Mayhem & Mistletoe, стр. 53
I felt trapped, like one of those prehistoric bugs sealed in amber. “I ... um ....”
Eliot slid me a sidelong look. “Are you speechless? I never thought I’d see the day.”
That snapped me back to reality. “I am most certainly not speechless. I’m just ... it’s been a very long day. I’m tired.”
“Apparently so.”
I ignored him and focused on Tad. It felt like something needed to be said. “Listen, I’m not some altruistic soul. I didn’t save you because it was the right thing to do. I saved myself. You were collateral damage, so to speak.”
That garnered a ghost of a smile from Tad. “I’m well aware.”
“I don’t want you feeling as if you owe us anything. You don’t.”
“Fair enough.”
“I prefer fighting with you on even ground, so ... don’t hold back. I won’t.”
“I have no intention of holding back. Once I’m back to work full time, which is right around the corner, I have every intention of squashing you like a bug.”
“That’s more like it.” I managed a genuine smile, which felt awkward. “I’m glad you’re feeling better, but you’re still a big zit on the ass of life.”
Tad nodded in what looked to be thanks as much as anything else. “And you’re still evil on two legs. It was nice seeing you.”
“Yes, let’s not do it again.”
19 Nineteen
“Well ... that was interesting.”
Eliot’s expression reflected amusement as we watched Tad walk to the county building.
“That’s not exactly the word I’d use,” I muttered. My talk with Tad left me feeling out of sorts. It was the most congenial interaction he and I had managed since our college years. “What do you think he’s up to?”
“I think he felt the need to apologize and did it in the most Ludington way possible.”
“He’s a tool.”
“He is. You were nicer to him than I expected.”
“You missed the part where I lamented the fact that he didn’t have an undiagnosed staph infection.”
Eliot arched an eyebrow. “You’re not really that cold. If someone was suffering from that affliction, you’d be the first to help ... or stand up for that person if someone was giving him or her a hard time.”
“Not Tad.”
“I think you’d stand up for him too.”
“Then you don’t know me at all.” I moved toward my car. “I have to get back to work.”
He snagged my arm. “I’m not quite done yet.”
“Well, I am. I don’t want to argue.”
“We’re not going to argue.”
“It feels like it.”
“You only think that because you were with Tad and it didn’t erupt into a huge argument. You were expecting fireworks and got tea lights.”
I wanted to argue, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized he was right. “I have to get back to work. I need to do some digging.”
“I just want to make sure we’re on the same page,” he said. “I don’t want you getting hurt. I understand you have a job to do. I also understand you’re going to go to that halfway house again. You can’t help yourself.”
“I can take care of myself.”
“I know, but I prefer you take me with you.”
I bit back a sigh ... although just barely. “I don’t need a babysitter.”
“Think of me as your partner, not a babysitter.”
“I think that’s what got us into this mess in the first place,” I groused. “If I hadn’t been so open to working with you, this marriage stuff never would’ve come up.”
“It’s too late to take it back.”
I pressed the tip of my tongue to the back of my teeth, considering. He wasn’t asking for all that much. He simply wanted me to reassure him I wouldn’t do anything stupid. “If I plan to head down there again, I’ll call you. But I won’t wait. You have to be ready to move when I say we’re moving.”
“Fair enough.”
“I also get to be in charge if we go down there. Like ... when I tell you to do something, you have to do it.”
“I can live with that. I love being dominated by a woman.”
I shot him a withering look. “You might change your mind once we’re in the thick of it.”
“It’s a compromise, and I know that’s difficult for you. Given all the upheaval in our lives right now, and the stress you’re under, I’m happy to follow your rules.”
The fact that he could say that with a straight face — and mean it — drove me crazy. “Why must you always be so amiable?”
“I’m an amiable guy.” He leaned in and gave me a quick kiss. “Let me know if you want to take another run at the halfway house. I predict that’s coming soon.”
“There was nothing going down there earlier. It was quiet, nothing out of the ordinary.”
“But you have a feeling, and if I’ve learned anything, it’s that your feelings generally turn into something concrete.”
“I am a genius for the most part.”
His smile widened. “You’re ... something.” He gave my hand a squeeze and took a step back. “I need to get back to the books. I’d like to have them finished when the inevitable call comes.”
“It’s unlikely that I’ll be heading back there today.”
“I have feelings too, and my gut tells me you’ll change your mind.”
It was possible he was right, so I let it go and offered up a mock salute. “I’ll be in touch.”
“I’ll be here.”
I STOPPED BY FISH’S DESK LONG ENOUGH to update him upon returning to the office.
“Anything?” He looked hopeful.
“A lot of little things that might eventually turn into a big thing,” I replied. “Nothing concrete yet.”
“Well, that sucks.” He turned back to his computer. “It’s a slow news day.”
I hesitated — did I really want to do this? — and then plunged forward. “I saw Tad Ludington on Main Street. He’s back on his feet and working