Chapter Twelve

"Trust me, Casey is the margarita expert," Sam said with a laugh.

"I have sampled my share of margaritas, yes. And the Rios Rita is the very best."

"Well, then I'll have to try one," Leslie said, looking at her menu. "What's the specialty here?"

"Chicken enchiladas," they said in unison and Leslie laughed.

"I see you come here quite often."

"Casey refuses to eat Mexican food anywhere else," Tori said.

"Yeah, but with you, I hardly get margaritas anymore." Casey turned to Leslie. "Tori doesn't drink much, and when she does, it's beer. And on a hot summer day when we're out on the boat fishing, that's fine, but even now when we go out for a drink after work, she's got me ordering beer. So tonight, I get to indulge."

"Who's got a boat?"

"Sam and I do," Tori said. "It's a cabin cruiser we keep out on Eagle Mountain Lake."

"They let me tag along sometimes," Casey said. "There's nothing better than pulling into a cove and fishing all day, then spending the night on the water." She laughed. "Of course, that's if we can talk Sam into cooking for us."

"Well, I think it's great that you guys do stuff outside of work. I've never had that in all my years on the force. In Fort Worth, well, I was the only woman and I think the guys either wanted to protect me because I reminded them of their daughters, or they thought I was there to make sure the coffeepot was always full."

"There are a few old-timers who think that way," Sam said. "But for the most part, we don't have that stigma. It's all very gender fair." She touched Tori's arm. "Not that Tori hasn't had her share of run-ins."

Leslie nodded. "I've heard some of the stories."

"Don't believe everything you hear," Tori said.

"Yeah. Only about ninety percent of it is true," Casey said with a laugh, then turned at a touch on her arm. "Fran," she said, standing to greet the older woman.

"If it isn't my favorite police detective." She smiled warmly at them. "And I see you bring your good friends. Hello, Tori and Sam."

"Hi, Francesca."

"You are crammed in a tiny booth, Casey? Why didn't you come get me? I could have found a table for you."

"Tori and Sam like the booth. See how close they can sit?"

Leslie couldn't help but smile as a blush crossed Tori's face, but Sam simply leaned closer to her, completely at ease.

Casey stepped back. "And this is Leslie Tucker."

"Oh, yes. How do you do, Leslie Tucker? I am always so happy when Casey brings a lady friend around. You are very lovely," she said, taking Leslie's hand. "Casey can be a handful. Don't let her scare you off." She winked. "She is a good catch, they say."

Leslie raised an eyebrow, then smiled as Casey's face turned a cute red. For two tough cops, Casey and Tori sure embarrassed easily. "I'll try to keep her in check."

"Drinks are on the house." She turned, clapping her hands, and a waiter appeared. "Keep my friends happy, Carlos." She bowed in their direction. "Enjoy your meal, ladies. Tori and Sam, good to see you again. And, Leslie, make sure Casey brings you back soon."

"I'm so sorry," Casey whispered as she slid back in beside her.

"No problem."

"You should have just shown her your ring."

Leslie glanced at the diamond on her finger. It was obscenely large, in her opinion. She'd never been one for jewelry and stones. Even her earrings were simple diamond studs, nothing flashy. She remembered when Michael had given the ring to her. She'd been speechless. He'd assumed it was from delight--and awe--of the size. No. It was from the realization that she'd have to wear the thing. She'd gotten used to it and hardly gave it a thought anymore, but for some reason, it seemed to mock her this evening, so she slipped her hand under the table and out of sight.

"What can I get you to drink, ladies?"

"Three Rios Ritas," Casey said. "And a beer for Tori."

"A Corona," Tori said.

"Excellent. Chips and salsa will be right out."

"I hope Fran didn't make you uncomfortable," Sam said. "She's always playing matchmaker with Casey."

"No, it's okay."

"I understand you're engaged." Sam smiled. "I don't know how it is with you, but when I was dating Robert, he thought being a female cop had to be the most dangerous job on the planet."

"You know, it's funny. Michael really has never had much to say about my job in the years I've known him. Not until the other night when he found out my partner was another woman. Then he started on the shouldn't at least one of you be a guy in case you need to shoot somebody argument," she said.

"You're kidding?" Tori shook her head. "Men," she murmured, which drew laughs from around the table.

Casey nudged her with her elbow, then wiggled her eyebrows teasingly. "I'll be the guy."

