A Justified Murder (Medlar Mystery 2)

“You should know that half the women in town have dumped him.”

She pulled back to look at him. “Did you know that when you lie your left eye twitches?”

“Until last year, Chris lived with his mother.”

“Like you live with your honorary grandmother and me, your sort of sister?”

“You are destroying my manhood.”

“I think there’s enough of it that you can afford to lose a bit.”

He started to speak, but laughed instead. “Is it possible that there was a compliment in that?”

“I think you should stop the loquaciousness, feed me, then dance my legs off. I need movement. I need to clear my overworked brain.”

Jack twirled her out to arm’s length. “Did I ever tell you that you are what I’ve always dreamed of in a woman?”

“But I’m not blonde.”

When the music stopped, Jack was laughing.

“Hey, Jack!” the lead guitarist called. “Sing with us.”

“Gotta feed my girl, then maybe.”

To one side four firemen were sitting at a table. They had on tight T-shirts and jeans and they were so fit, so muscular, they looked like they were ready for their calendar photo shoot.

When Kate smiled warmly at them, they lifted their beers in salute to her. “If you want to sing, I’ll be fine. Really and truly fine.”

Jack put his hand firmly on the small of her back and half pushed her to their booth.

On their way there, they passed two old men sitting at the bar. One grabbed Jack’s arm.

“She’s Randal’s daughter and you’re Roy’s son.”

The second man smirked. “Lock up your women and your jewels.”

Kate saw that the remarks made Jack angry. She stepped between him and the men—who looked a bit drunk. She put on the most flirtatious manner she could conjure. “Roy’s son has learned to combine them both and I can assure you, gentlemen, that he never locks me up.” She winked at them. “Not too often anyway.”

“Really?” Jack asked as soon as they were back to the booth. “My reputation isn’t bad enough without you adding to it?”

“From the way everyone in this place greeted you, they certainly seem to like you. Did you ever think those men were teasing you just to see the infamous Wyatt temper flare up?”

Jack opened and closed his mouth before turning red and looking down at his beer. “No, actually, I didn’t.”

“Well you should.” The band was playing “Summer Nights” from Grease. “Can you sing that song?”

“Sure.”

“You know all the words?”

“Are you trying to get rid of me?”

“Yes. You know that I can’t stand to be around you.”

Jack started to frown but then smiled. Since Kate had arrived months ago, they’d hardly been apart. “I guess you want me to show you.”

“I do rather like your voice. In singing, that is.”