Page 35 of Holidate Fail
Raw irritation flared inside Kelly at that passive look, the meek tone. He stroked a hand down her arm and gave her a squeeze, giving her his support, when what he really wanted to do was drive away from this crazy place.
He’d have to settle for watching from the front seat. “I’ll be waiting in the car, honey.”
***
“Honey. That’s cute.” Kristy took a deep breath, her perfect lips stretched into a smile. She turned in a circle, her arms wide. “It’s really peaceful out here. I can see why you like a job that takes you outside all the time. Surrounded by nature, being on your own. It’s a good job for someone like you.”
Dahlia bit her tongue. Literally. Old Dahlia would be hurt, insulted at the backhanded compliment. New Dahlia waited for Kristy to get to the point. She knew Kelly didn’t want to leave her alone with this woman she guessed was an ex, but it was obvious something was going on. She had formed her hypothesis based on her observations at the river. Now she just had to wait out this experiment and form her conclusions.
“Someone smart, who’s putting her brain and interests to good use for the environment,” Kristy finished.
Nice save, lady. “Thank you,” Dahlia said.
Kristy paused, as if waiting for more, then laughed, a bright, happy sound. “It was nice of Kelly to bring you out here. I was hoping we’d get a chance to talk.” Kristy peeled down the shoulder straps of her paisley waders.
Kelly…brought her here? “What do you mean?”
“We had to find a way to contact you without leaving any records. I’m sorry for the subterfuge, but I’m hoping you can help us out.”
“No.” It didn’t matter what the question was.
“Oh, come on, Dahlia. I mean, look. I’m not pointing out anything obvious. But you know how it is. One hand washes the other.” Kristy tugged her hair free of her shirt collar and stretched her shoulders. “Whew, those things can really hang on you. I don’t know how you wear them all day.”
The movement put her in a pin-up pose, showing off her many attributes. Flawless skin, full breasts, lithe body.
So Kristy was gorgeous. It didn’t matter. “I go for function over style.”
“I’m not surprised. I don’t expect to need to wear these again.” Kristy’s light laugh was friendly, engaging. “Which brings me to why you’re here. I’m general counsel for Shady Creek Farms.”
Dahlia flicked her gaze to Kelly, who was leaning on the hood of his SUV, glaring at them with his arms folded across his chest. His wonderful, strong chest with its delicious muscles and light hair that had tickled her nose when they cuddled. What had he done? Why had he brought her here for some clandestine meeting with his ex-wife?
“You know Kelly’s shop is struggling.”
The sentence was designed to elicit a response, but Dahlia still didn’t know what was going on and wasn’t going to give Kristy the satisfaction. “Is it?”
“I helped out where I could, of course. I mean, he’s a great guy.”
The look Kristy sent to her ex-husband was full of hope and longing. She dipped her head and closed her eyes for a moment before turning back to Dahlia.
Was this woman still in love with Kelly? And…how did Kelly feel about her? She looked at him once again. His hands had shifted to his pockets, but he still eyed them like a cheetah following its prey.
“What does that have to do with me?”
“I can help you, too.” Kristy pulled her hand out of the deep pocket of her waders. She held out a couple of clear plastic tubes cushioned on a couple of hundred dollar bills.
A dull thud echoed in Dahlia’s head. Kelly had brought her here for this? “What are you doing?”
“Kelly said you were smart. I’m sure you can figure it out.”
Dahlia’s stomach tightened and the delicious eggs she’d eaten half an hour ago threatened a return visit. She thought she’d known him, but ten years can change a person. It had all been an act worthy of a curtain call. The words and touches and sweet whispers. The agreeing with her about not going to the coordinates. “Why don’t you spell it out for me.”
“Water samples.” Kristy nodded her chin toward the river. “For you to use when figuring out damages. And anything else I’m holding in my hand.”
“You think I can be bought for two hundred dollars?”
Kristy sighed. “Kelly didn’t say you’d be this difficult. Name your price.”
“Any hydrologist—any scientist—will be able to tell given the composition of the water that the samples were taken incorrectly and from the wrong place when doing a comparison.” How could she have been so trusting? So stupid? So obviously needy. “The science will speak for itself.”
