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  “Just Maddy, Hunt.” She turned to Kari and her sister, holding out her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  Maddy had an intense green-eyed stare, which was in sharp contrast to her fire-red hair. She wore designer jeans and a short black jacket that was tailored to fit her perfectly. Her outfit was complemented by her dark, forest green leather gloves. She stood a little taller than Kari did, but much of that was probably due to her 4-inch stiletto heels. Kari wondered how she walked around in those outside and decided she must’ve changed into them when she got inside.

  “So, this is the Dragon’s girlfriend, huh?” Kasi asked bluntly.

  Hunter shot Kasi a look. “Yes, Kasi.” Turning back to Maddy, he said, “And this is Kari Sweet, and her sister, Kasi Sweet.”

  Maddy’s eyes widened as recognition flashed across her face. “Ah, Mills Townships’ own Sweet Sleuths. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

  Kari looked with confusion at Hunter, while Kasi regarded the woman for the first time. “You’ve heard of us?”

  Kari thought she must’ve heard of the coffee shop, or seen the website, and went into her practiced pitch. “Yes, we are the owners of On Bitter Grounds. We do small batch coffee roasting that we brew and sell onsite and online. We also do custom orders.”

  “From what I’ve heard, that’s not all you do. Solving crimes, chasing down murderers! You ladies have built quite a reputation. I’ve been following some of your…cases…with no shortage of interest. I admire your bravery.”

  Kari and her sister were speechless. They weren’t used to this type of attention.

  Maddy seemed to pick up on this and changed the subject. “Oh, but that coffee house sounds interesting, too. I’ll have to stop by there before we leave town.”

  Hunter, oblivious to the exchange, turned to Maddy. “That’s right, you’re from…”

  “Green Valley, born and bred.”

  “That’s right. Just next door, so to speak. It’s nice there.”

  “Eh, it’s where I grew up.” Maddy shrugged. “Now I feel like I spend most of my time on the road with Jake. I hardly get to see my family at all.”

  Hunter realized that he had strayed into an uncomfortable topic and looked to the sisters for help.

  Kasi was right there, ready to jump in the conversation. “Is that where this band is from?”

  Maddy looked at the band playing on-stage. “You know, I don’t know. Maybe. I’ve never heard of them before, but they have a good sound to them.”

  “Well, even if they’re not, I like Green Valley,” Kasi chimed in. She smiled coyly at Maddy. “It’s not Mills Township, but few places are.”

  Kari, realizing that her sister could come on a little strong sometimes, tried to change the subject. “So, where are you heading after this?”

  Maddy shrugged. “I kind of leave that stuff up to Jake when we’re on one of his tours. It’s easier that way.”

  Kari regarded her with some concern. “Why’s that?”

  Maddy smiled. “Well, whenever I try to make plans for us, they usually get interrupted by impromptu practices or autograph sessions. I’ve found it’s better to just go with the flow.”

  Kasi smiled at her. “I bet you’re excited for this tour to wrap up, huh?”

  Maddy looked down. “Yeah, but knowing Jake and Russell, they’ll launch right into working on the next album.” She looked up at the three of them, as they all stared at her. “Phew. Sorry. Just a bit tired. Road-stress.” She laughed softly. “I really shouldn’t complain. He loves what he does, and he is making good money doing it. There are plenty out there who aren’t half as lucky as Jake is. It’s just tiring, especially when you get to the end of a tour.”

  Before any of them could respond to her, Everett walked past them and out onto the stage. Just as well, Kari thought. It was starting to get weird.

  “Thank you, thank you. That was just a terrific performance. Well folks, what more can I say that hasn’t already been expressed by your applause? They are The Neighboring Town!” The applause and cheers were deafening. Kari, surprised when she heard that was the actual name of the band, looked to see if Kasi was as well, but her hands were cupped around her mouth and she was too busy cheering to notice.

  Everett held his hands up in an effort to calm the audience. He still had to wait almost a full minute before they quieted enough for the speakers to carry his voice over them. “Okay, alright, settle down now, settle down.”

