Like Sweet Potato Pie Read Online Free PDF Page B

time to drink coffee and flirt with the waitresses?
    “Excuse me. Who’s the resident a this house?” he barked.
    “I am,” I whispered meekly, and he shined his light on me to check for weapons. I put my hands up. “If you’re coming to talk about my dumb bills, I’m already—”
    “Name, please?”
    “Shiloh Jacobs. I’m the daughter of Ellen Jacobs, who used to live here.”
    “I just got a call about some people lurkin’ around in the bushes.” He shined his light on the shrubs around the house. “I’m sorry, but ya need to come with me. All of ya.”
    “Here’s my driver’s license! Read the address for yourself!” I dug in my purse and slapped it in his hand. “Just don’t let the people inside know!”
    He scowled and shined his light on my license then at me. Raised a curious eyebrow.
    “Officer, please. Yer gonna ruin everything! It’s a serprise for the people inside, and …” Becky squinted. “Shane? Shane Pendergrass?”
    He turned his light on her in astonishment. “Becky Donaldson? That you? What on God’s green earth …?” He put the light down and hugged her. The grizzly had dropped from his voice. “I ain’t seen you in years! Since what, junior high?”
    “Junior high? That was high school!” She punched his arm. “I was datin’ Tim then, ya goon! An’ when did you become a cop?”
    Shane squared his shoulders proudly. No, boastfully. “Awhile back. Lotta work cut out for me with folks like these around.” He nudged me. “So yer in on this shindig, Beckers?”
    “Shore I am, an’ don’t call me that! Now put that light out and get outta here before you ruin the whole thing!” she ordered indignantly. “I’m serious! They probably done saw us.”
    Shane hastily turned off the flashing squad-car light, but two silhouettes appeared in the screen door.
    “Sorry!” Shane called out, shoving me behind him. Becky ducked behind the squad car. “Wrong house, ma’am. Sorry to bother ya! Everything’s fine.” I hunkered down in Shane’s shadow, bemoaning my bad luck.
    “Sorry, ma’am!” Shane reached in the squad car and cut the headlights, too, pushing me back with his free arm. “You can go on back inside. I’m leavin’.”
    Around the corner of Shane’s hefty back I saw one of the silhouettes disappear. Then the other. The screen door squeaked shut. I sank weakly against the cool side of the car, breath gone out of me.
    “Close call.” Shane helped me up. “So yer the resident.” He shined his light on my driver’s license again then squinted at me. “Hey, I remember you! You work at Jer’s restaurant!”
    “I’ve seen you there.” I crossed my arms stiffly, remembering his suggestive comments when I refilled his glass.
    He gave me the once-over, leaning against his car. Took a toothpick out of his pocket and chewed on it, studying me. “And I’ve definitely seen
you.
What’s yer name again?” He glanced at my driver’s license.
    “Quit that!” snapped Becky, snatching his light. “Ya almost ruined ev’rything!”
    “You,” said Shane, giving Becky a steely-eyed wink. “I oughtta lock you up. You’ve got some explaining to do, and ya better make it good.”
    He gave me a too-friendly glance. “Although maybe I’ll let you off for good behavior if you give me the lowdown on yer friend here.”
    Trinity slipped cautiously toward us, shiny flats barely crunching on the gravel driveway, and Shane looked up. “Friends,” he amended. “Plural.”
    He grinned at Trinity. “You work at The Green Tree, too, don’t ya?”
    “And you’re our best tipper.” Shane shook her hand a little too long, but Trinity laughed when she pulled it away.
    “Mercy, I shore stopped at the right house tonight,” Shane muttered under his breath, glancing from Trinity to me. He leaned on the hood of his car, poking that toothpick in his teeth. “So, Beck, ya gonna give me the scoop on ‘em or what?”
    “As soon as you get outta Shah-loh’s