~*~
Susan headed toward the Morgans’ to set up their dinner.
The dining room had already been set and a beaming Lydia stood next to the ornate table and looked it over with a very keen eye.
“I think everything is where it’s supposed to be,” she said, her fists firmly planted on her hips.
“It’s a beautiful table.”
“My mother is a stickler for this kind of thing. Tyson could have set it and it would look equally as perfect.”
“I’d like to see that too,” Susan said on a laugh.
Lydia turned to her. “What can I help you with? I’m as ready as I’m going to get,” she said with a whisk of her hands down the sides of her dress.
“I just need to get the pans in the oven to keep them warm and begin plating everything that will go out. I’d love some help if you’re offering. I’m missing my assistant tonight.”
“Sorry about that,” Lydia said softly as they walked into the kitchen.
“I understand. Don’t worry about it.” Susan pulled on her apron and handed another one to Lydia. “When I left the house Bethany and Eric had a command center set up on the kitchen table,” she said in a hushed tone.
“Part of me hopes we nab them. Another part hopes they are just genuine and nice.”
“Douglas Brant was already out this way. I think he suspects something. We’ve planned to call him if we find out anything.”
Lydia wrinkled up her nose. “There’s another one of those losers on the force that has been hitting on me for years. What is it with this town hiring cops that do that?”
“He said you’d turned him down for a date. He’s sweet on Bethany now.”
“Who wouldn’t be? She’s hot, but she’s better to stay away.”
“Why? What’s wrong with him?”
Lydia shrugged. “He’s just got a bad vibe to him. Not as bad as Smyth’s, but bad.”
Susan thought about Eric’s story and how he covered for him. Maybe it would be better for everyone involved to find someone else to check into Dwight Peterson and Shooter Magee.
Tyson walked through the kitchen before their guests arrived. “This smells great.”
“It’s one of my favorite menus. Certainly a more upscale catering meal.”
“I think Eric’s a lucky guy. I admire you for what you’ve built.”
She was completely unprepared for the compliment, but she smiled graciously. “Thank you.”
“I hope someday I’ll find a gal who will stick by my side when the world around me falls apart.”
There were tears stinging her throat and she didn’t know what to do with that.
Tyson must have known that too when he leaned in and kissed her cheek. “I’ll take care of you in his absence. No one is going to get hurt tonight in any way.”
He pulled his phone out of his pocket just as the doorbell rang. He pushed a button and held it to his ear. “Eric? It’s show time. I’m going to put my phone in my shirt pocket mic up. If you can’t hear me call Susan and let her know.” He nodded. “I’ll tell her.”
Tyson slid his phone into his pocket and turned back toward Susan. “He says he loves you and he’ll kick my ass if anything happens to you.”
“I love him too,” she said leaning toward Tyson’s pocket. He gave her a wink and headed out of the kitchen.
Susan placed her hand on her chest. Her pulse had quickened with the nerves that bolted around in her stomach.
She took in a long soothing breath. She had a job to do and she was going to do it well. On the counter next to her the birthday cake Elias Morgan had requested for his daughter. It was all too personal now and there could be no mistakes.
Now she waited for Lydia to let them know it was time to serve dinner.