“Our Maddie is a brilliant doctor but she can burn water. You’ll have to cook the dinner without her. It will be safer for everyone.”
“Thanks, Dad,” Maddie replied dryly. “I made microwave pizza rolls the other day. No one died.”
“Tanner does the cooking in their family,” Gwen said. “And now Amanda does, too.”
Stacy batted her eyelashes at Tanner, reaching across - once again - to grab his arm. This time Tanner gently moved it away, putting his hand into his lap. Maddie had a vision of sticking her fork into the flesh of Stacy’s arm.
Now that’s not nice. She’s just being friendly.
Maybe a little too friendly.
“Maybe you and I can cook up something together, Tanner. I’ll let you pick the menu. I can be your sous chef.”
Maddie wasn’t sure what she’d done in a past life to deserve this, but she was just about at her wit’s end. Her ears were ringing from Stacy’s near-constant chatter, plus the other woman was openly flirting with Tanner.
As if I’m not even sitting here. Maybe I’m not. Maybe this is just a terrible dream.
Or perhaps I’m just a terrible person. Stacy’s just being friendly.
“I saw your ex-wife on the television news yesterday,” Stacy said to Tanner. “I guess she killed her husband? Shot him? Having been married, I can certainly understand it.”
It was probably meant to come out joking but it jarred Maddie’s nerves. Tanner’s jaw was tight as well, clearly not happy about the subject being brought up. They’d known it was a possibility but that didn’t make it easy to discuss.
“I’m not sure they want to talk about this,” Greg said. “Marty was a good person. I met him a few times and he seemed like a nice guy.”
“I don’t believe Abby shot her husband.”
Tanner’s tone was firm and unequivocal. Stacy’s eyes went wide and her gaze darted around the table.
“Oh, I didn’t mean anything by it. I was just trying to joke a little bit about it.”
“Marty’s death is still a little fresh, honey,” Greg said. “Maybe we should talk about something else.”
“Of course, of course.” Stacy patted Maddie’s hand. “I really didn’t mean anything. Sometimes my mouth just opens and even I don’t know what’s going to come out. I just have to ask that if the ex-wife didn’t do it? Well…who did then?”
“The police are looking into it,” Tanner replied, clearing his throat. “Sam is an excellent investigator. I’m sure they’ll find the killer soon.”
“Does he have a suspect?” Stacy asked. “Did the victim have a lot of enemies?”
“It’s an ongoing investigation,” Tanner said. “He can’t really say.”
“Tanner,” Gwen said, finally steering the conversation elsewhere. “When is your next campaign stop?”
“Tomorrow. It’s a picnic lunch with a large group of teachers. I’m unveiling my new education plan.”
“Things are about to get extremely busy for him,” Maddie said. “The campaign is really heating up. He has something scheduled almost every day until the election. Oftentimes several things in one day. I never realized how hard a campaign can be on the candidate.”
They chatted about that for a while, finishing their food. The plates were whisked away, and it was a relief to hear Stacy announce that she had to go. She had a dentist appointment back in her town and she didn’t want to be late. She gave Maddie another huge hug and then threw her arms around Tanner as well, announcing that he was her big brother in a loud voice that had other diners turning their heads. The last thing Tanner needed right now was more attention. Maddie was sure she saw a few people taking pictures with their phones. They’d probably end up on social media.
Her father walked Stacy out to her car while Tanner commandeered the check from the waitress.
“Greg wanted to pay,” Gwen said, her tone disapproving. “He wanted to take you all to lunch today.”
“He can get it next time,” Tanner replied. “I’m happy to get it today. It’s my treat.”
Her dad came back to the table and sat down, wearing an unhappy expression.
“I’m disappointed in you, Madison,” her father scolded. “You could have been more open and welcoming. Stacy is really excited to have family. We’re all she has now.”