Page 57 of Riverbend Gap (Riverbend 1)

Her eyes twinkled. “You work too hard—always off protecting and serving.”

It was a police motto, but he didn’t bother correcting her. “Somebody’s got to prowl the streets of Riverbend.”

A chair screeched nearby. Kate and Beth stood. Kate shouldered her purse and turned toward the door. Her gaze caught on Cooper, her eyes widening slightly before they swung across the table to Amber. Her smile wobbled.

Beth and Kate said their good-byes, then she stopped by his table. “Hi there.”

“Hey, Katie.” Cooper stood and gave her a brief hug. As he inhaled her familiar scent, his heart gave a traitorous whimper. He was dying to know how her conversation with Beth had gone. He sorely wished Amber weren’t here. He’d invite Kate to sit down and have a nice long chat.

Then you’d be right back to square one, moron.

He pulled away and gestured to the other woman. “Katie, this is Amber. Amber, Katie.”

“Hi there.” Amber’s gaze raked quickly over Kate, no doubt taking in her freshly made-up face and long, shiny blonde hair.

“Hi.” Kate returned Amber’s tight smile with a friendly one. But the tense set of her shoulders and her hand clutching her purse in a white-knuckled grip gave her away.

He couldn’t resist asking about Beth. “How’d your meeting go?”

“Good. I think it went fine.”

He wanted to ask her so much more. Wanted to hear every detail. But now was not the time.

As an awkward silence crept in, Kate glanced between Amber and him. “Well... I don’t want to interrupt your, um, date. And my garden awaits.”

“It’s supposed to rain later,” he said.

“I’d better get on it then.” With one last bright smile she left the coffee shop.

Amber didn’t even wait until the door swung shut before she said, “Who was that? I don’t think I’ve seen her around here.”

“Katie.” He took a sip of his coffee. He probably shouldn’t bait her, but he couldn’t seem to help himself.

She gave him a tolerant look.

“Gavin’s new girlfriend.”

Her face brightened. “Oh. She seemed nice.”

The obvious relief on Amber’s face was off-putting—and worrisome. Because he just wasn’t as invested in her as she seemed to be in him.

But he had to make an effort if he was ever going to get over Katelyn. Now that she’d left the shop, he could focus on Amber. And before they left today he was going to ask her out again—this time for supper.

21

Katie settled back into the cushions on Avery’s sofa. They’d just watched the newest Scarlett Johansson movie and were enjoying the homemade brownies Lisa had brought over.

“These are so good,” Katie said. “Must have recipe.”

“No need. Lisa makes them all the time.”

“I like to bake though. And you never know when you’ll need a brownie fix. Plus there’s the batter.”

“Excellent point, my friend. I need milk. Want some?”

“Actually, I could use some water. I feel like I’m still dehydrated from last weekend.”

“Hiking in the heat will do that to you.” Avery slipped into the kitchen only a few steps away.