textbooks and what appeared to be research manuals. She flipped through several more, but it was Thomas Kilton’s that now caught her attention.
A large corner office with wide windows allowing in expansive sunshine, plush carpet, and heavy wooden desk, it was rivaled only by Sally Gleason’s. She remembered his sister Sidney’s comments on the comparison of his office with hers. She had not met the president, Robert Kilton, but if Thomas’ office was anything to go by, then Robert’s would be exquisite.
Thomas had allowed her to take a picture of him sitting at his desk and, not wanting the sun to be framed behind him, she managed to get his bookcase and credenza in the background. She hated to be impressed by trivial matters, but she had to admit his office was envy-inspiring.
She typed up her interview from the researcher, the information Tammy had given her on the robbery, and added the notes she had compiled from the various uses of legal and illegal uses of fentanyl.
With everything saved to her laptop, she emailed the notes to herself and decided she wanted a hard copy. Hitting print, she ran upstairs to her second bedroom where she had a small desk and collected the pages. Back downstairs, she folded them in half, put them in her notebook and slid it and her laptop into her bag.
A knock on her back door caused her to grin, thinking of this morning’s meeting with Kyle’s mom. She always kept her back gate locked so only Bob was able to come through the gate between their properties. She opened the door and greeted him, offering him iced tea.
“No, thanks. I just came by to drop off some mail and let you know the farmers market on Spring Avenue has opened up. It’s right on the corner of Spring and Haymarket.” From behind his back, he dangled a bag from his finger and grinned again. “Since I knew you wouldn’t make it there this morning, I thought you might like some fresh strawberries.”
Clapping her hands, she squealed. “Oh, my God, that’s perfect! I can wash them and fix some right now for us.”
Waving his hand, he declined. “I’ve already eaten my fill from what I bought this morning. Anyway, I’ve got plans with friends this evening, so I’ll take a rain check.”
Locking the door behind him after he left, she glanced at the junk mail, tossed it into the recycle bin, and carried the strawberries to the sink to rinse. Kyle had said he was coming over when he finished work today, and she decided strawberry shortcake would be perfect. She made a quick trip to the grocery store, grabbing the ingredients she needed plus a few other items. Once home again, she mixed up shortbread and put it into the oven.
A few hours later, a knock on the front door had her bounding to the window to peek out over her stoop. Her heart skipped a beat as she observed Kyle standing there, one arm extended with his hand resting on the doorframe. Certainly handsome as always, but his head was bowed, shoulders slumped as though he carried great weight. Struck with the realization that whatever he had been doing at work had probably not been a happy chore, she rushed to the door and flung it open.
He lifted his head and his blue-eyed gaze speared her. She leaned forward and grabbed his hand, pulling him in. Not waiting for a second, she plastered her body against his, wrapped her hands around the back of his head, and pulled him down for a kiss. If he was surprised by her greeting, he didn’t show it, instead plunging his tongue into her mouth. Tongues tangling, noses bumping, they kissed wildly for a long moment before she finally settled back on her heels and smiled up at him.
He cocked his head to the side. “Wow, what a greeting.”
“I peeked through the window and you looked so beleaguered out there. I wanted to make sure you had a proper welcome.”
Grinning, he pulled her tighter against his body. “Can’t think of a better one, babe.” He lifted his head and sniffed, asking, “By the way, what’s that fabulous smell?”
“My neighbor, Bob, brought over some fresh strawberries from the market, and I made homemade strawberry shortcake with real whipped cream!”
His eyes widened and so did his smile. “Damn, girl. I was going to carry you off to bed, but I haven’t had lunch so maybe a snack first would be