Temptation Trails - Page 120

“Day off.”

A couple walked toward the door, arm in arm. I’d seen them around, but didn’t remember their names off the top of my head.

“Good luck with your case, deputy,” the man said.

I nodded to him. “Thanks.”

“I guess you couldn’t work undercover in this town,” Luke observed. “Everybody knows you.”

“Yeah. By the way, thanks again for staying with Owen the other night.”

“No problem. Where is he today? Still in school?”

“Yeah, he has a few more days left before summer break.”

“How’d you end up with such a good kid, anyway? If I ever have kids, I’m making you put me through your masterclass.”

“Sometimes I think he’s a good kid despite having me as a parent.”

“Don’t sell yourself short. You must have done something right. Let’s be honest, we both know it wasn’t his mother.”

“No shit.”

“Did you talk to Mom and Dad yet?”

“Yeah. They took it well.”

“Sounds about right. I think Mom was starting to worry she wasn’t going to get any more grandchildren.”

“I don’t think that’s going to be a problem.”

“Probably not.”

The door opened and my aunt Louise came in, dressed in a pastel blue tracksuit with a string of pearls around her neck.

Luke twisted around to look and his head whipped back toward me. “That’s my cue to go.”

He stood, holding up his hand in an attempt to cover his face. But luck was not on his side. I smirked as Aunt Louise caught sight of him, her eyes lighting up and a broad smile crossing her face.

“Luke!” She held out her arms and moved toward him. “Honey, it’s good to see you.”

He gave her a quick hug. “Hi, Aunt Louise. I was just leaving.”

“Don’t be silly.” Her eyes moved to me. “Well, look at this. Perfect. Come on, honey, sit down.”

Aunt Louise helped herself to a chair from another table and pulled it over to mine. Luke looked defeated as he slumped into the seat across from me.

I watched with amusement. I knew the fear of being subjected to Aunt Louise’s matchmaking scrutiny. But I was safe from all that now.

Luke, not so much.

“Hear me out,” Louise said. “I know someone who’s perfect for you. Absolutely perfect.”

“Thanks, Aunt Louise, but you don’t have to do that.”

“Of course I do. It’s my job. She’s a teacher, very sweet. Just got out of a long-term relationship, so the timing is ideal.”

Luke raised his eyebrows. “Ideal timing? Just out of a long-term relationship does not sound like ideal timing. It sounds like a rebound.”