“Surprise me,” he says, his green eyes friendly. It’s amazing how much father and son look alike, except Jim’s eyes give off a warm and cozy vibe, whereas Travis’s gaze is fierce. Except when it’s warm. Like the night I thought he was going to kiss me.
Nope. Won’t think about that right now.
I hand over an apple cream cheese walnut muffin because you can’t go wrong with that.
“Have you taken a break this morning? I’d love to have you join me.”
“Perfect timing,” I say, handing off counter duty to Sarah.
Jim and I get a table in the back. We try to avoid Tara, but it’s impossible.
“Have you seen Wade?” she asks. “I tell you, the help you get these days. No one takes their job seriously. If he doesn’t watch it, he’s going straight back to the public access channel.”
“The last time I saw him he was in the pantry. I think.”
So far, Tara and Man Bun have been all over the dining area, the kitchen, our bathrooms. The only place they haven’t been is upstairs in my apartment (that I know of). What more are they looking for? And better yet, why don’t they leave already? How much footage do these people n
eed?
“Where’s that?” she demands.
“The pantry? Just off the kitchen. Ask Sarah. She’ll show you. Now if you don’t mind, I’m taking a break.”
“What’s that all about?” Jim asks as soon as Tara is out of earshot.
I explain all about the audition for the Cooking Channel show.
Jim settles into his chair. “I heard from a buddy of mine back in Dallas who worked the Angel of Death case with me. He’s pretty impressed with how you were able to figure it out.”
“I got lucky is all.”
He takes a sip of his coffee then places his cup down to give me a thoughtful look. “Your special skill definitely helped.” When I first told Jim about my gift he was skeptical. Not that I blame him. But he quickly came around after I solved the decades-old case. “Does Travis know? About how you’re able to—”
“God no!”
Jim raises a brow at what must seem like an overreaction on my part.
“It’s just that… He’d probably find it hard to believe.”
“I get it. But you should consider telling him, Lucy. He’s beating himself up thinking that he missed some big clue while investigating Abby’s murder. He feels responsible for the danger you were in.”
“He shouldn’t.”
“I agree.” Jim smiles kindly. “Regardless, it’s your secret to share. Not mine.” He fiddles with his coffee mug for a few seconds before he says, “Travis told me that the two of you are going out.”
“Oh he did, did he?”
Jim stills. “Uh-oh, looks like I spoke out of turn.”
“Your son asked. I said no. Not that I’m not flattered, but I’m um, just not interested.” The minute I say it, I realize how insulting that might sound. Travis is Jim’s only son. He probably thinks he walks on water. “Not that Travis isn’t a great guy. Sure he is! Any girl would be lucky to go out with him…it’s just that… I’m already seeing someone.”
Yikes. I hate lying to Jim, but this is one of those times that telling a little white fib will make someone feel better, so it’s all for a good cause.
Jim’s eyes fill with understanding. “Will Cunningham,” he says. “I suspected that you might have feelings for him, but Travis insisted that you were only friends.”
“You and Travis have talked about Will and me?” I croak.
“Only because he asked me for advice.”