Page 60 of Riverbend Gap (Riverbend 1)

Her gaze sharpened on him. “Is there something going on between you and Gavin?”

“Why? Did he say something?”

“No, but something must be up. You never miss the chance for a home-cooked meal, and now you’ve missed supper three weeks in a row. Gavin won’t even be there if that makes a difference.”

It made all the difference. If Gavin wasn’t there, Kate wouldn’t be there either. “It’s not that. There’s just a lot involved in running a campaign.” He held eye contact. He was pretty good at being unreadable—it came with the job—but when it came to her sons, his mom had some kind of superhero radar.

“If you need more help, you know the family’s here for you.”

“I know you guys are busy with Trail Days. Anyway, Avery and I have it covered.”

Rodriguez entered the office, his eyes going straight to Lisa, his lips lifting in a cheeky smile. “Hello, Mrs. Robinson. You sure are a sight for sore eyes.”

“Oh, you’re too sweet, Ricky. Is there a serious girlfriend on the horizon yet? If not, you should let me set you up. I’m pretty good at it, despite what Cooper might think.”

“Aw, I’m still too brokenhearted that you’re taken. Why’d you have to go and get married before I grew up?”

Cooper rolled his eyes at Rodriguez’s familiar antics.

His mom laughed and patted his shoulder. “I’m practically old enough to be your mother.”

“You don’t look a day over twenty-five.”

“Listen to the lies coming out of your mouth, young man. I should tell your mother.”

“If you ever change your mind—”

“Did you come here to work or flirt?” Cooper asked.

“I don’t see why a man can’t do both.”

“You’re too much, Ricky.” His mother hitched her purse higheron her shoulder and gave Cooper another pointed look. “I have to run now. I’ll see you tomorrow night.”

“Yes, Mother.”

“It’s a carry-in this time so bring a side dish.” She smiled at Rodriguez. “You’re welcome to come, too, Ricky. That is, if you don’t have a hot date.”

“He’s busy,” Cooper said.

As soon as Mom left, Cooper grabbed the stress ball off his desk and hurled it at Rodriguez, who was watching her walk down the hallway.

The ball thwacked the deputy on the shoulder. “Hey!”

“Stop hitting on my mom.”

***

Katie’s heart gave a start when the knock came at the door.

“Would you mind getting that, honey?” Lisa called from the kitchen where she was pouring iced tea into glasses.

“Not at all.” Katie’s legs trembled as she stood from the armchair and approached the front door. For three weeks she’d managed to keep Beth and Lisa apart. But Lisa more or less insisted on meeting the woman who was heading up the online marketing for Trail Days, and resisting would’ve seemed odd.

So here she was, about to introduce Lisa to her birth mother, only no one—except Cooper—knew who she really was. How did she get herself into these messes?

Katie arranged her features into a welcoming expression and pulled open the door. “Hello, Beth.”

The woman’s lips split into a warm smile. “Hi, Katie. I hope I’m not late.”