Free Seal It With A Kiss (McClellan Trilogy) by Judy Hagemann Page B

“Yeah we can see that! I think you have a few more markers to throw yet.” Sam offered.
    Brock glared at him. “Ha ha very funny, now was there something the three of you needed?”
    “Yes.” Brooke interjected. “I wanted to see if you were busy tonight.”
    “No, I’m not. Did you need help with the baby’s room or something?”
    “Good! I wanted to have you and Holly over for supper, and Luke and Sam wanted to meet her.”
    “Oh hell no!” Brock clipped back at her.
    Brooke was shocked at Brock’s response. “You just said you weren’t busy. Now, I don’t see why you can’t come over for supper. I expect you to be there at six o’clock—no excuses.”
    “Fine.” He sulked, “I don’t know if you will be able to get Holly there though.”
    Sam and Luke looked at each other before Sam said “What the hell did you do now?”
    “What makes you think I did anything? Maybe this time it wasn’t me!” Brock said pointing to his chest.
    “Oh, I can pretty damn well guarantee that it was you.” Luke stated.
    “What makes you jump to that conclusion?” Brock asked.
    “I’m not the detective in the family, but even I can see that Holly is nowhere around, and you were in the process of trashing your office. That bro, is all the evidence I need to know that you did something to cause her to not be here.” Luke explained.
    “It’s none of your business, but I can see you’re not going to just let it go, so here it is. I wasn’t in the best of moods when I got here, and I may have been a little short with her, so she up and left. Are you happy now?”
    “I’m really sorry Brock.” Brooke said as she touched him on the arm. “I still want you to come over tonight. You’ll still come—won’t you?”
    Giving in to Brooke’s soothing tone, “How can I tell you no. What’s on the menu and what can I bring?”
    “Fantastic! We are grilling out—burgers and brats, so if you want to bring some beer that would be great.” Brooke quickly added.
    “I’ll be there, but you need to get those two out of here right now.” He said pointing to Sam and Luke.
    On the way out, Brooke spotted Holly walking towards the bathroom, so she told Sam and Luke to wait for her in the car while she used the bathroom. “All I do anymore is go to the bathroom.” She said aloud.
    Holly came out of the bathroom stall and was shocked to see Brooke standing there. “Brooke? Right?”
    “Yes, Holly. I was waiting to speak with you.”
    “Me? Why?”
    “I enjoyed meeting you last week and I wanted to get to know you better. Would you like that?”
    “Sure. I enjoyed meeting you as well, and I have to say that was the best peach cobbler I have ever eaten!”
    “I am really happy to hear that Brock shared it with you.”
    Laughing, “He didn’t exactly share it with me.”
    “I’m sorry, but you’re going to have to explain that one.”
    “It was nothing really. Was there something in particular that you needed to speak to me about? Holly asked.
    “Like I said, I really liked you after meeting you last week and I do want to get to know you better, so I wanted to invite you over for supper tonight. Luke and I are grilling out and he also wanted to meet you.”
    “I would love to come over for a cook out. I would also love to meet one of Detective McClellan’s brothers to see if they all have such glowing personalities.” Holly responded.
    “That you will also have to explain to me later too—for now I need to get going. Here is our address. The grill will be hot at six.” She said handing a piece of paper to Holly.
    “Can I bring something?” Holly offered.
    “Sure, we are grilling hamburgers and brats. Bring something that will go with them.”
    “Thank you Brooke, I will be there around six.”
    Holly avoided Brock for the remainder of the day. There was no way she was going to be subjected to his foul mood and the way he had treated her earlier. She was actually looking forward to getting a glimpse