More Than a Touch (Snowberry Creek #2) by Alexis Morgan Page B

say, and I didn’t press for answers. I suspect it had something to do with the incident in Afghanistan that ripped up Leif’s leg, but I could be wrong. The biggest problem is that both of them have hair-trigger tempers right now. They’re hurting, frustrated, and pissed off in general.”
    He paused for another bite of muffin. “However, they seemed to have made peace on their own. By the time I got ready to lay down the law, they looked more sheepish than mad. Anyway, they both promised to be back same time, same place on Wednesday. If they act up again, I’ll change their appointments around.”
    She felt marginally better about the situation. “Let me know how it goes. If there are any more problems, I’d be glad to have a heartfelt talk with Leif.”
    Isaac grinned at her. “I just might take you up on that offer, lady. Hell, the last time you had one of those talks with one of my troublesome patients, the jerk behaved himself for weeks afterward. My size and color make some folks nervous, but little do they know I’m the pussycat around here. You’re the real badass.”
    That much was true, a fact Zoe took no little pride in. “Keep me posted. No use in letting things get out of hand.”
    “Will do.” He finished the muffin down to the last few crumbs. “Now we’d better get back to work.”
    She stayed right where she was. “Not me, my friend. I have the afternoon off because I traded shifts with Dr. Tenberg. Saturday afternoon, I’m covering the walk-in clinic for him so he can attend Mr. Wolfe’s funeral.”
    He scooped the wrappers from the muffins into his hand and stuffed them into his empty cup. “Enjoy your afternoon, Zoe. It’s Friday, so do something fun. You’ve been putting in some long hours lately.”
    “Don’t worry. I’ve got plans.”
    Her friend nodded his head in approval. “Good. It’s about time.”
    She didn’t bother telling him those plans consisted of catching up on her laundry, washing her car, and paying the bills. If she got all of that done, she might treat herself to dinner at the Creek Café. There were other restaurants in the area, but there was something about a Creekburger and sweet potato fries that sounded good today.
    If she also got the apartment vacuumed and dusted, she might even throw caution to the wind and have a big piece of Frannie’s banana cream pie. Eating that woman’s cooking full-time would clog her arteries and add on the pounds, but some sins were worth the cost. Besides, if Zoe did succumb to temptation, she could always do penance on the exercise equipment at the clinic tomorrow.
    Her work at the office done and her plans made, Zoe gathered up her things and headed out into the bright sunshine.
    •   •   •
    Leif wanted to gag. If he had to watch Nick and Callie making goo-goo eyes at each other much longer, he might just toss his cookies. Although neither of the pair ever made Leif feel like a fifth wheel, that’s what he was. Now that Nick had gotten over his reluctance to get involved with Callie, thinking she’d belonged to Spence, they no longer needed Leif to play chaperone.
    Besides, the sergeant was leaving in a few days to finish cutting his final ties with the army. The couple would appreciate some time alone even if they were too damn noble to ask for it. Leif figured he’d grab dinner in town and then hunt down the bar that Nick had discovered recently. According to him, it was nothing fancy, but the place had decent pool tables and an array of local microbrews.
    Apparently the only things that identified it as a bar at all were a parking lot full of motorcycles and a flashing neon sign that simply said BEER . Leif was definitely looking forward to tossing back a couple of cold ones while he knocked a few balls around.
    He waited until he had his keys in hand before announcing, “I’m out of here, guys. Don’t wait up.”
    He was out the front door before Nick could do more than sputter a protest. But thanks