The Twin

“Do you really attract critters?” Sunny asked. Although the thought of such a thing seemed a little odd, who was she to say? She talked to a ghost.

“Umm. Sometimes. When you’re a veterinarian, it’s helpful to have a good rapport with animals.”

“Do you treat many fish?”

Skye chuckled. “Not many. In fact the only patient I can recall was a goldfish, and I wasn’t able to revive him. We had a funeral service instead.”

“Seriously?”

“Yep. With songs and prayers and the whole shebang.” Skye picked up a plastic container. “I’m going to take these veggies out for the guys to put on the grill. Want to bring the paper plates?”

LUNCH HAD BEEN SO MUCH FUN that before she knew it, it was midafternoon. “Oh, wow,” Sunny said, jumping up. “I didn’t realize it was so late. I have to get back to town.”

“Big date?” Sam asked.

Sunny almost laughed when she saw Skye kick him under the table.

“No. I have to work tonight. Most Saturday nights are full. Let me help with this real quick.”

She picked up the empty bowls from the patio table, and Skye picked up the ice-cream maker. Belle got the rest of the remnants, and the women carried the things inside to the kitchen.

“Are you working tonight at the café?” Skye asked.

“No, I play with a band on most Saturday nights.”

“A band?” Skye said, her eyebrows going up. “Like with instruments?”

“Guitars, drums, keyboard. Real instruments. We’re the Copper Pistols.”

“What fun!” Skye said. “How did you come up with the name?”

“Seemed like a logical one for police officers—and everybody in the group is a working cop. They let me stay in the band after I left the force.”

“I forgot Belle told me you were in law enforcement,” Skye said as they walked back outside. “What did you do on the police force?”

Hearing Skye’s question, Gabe asked, “Sunny, were you really a cop?”

“Sure was. For several years. I was in uniform for a while, working traffic, and later I became a detective. Listen, everybody, today has been wonderful. I’m so glad you invited me, and Cass and I are looking forward to next Sunday. In the meantime, if you drop by Chili Witches, your next meal is on the house. Now, I’ve got to run.”

After goodbyes were said, Ben picked up her rod and reel and tackle box and followed Sunny to her car.

“You really did have a previous engagement,” he said.

“Did you think I didn’t?”

“I wasn’t sure if it was a brush-off.”

“It wasn’t.”

He stowed her things in the backseat, then turned to her. “How about tomorrow night?”

“For what?”

“For dinner. With me.”

That clawing panic was back. She tamped it down. “I’d like that.”

“Where do I pick you up?”

“I live over the café. There are stairs around back. I’m A.”

“A what?”

She smiled. “I’m apartment A. My sister is apartment B.”

SUNNY WORKED HERSELF INTO a lather trying to find something to wear. She didn’t have any dating clothes, especially when she didn’t know where they were going. Of course Austin was a super casual town, but she really didn’t have much besides jeans and church clothes.

Her wardrobe, like her apartment walls, was pretty plain and boring. Her walls were beige; her carpet was beige; even the countertops in the kitchen were beige. The only spot of color in the living room was her light blue couch with the grape juice stain, and that was old—both the couch and the stain. If she was expecting company, which was rare, she draped a beige throw over the stain.

She’d never gotten around to hanging drapes or pictures. She kept meaning to, but she just couldn’t muster up the interest. The wooden blinds were nice and they provided privacy.

Finally, after she’d tried on every stitch she owned, Sunny gave up and called the clotheshorse for help. In less than two minutes Cass was at her door with a pair of black pants and a fussy blue-patterned blouse with fluttery sleeves.

Sunny frowned. “Cass, that’s not me.”

“Yes, I know. That’s why you don’t have anything appropriate in your closet. It’s perfect. Try it on before you decide. Have you got any heels?”

“Of course I have heels.”

“Let me see them.”

Sunny pulled out her best black pumps, and Cass groaned. “Those are old-lady shoes. Try these.” She pulled off the spike-heel peep-toes she wore and held them out.

“But they’re red.”

“Duh.”

“Okay, okay. I’ll try them.” Sunny strode to her bedroom with Cass trailing after.

She stripped off her best jeans and was about to step into the black pants when Cass said, “Oh, gawd! You’re not going to wear those are you?”

Confused, Sunny said, “I thought you brought them over for me to wear.”

“I meant those panties. They look like Aunt Min’s.”

“Forget it.” Sunny zipped the pants. “Nobody is going to see my underwear.”

“Well, you never know.”