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She flinched when he said her name, drawing the four-letter word out as much as possible. He hated that since learning who he was, she refused to say his name. Not once since then had she called him anything but Chief. The night he’d spent with her, she’d moaned his name, cried out his name more than once, and still did in his dreams. He wanted to hear her say it again.
“Ah, Tristan, Skylar, y’all are meeting with Luther together,” Rebecca said, her gaze bouncing between the two of them.
Skye must have realized they were giving Rebecca a show because her cheeks pinked. He chuckled, which earned him a glare. He smiled at Rebecca, then kept the smile on his face for Skye. “See, no problem.”
She muttered something that sounded a lot like, “Says you.”
He cupped a hand around his ear. “Sorry, I didn’t catch that.”
Her mouth opened, but he’d never know what she was about to say as Luther walked in with his aunt Mabel at his side. Tristan’s gaze shot to Skye’s and they both groaned. It was never good when Mabel Mackel was involved in anything. On this one thing, they were both united. As was Fuzz. He snatched up his toy, then disappeared behind Rebecca’s desk.
“Good morning, Miss Mabel, Luther,” Tristan said.
“What’s good about it?” Miss Mabel replied.
He and Skye wisely kept their mouths shut as they followed Miss Mabel and Luther into his office. There were only two chairs in front of Luther’s desk, so letting the ladies have them, he walked to the window and perched on the sill.
Luther, who stood to inherit everything Miss Mabel owned—and it was half the town—smiled at his aunt. “Auntie, would you like me to explain things, or do you wish to?”
Personally, Tristan thought Miss Mabel was too ornery to ever kick the bucket, so Luther always kissing her ass was a waste of time, but whatever. Get a few whiskeys down Luther’s throat, and you got his true feelings. His aunt drove him bonkers with her demands.
“I reckon you’ll muck it up, so I’ll take over.” She glanced over her shoulder. “I can’t see you back there, Tristan.”
“Sorry, ma’am.” He moved to the next window, which was in her line of sight, getting a nod of approval.
“I’ll get right to it then. We’re reopening the museum.”
Say what now? Luther beamed as if this was the best news in the world. It was not. The Marsville UFO Museum was a joke. The damn thing had been closed for fifteen years now, and it needed to stay closed. The story behind it was an embarrassment to the town.
“Museum?” Skye said.
Luther nodded, that ridiculous smile still on his face. “Yes, the Marsville UFO Museum.”
“UFO?” Skye glanced at Tristan as if confirming her ears were working right.
He shrugged. “Later,” he mouthed.
Ignoring Skye’s question, Miss Mabel said, “Since that fancy resort opened on the lake, we have more tourists visiting Marsville, and we need to offer them entertainment, things to spend their money on. That will mean more jobs for our residents, so everyone will be happy.”
He doubted anyone would be happy hearing the museum was reopening, but one question now burned in his mind that he didn’t want to ask but might as well get it over with. Opening the museum up again had nothing to do with him and Skye, so... “Why are you telling the sheriff and me this now?” When Miss Mabel gave him a smug grin, he eyed the door, wondering how fast he could get out it.
“You and Skylar are on the planning committee. You will need to plan for the extra traffic, parking, if we have adequate motel rooms, should we install parking meters, all those sorts of things.”
Just kill him now. “Who else is on this committee?”
“Are you saying the two of you can’t handle the job?” Luther said.
Tristan glanced at Skye, who seemed to be in shock. Whether it was learning there was a UFO museum or that she’d have to work with him, he didn’t know. Probably both. Although...he almost grinned. She’d have to work with him. He wanted to gleefully rub his hands. This could be fun.
Miss Mabel excused them, and he walked out with Skye. “Let’s go, Fuzz,” he said as they passed Rebecca’s desk. His dog raced ahead of them. Tristan chuckled. “He’s afraid Miss Mabel will show up again.”
“Smart dog.” She stopped on the sidewalk outside the municipal building. “I have questions. Lots and lots of questions.”
He laughed. “I’m sure you do. Let’s head back to the Kitchen. I could use a drink after that, but since it’s still morning, I guess a cup of coffee will have to do.” Fuzz settled in his usual place outside the restaurant door. Like Rebecca did, Katie kept a bowl of water for him.
“Back already?” Katie said when they walked in.
“We are. Just some coffee this time.” The breakfast rush was over, and there were only a few people still eating. Tristan reached out to put his hand on Skye’s back as they headed for an empty booth but jerked it back. She’d bite his head off if he touched her. At the moment they had something of a truce going, and he didn’t want to remind her that they were...what? Not exactly enemies, but certainly not friends.
