“There is no way on earth that I’m going to enter your house without a specific invitation. Something like, ‘Landers, please come inside.’?”
Casey rolled her eyes. “Okay. You may enter. Please come inside and pick up that box while I get the first-aid supplies.”
He still didn’t move. “Are the pies securely hidden away?”
With a groan, Casey flung the screen open. When he passed her, his arm grazed hers, and electricity shot up her arm and into her shoulder. “Ow!”
Tate smiled as he picked up the box.
“Have you had yourself checked out by a doctor?” she asked. “There must be a reason why you shock people.”
“Since it only happens with you, I haven’t felt the need for an exam. Besides, since I’m pretty sure it’s just old-fashioned sex, I think my doctor would laugh at me. Anything else you need carried?”
“No,” she said, frowning. “But I’m sure the electricity has nothing to do with—” She broke off, because Tate had left.
This is bad, she thought. First he reminded her of the idiocy of watching him take a shower, then he said…
As she straightened her shoulders, she told herself that she wasn’t going to dwell on any of that. She picked up the last of the boxes and went outside, closing the solid door behind her. A closed door would keep out whatever critters were running around, human or otherwise.
The truck they’d brought had a big double cab and a closed back. It was from a major rental company and Tate was standing by the open doors. “Where did this come from?”
“Kit called me yesterday,” Tate said. “Let’s see if I can quote him verbatim. ‘Since you’re wasting your life doing absolutely nothing, why don’t you call somebody and get a big truck so you can help Casey?’ He seemed to be in a bad mood.”
She handed him boxes to put into the back. “He is. It’s what I told you about Stacy and Kit’s son. Kit seems to think she’s falling in love with the wrong man.”
“Been there, done that,” Tate said in a way that made her give a little snort. “Sounds like you have too.”
“Not really. My only long-term boyfriend was perfect. He was an altogether nicer, kinder person than I am.”
“So you didn’t rage at him and falsely accuse him of crimes he didn’t commit?”
“Absolutely never.”
“Poor guy,” Tate said, his eyes sparkling.
“I’ve been meaning to ask how you and Kit are related.”
“I think it’s that his maternal grandmother and my great-grandmother were sisters. Or was it my great-great-grandmother? I can’t remember which.”
When Tate closed the back door of the truck, Casey’s eyes widened at what she saw. Standing under a nearby tree, Jack and Gizzy were wrapped around each other and kissing with great enthusiasm.
Tate took a step to the side to block Casey’s view.
“How long has that been going on?”
“Since about five minutes after they met. They rarely come up for air. My house has become like a Roman orgy. Underwear is hanging from the chandeliers, and peanut butter is everywhere. What do you think they do with all that peanut butter? Make sandwiches?”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “You’re not funny. Gizzy’s dad won’t like this.”
“I think that’s part of the reason they’re trying to hide out. In public they barely lock pinkies, but when they’re alone at my house…” With a shrug, he turned and yelled, “Jack! We’re packed and ready to go. I’m driving.” He looked at Casey. “You get shotgun beside me.”
Minutes later, the four of them were in the truck, Jack and Gizzy in the back. As Tate left town and pulled onto the highway, Casey began handing out food and drink. After they ate, Gizzy snuggled up to Jack and the two of them immediately fell asleep in each other’s arms.
“You’re looking at them like you’re the disapproving schoolmarm. They don’t have sex in Summer Hill?”
She started to defend herself but didn’t. “How would I know? I’m sure you can answer that better than I can. How’s Angela Yates?”
“Have you been reading the fan mags?”