“Thank you,” I repeated firmly.
“This pie is thanks enough. It’s fucking good,” he complimented around a mouthful. “You sure you don’t want some, McAllister?”
Travis shook his head. “I don’t like sweets.”
“You’re crazy.” Harris shook his head with a snort.
“He is,” I agreed emphatically as I finished off my own piece. It was delicious, if I did say so myself.
“What’s the latest on Anderson?” he asked about Roy, his eyes on Travis.
Travis’s jaw clenched. “In the wind. The leads we got from Morales were cold.”
“I’m sure those were given willingly,” Harris interjected dryly.
“He was quite enthusiastic,” Travis agreed with a dark glint in his eye. “The locations he gave us looked like they’d been occupied by Anderson at one time but they were cold by the time we got there. Have you heard anything?”
Harris shook his head. “I’m keeping an eye on things, but the department isn’t as interested in Anderson now that Morales was brought in. He was the prize.”
“I figured,” Travis ground out, clearly frustrated.
“Anything I can do?” Harris offered.
“Just keep your ears open. Let me know if you hear anything. I’d appreciate it.” Harris nodded as Travis continued, “We’ll get him. He’s out of money, out of support. He’ll get sloppy.”
“They always do,” Harris agreed.
After a beat of silence, I spoke up. “We won’t keep you.” I rose to take the plates to the sink. “I just wanted to thank you and to apologize.”
“No need, but I appreciate it,” Harris replied. “You need anything, let me know.”
“Likewise,” Travis said, extending a hand to shake.
“Thanks again for the pie.” Harris replied his eyes on me as he shook Travis’s hand. “I’ll have it polished off in no time.”
“No problem, glad you liked it.” I smiled back as Travis took my hand, and we made our way to the front door. “See you soon.” I waved in parting.
We walked to the curb hand in hand, the sun warm and welcome on my skin. “Feel better?” Travis asked with a gentle smile as he fired up the Jeep.
“Yes.” I sighed emphatically. The need to apologize had weighed heavily on me. “I feel like maybe you two could become friends,” I mused as we pulled away from the curb.
He chuckled. “Baby, I have plenty of friends, and he’s not a stray you need to take in.” He shot me a warm smile.
“I know,” I replied defensively. “Still, couldn’t hurt to reach out.”
He sighed. “I won’t be able to stop you, so I might as well go along.” He chuckled. “We have a little pipsqueak at home as a reminder of the last time I went along,” he reminded me, though his tone was full of humor.
The still unnamed puppy had yet to be claimed. Despite Travis’s grumblings, I knew he loved the little bugger. Hell, he’d sat next to his crate the night before talking to him when he was crying.
“You love him.” I grinned.
“Maybe,” he allowed sheepishly. “It’s been a few days. Think it’s time to name him?” he asked, and my heart warmed at his boyish grin.
“Sure.” I beamed, thrilled that we’d officially have a new addition. A new addition who desperately needed to be potty trained and who chewed on anything within sight, but a welcome one regardless.
“You’ve been calling him Pipsqueak, how about Pip?” I threw out.
“Pip.” He mulled my suggestion over. “I like it. That was easy.” He looked over at me with a smile.
