Page 62 of Serve and Protect
“What? Us, doing partner things? I love it.” He pats my thigh. “Give me a heads up when you’re ready to take a break. I’ll pick you up.”
“Are you sure? It’s a terrible inconvenience. You can’t plan your whole day around me.”
He grins. “Watch me.” Another kiss. And then he says, “Now go, before I have second thoughts about us working at all today.”
Laughing, I get out of the car. “See you later, Sheriff.” After closing the door, I turn and walk in through the back door.
My office looks pretty empty now, with no desk or chair, but I’ll order new ones today. I can hear easy jazz music coming from the kitchen as Robert goes about prepping for breakfast.
I poke my head through the kitchen doorway. “Good morning, Robert.”
He’s in the middle of rolling out the dough for biscuits when he gives me a big smile. “Welcome back, boss!”
“Thanks. It’s good to be back.”
I’ve got a ton of work to do this morning after an unexpected three-day break. My routine for making the pies and donuts is all messed up, and I’ll be pressed for time this morning to catch up. Fortunately, I’ve got some fresh dough I can use for the pies. I prep two and get them in the oven as soon as possible so I can start on making some cake donuts. Today I’m feeling like chocolate icing and strawberry. I’ll have just enough time to make a few dozen before the diner opens for business.
Cara and Michelle wander in shortly and go about their assigned tasks in preparing for our morning customers. Chad saunters in and gets to work.
When I turn on the OPEN sign and unlock the front door, I find the line of customers waiting outside is longer than usual. I think the fire on Sunday is the reason for that. Folks haven’t been able to eat here for a few days, and suddenly they miss the place. And, I’m sure a lot of them are simply curious and are here for the gossip.
I feel like I’m running non-stop all morning, just trying to play catch-up. As soon as the donuts are ready, I take a box next door to Maggie.
The rest of the day progresses normally, with no drama, no fires, no sightings of David, and no obnoxious customers. On the David front, now that he’s been served the restraining order, I hope I’ve seen the last of him. Part of me realizes that’s wishful thinking. As I told Chris, I don’t think a piece of paper is going to stop him from doing what he wants to do.
Chris manages to make himself available each time I need to run home to spell Dawn for a bit.
* * *
When it’s nearing time for me to head home at the end of my work day, I text Chris to let him know. He replies right away.
Chris: I’ll be there in five mins
Sure enough, he pulls up to the back of the building, where I’m waiting at the back door. I climb into the front passenger seat of his borrowed cruiser.
He leans over to kiss me. “How was your day?”
“Good. And busy! We were slammed all day. I guess having a fire is good for business.”
“Most of them are a bunch of busybodies,” he says. “Hoping to get the juicy details.”
We’re halfway to the house when my phone rings. I check the screen. It’s Dawn. “Hi, Dawn. What’s up?”
“Jennie!” The quaver in her voice puts me instantly on alert. “Oh, Jennie, I’m so sorry!” She’s crying.
A chill crawls down my spine. “Dawn, slow down and tell me what’s wrong?”
Chris turns to me, instantly on high alert. “What is it?”
“Pumpkin got out,” she says. Her voice is shaky as she talks through her tears. “I went to look for him, but I must have forgotten to lock the door because when I returned home—with the cat—the door was ajar, and Rosie was gone. I’ve searched every inch of the house twice, and the garage, but she’s not here.”
I mute the call for a second to tell Chris, “Granny got out. She’s missing.”
Immediately, Chris hits the accelerator.
“Dawn, we’re on our way. We’ll be home in two minutes.”
As soon as we’re home, Chris jumps out of the car and runs inside.
