Dinner with the district attorney, where the sheriff could see her? That was something else.
Reid smiled.
“Burke. Caitlin.”
They crossed the few steps to the table.
Burke’s gaze moved from Reid to Eleanor, then back again. The corner of his mouth tipped up slightly.
“Evenin’,” he said. “Didn’t know this was a working dinner.”
“It’s not,” Reid said easily. “Promise.”
Caitlin’s eyes softened when she looked at Eleanor.
“Good to see you out,” she said. “How’s the circus?”
“Louder every day,” Eleanor said. “Still figuring out how to sell tickets.”
Burke huffed a quiet laugh.
“Just make sure they’re non-refundable.”
Reid glanced toward the back of the restaurant.
“They still have the patio open?”
Caitlin nodded.
“Best seats in the place. Go before somebody else figures it out.”
Burke gave Eleanor a small nod.
“Good to see you,” he said. “Enjoy the quiet while you’ve got it.”
“We’ll do our best,” she said.
Reid touched Burke’s shoulder lightly in passing.
“See you tomorrow.”
Then he guided Eleanor toward the back of the restaurant.
Burke watched them thread their way between the tables.
“They make a nice couple,” Caitlin murmured, reaching for her wine.
The corner of Burke’s mouth tipped up.
“Yeah,” he said. “They do.”
“She’s not used to being the show,” Caitlin added. “Give her a minute.”
The Back Patio
A set of French doors opened onto a stone patio that felt like stepping into another world.
River rock and moss-lined stones edged a narrow creek rushing just beyond the low wall, water catching bits of lantern light as it moved. Vines climbed a wooden trellis overhead. Candlelit lanterns flickered on each table.
