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Miss Adeline hadn’t seemed surprised or annoyed when I’d showed up on their doorstep.
“Bring some chips too,” Miss Adeline said. Muffy perked up like he understood what she said.
“Mind if we take Ash?” I’d never had her on my own, but in so many ways she felt like mine.
She tossed me a lead. “Better grab Pepper and the lab lady something too.”
The snoop. That woman didn’t miss anything that went on within these walls.
“Be back in a few.” I leashed Ash, who patiently waited to move until I headed for the door.
“Will you watch for Willa in case she gets here before we’re back?” Burke asked.
“Take your time.” Miss Adeline smiled mischievously. “I need a minute to do some of my own investigation.”
The deli was slammed,and by the time we returned, Miss Adeline had already settled in, pumping Burke’s friend for who knew what kind of info.
Pepper stuck her head out of the back as I set one of the food bags on the desk. “I hope you brought me something. I’m starved.”
“Maybe.” I crossed the room, no longer caring about lunch, and pulled her into my arms. “Hey.”
She pressed up on her toes and chastely kissed me. “Hey.”
“Teague and Pepper sitting in a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G,” Burke sing-songed.
I turned to flip him off but thought better of it since we were in the presence of ladies.
“Grow up,” I said.
He laughed. “Mind if I wash up?”
“Make yourself at home, honey.” Miss Adeline pointed him toward the back.
We all followed to wash our hands, including the dogs . . . except Muffy who meandered innocently over to the bags of food.
“Don’t even think about pulling a Sadie,” Pepper scolded. He sat and pretended like he’d never thought about finding out what was for lunch. “Thank you.”
She dragged a hard-sided dog crate from the back before washing her hands.
Miss Adeline sank back into her chair. “Willa, I’d suggest the dog crate or the desk. You definitely don’t want to sit on the floor or you won’t have any lunch.”
“You might have some new best friends though,” Pepper said.
“I’ll take the desk. And thank you for the sandwich.” Willa accepted the wrapped sandwich Burke offered her.
He settled in beside her. I took the end of the desk and Pepper sat on the dog crate. Sadie sat on one side and Muffy on her other.
“You know she’s the one who drops food.” Pepper flicked her chin toward Miss Adeline.
“Should we think about getting more chairs?” I asked before an argument escalated.
“It’s probably not a bad idea,” Miss Adeline said. “I’ll call Beau. She’ll know what to put in here.”
“Would she mind shopping?” Pepper sipped her water.
I nearly choked on my sandwich. “Um, no. She’d be thrilled.” And I hoped I didn’t have to tag along again . . . although if she had one of those shopping plans she’d talked about maybe it wouldn’t be so bad.
“Should we go somewhere private to talk?” Willa spoke quietly to Burke.