Leslie laughed. "Only if you beat me to it."

They all reached for chips at the same time when their waiter placed the basket within reach.

"Mmm, excellent salsa," Leslie said as she sampled from both the red and green bowls. "There's this little dive in Fort Worth--El Lugar--and they serve only wrapped burritos. I think eight different varieties. Anyway, their green salsa is to die for." She glanced at Casey. "Their margaritas aren't so hot though."

"Well, then what's the point?"

"Do you like Dallas? I mean, compared to Fort Worth," Sam asked before biting into a chip.

"You wouldn't think the attitudes of two cities could be so different, would you? I was in Homicide there six years, with pretty much the same guys the whole time. I think I did a good job, despite the limitations. To the public, equality was the word. But in my squad, I was the woman, period. They politely held doors open for me, and were quick to pass me their empty coffee cup for a refill."

"How did you stand it?" Tori asked. "I would have shot someone."

She laughed. "The thought did cross my mind. But after six or eight broken coffee mugs, they learned to get their own, so I didn't have to pull my weapon."

"Ladies, here we go. Three Rios Ritas and a...beer," he said, eliciting a dour look from Hunter. "Have you decided on dinner?"

Casey turned to her, eyebrows raised, and Leslie nodded. "Yes, I'll try the famous chicken enchiladas."

"Us too," Sam said.

"All the way around," Casey said. "Thanks."

"You were right. This is fabulous," Leslie said, sipping from her drink.

"Mmm, we don't come here enough," Sam said.

"Not for lack of my trying," Casey said.

Sam grabbed another chip and loaded it with salsa, but paused before eating. "By the way, what do you think about us buying a house?"

Casey's eyebrows shot up and she stared at Tori. "What?"

Sam also glanced at Tori. "You didn't tell her?"

"No. And this is why."

Casey looked from one to the other. "You guys want to move? Like away from me?"

"Not far, Casey."

"But still."

Sam reached across the table and squeezed Casey's hand. "Not far, I promise." She looked at Leslie. "We live on White Rock Lake, as does Casey. But we're in an apartment and Casey is in this cute little house."

"Little being the key word," Casey said.

"Aren't homes around there expensive?" Leslie asked.

"Well, there's the good side of the lake and the bad side."

"Currently, we're on the cheap side," Casey said.

Sam leaned forward and smiled at Casey. "How does the country club sound to you?"

"Oh, my God! You're not serious?" She stared at Tori. "The country club, Hunter? What the hell?"

"I told Sam as long as we were still near work and still near the lake, I didn't care."

"Yeah, but the country club?" She lowered her voice. "Do they allow lesbians there?"

Leslie laughed, enjoying the conversation.

"We found a house that's somewhat reasonable," Sam said. "And compared to the prices of those new homes they're building on the north side, this is like a bargain."

"But the country club. That's just not right. " She tapped the table with her fingers. "So like, we have to take up golf now?"

"I doubt they'd let you and me out on the course, O'Connor."

Casey grinned. "Yeah, but we could ride around in a golf cart, drink a beer or two, and check out the ladies. You know, drive by the pool, things like that."

Sam grabbed Tori's arm and laughed. "You will not."

Leslie found herself laughing along with them, then was surprised to find her shoulder pressing playfully against Casey. "Sounds like you're a troublemaker," she teased.

"Me?" Casey grinned. "Not at all."

"Don't believe her," Sam said. "Get the two of them together and they're quite a handful."

Leslie sipped from her drink, thoroughly enjoying the evening and the company. They made her feel at ease and never once excluded her from the conversation, always making it a point to explain to her what they were talking about. By the time dinner was served, they were all chatting like old friends. And she remembered what Casey had told her about Tori and Sam. All you had to do was take one look at them and know they were deeply in love. Sam's hand was never far from Tori, touching her frequently when she talked. And Tori, well Casey was right. She turned into a big mush ball around Sam. It was obvious how much they cared for each other.

She let her eyes drift to Casey, again wondering why she was alone. She was delightful to be around, charming and funny, talkative. Why hadn't she found someone to love?

Casey turned then, meeting her eyes. Leslie was surprised by the gentle gaze. She returned her smile, then motioned to the stack of hot tortillas with her head. "May I?"

"You may, Detective Tucker," Casey said with a grin, grabbing one and handing it to her. "Okay?"

"Excellent."

Поиск по сайту: