on some ChapStick, and I was ready. No high-maintenance girl here. I hurried down the stairs and snatched the sofa pillows, locking them into my office. Then I topped off my travel mug and eyed Emma’s food and water levels.
“I fed and watered her this morning.” Greg was still leaning on the counter, watching me.
I leaned down and gave my dog a quick hug, telling her to be good. Locking the back door, I threw the dead bolt for good measure. “I’m ready.”
We walked to the front, where Greg paused to lock the door. I glanced over at Esmeralda’s house. She either had an overnight guest or someone came early for breakfast. The Range Rover was there again.
Greg took my arm and led me down the stairs. “Not your business.”
I gave him a wicked smile as we headed toward the road and up to town. “Maybe not, but it’s going to be fun teasing her the next time I see her. I wonder if this Nic guy is moving to the area.”
Greg shook his head. “I don’t think so. I ran a little background on him the first time I met him and he’s big in New Orleans. Like gives-away-a-lot-of-money-to-charities big. He’s supposed to be some kind of wealthy socialite, but of course the family runs the fortune-telling business down there. And it’s rumored he’s involved in a few less-up-front ventures.”
I turned to look at him while we were walking. “Like crime stuff?”
Now Greg shrugged. “No one would go that far. He’s a very powerful man in the area. But I know he cares for Esmeralda a lot.”
“And that’s why you checked up on him? To protect her?”
This time he blushed. “I know, none of my business. You can call me on it. I overstepped as her boss. But as her friend, I was concerned.”
“You’re a good man, Greg King.” I took his arm and leaned into him. “I don’t see it as overstepping.”
“You might not, but Esmeralda would. She’d probably twist my arm for just thinking about checking on her.” He exhaled. “I hope she comes back to the station soon. We’re dying there without her.”
“Well then, I won’t tell her what you did.” I wrapped my fingers in his. “Your secret’s safe with me.”
He kissed my hair. “Okay, what do you really want?”
“Who’s your primary suspect?” I grinned as we passed by Diamond Lille’s. The parking lot tables were empty, but the diner inside was already packed. Locals getting some breakfast before the craziness of the day hit.
He glanced around. We were the only ones on the street.
My heart started pounding. He was actually going to tell me. I couldn’t believe this had worked. Most of the time he kept his cop cards very close to his chest. He said it was to protect me, but sometimes I think he just liked the power. “Greg?”
He leaned in close to my ear, paused for a moment, then he whispered, “I have no clue.”
I slapped him on the arm. “Greg! I can’t believe you.”
A woman walking with her goldendoodle chuckled. “You tell him, girl. No sugar until there’s a ring on that finger.”
I waved as she passed by.
We started walking again. Greg looked behind us at the woman. “Who was that?”
“Not sure, but I think she runs the opal shop down the street by Austin’s Bike Shop.” I sighed. “She’s been at the Business-to-Business meeting a few times. She always has the newest gossip. We’ll probably be splitsville by the end of the day.”
“We will?”
I shrugged. “She’ll tell everyone I’m upset about not being married and how she witnessed a fight between us.”
“That wasn’t a fight,” Greg corrected.
“In Small Town USA that was almost a divorce.” I looked both ways and started across the street to the store. Greg followed me. “I’m fine, you don’t have to see me to the door.”
“Maybe I want to.” He took the keys I’d taken from my tote and unlocked the door. Letting me in first, he turned on the lights as I turned off the alarm and headed to the counter to start the coffeepots. He leaned on the counter and put the keys by the register. “Jill?”
“Yes?” I had my back to him as I set up the last pot.
“Do you want me to ask?” His question was soft, but the power of it punched me in the gut. “I mean, I don’t want her gossiping to affect us. If you’re fine the way things are, then so am I. But if