"We'll save you some pie," Taylor's cheeky words made her eyes narrow at him. "And remember, no touching," he finger-gunned Graham jokingly, but when Graham laughed and gave him a jovial finger gun in return Taylor added, "Seriously. No touching."
"Taylor," Eloise chastised.
He lifted both hands. "Kidding."
Newly nervous Graham, who wasn't sure how to take the detective's 'joking' asked Eloise if she was ready. She gave him what she hoped was a reassuring smile.
"See you tonight for pie," Taylor said.
She threw a pointed look of threat toward Taylor. But his smile, wide and unbothered made her want to drag him outside and ask what the hell he was doing.
Ursula coughed into her hand.
Eloise's narrowed look turned carefully nonchalant. "Great. Enjoy the pie. We made it with extra love and magic."
"Excellent. I love those ingredients," he replied like they were in a parrying match; a stand-off of something.
"Great."
"So, have fun, you two," Ursula finally broke in, and before Eloise decidedly turned away she saw her friend put a hand on Taylor, pulling his attention from the couple.
"How dare you show up to a respectable town hall meeting and just flaunt yourselves when my son is at home pink because of you! And accusing him of bullying to hide it all!"
The angry voice made all three of them turn, the odd fight between Eloise and Taylor forgotten immediately when they saw Kyle Sandman's mom. She was a tall, strong woman with dark hair greying at the roots and around the frame of her face. Her anger was strong. It gave off a smell of a match being lit.
"Mrs. Sandman. How are you?" Taylor asked, his tone professional, easy.
"I'm not good and you know it, detective. These women," she pointed and he held up a hand stopping her.
"I understand you're angry and you're still looking for answers. I understand that, but this is not the time nor is it the place and I want to make sure we have all the facts, not accusations, before we point fingers. Because the truth is important and protecting Kyle, and everyone involved, isimportant." He laid a hand on her upper arm as Chief Landry walked over. "Now, why don't I come over tomorrow so we can sit down and I can go over everything we have on his case. I'll bring Michelle's macarons." His calm voice and the way he shifted his body language to being gentle and soothing rather than intimidating was impressive. Kyle's mom immediately responded to it.
"Mrs. Sandman," the chief drawled. He tipped his head and ushered her away letting her talk, his demeanor calm and her words drifting off from their ears. The way the chief moved was fluid, like his tall body had made a deal with gravity.
"What did she mean? Accused of bullying?" Eloise asked.
"We looked into his bullying. Are looking into it. It's an ongoing investigation that I cannot talk about," he said before they could ask and added, "But it's not looking good for him. Or his friends."
Eloise felt a welling of warmth inside of her and couldn't find the words but as she stared up at him she wanted to step into his body and wrap her arms around him. She wanted to thank him and bury her face in his chest. And he was looking at her like he would welcome it.
"Ready?"
Graham's voice broke their moment.
Again, Ursula watched the scene in fascination, a small smile on her lips.
Eloise nodded, giving him a sweet smile. "Yes. Ready."
"See you tonight, Ladyhawk," Taylor called.
She frowned at his teasing tone and then snapped a finger pointing to Ursula. "Oh, will you get Lady Macbeth home and don't let her trick you into anymore treats. She's already had four large marshmallows."
"Got it."
"Who's Lady Macbeth?" Graham asked.
"My raccoon. She's pregnant." His shock made everyone laugh. "I'll explain on the way. See you guys," she said waving to a smiling Ursula and a not smiling Taylor who watched them walk out of the library with no more of the fake smiling or forced happiness.
He watched Graham place a gentlemanly hand on her lower back, ushering her through the door into the darkening outside. He felt something visceral take hold of his chest, something he had never felt before and it went wild when he watched Graham lean down and say something to her to make her tilt her head back, her auburn hair spilling down over her shoulders, as her laughter sang. That visceral hold turned tight and unforgiving.
