“That’s a good skill to have. I would love to learn how to do that.”
He shrugged, avoiding her gaze. “I can teach you someday.”
Someday? She frowned but then slowed her speed when she saw they were heading into Cody. Her stomach was growling, and she needed to feed Smoky too. There was a general store with disposable phones across from the Hitching Post Café. And that, in turn, was a block down from the Elk Lodge.
She turned into the store parking lot. “This is where we’ll get new phones. We’ll grab dinner across the street.”
“Great.” He pushed out of the car with enthusiasm. She opened the rear hatch for Smoky, then went around to grab her backpack so she’d have her K9’s supplies. They could walk to the Post from here.
The task didn’t take long, and less than ten minutes later, they were seated in a corner booth at the Hitching Post Café. Smoky crawled beneath the table to stretch out at Kendra’s feet. She would feed the dog once they’d placed their orders. Thankfully, the Sullivan K9s were well known, and nobody demanded that Smoky stay outside.
A harried server brought menus and water glasses. “Can I get you something to drink?”
“Coffee for me,” Dom said without looking up from the menu.
“I’ll have the same.” Kendra suspected he planned to stay up late digging into Stuart Ramsey’s background to figure out why he’d sabotaged his father’s plane. And if so, she intended to stick close. She wanted answers as to why her parents had died so tragically just as much as he did.
“Looks like they have a pot roast special.” Dom grinned. “I love a good pot roast.”
“Me too.” It wasn’t as good as their housekeeper Anna’s, but it would hit the spot. She set her menu aside and rummaged in the backpack.
“Your dog is so well behaved.” Dom leaned back to look under the table. “I barely know she’s around.”
“All of our K9s are well trained. But yes, Smoky isn’t as vocal as some dogs.” She drew out the collapsible dishes and set them on the floor beside her. Then she poured the water out of her glass into one of them.
“Are you ready to order?” Their server set two cups of coffee on the table.
“We’ll both have the pot roast special.” Kendra handed her the menus. “Thanks.”
When the woman left, Kendra filled Smoky’s bowl with food and set it on the floor beside the water dish. Smoky lifted her head and sniffed but didn’t jump up to eat.
“Here, girl.” She gestured to the dish. “Come and get it.” With permission, Smoky crawled out and ate with enthusiasm.
“Amazing,” Dom murmured.
When the K9 was finished, Kendra tucked the dishes and food away. “The Elk Lodge has a suite.” She sipped her coffee, eyeing Dom over the rim. “I think that’s the best place for us to stay tonight.”
“Us?” His eyes widened. “I told you to head home, Kendra. What if this gunman figures out where I’m staying?”
“All the more reason I need to stick with you.” She glanced at Smoky beneath the table. “My K9 will alert us to danger. Besides, you don’t have a vehicle.”
He frowned. “I don’t want you to be here.”
She told herself there was no reason to be hurt by his comment. He wasn’t trying to avoid her on a personal level.
At least, she didn’t think so.
“I’m staying.” She leveled him with a direct look. “I want to know what’s going on, Dom. And if something happens to you, I’ll never know why my parents had to die.”
He sighed and scrubbed his hands over his face. “They didn’t have to die. That’s the point. Learning more about why my dad was targeted won’t change that.”
He was right, but she didn’t care. She wasn’t leaving. “We’ll figure out what’s going on, together.”
“I never should have come here,” he said, half under his breath.
“I’m glad you did.” Again, she tried not to be upset by his comment. Sure, she’d secretly thought him to be good looking, but that wasn’t why she’d reached out to him. Her goal had been to uncover the truth about that fateful night six years ago.
Their pot roast dinners arrived a few minutes later. Kendra hesitated, then said, “I’d like to say grace.”
