Dead Giveaway (46 page)

He grinned. "That, too."

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C
lay held Whitney's hand as they strolled behind Allie, who was pushing their cart, in the PigglyWiggly. He'd felt Beth Ann's eyes following them since they'd walked through the door, could almost hear her whispering when she turned to speak to Polly, who worked in the deli section right next to the bakery. He had no idea what she might be saying--what was there to say?

He'd been married to Allie for six months, and they were the best six months of his life. Although they saw Beth Ann at church each Sunday, he hadn't spoken to her, didn't miss her in the least. But she always reacted to their presence.

"Daddy, can I have a doughnut?"

Clay looked down at the little girl who'd brought him to his knees in the first few weeks of their acquaintance. Although he'd wanted a child, he'd never expected to love one this much.

"I don't think so, babe," he said. "You had ice cream earlier. And it's almost time for dinner."

"What if I only eat half of it?" she asked. "Or save it for tomorrow?"

He knew he should say no. But she was giving him the dimpled smile he couldn't resist.

"Please, Daddy?"

She probably thought "please" was the magic word. But it was the "Daddy" that got him.

"Listen to your father," Allie said, preoccupied with her shopping. But Clay had spoken at the same time--and already succumbed. "Okay. If you save it."

Stopping, grocery list still in hand, his wife turned to face him. "You're giving in to her just like that?"

"Don't I always?" he said with a grin.

Shaking her head, Allie chuckled. "Who would ever have thought you'd be such a pushover?"

"You?" Pulling her to him, he stole a kiss. He knew she wasn't really annoyed; she loved the way he treated Whitney. She was ready for another child, especially since she'd decided to be a stay-at-home mom for a while. But he was the one who'd chosen to wait, so that Whitney could have a solid year, at least, alone with them.

"You've got to stop spoiling her," Allie said, halfheartedly.

"You get the milk and eggs, and we'll meet you at the checkout," he said so she wouldn't have to go to the bakery with them.

Frowning, Allie glanced BethAnn's way, confirming the fact that she was more opposed to the other woman's proximity than to Whitney's eating a doughnut. "Okay, but don't let Beth Ann poison it," she muttered for his ears alone.

He squeezed her arm, then led Whitney toward the display case that held the cakes and doughnuts.

When Beth Ann saw them coming, she stopped whispering and straightened to her full height. She'd also unbuttoned the top two buttons of her uniform--as if it was so hot in the store she simply couldn't keep her clothes on. Even though it was the dead of winter...

Clay had no trouble ignoring her cleavage. He squatted in front of the glass, more interested in enjoying Whitney's excitement over her treat. "Which one do you want, half-pint?" he asked.

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"The long one. The one with brown frosting."

"We'll have a maple bar," he said to Beth Ann, rising.

Beth Ann reached into the case, pulled out a maple bar and put it in a sack. But when he tried to take it from her, she wouldn't let go. "How've you been?" she asked, her eyes hungry enough to make him pity her.

"Fine," he said. "You?"

"Good."

She offered him a brief smile. "I hear Allie's parents are living in Jackson."

"That's right."

"I'm glad they were able to reconcile."

"So are we."

She licked her lips nervously. "What's Chief McCormick doing now?"

Finally getting hold of the sack, Clay handed it to Whitney. "He's been hired to handle security for a big company there. He likes it."

"And her mother?"

"She's teaching piano lessons."

"That sounds ideal."

"It seems to be working." He started to move on, but she spoke again, giving him the impression she couldn't bear to see him go.

"How's your own mother?"

Irene was doing surprisingly well, considering the heartbreak she'd suffered when Allie's father reconciled with his wife and relocated. "She's keeping busy."

"I run into her every once in a while. At the dress shop." Beth Ann smiled prettily at him again. "Anyway, it's good to see you."

"Take care." He turned away, but he and Whitney hadn't gone two feet before Allie came rushing back to meet them. He could tell by the look on her face that something was wrong.

"What is it?" he asked.

She drew him farther away from Beth Ann and lowered her voice. "Grace just called."

"What did she say?"

She stared down at her cell phone for a moment, then met his gaze, her eyes filled with worry. "They just found Barker's car in the quarry."

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Brenda Novak

ISBN: 978-1-55254-846-2

DEAD GIVEAWAY

Copyright (c) 2007 by Brenda Novak.

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All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention.

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