Page 19 of August Heat
Clearly, I’m not the one who should be going on a date with Siobhan tomorrow.If Siobhan were straight or Young unmarried, Matchmaking Madison would be back in business. “So you’ll help me convince the chief to adopt them?”
“I got him to use donation money for the new treadmill, didn’t I?”
“Thatta boy,” Krys said with a grin. “Use those skills of persuasion to save some lives.”
At least this was one less thing to worry about. Now, could Krys get confirmation that things would go as well with Dr. O’Connor, the only person in Paradise Valley to look at her and think,“Yeah, I hate that asshole. Look at her eating her sandwich. Who does she think she is? She probably stole that sandwich from somebody else.”
Krys was a believer in good omens, though, especially when they held degrees of separation from other outcomes she wished to achieve. The kittens were connected to Siobhan. Success with them meant success with her.
Yes, that’s how it worked. Krys clung to that belief as she hit their private gym, prepared to be her most toned, fittest self for her date the next day.
Chapter 10
SIOBHAN
This was a mistake. A clear, unbelievable mistake.
I really am an idiot.Siobhan’s car crept down Georgia Street, looking for a decent place to park. Cars, pickups, and business rigs clogged the parking lot and street, however. Siobhan didn’t think she had to leave a whole hour early to get a decent place to park. Nor did she know of anywhere nearby where she might park without a tow warning.I should have taken up her offer to pick me up, but nooo, I needed my own escape.Siobhan still didn’t regret driving herself to town. Aunt Gabriella had been insufferable enough finding a suitable outfit and makeup for her niece’s “big date.”
More like big whoop. Siobhan wore a nice blouse with jeans, but she wasn’t about to slap on a dress and makeup. Not for amovie in the park.Was Gabriella insane? The evenings may still be warm in August, but temperatures quickly fell once the sun set. Siobhan wore a long-sleeved blouseandbrought a jacket with her. Besides, a woman never knew when someone like Krys might try to put on the moves. The ol’ “oh, you’re cold? Here, I’ll warm you up!” trick.
I don’t think I could stand it. The moment I wonder if this was the same body odor Emily smelled when she cheated on me, the moment I’m outta there.Siobhan still wasn’t convinced that Krys was innocent. Sure, she mightthinkshe was innocent. Think being an operative word.That doesn’t mean her hands are clean.A player didn’t keep to only single girls, no matter the intention. Not if given enough opportunity to fool around.
What am I doing? Why am I doing this?Siobhan waited a little too long at a four-way stop. Someone in a tiny green Honda honked at her, propelling Siobhan’s car forward as she continued her search for a decent place to park.
She ended up on Idaho Street a few minutes’ walk away. After looking around to make sure she blocked nobody’s driveway, Siobhan put the car into park and gave herself a pep talk before getting out of the car.God, I wish I knew more people in town. Now would be a good time to have some friends to fall back on if things blow up with Krys.Krys had called the office yesterday evening with “big news” to share at their date. About the kittens.I keep forgetting about them…Although she didn’t usually work with house pets, Siobhan had seen her fair share of cats and kittens. After a while, they blurred together. What made these four so special that everyone bended over backward to change their fates?
Not that she was complaining. The animal lover in her was glad to know they might have care in their near future.
Something stinks, though.Siobhan locked her car and searched for the sidewalk, stuffed with overgrown grass and weeds. Trees in dire need of trimming hung over her head. Rickety fences threatened to keel over. This was apparently not the most affluent part of town. The houses were loved and well-lived in, but at what cost?This is why I can’t stand living in towns. You’ve got neighbors who don’t take care of their properties. Neighbors looking through your window. Neighbors.
People being people, basically.
“Fancy seeing you again.”
Siobhan swerved her head the moment she stopped at the intersection of Idaho and Georgia Streets. Behind her stood a young couple holding hands, probably en-route to the same event. Siobhan didn’t recognize the short woman wearing a baggy sweater and running her fingers through thick, auburn hair. She did, however, recognize the taller woman with short hair and a gaze for trouble.
Lorri. From the hardware store.
“Uh, hi.” Siobhan forced a grin. “Thanks for the fertilizer recommendation. It’s working really well.” That was a lie. Kinda. She honestly didn’t know how it was working for Aunt Gabriella’s garden.
“Oh, good to hear.” They continued to wait together as more cars slowly drove by, looking for a place to park.These two have the right idea, I guess.Unfortunately for Siobhan, walking was not an option. “You here with somebody?”
“Huh?” Siobhan had not expected such a nosy question.Right, she’s friends with Krys.Oh, God. Had Krys told her friends she was going out with Siobhan that night?I’m about to die already.Siobhan was hoping for a low-key hangout. She wasn’t calling it a date anymore. She’d test Krys’s behavior,thenmaybe have a date. This was a woman who was cautious in love, after all. “I’m… meeting a friend, yes.”
A gap opened in traffic. Lorri stepped forward, her partner’s hand firmly ensconced in a strong grip. “Have fun.” That was a said with a knowing look.
She totally knows!
Siobhan didn’t know where Krys was. Honestly, the more she thought about it, the more she was inclined to turn around and claim to have a stomachache. Didn’t help that the park was filled with picnic blankets and towels. A giant screen was erected by the softball area, and the more the sun set, the more Siobhan wondered if she would ever find Krys among the crowd of people out on dates or family outings. Groups of friends smuggled in beer while kids tore up the patches of green between blankets. The occasional man got up to make use of the short line to the men’s restroom. The women’s, naturally, wrapped around the building. What was worse than a line to the women’s restroom? One in Paradise Valley, where a majority of the residents were grown women.
“Hey. Over here.”
Krys didn’t shout that, yet her voice rammed straight into Siobhan’s ear.How did she do that…Did her voice naturally carry so well? Was it practice from being a firefighter who had to shout a lot? Or was Siobhan so keenly aware of that voice that she could hear it in the middle of a crowd?
Why in the world was she dwelling on that when she could be taking refuge on a picnic blanket beneath a tree?
Krys had found an ideal spot, although some might not think it was. The tree created a natural wall behind them, and although they were far to the side of the screen, they were close enough to get a decent view. People weren’t as likely to bother them since all attention was pointed forward. Yet with nobody behind them, either, Siobhan took heart that she could sit down and not deal with strangers fascinated with her hair. Or the fact she was hanging out with the town player. The fewer eyes on them, the better.
