Page 23 of Sugar Plum Serenade

“It’s my place,” he answered simply.

“I hear you,” Mac mumbled as he opened his soda.

Tuck didn’t think he needed to be concerned about the safety of his employees, but he was responsible for them all so he had to ask, “Are these guys Jodie’s worried about going to be a problem?”

“Nope. They’re wanted in half a dozen jurisdictions. I expect they’ll be out of town and in another department’s hands by Monday. Until then, they’re not going anywhere.”

“I hope so.” Since the place was empty at the moment and Tuck was stranded here… “You’re good friends with Colt, aren’t you?”

Mac shrugged a little but answered, “Sure.”

“This whole thing with him talking to himself all the time, is he okay? Is there something weird going on?”

“Yeah, yeah, the ghosts. I can’t talk about it.”

“You just did,” Tuck grumbled.

“I suppose so.” He didn’t look at all concerned about his slip of the tongue. “Funny, you’d think finding out something like that, the thing I can’t talk about, would be more earth-shattering. But it’s really not.”

Not for you, maybe. “I just wondered…”

Mac guzzled the last of his soda, stood, and headed for the door. “If you have questions, ask Colt.”

And he was gone.

Tuck pulled his cell out of his pocket and dialed. He did not call Colt.

It was a little early,but Olive laid out her red dress and high-heeled shoes and jumped in the shower. She wanted her hair to be freshly washed and styled. Makeup was arranged on the counter. She didn’t use a lot of cosmetics, but tonight she was going all out. She might even get into the eye shadow, which she almost never used.

As she stepped out of the shower, she heard her cell ringing. Wrapped in a towel, she stepped into the bedroom and snagged the phone. She didn’t recognize the number.

“Hello?”

Tuck’s voice was unmistakable. She didn’t simply hear Tuck, she felt him. “Hi. I got your number from Mike.”

“Did you tell him we were going out tonight?” She wasn’t sure she wanted her sister to know. At least, not yet.

“No. He was in a rush and didn’t question why I needed my neighbor’s number.”

Typical Mike… “Just as well, I suppose.”

“Look, I’m sorry but…”

Olive’s heart plummeted. A drop of cool water from her wet hair dribbled down onto her shoulder. I’m sorry but was never a good start to a conversation.

“I have to work tonight, and I’ll be here super late. Can we reschedule?”

“Sure,” she said as casually as possible. The single word tried to stick in her throat.

“Maybe tomorrow night?”

She shook her head, sending more cold droplets onto her shoulder. “Can’t. I’m supposed to spend the day with Dawn. We made plans last night, and I really can’t…” Can’t. Shouldn’t. “My Sunday is booked, I’m afraid.”

“The whole day?” Tuck sounded horrified.

His tone of voice made her smile. “We’re making cookies with the girls, then Mike’s mom is cooking a big supper. I’ve begged off family time twice this week. I don’t think I can get away with it again.”

He grumbled a bit, then said, “How about Monday night?”