Free The Detective by Elicia Hyder Page A

I misheard her. Or misunderstood. Or suffered a stroke between my truck and the front door. “What?”
    “Remember? Your mother and I set it up a few days ago. She’s cooking and I promised to bring dessert.”
    Shit. I had completely forgotten all about it. Warning bells were chiming in my brain. Red flags were waving before my eyes. “Shannon, don’t you think it’s a little soon to be meeting my parents?”
    She draped her arms around my neck. Her perfume was intoxicating.
    Keep your head, Nate. This is how she sucks you in every damn time.
    “Do you think it’s too soon?” She moved so close that her breasts brushed against my chest.
    My eyes closed involuntarily. I felt my head shaking ‘no’ despite the screams of the dying bachelor inside me.  
    I’ve never been afraid of commitment; I’ve just never had time for it. And something about this chick made me feel like I wasn’t behind the wheel of this love boat, and I didn’t like that one bit. In fact, I was pretty sure I was playing scalawag to Shannon at the helm and my mother as first mate.  
    Her lips trailed soft kisses down the side of my neck.
    I had to remind myself to breathe.  
    “How long does it take to get to their house?”
    “Huh?”
    She pulled back. “Nathan.”
    I opened my eyes and realized my head had dropped back toward the ceiling and my mouth was hanging open. I blinked. “Sorry, what?”
    “How long does it take to get to their house?”
    I sighed. “About forty-five minutes.”
    She dug her fingers into my hips. “Well, we’d better get going so we’re not late.” She leaned close to my ear. “And because the sooner we get there, the sooner we can get back home.”
    I whimpered. I actually whimpered.  
    And before I could object any further, we were on our way to see my parents.  
    * * *
    As my luck would have it, my mother had turned dinner into a family affair. Lara’s van was in the driveway, and my brother Chuck’s truck was parked near the barn. Chuck lived ten hours away. I prayed that his presence was a coincidence.
    I saw the curtains in the formal living room flutter as we walked up the steps. There was no doubt in my mind that my mother had been perched at that window like a kid waiting on Santa. The front door flew open and she sailed out onto the porch with her arms stretched wide.
    “You made it!” she cheered.
    My father was standing behind Mom with his hands stuffed into his pockets and a look in his eyes that said he had nothing to do with it. I kissed Mom’s cheek. “Hello, Mother.” I stepped to her side. “Mom, this is Shannon.”
    “Oh!” Mom stepped forward to greet her with a hug. “It’s so nice to finally meet you, dear!”
    Finally? It’s been like three weeks!
    I leaned toward my dad. “She’s killing me,” I whispered.
    He winked. “Which one?”
    We both laughed.  
    “I brought pie,” Shannon said, holding out the dish we’d picked up at the supermarket on the way. “I would have baked something myself, but Nathan’s kitchen isn’t exactly equipped.”
    Rolling my eyes, I looked at Dad. “I have a can opener and a frying pan. What more do I need?”
    Shannon giggled and looped her arm through mine.
    “I’m sure this will be wonderful,” Mom said, taking it from her. “Come on in out of the cold, you two.”
    Once we were inside, loud squeals erupted down the hallway. The family door nearly flew off its hinges and smacked back against the wall as Carter tore down the hallway wearing Spiderman pajamas, a Batman mask, and ginormous green Hulk fists on his hands.  
    “Unca Nate!”
    I laughed and caught him around the middle as he charged me. As I draped him over my shoulder, I looked at Shannon. “Shannon, this is my nephew, Iron Man.”
    He kicked his legs. “I not I-won Man!”
    “Oh, I’m sorry!” I smacked myself in the forehead. “I mean Superman.”
    “I Spida-man, Unca Nate!”  
    “I think you’re confused,” I said, carrying him down the