Need You for Keeps (Heroes of St. Helena, #1)(75)

“Did you hear that?” Peggy squealed and set Socks on the ground.

Since Jonah was standing behind her holding Kitty Fantastic, who had also finaled, Peggy led Socks to the winner’s circle, where Shay got down to pin a ribbon to Socks’s scarf and kiss her nose. Socks let out a big yip, then took the steps two at a time to prance the red carpet like she owned it.

“And the Prance Prince,” the judge went on, “is another local-grown pet who spends his days eating everything in sight. Congratulations, Blanket.”

“Damn straight,” Frankie shouted, shooting a single fist in the air. She made some kind of victory circle around Jonah and Kitty Fantastic, thrusting her hips and looking as if she’d just spiked a ball, then led her alpaca down the red carpet—Blanket humming the entire way.

“And for our three runners-up, who all receive a two-hundred-and-fifty-dollar gift card, let’s hear it for Shasta, Awesome Bob, and Kitty Fantastic.”

One by one they came to the winner’s circle to collect their ribbons, but Jonah waited until last.

“I’m sorry your sister beat you,” Shay said, taking her time to secure the button on the holster, not feeling guilty that her fingers kept slipping. Kitty Fantastic was fast asleep.

“The alternate is I win and she never forgives me.” He smiled. “Trust me, this is better for everyone involved. Wait, why do I get two ribbons?”

“This one,” she touched his holster, “is for Kitty Fantastic. And this one,” she touched the back side of his utility belt, “is a first-place ribbon for best tail in wine country. I have finished my investigation, Sheriff, and have decided that yours is definitely worth perusing.”

He grinned in a way that had her heart singing.

“Stop smiling,” she scolded and he smiled bigger. “You’re distracting me from my job. Go walk the carpet.”

“As long as I get to distract you later.” And with a wink he strode away, Shay watching him as he went. And yes, definitely best tail in all of wine country. Maybe even the whole planet.

And it was hers. She had the key to prove it.

“When you’re done checking out my brother’s ass,” Adam said from behind her, “we need to talk.”

Shay turned and froze.

Oh boy, Adam did not look happy. He didn’t look mad either. He looked concerned, which didn’t seem right for a man who had two speeds: easygoing and balls-to-the-wall.

“Tell me again where you got the kittens,” Adam said and Shay’s pulse skidded to a stop.

“I never told you where I got them.” It wasn’t a lie. Besides Peggy, she hadn’t told anyone of their origin. In fact, she really didn’t know much beyond they came to her in a box. She hadn’t wanted to figure it out. She’d posted a small Found ad in the back of the paper, between the obituaries and June Whitney’s ad for seasonal oven mitts, when all she had to do was ask Goldilocks. But asking Goldie would mean knowing, and knowing would mean having to go through the proper channels, and she knew that those kittens wouldn’t make it.

“Good, then let’s start there,” Adam said, taking her by the arm and leading her offstage. “How did you happen to come across this particular litter of kittens? More importantly, how did one end up at my brother’s place?”

“The owner was unable to care for them so I promised to find owners who could. I asked Jonah if he could watch—”

“Cut the shit, Shay. You’re BS-ing a guy who knows how to sweet-talk his way out of any situation, including sleeping with my ex’s sister, calling a woman by the wrong name, and being caught with my pants down by my battalion chief . . . when I was with his goddaughter. So get to the truth and get there quick, because I am trying to figure out if you are just too stupid for your own good or if you’re trying to f*ck with my brother’s life.”

“What?” Shay yanked her arm away as though Adam’s words had burned her. “The last thing I would ever want is to make Jonah’s life harder.” And she wasn’t stupid. Big-hearted maybe, but not stupid.

Adam turned his ball cap to the back of his head, but she could see some of his fury fade. “Okay, that’s good, because telling Jonah he’s screwed is one thing. Telling him that you screwed him over would suck, because I think he really likes you.”

Shay wanted to ask more about this “he really likes you” comment but figured it was best to stick to the problem. “I found a box with my name on it.” She went on to tell him the story, leaving out that she was pretty sure Goldilocks was the delivery person. “I asked Jonah to watch one of them. They are both stubborn and way too grumpy for their own good, so I thought they might bring each other a little companionship.”

Adam let out a breath. “I just overheard Mr. Gillis talking to the sheriff about how Kitty Fantastic—thanks for naming him that by the way—was one of the stolen kittens he reported missing a few weeks ago. He saw him in the parade and wanted to have Jonah arrested for stealing the litter.”

“Oh no,” Shay said, feeling as if she might be sick.

“It gets worse. The guy is claiming that maybe it was a cover-up since he called the station and no one responded or followed up,” Adam said. “He wants the cats back and he wants someone to be held accountable. I think he is just after the prize money but this whole thing could ruin Jonah’s chances of sheriff.”