Killian (Hope City #8) - Kris Michaels Page 0,15
Oh…” Okay, maybe she should have explained.
“Yeah, ‘oh,’ how did that happen?”
“Well, okay, you know that I was going over today to try to get some information to try to help me put two and two together, right?”
“Yeah?”
“Well…” Bekki pushed her friend into a jog and then regurgitated the events of the morning.
“He told you not to let the door hit you on the ass?” Caitlyn barked out a laugh.
“Whatever, I didn’t leave.”
“Obviously, because you have a date.”
“Not a date. He’s coming over for dinner and he’s going to look at the information I have.”
“You went out, bought groceries for the first time in probably weeks, and are cooking. Hate to tell you, girl, but that’s a date.”
“No, it isn’t.”
“It is.”
“Not.”
They ran up the three flights of stairs in silence. When they got to the top and she could breathe again, she defended herself. “I owed him an apology. Besides, he’s bringing his dog. Not a date.”
Caitlyn snorted, “You’re not allowed pets in your condo.”
“Not my pet.”
“Splitting hairs, aren’t you?”
“Maybe, but he’s a really good boy and so sweet and handsome.”
“Who, the dog or Killian?” Caitlyn ducked away from the swipe Bekki launched at her.
“What are you making for dinner? Please tell me you bought groceries.”
“Ha-ha. I did, and I only bought enough for dinner tonight. Lasagna, garlic bread, and salad. I have red wine and beer. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him drink anything but beer at the family events. Anyway, I’ve tried to organize the information into logical sense. I watched hours of meetings today and dug deep into Ganas Construction. I pulled all the information I could from City Hall before I went home after I left the construction site. I’m missing something, Caitlyn. Nothing about the construction companies is ever mentioned in the meetings.”
“Let Killian look at what you have. If he can’t find something, then maybe you need to move on.” Caitlyn nodded at the entrance to the park. “That’s one. We’re doing two for the next two weeks, then we are doing three.”
“Why? I’m not going to run the marathon,” Bekki argued but turned the corner and jogged beside her friend.
“No, but we like to eat.”
“Oh, yeah.” She looked at Caitlyn, and together, they said, “Dessert.”
The doorbell rang just as she was taking the lasagna out of the oven. “Right on time.” She shook off the oven mitts and trotted to the door. “Hi— Oh, Mom, what are you doing here?”
“I just stopped by on the way home from my ladies’ circle. Will you be able to convince your station to cover the Christmas Bazaar again this year, and my goodness, something smells amazing.” Her mother breezed right past her and into the kitchen. “You’re going to be eating lasagna for a month. Oh…” Bekki rounded the corner as her mother stared at the table that was set for two. “I’m leaving, you have a date. I should have called.”
“Mom, it’s okay, I promise this isn’t a date.”
“Right. Okay. No worries. Just check on the Bazaar coverage, please. It worked so well last year. We’re months out from opening, but the early bird and all that.” Her mother buzzed past her again and headed to the front door.
“Mom, this isn’t a date.” Bekki followed her to the front door.
Killian and Duke stood just inside the door. “The door was open.” He patted his leg and the dog moved against him and sat obediently.
“Killian, so good to see you. Who is this?” Hannah extended her hand for Duke to sniff.
“This is Duke. We’re here to help Bekki with a story she’s working on.” Killian’s eyes lifted from her mother to her. Bekki mouthed the word, ‘Sorry.’ He shrugged and focused on Hannah and Duke. Her mother stroked Duke’s head and talked to him like he was a toddler. The dog’s tongue lolled out of his mouth and its tail swished on the hardwood floor. Hannah stood up and smiled at Killian. “I’m sure you have work to do. I was just leaving, you three have a good night.”
Killian turned toward Bekki when her mother floated out of the apartment. “We followed her up. She didn’t have to leave.”
“That’s what I told her. She saw the table was set for two and assumed I had a date.” She shut the door and motioned toward the kitchen. “Lasagna.”
“It smells delicious.” He looked at Duke and gave him a hand motion to lay, which the dog immediately obeyed.
“Duke can come in. I don’t want him to be