When no one inquires how we know each other, I assume word of the diner made the rounds, so I turn to his wife. “Thanks so much for having us. I can’t look at one more box, so this is appreciated more than you know.”
She gives us a huge smile, her vivid green eyes filled with warmth. “It’s no trouble. I love a party, and it gives me an excuse to send my daughter to her grandma and forget about motherhood,” Maddie says.
I laugh. “You probably need this more than I do.”
“Believe me, I do,” Maddie says.
“How old is your daughter?” Hailey asks.
“Thirteen months.” Maddie tucks a lock of her long red hair behind her ear. “I’m a huge fan of your books. I can’t believe we have a famous author living in town.”
Hailey flushes because she hates to be on display. She waves her hand in dismissal. “Hardly famous.”
James Donovan gestures at Maddie. “My sister turned me on to your books. They’re real page-turners. I’m a forensic anthropology professor, and your research is impeccable.”
“No way.” Hailey’s voice goes up a notch as her blue eyes widen. “Wait? Are you the Professor James Donovan?”
He looks absolutely delighted. “Um, yes.”
In an excited tone, Hailey says, “Oh my god, I’ve read your papers. I used ‘Thermal Damage in Skeletal Remains: Distinguishing Accidental vs. Intentional Burning in Homicides’ and ‘The Role of Perimortem Trauma Analysis in Cold Case Homicide Investigations,’ as a primary source for Burn Marks.”
His wife flutters thick, dark lashes that highlight her sky-blue eyes. “My husband, the rock star of the forensic world.”
His fingers climb up her back and curl around the nape of her neck before he kisses her temple. “I know this is difficult for you, but you’ll live.”
She puffs out her lips in a pout. “Is this how you feel?”
“All the time.” He chuckles before saying to Hailey, “I’m honored.”
I give James Donovan a sly smile. “When she asks, I’d advise you not to give her your number or else she’ll stalk you down for information.” I drape my arm around her. “She might look wholesome, but when it comes to murdery things, she loses all reason.”
“I’m not that bad.” Hailey looks around sheepishly then shrugs. “I’ll admit, I’d love to talk to you, I’m working on this idea?—”
“See what I mean?” I tug her back before she goes too far down a rabbit hole.
A flush stains high on her cheeks. “I, um, didn’t mean right now.”
Everyone laughs.
Then a male voice says from behind me, “There’s my new city attorney.”
I turn to see Griffin Strong and his wife Darcy standing there.
I shift right into work mode, holding out my hand. “Mayor Strong, it’s lovely to see you again.”
The entirely too handsome mayor of Revival shakes my outstretched palm, a huge, charming grin on his face that explains a lot about his success as a politician. “Griffin. It’s a party, so I insist you forget all about my being your boss.”
I wrinkle my nose. “Well, I can’t entirely forget, but I’ll do my best.”
Griffin laughs. “Fair enough.”
I shift my attention to the woman beside him. “Great to see you again, Darcy.”
“You too.” Darcy looks ridiculously good in a romper that matches her eyes.
“Wait, when did you—” Griffin cuts off abruptly then flashes me a cunning, devilish grin that has me wondering if there’s a small-town mayor calendar we could submit him to. “Oh, that’s right, at Sam’s the other night.”
Everyone looks at me, expressions alight with expectation.