Friday morning almost three weeks after their first meeting. “What would you like today?” she asked.
“A date with you,” he replied promptly. “How about tonight?”
“I’m painting my fingernails tonight. What do you want for breakfast?”
Chuckling at her rejection, he replied, “I’m in the mood for oatmeal today. With fruit, toast and coffee. How’s your schedule for tomorrow night? Are you free then?”
“No, that’s when I paint my toenails to match my fingernails. I’ll go turn in your order now.”
She’d shot him down again, but he was pretty sure he’d seen a fleeting glimmer of amusement in her blue eyes. Maybe he hadn’t won her over yet—but she found him somewhat entertaining. It was a start.
Okay, so he was reaching, he admitted with a wry smile as he lifted his coffee cup. But still, there was always a chance….
“Hey, Riley.”
Glancing up, Riley smiled. “Hey, Chief. What’s up?”
Chief of Police Dan Meadows slid into a chair on the other side of Riley’s table without waiting for an invitation—but then, he knew he didn’t need one. “Lindsey’s covering some sort of early meeting this morning, so I’m on my own for breakfast.”
Riley shuddered dramatically. “It’s the annual PTA breakfast at the middle school. Some bigwig from the state department of education is there to make a speech, and a bunch of sixth graders are putting on a musical production. Lindsey offered me the assignment, but I let her take it—I knew she’d hate to miss a program like that.”
Dan chuckled. “Very noble of you.”
“I thought so. I’m sure glad you married Lindsey and convinced her to stay in Edstown instead of taking a job with one of the big newspapers. If she’d left, I’d be the one listening to a bunch of moppets warbling off-key at this hour in the morning.”
“Happy to oblige.”
Riley found his friend’s drawled response amusing—as if Dan had only wed Lindsey a few weeks ago to keep her from leaving the Evening Star. Lindsey had been in love with Dan for years—but Dan had been a bit slower to acknowledge his feelings. He’d made up for that by losing no time marrying her. Dan wasn’t one to put his emotions on display, but Riley had noticed a new glow of contentment in his friend’s eyes since the wedding.
Teresa returned to set Riley’s breakfast in front of him. She glanced at Dan, who was studying her curiously. “Good morning. Would you like a menu?”
“No, that’s not necessary. I’ll have scrambled eggs, ham and grits.”
“Toast or biscuits?”
“Toast.”
Riley looked from one to the other. “Have you two been introduced? No? Teresa Scott, this is Dan Meadows.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Ms. Scott.”
“You, too, Mr. Meadows.”
“Chief Meadows,” Riley corrected her. “Dan’s chief of police here in Edstown.”
Teresa looked momentarily surprised, but she recovered quickly. “Is that right?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Dan drawled. “You be sure and let me know if there’s anything I can do for you, you hear?”
While Riley grinned at his friend’s old-west-lawman imitation, Teresa nodded. “Well, actually, I have encountered one suspicious character since I moved here.”
“Who’s that, ma’am? Someone I should keep an eye on?”
“Looks like you already are,” she replied, glancing pointedly toward Riley. “I’ll be right back with your coffee, Chief.”
Dan was smiling when Teresa walked away. “I think she just zinged you, pal.”
“Trust me, it’s not the first time she’s done so.”
“She seems nice.”
Riley nodded and dug into his cooling breakfast.
“Pretty, too,” Dan added, glancing across the room.
“I noticed.”
“Have you asked her out?”
“Yep.”
“And…”
“Crashed and burned. Every time.”
Dan chuckled. “Pretty and intelligent.”
Teresa returned to set a mug of coffee in front of Dan. “Your breakfast will be ready soon.”
“Hey, Teresa, there’s a symphony concert in Little Rock next weekend. Want to go with me?” Riley asked.
“Sorry. I’m washing my hair that night,” she answered pleasantly.
“I didn’t tell you which night the concert’s being held,” he reminded her.
She didn’t miss a beat. “I didn’t say which night I’m washing my hair.”
“Oh, man.” Dan shook his head as Teresa moved away. “You went down in flames, buddy.”
“Yeah, but did you see her eyes? She said no, but what she wanted to say was—”
“Hell, no.”
Riley snorted in response to Dan’s droll interruption. “Scoff if you like—but I’m getting to her. She won’t be able to resist my charms much longer.”
“Is that right?” Dan glanced up when Teresa set his breakfast on the table. “Riley thinks he’s getting to you,” he said gravely.
“He’s right,” she murmured, refilling their coffee cups. “He’s definitely getting on my nerves.”
“You know, we should talk about that. How about over dinner tonight?” Riley suggested.
“Sorry. I’m going to be ill tonight. Excuse me, I have orders to serve.”
“I think I like her,” Dan murmured appreciatively.
“Just help me pull this knife out of my chest, will you?” Riley pantomimed the motion as he spoke.
“A knife?” Dan asked blandly. “Or is that one of Cupid’s arrows?”
“Very funny. Eat your breakfast.”
Dan obligingly picked up his fork, though his brown eyes still gleamed with amusement that was most definitely at Riley’s expense.
Okay, so the guy was amusing. Teresa had found herself looking forward to the days when Riley O’Neal had breakfast in the
