Free mystic caravan mystery 02 - freaky lies by Amanda M. Lee

fruit and vegetable row. “You go and win your race over there. We’ll win our race over here. I don’t want to see you again for at least a half hour. Do you understand?”
    Luke’s face was triumphant when I risked a glance in his direction. “I love winning.”
    Kade made a disgusted sound in the back of his throat as he pulled me behind him. I watched him for a moment, loving the way the muscle in his clenched jaw quivered. He was handsome even when mortified. That was an impressive feat. Despite my entertainment level, I decided to help him out. “You need to stop letting him bait you,” I offered. “He’s doing it on purpose because he knows he can get to you.”
    Kade shifted his eyes to me, his face unreadable. “He wouldn’t be saying it if he didn’t think it was true.”
    “Oh, you shouldn’t believe that,” I said. “He may love me, but his joy in irritating people is boundless. You have to ignore him … or pay him back.”
    Kade stilled, intrigued. “How do I pay him back?”
    I shrugged. “I’m sure an opportunity will present itself,” I said. “As long as he knows he’s getting to you he’ll keep saying things like that. He can’t help himself.”
    “And why are you guys best friends again?”
    “Because he’s the most loyal person I know, and no matter what, I never doubt he’ll always be there for me.” I answered simply and honestly, and the sentence was enough to soften Kade’s expression.
    “I’ll try to keep that in mind,” he said. “Let’s check out that vegetable stand. Those women have been gossiping since we got here, and I have a feeling they know everything that happens in this place.”
    “Now you’re thinking,” I teased. “Plus, they’re women.”
    Kade lifted an eyebrow. “So?”
    “Women can’t help themselves from falling all over you,” I replied. “I doubt these women will be the exception to the rule.”
    “I am charming.” Kade puffed out his chest. “I’ll schmooze them until they surrender any and all information they have.”
    I smirked. “And when that doesn’t work we’ll bring Luke in to finish the job.”
    Kade’s mouth tipped down at the corners. “You’re downright obnoxious sometimes. You know that, right?”
    “I had a feeling that was why you hadn’t made your move yet.”
    “You suck,” Kade muttered, although he didn’t relinquish my hand as we moved toward the women. “I don’t need this abuse.”
    “You’ll live.”

7
    Seven
    “ T his looks amazing, ladies.”
    Kade flashed his winning smile in the direction of the two women sitting behind the counter as we approached the stand.
    “It’s carrots and corn,” one of the women replied dryly. “You must not get out much, huh?”
    Kade stilled. “I … um … .”
    “He’s sheltered,” I interjected, pasting my best “I’m trustworthy so there’s no need to be suspicious” smile on my face. “He’s from California so he’s used to getting his vegetables in big supermarkets.”
    “They have farmers markets in California,” Kade argued, annoyed.
    I ignored him. “This looks like a great place,” I said. “I love farmers markets that have permanent locations like this. That proves they’re important to the community.”
    “I get the feeling you’re trying to shine me on.” The woman, her short gray curls reminding me of a belligerent poodle, looked me up and down. “You’re with the circus, aren’t you?”
    “How could you tell?” Kade asked, grabbing a tomato to check its firmness before adding another ten to a bag. “Do we look like clowns or something?”
    “No, but this one looks like she’s Romani,” the woman replied.
    I stilled, surprised.
    “Annette, there’s no reason to be rude,” the second woman chided. “Ignore her. She thinks she knows everything.”
    “What a coincidence,” Kade intoned. “My friend thinks she knows everything, too.”
    I fought the urge to smile as I met Annette’s thoughtful gaze. “It’s