Dateline Matrimony (Hot off the Press! 3)
Page 6
Dan chuckled. “Very noble of you.”
“I thought so. I’m sure glad you married Lindsey and convinced her to stay in Edstown instead of taking a job with one of the big newspapers. If she’d left, I’d be the one listening to a bunch of moppets warbling off-key at this hour in the morning.”
“Happy to oblige.”
Riley found his friend’s drawled response amusing—as if Dan had only wed Lindsey a few weeks ago to keep her from leaving the Evening Star. Lindsey had been in love with Dan for years—but Dan had been a bit slower to acknowledge his feelings. He’d made up for that by losing no time marrying her. Dan wasn’t one to put his emotions on display, but Riley had noticed a new glow of contentment in his friend’s eyes since the wedding.
Teresa returned to set Riley’s breakfast in front of him. She glanced at Dan, who was studying her curiously. “Good morning. Would you like a menu?”
“No, that’s not necessary. I’ll have scrambled eggs, ham and grits.”
“Toast or biscuits?”
“Toast.”
Riley looked from one to the other. “Have you two been introduced? No? Teresa Scott, this is Dan Meadows.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Ms. Scott.”
“You, too, Mr. Meadows.”
“Chief Meadows,” Riley corrected her. “Dan’s chief of police here in Edstown.”
Teresa looked momentarily surprised, but she recovered quickly. “Is that right?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Dan drawled. “You be sure and let me know if there’s anything I can do for you, you hear?”
While Riley grinned at his friend’s old-west-lawman imitation, Teresa nodded. “Well, actually, I have encountered one suspicious character since I moved here.”
“Who’s that, ma’am? Someone I should keep an eye on?”
“Looks like you already are,” she replied, glancing pointedly toward Riley. “I’ll be right back with your coffee, Chief.”
Dan was smiling when Teresa walked away. “I think she just zinged you, pal.”
“Trust me, it’s not the first time she’s done so.”
“She seems nice.”
Riley nodded and dug into his cooling breakfast.
“Pretty, too,” Dan added, glancing across the room.
“I noticed.”
“Have you asked her out?”
“Yep.”
“And…”
“Crashed and burned. Every time.”
Dan chuckled. “Pretty and intelligent.”
Teresa returned to set a mug of coffee in front of Dan. “Your breakfast will be ready soon.”
“Hey, Teresa, there’s a symphony concert in Little Rock next weekend. Want to go with me?” Riley asked.