a thorn.
He grimaced. She did serve a purpose, though, and quenched a thirst. Until she ruined everything and pissed him off. Bad move on her part.
Sam. Now there was a woman who inspired. She possessed such fire, and a passion he craved from their first encounter. But, he must be patient and wait for the perfect time. Anticipation made the event so much more enjoyable.
He pulled another petal and watched it fall.
Monday morning
Coop sat at his desk, mood upbeat despite the lack of leads in two murder investigations. The interview with one of the bartenders provided nothing helpful. He claimed he was so busy last Sunday, he wouldn’t know if his own mother walked in. They had yet to talk to the one who left ill last Sunday.
Coop spoke to most of the patrons on hand that night with similar results.
Still, he remained in a decent mood. Because of Sam. Their second practice date, fishing at Baker Lake yesterday morning, was a definite success. She hadn’t fished since childhood and listened attentively to his instructions. She didn’t shy away from baiting her own hooks or removing fish. She possessed an off-beat brand of humor that sometimes caught him off guard, but never failed to make him laugh. How strange to discover at this point in life he really liked to laugh.
He switched on his computer and pulled his notes together while it booted up.
“We got an ID on the last vic, Sheriff.” The anxious deputy passed him a folder. “Peggy Wallace. Age thirty-three, a school teacher from Austin.”
Coop glanced at the driver’s license photo, and leaned forward. “I think I’ve seen her before.” Thick brows drew together in a tight line as he racked his brain for information. “It’s the hair. You don’t see that white-blonde color very often.” He tapped the photo. “I’m pretty sure she’s been a guest at Eva’s.”
He reached for the phone on his desk, but stopped. “I’ll be back shortly. If she was a guest at The Grove, Eva will remember. Maybe help us piece together a timeline.” He grabbed his hat on the way out. “In the meantime, see what else you can find out about her. Where she was going, anything.”
It’s me.