Sophie grinned. “Seems someone’s in a very good mood this morning. I wonder why? Any theories, Sheriff?”
Dawson smirked. “I ain’t touching that one.” He poured three mugs of coffee and sat across from Sophie.
“When will your son be here?”
“Sunday night. Mercy ’n’ me are goin’ huntin’ Saturday. After I bag a bigger buck than her, I’m driving to Denver. We’ll be back Sunday so I can get him enrolled in school Monday.”
I snorted. “In your dreams about bagging the bigger buck, marine.” I slid the plates on the table and took my seat next to Dawson.
“I love a challenge.” He snatched a slice of bacon off my plate and shoved it in his mouth.
I whapped his knuckle with my fork.
“You two behave,” Sophie warned. “What room were you thinkin’ of putting Lex in upstairs?”
“Not my old room, since Joy’s crib is in there. Probably Hope’s old room. It’s empty, right?”
“Yeah, but it’s got a floral bedspread and curtains,” Sophie pointed out.
“That’ll be fine,” Dawson said. “I don’t think Lex will care.”
Sophie and I exchanged a look. “Uh, yeah, he’s gonna care. I’ll stop at Walmart on my way home tonight and pick out bedding that’s plain and… manly.”
“Fine, but I don’t see the big deal. You’ve got girly sheets on our bed, and I haven’t complained.”
Not the same. He’d sleep on burlap if he was getting laid regularly, but I didn’t want to argue with him. We tucked into the food, and no one spoke until our plates were empty.
As we finished our coffee, Sophie said, “Such a pity about that Shooting Star girl. So young. I know not everyone likes that family, but it’s hard not to feel sorry for them, hey.”
Leave it to snoopy Sophie to bring up a case I’d hoped to avoid discussing with the sheriff.
“I assume the FBI was brought in?” Dawson asked me. “It’s under investigation.”
“Well, good luck with that.
I’m just damn happy it didn’t happen in my jurisdiction.” He pushed back from the table and took his plate to the sink to rinse it. “Miz Red Leaf, outstanding breakfast. Thank you.”
She waved him off with a smile.
“Mercy? Got a minute to talk to me before I head out?”
“Sure.” I followed him to the bedroom and watched as he strapped on his gun. “What’s up?” I formulated a half-dozen responses to his inquiries about the Shooting Star case, hoping I could hit the balance between evasive and professional.
“Don’t spend a lot on the bedding stuff for Lex’s room, okay?” He opened his wallet and passed me three twenties.
I nodded, happy that Lex was the buffer between our jobs. For now, anyway.
“I’ll be late tonight.” Dawson kissed me thoroughly. Then he held my face in his hands and locked his steely gaze to mine. “You know I love you, right?”