Chapter Six
“You might as well give up,” Honey warned Lacy. “I’m not telling you.”
“Come on, it’s not fair. I’d tell you.” Lacy whined, though Honey knew she was joking.
“Which is exactly why I won’t tell you. Sometimes, you let other people’s secrets slip.” She held up a hand, warning Lacy not to say anything. “Not on purpose. I get it. But my other employer is off limits.”
“I just want to know what you do and who you do it for,” Lacy grumbled.
Her friend was only half serious. They’d had this discussion on more than one occasion. “I do research on the internet and get paid for it. That’s all you need to know. All you can know.”Shoot, why had she added that bit?Nothing like a touch of intrigue to fuel an already insatiable curiosity. She focused on cleaning up the coffee preparation area, hoping Lacy would drop the subject.
“Oh, I get it. You’re a spy. What are you FBI? CIA?” Lacy’s eyes grew wide and her hands dropped to her sides.
“You do know this is Canada, right? We have CSIS, not CIA. And our RCMP is the equivalent of the FBI.”
“What’s CSIS?” Lacy asked her tone eager and excited.
“Canadian Security Intelligence Service.” Why had she let her guard slip at the worst possible time? She needed to be more cautious when she spoke.
Lacy’s eyes lit with excitement. “Exactly how do you know that? You are a spy, aren’t you? So freaking cool.”
Crap!“Do you honestly believe if I was a spy, or some kind of, I don’t know, government agent, I’d tell you? That would be insane.” She didn’t exactly work for the RCMP or CSIS, but she did work for the military as a civilian contractor in their counter-terrorism unit. She’d never admit the truth aloud. “I told you before, I work for a big organization and I signed a non-disclosure agreement when I started. So, if I did tell, I’d have to kill you,” she dropped her voice low to sound menacing.
Lacy’s laughter bubbled forth. “Right. Okay, I get it, you’re not a spy. But I’m still curious. If the gag order ever comes off, I want to hear all about what you do. Promise?”
Honey held out her baby finger. “Pinky promise.” She copied the gesture she’d seen elementary school kids use. A safe promise to be sure, her gag order wasnevercoming off.
They latched fingers. Lacy tightened her grip and tugged Honey forward. “I swear if you’re a spy, I’m going to be annoyed.”
“Lacy, I promise, I’m an internet researcher. That’s all. End of story.” The lie rolled way too easily off her tongue. Only the importance of what she did kept her from revealing the truth. Lead balls rolled in her stomach. She hated lying. But she’d made a vow and she intended to keep it. She should have stayed in the city where it was easier to remain anonymous with several acquaintances and no close friends. She hadn’t anticipated becoming close to the citizens of Coyote Creek. A silly oversight, but one she’d live with now that she’d established herself here and made new friends. She loved her friends and would be lost without them, even if she had to keep her second career close to her chest.
“There is something you can tell me,” Lacy declared. “Tell me about your date last night.” She frowned. “You know I was interested in him, right? I heard you went out with Ira last night. The knitting circle was abuzz with the news. Mrs. Adelson was practically giddy that you are dating again.”
“I should have told you, but you had already left for the day when he asked me out. Honestly, I should have said no. I overstepped. Backing away and refusing him would have been the morally correct action knowing you are interested.”
“Meh. Doesn’t really matter does it? You gave me a chance to wait on him yesterday. And honestly, if he was interested in me, he’d have spoken up. I’ve served him dozens of times. Right? No harm, no foul. We’re good.”
“I appreciate that and I swear I’ll do better next time. I can’t believe you already heard about it. I guess I forgot about the speed that news travels here.” Which was ridiculous, because half of her secret job relied on rumor and gossip and her ability to follow a rumor to its source.
“Tell me something the gossips don’t know.”
“Okay, but this is just between the two of us. We went to Tuscan Gardens. Dinner was nice. Ira’s sweet and kind. We have a lot in common.” More than Ira knew because he was oblivious to her involvement with the military. More lies to make her stomach hurt. She pressed a palm to her tummy to still its jumping.
She knew the little she offered wasn’t enough to placate Lacy. “I let him walk me home.”
“Did you invite him up for a drink?” She gave a lewd wink.
“I did not. We said goodbye on the front step. And, if he asks me out again, I’ll say yes. I really enjoyed being with him. He’s smart, though he claims he was only a grunt. I expect he understates the importance of what he did. He’s too intelligent to be a grunt.” Her words bothered her innate sense of fairness. “Don’t take that wrong. I have nothing but respect for the military. I don’t believe soldiers aren’t intelligent…” she floundered to a stop and sighed. “Forget it. I can’t explain it. I think maybe he uses the term grunt to mean an ordinary foot soldier and distinguish himself from the higher ranks.”
Lacy smiled widely. “I understand what you are saying and I’m glad you enjoyed your date. It’s beyond time for you to get out there again. Did he try to kiss you?”
“He did not. I thought he might, but he didn’t.” She wouldn’t have let him kiss her, not on the first date, and certainly not on the front step in plain view. Mrs. Adelson lived in her building and she loved to wag her tongue. Honey’s ego would have liked it if Ira had tried. Instead, they’d shaken hands and he backed down the steps and watched until she went inside. It was sweet, chivalrous and very disappointing.
Lacy studied Honey until Honey began to feel uncomfortable. “But you wanted him to kiss you, right? ‘Cause I’d want him to kiss me. I can’t believe you stole him right from under my nose.”
“Hey, I told you to go for it, to take their orders. If you had, he might have asked you out. If you want him, I’ll back off. Friends don’t steal friend’s potential boyfriends.”
“I saw the way you both reacted when you shook hands. With electricity and heat like that, he’s meant for you, not for me. Go ahead. Date. You have my blessing.” Her words were strong and forceful, making it clear she bore no grudges.
