Page 47 of A Touch of Murder
"Okay then, we'll see how it goes. Just be sure. I can't stress enough that you'll have no secrets left if we try this." Adam still sounded hesitant.
Barret wanted this too badly to change his mind. "Isn't that a plus as far as relationships go? Open and honest, right?"
"Right." Adam laughed. "Okay, we'll discuss it more when we see each other. We're still on for Becky's birthday, right?"
"I'm looking forward to it more than ever," Barret told him.
"Good. Then you go get some rest and we'll talk later." There was a slight pause. "And, Barret?"
"Yes?"
"Thank you."
"We'll make it work. Night, Adam."
"Night." Adam ended the call.
Barret stared at his half-eaten sandwich and smiled. Life was getting interesting. Now if he just had this case closed so he'd have time to see exactly where things with Adam might go.
CHAPTER TWENTY
As Adam pulled up in front of Barret's home, he tried not to think of the conversation they'd had the last time they'd talked. It had been almost all he'd thought about over the last few days, and even though he'd been busy and distracted by work, the moment he was alone, his mind wandered back to Barret and how he'd wanted to explore things between them.
The murder case had kept Barret busy, and Adam had heard from Becky that all the officers were putting in overtime as they tried to track down the location of the suspects. Becky hadn't known much, so Adam was looking forward to catching up on what was going on with the case tonight, though he would be careful not to ruin the birthday celebration with conversation about murder.
Once out of the car, he went around to the passenger side and got the pasta salad he'd made, along with a bottle of Becky's favorite wine and a small gift he'd got for her. It had been pure luck he'd recalled Becky talking about wine with him one morning when he'd dropped by the bakery and he'd remembered her favorite.
The door opened as he walked up the walk toward Barret's home. The house was an older model that was common around town with a small front porch and large windows looking out over the front lawn. The place was in need of paint and some upkeep, but considering the hours Barret worked, he understood things like painting could take a back seat to work.
Becky grinned at him from the doorway. "I'm so glad you came." She reached out and took the salad bowl from him. "What'd you bring?"
"Just a pasta salad," he told her. "It's nothing fancy."
"Good, because we don't do fancy around here. It's too much work. We like things simple." She led him inside and to the kitchen. "I'll put this in the fridge until we're ready to eat."
"This is for you." He handed her the bottle of wine. "This too." He set the small gift on the table. "Happy birthday."
"Thank you. You didn't need to get me anything." She held up the wine. But I'm glad you did." She laughed as she set the wine down and took the gift. "This was unnecessary though."
"I hope you like it." He watched as she tore the paper from the small, wrapped box, then opened it and pulled out a necklace with an amethyst crystal hanging from it. "I was looking at this when I was in your shop." She held it up.
"I noticed. I hoped you were interested in it for you and not someone else."
"Me for sure. It's my favorite stone. I know it's not my birthstone, but I've always loved amethyst." She grinned. "I'd hug you, but I know I can't. I really love it."
"I'm glad." Adam glanced out the back window and into the yard where Barret was standing beside a large smoker. "Can we trust him with that?"
Becky laughed. "Never trust him inside the kitchen, but with the smoker or barbecue, he's great. I was so excited when he bought that thing. The meat will be falling off the bone on those ribs he's cooking."
"Sounds delicious." Adam's mouth was already watering just from the smell that drifted in from the sliding screen door that led out back.
"Come on out and meet my best friend, Francine. Grab a beer or whatever you want to drink from the fridge." Becky gestured to the appliance.
Adam grabbed a bottle of beer and followed her out back. He smiled at Barret as he stepped out the door. "Something smells amazing." He took in the small yard surrounded by pine treesand aspens. He loved that it bordered the base of the mountain and didn't have neighbors behind him. The yard itself wasn't huge, but Barret had a nice patio and even an old hammock strung between two of the trees. It was peaceful and Adam could imagine Barret drinking his morning coffee out there every morning.
"It's me," Barret teased.
"Probably, since you're standing near the smoker." Adam laughed, then turned to the dark-haired woman who was sitting at the patio table. "I'm Adam Wrecker." He offered his hand.
