“I understand. Next time, though, I expect you to tell me.”
“Alright.”
The rest of the ride was relatively quiet. She dropped Meyers off at the farmhouse before she headed home. Dallas would have been closer and she could have gotten a hotel, however, she really wanted to sleep in her own bed tonight.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Aiden was waiting for her on the front porch swing. She was tired, hungry, and not sure she wanted company.
“How was your day?”
“Busy. Yours?”
“Worked the ranch with Hector and the boys.”
“Careful now. You might become a cowboy if you’re not.”
He chuckled. “I don’t think there is any worry about that. Are you hungry?”
“Starving.”
“Come on. I will make you something to eat.”
He got up and offered her his hand. She took it and he led her into the kitchen.
“Do you like omelets?”
“Love them.”
“Sit down and let me make you one. Would you like some coffee while you wait?”
“I’d say yes, but then I’d be up all night. How about tea?”
“Done.”
He put the kettle on the stove first, turning the back burner on high. Rifling around the refrigerator he pulled out several items. Placing a large skillet on the front burner he added a generous amount of butter.
He added sliced mushrooms, diced red peppers, and scallion to the pan. While that was sautéing, he chopped up cooked bacon, ham, and sausage.
Harley was impressed to see that he cracked the eggs with one hand. Whisking them with a little water to make them fluffy before pouring the mixture on top of the cooked items.
By the time, he was done she had a huge omelet in front of her. The first forkful revealed a plethora of melted cheese inside the fluffy omelet.
Taking the first bite was a bit of heaven. The omelet was perfect. One of the best she’d ever had.
“Mmm. This is really good, Aiden.”
“Thank you. My mom taught me to cook.”
“She did a wonderful job. This is one of the best omelet’s I have ever tasted.” She grinned. “I’ve tasted a lot.”
He laughed at the face she made. “Tried that many, have you?”
“Oh yes. I’m the premiere omelet expert in North America.”
“Is that so?”
“Absolutely. Would I kid you? I mean, you could Google me and find out.”
Aiden shook his head. “Sometimes I just don’t know when to take you seriously.”
“Rarely. Rarely, if ever, take me seriously. You will know when.”
“Good to know. Did you find out anything about the new murders?”
“Yes. It looks like it was done by the same beings that killed the college students.”
“Why did they call you in? I mean aren’t you usually called in to stop something paranormal?”
“I get called in for all kinds of reasons. I am not an expert on paranormal crimes like the Lieutenant is, however, I do bring my own expertise to the field.”
“Can magic identify the culprits?”
“In some cases, yes. I can usually narrow down the field if nothing else.”
“You can tell what type of paranormal being did a crime?”
“Yes, I can. It’s not the only form of identification we use. If there is a question of a few beings that might be close, I can narrow it down.”
“That’s pretty cool. Have you ever had to deal with jesters before?”
“Not really. I have only read about them in paranormal journals.”
“Interesting. I guess now you can learn firsthand.”
“Yes, I guess I can. Thank you again for the food. I really need to turn in. We can talk more tomorrow.”
Harley gave him a quick one arm hug and headed to bed. She was beyond exhausted and needed to rest.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Aiden found Harley early the next morning and told her that Luc would like them to drive down to his house in the afternoon.
Harley hung at home until it was time to go. She was excited about seeing Luc again. She would still have to talk business, but Meyers wouldn’t be with her this time.
Aiden would be, though. She wasn’t sure how she felt about that. She was drawn to Aiden. It wasn’t the same draw she felt for Luc.
Aiden offered to drive and she let him. She did enough driving. It was nice to let someone else do it for once. Harley wouldn’t say she led a lonely life. She was around too many people for that to happen.
Her love life, however, could use a little sprucing up. She hadn’t been in a serious relationship since David died. She just didn’t have it in her. Even though David had treated her like dirt the last few years of their marriage, she still loved him.
He had been her first big love. The one that she was serious enough about to want to spend a lifetime with. Her first “grown up” love. David had been her everything.
She still had a hole in her heart, where he used to be. He really didn’t deserve it. Though he had been downright cruel after the shift, he hadn’t been a nice guy before that. He had been condescending, haughty, and even put her down at times.
She shook her head as if it would make the memories disappear. Perhaps if her mind were like an etch-a-sketch it would.
She felt Aiden’s hand on her knee.
“Are you ok?”
“Yes. Just a few memories sneaking up on me.”
“They don’t look like good memories.”
“Not all of them are good.”
“Are you looking forward to seeing Luc?”
“I am, actually. I have so many questions to ask him. Zoe wasn’t there yesterday.
