Ripple of Secrets: Rose Gardner Mystery Novella #6.5 (Rose Gardner series Book 3) by Denise Grover Swank

for a second. She hadn’t mentioned Roberta since she left when we were teens. What was she up to? “We can go to Merilee’s in the town square. They make great pancakes and waffles.”
    “Sounds great to me.”
    I gestured to my sheriff’s cruiser behind me. “I’m technically on duty, so we better take separate cars.”
    “Don’t want your sister sitting in a police car, tarnishing the Simmons name?” she sneered.
    “No, there’s a chance I’ll get called in. If that happens, I don’t want to leave you stranded.”
    “Oh.”
    I pushed out a heavy breath. “Look, I appreciate that you drove out here, but maybe you should just go.” I wanted to talk to her, but I didn’t like her here on my turf. The truth was, I didn’t trust her. Until I knew she wasn’t up to trouble, I wanted her as far away from my new life as possible. I’d just arrange to talk to her on more neutral territory.
    Her cockiness slipped away and she gave me a genuine smile. “No. I really do want to see you. Sorry. Old habits are too easy to fall back into.”
    Hilary came to mind. “Tell me about it.”
    She cocked her head and winked. “I promise to be on my best behavior, and if I do misbehave, you can put me in jail.”
    I shook my head and grinned. “That seems like an excessive punishment.”
    “Then come up with your own. I really want blueberry pancakes. Tell me this Merry’s place makes blueberry pancakes.”
    I laughed. “Merilee’s makes fantastic blueberry pancakes…not at good as mine, but pretty doggone good anyway.”
    “Nobody likes a braggart.” But I noticed she didn’t correct me. She’d tasted my pancakes when we were teenagers.
    “Just follow me.”
    “Yes, sir,” she said with a salute.
    I sighed. “I have a feeling I’m going to regret this.” And as I drove to the Henryetta town square, I already did. My life in Fenton County was my Joe McAllister world. Hilary had already botched that by renting a house close to the courthouse, but now my sister was here too. I might have felt better about the whole thing if I knew what she was after, but she was a total wild card. We hadn’t gotten along for years, and her entire mission in life had always been to aggravate our parents and Hilary. Given everything she’d said the day before, I wondered if she was here to stoke my rebellion as another act of defiance.
    I pulled into a parking space on the square, casting a quick glance at the RBW Landscaping office across the street. Rose’s truck was parked in front of it and I felt a pull to go see her. But Kate had already gotten out of her small car and was walking toward me. She looked over her shoulder to see what had captured my attention, and the last thing I wanted to do was have that conversation with her.
    “Let’s see how good your Merilee’s actually is.” She looped her arm through mine and we walked into the warm restaurant together. The hostess seated us by the window, which seemed to delight Kate, if the grin on her face was any indication. We slipped off our coats as the waitress walked over.
    “Good morning, Chief Deputy Simmons,” she said with a warm smile. “What can I get for you and…” She glanced over at Kate.
    I had no intention of filling in the blank. The less this town knew about my family, the better. And once word got out that my sister had been here for a visit, it would be a subject for all the gossips. But Kate had other ideas.
    She glanced up at the waitress, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Kate. I’m just dropping by to check up on my big brother.”
    The waitress looked relieved. “How nice to meet you, Ms. Simmons.”
    “Just Kate. And I would love a cup of coffee, Bonnie .” She read off the poor girl’s nametag, then turned to me. “Joe?”
    Bonnie glanced down at me. “Deputy Simmons, do you want your usual coffee and juice?”
    “Yeah, that would be great, Bonnie.” She nodded and smiled before walking away.
    “You have a usual,” Kate