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The crushed look that flashed over Diane’s face was fleeting and replaced by a brilliant smile.
“That’s fine,” Diane said, tossing her hair. “It was only a business dinner. You two have a good evening.”
Turning on her heel, Diane left them standing in the waning light.
“What’s your pleasure?” rumbled Slade. “Dinner at Seraphim, pizza, or we hit the grocery store and head home?”
Fiona couldn’t help the little thrill that ran through her system at his use of the word home. She also couldn’t help feeling as if they were on the brink of something big. Whether it was solving the cold case, Daniel’s murder, a lasting relationship, or all of the above was unknown—only time would tell.
CHAPTER16
Slade
As he walked along the sidewalks down the main street of Angel’s Rise, holding hands with Fiona as the sun began to set, Slade felt as if he were finally where he was supposed to be; not just where he’d been born and raised, but where he belonged.
“We should probably grab one of our vehicles and head to the grocery store on the edge of town,” said Fiona happily.
“No. We may head there to pick up some staples, but we’re going to that organic grocer right down the street from your place. Then we’re going to hit the butcher next door. My guess is the butcher closes first, so that’s where we’re heading.”
They spent the next hour at the butcher where Fiona appeared delighted with the way Slade interacted with the butcher, who was the son of the original butcher who had opened the place.
“I remember your dad teaching me so much about how to handle and freeze good meat and seafood. I know we came in pretty close to closing but if I could get a few things today, I’ll leave you with a list to pick up tomorrow.”
“That sounds good, Slade. Becky next door has great local produce, but more than that, you’re going to lose your mind in her artisan cheese section, and she has fresh pasta.”
“You are speaking my language,” said Slade.
Fiona laughed. “And you think I’m the geek.”
“No, babe,” he said, leaning over to kiss her. “We’re the organic food geeks; you’re the mystery novelist nerd.”
The butcher laughed. “Yeah, when the big chain store came in, I decided if we were going to survive, we’d need to do it with organic meats and seafood of a higher quality.”
After getting some fresh lobster, Wagyu filets, and bacon, Slade left the butcher with a long list of seafood, meat and pork that he wanted to pick up.
“I don’t think all of that is going to fit in my freezer,” said Fiona. “I mean it’s good sized, but I’m not sure that it’ll hold everything.”
“If it doesn’t, we’ll buy a freezer and find a place for it. Please don’t worry. I like taking the time to make things from scratch, and to do that we need the right stuff.”
Next, they went into the organic grocery store, and the butcher’s prediction appeared to be correct. Slade also remembered Becky from school.
“Oh my god, Slade. I heard you’d bought a house,” she punched him in the arm. “How could you think Fiona had killed anyone? She’s one of the nicest people in town. I don’t know what I would have done if she hadn’t raved about the store to everyone. She’s actually one of my best customers when she isn’t so busy writing she forgets to feed herself.” Becky held up her hand, looking pointedly at Fiona. “Pizza and Chinese delivery don’t count. Now Slade, what can I get you?”
“Other than an ice pack for my arm?” he joked.
“Yeah, sorry, not sorry,” she said.
“I have a list of things if you could put them together, I’d really appreciate it. I also need to pick up some things for tonight and tomorrow.”
“Sure thing.”
It was easy to see Becky was enjoying showing off her store and selling her products to someone who really appreciated them. He was able to pick up the makings for a delicious salad, including field greens, onions, peppers, and cucumbers as well as sundried tomatoes, goat cheese, a loaf of artisanal bread, French butter, and some decadent eclairs for dessert.
Loaded down with what he’d need for the next couple of meals, they headed back to Fiona’s. They walked through the bookstore just to make sure nothing had been harmed. As everything seemed to be in its place, they went up the stairs to the loft.
“You know, if we enclosed these stairs and made a separate entrance into the bookstore, you could come and go more securely…”
“Hopefully, we’ll be able to catch the bad guys, so I don’t have to worry about my security.”
