Free Tease Me by Donna Kauffman Page A

reassuringly. “Yes. Don’t ask, just dunk your hand. Do it quickly, it works
     best if you do it right away.”
    “Whatever you say, Doc.” He had to do it in stages, but the relief was instant. “Amazing.
     Thanks.”
    She shrugged and handed him a wet towel to wipe his hand. “The things you learn working
     in food preparation. Minerva is a gold mine of homeopathic remedies like these.”
    “Handy to have around.” His mind wasn’t on Aunt Minerva as he spoke.
    She tidied up, then leaned against the counter. “So now that we’ve cleaned and tended,
     would you mind telling me what you were doing back here?”
    Another bell went off. Round three. Looking into her no-longer-so-reassuring cat eyes,
     he thought maybe he’d rather go another round with Minerva after all. Hell, she could
     tag-team with Lillian and he’d still have better odds than the ones he was facing.
     “Topping off my coffee?” He had to at least give it a shot.
    She didn’t even bother to respond.
    “I was worried about Minerva.”
My
,
Tucker
, hethought,
you’re becoming a regular master at bending the truth
.
    Lainey’s eyes immediately clouded over with concern. “Did something happen? Is she
     okay?” She started to push past him, but he gently grabbed her arms, holding her still.
    “She’s fine,” he said. “I didn’t mean to alarm you. I’m sorry. She’s in the back talking
     to Betty Louise Strickmeyer. Actually, it’s Mrs. Strickmeyer who’s upset.”
    He’d swiftly debated on whether to mention Betty Louise by name but then decided that
     watching Lainey’s reaction might provide some insight into the situation. He had a
     pretty good idea that Lainey was one of Betty Louise’s “you-know-whos.”
    He wasn’t sure what he’d been hoping for, but it wasn’t the unreassuring wariness
     that suddenly colored her expression. “Oh,” she replied, her smile a bit too forced.
     “Betty Louise is a good friend of Minerva’s. She’s a dear, but she is a little high-strung.
     I’m sure Minerva will take care of whatever is bothering her. She’s good with people
     that way.” Lainey moved out of his grasp and turned back to the counter, busying herself
     by cleaning up the ring left by the coffeepot.
    This was the Lainey he’d seen, albeit briefly, when they’d first met. Wary, uncertain,
     uncomfortable. Her change in character bothered him. He didn’t like to think he made
     anyone uncomfortable. And he much preferred the Lainey who boldly challenged him,
     then forced him to deal with his unprecedented reactions. Mostly, however, it bothered
     him that for the first time he truly believed there might be some real foundation
     for Lillian’sconcerns. Just who was this other “you-know-who” and what had he gotten them all involved
     in?
    “I’d say being a people person is a trait passed on from aunt to niece,” Tucker said,
     proceeding on instinct.
    She rinsed the towel in the stainless-steel sink next to the prep table. “What makes
     you say that? You hardly know me.”
    He noticed she still wasn’t making eye contact. He turned and rested a hip on the
     table, only a foot away from her. “I know there are two older ladies out there who
     care enough about you to want to see you happy.” That made her turn her head, but
     he raised a hand to still her defense. “And a blind person could see the affection
     in Sam’s eyes when he’s haggling with you.”
    She opened her mouth, then closed it again. After a short pause, she shrugged. “Okay,
     so I’ve made good friends here. I know it sounds odd to some, given the age difference,
     but I really enjoy the people of Sunset Shores. Most of them, anyway,” she added with
     a pointed look and a dry smile.
    He ignored the last part. “It shows,” he said. “And I don’t think it odd at all that
     you’ve formed attachments to the folks around here.”
    It suddenly occurred to him that perhaps her connection to the mystery man might in