“He smiled again. I kept staring. Then I said, “My name is Tillary Quilter.” “You called. We have an appointment. I’m a trained investigator, so I figured that one out.”

“I couldn’t stop staring. “Sweetheart,” he said, “is my slip showing or something?”

“I am so in love with you,” I told him.He smiled graciously and pressed his nose and cheek to mine with a hand on my jaw.“I'm so in love with you.”“I know,” I said happily and smiled through the rain on my cheeks.”

“I kinda like it that I can stand on my own,” I said with a smirk. “Let’s not make it a habit, ok? I’m not thrilled with this discovery of yours.” He cracked a playful smile. “I much prefer to order you around and you just do whatever I say.” “Your high handedness is impressive,” I mused.”

“...once we were loaded, Jeff asked us how it went. Ryan cleared his throat. "Well, I got to use my first public bathroom. That was interesting.""I made out with the Aussie," Rylee stated matter-of-factly."I made up with the ginger," Miguel said and grinned back at her. Jeff stared at us."I got slapped in the face," Billings offered."By me," I supplied."And we got to talk to Cain at the station on the big screen," Merrick said happily. Jeff still stared while Marissa giggled into her hand."So it went good then," he stated. "Great.”

“Very well, Priscilla. Maggie, I hope you enjoy this exercise and take it to heart," he said with a hard voice.I smiled a genuine smile. "I plan to. Thank you."He bristled at my kindness and walked over to the coffee bar."Kill 'em with kindness, sister!" Lynne said triumphantly.”

“Can't introduce ya,' the feline admitted.'Why not?''Don't know his name.''Snuggling up to a man y'all don't know. My momma was right. Yankees are whores.''Well, I know him,' MacDermot volumteered.The She-wolf stared at her. 'So?''You said y'all.''I didn't say 'all y'all.' So I wasn't talking to you.''I don't understand your country-speak,' McDermot complained, dropping into the desk chair across from Crush.”