Free Seal All Exits (Tangled Web #3) by Jade C. Jamison Page A

I already have one handy to play.”
    Kiefer nodded.  It made sense and he should have known.  Johnny was a hell of a musician and he often brought fully composed songs to their work sessions, much like Kiefer imagined Beethoven or Mozart might have done hundreds of years ago, bringing completely composed symphonies for an orchestra to learn and bring to life.  He was still thinking about that while spearing some potatoes when Riley said, “We’re probably gonna go see my parents today.”
    Katie said, “Make sure you do it later this afternoon.  We’re doing a big barbecue at one, and we have an announcement.  Everyone should be here by then.”
    Riley smiled, “ Everyone? ”
    Johnny said, “Yeah, the whole gang—Mike, Trent, all the guys.  Even Norberg.”
    “Nice.  Then I guess we’ll have to go see the parents tomorrow.”
    “Or this evening,” Katie offered.
    Riley’s smile was lopsided.  “Yeah, well...let’s just say I’m not in a huge hurry to see the fam.”  He set down his coffee mug.  “Did you ever meet my parents, Katie?”
    “Yeah, a couple of times.”
    “Maybe not enough to know they’re low-dose people.”
    Johnny started laughing.  Katie asked, “What do you mean?”
    “They’re the kind of people you take in low doses.”
    She smiled.  “Well, my mom and Johnny’s mom are coming for the barbecue.  You’re welcome to invite your parents too if you’d like.”
    Riley laughed.  “Oh, yeah...uh... no .  I think not.”
    They continued talking and laughing throughout the meal, and after some time, Mickey joined them.  Heather said, “Where should I put my dirty dishes?”  Kiefer wanted to ask if that was all she was going to eat—a half slice of grapefruit and a piece of bacon—but he kept his mouth shut while Heather and Katie chatted.
    “The kitchen’s fine.”
    “I can help you do dishes.”
    “No way.  I’ve got my man to help me with that.”  Johnny smiled wide, the look on his face looking like there was no other place he’d rather be.
    “You sure?”
    “Yeah, but come back in about ten minutes or so because I want to give you the full-blown house tour.”
    “Oh, yeah.”  When Katie walked to the kitchen with a couple more dirty plates, Heather turned back to Kiefer, her voice low.  “Do you have a few minutes to talk?”
    His curiosity was piqued and he definitely wanted to hear what she had to say.  “Sure.”
    She grinned, her dimples prominent in her cheeks.  “Want to head outside for a little bit?”
    “I’m game.”  The two of them took their coffee cups and juice glasses into the kitchen first, placing them right above the dishwasher where Katie asked.  Kiefer caught the look Katie gave her friend—raised eyebrows and sly grin—before the two of them walked out the door that led from the kitchen onto a huge deck butted up against the house.
    They stepped out into the sunlight, and the first thing Kiefer noticed was how pleasant it was on this side of the house.  Either it was because it had been an hour since he got out of bed or it was because this was the sunny side of the house, but it was a good ten degrees warmer than the breeze that had been blowing in his window earlier that morning.  He drew in a deep breath through his nostrils, relishing the smell of the surrounding forest.  No matter what Heather had to say, he was going to relish being here with her right now.  Tomorrow, next week, an hour from now might not be anything he could predict, but for now, he was able to be with her, enjoy her, talk with her...this woman, the woman who had become his best friend, whether she knew it or not.
    “It’s nice out here.”  Pretty lame for how wonderful it truly was.
    “Yeah, amazing.”
    They walked off the deck not heading anywhere particular and Kiefer said, “So what did you want to talk about?”
    “Hmm.  I’m not even sure where to start.”
    “No pressure.”  Kiefer looked up toward the mountain across