  Everett was a born showman, and Kari watched as he waited, looking at the crowd around him, searching for the perfect moment to wind them back up again. “Oh, it hurts to admit that the festival is already half over. However, you can’t be sad when you hear which band we’re bringing to the stage next! You know ‘em, you love ‘em, they’re Mills Township’s very own Dragon and Intricate, who, together, form the Fire Spitters!”

  If Kari had thought the crowd was loud before, she didn’t even know how to describe them now. The whole building was shaking, and Kari could barely hear herself think.

  Jake and Russell were waiting in position to head onto the stage. They ran in from separate sides and greeted each other in the middle, then waved to the crowd.

  Kari looked around at the audience, losing their minds applauding. She looked at Kasi, who still had her hands cupped around her mouth as she cheered. An unfamiliar sound rang in Kari’s ears, and she turned to see Hunter also shouting. She couldn’t help but smile, having never seen Hunter this passionate about a band before. This was certainly going to be a night to remember.

  Chapter 6

  Hunter

  Hunter didn’t know if he was having more fun watching his childhood buddy perform onstage to a roaring crowd or watching Kari rap along with every song.

  She is a true original, he thought, taking a step closer to her. What other girl can run a small business, solve a mystery, and rap along with the Fire Spitters? Not to mention look gorgeous doing it.

  He couldn’t help but think of how Kari had conducted herself during the fake nun case they had recently solved. Even when she had been in grave danger, she had never expressed her fear, and always put others’ safety before her own. While he hated that this compromised her safety, he was also impressed with her bravery.

  He knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that he was in deep. There was a reason he had stayed single all these years, and it had nothing to do with what his mother referred to as his ‘inflated ideas about what a relationship should be like’.

  No, the reason he had not settled down was because the time had not yet been right for Kari and him. However, it now seemed that that time is getting closer and closer.

  He wondered what the protocol was for taking a relationship to the next level. The two of them hadn’t even shared a proper kiss yet, after all.

  Should he ask her out to a fancy dinner and broach the subject then? Or should he just find the right time and lay one on her?

  Jeez, Houston, he thought with frustration, it’s like you’ve never had a girlfriend before.

  “Oh my gosh, it’s Small Town Romance!” Kari squealed when the music started for the Fire Spitters’ next song.

  “There’s a rap song with the word ‘romance’ in the title?” Kasi asked dubiously. “Aren’t they all about bangin’ and getting cold, hard cheddar?”

  Kari burst out laughing. “What in the world is cold, hard cheddar?”

  “You know…cash!” Kasi rubbed her thumb and forefinger together to better describe what she was talking about. “Casin’ the streets! Takin’ the dough! Runnin’ the…” she trailed off, clearly realizing she had no idea what she was talking about.

  “Haven’t you been listening to any of their lyrics?” Kari demanded. “The Spitters don’t rap about thug life. They rap about what they know—small town dudes making it big, yet never forgetting where they come from!”

  Hunter watched the exchange with amusement. He loved the back and forth between the two sisters, especially when they were
arguing. The love between them was never more apparent than when they were getting on each other’s nerves.

  It always made him slightly sad that he didn’t have a sibling of his own who he could have such a cool relationship with. Though growing up an only child certainly had its privileges, he sometimes wished he could talk about things with someone who knew everything about him.

  What must it be like to hang out with someone who had known you since birth and who had shared in nearly every life event? That was a bond you just couldn’t break.

  “Back in high school, you don’t even know me”

  “But I won’t let that thought control me”

  Kari was yelling along to the lyrics to Small Town Romance, a huge smile on her face. Even Kasi seemed to be getting into it, dancing a bit in place and picking up a line of lyrics here and there.

  “I’d do whatever it takes for you to become my lady!”

  Hunter could certainly identify with the lyrics to this song. Figuring it was the perfect time to make a move, he inched closer to Kari and reached for her hand.

  Just as his fingers brushed hers, Dragon yelled at the audience to make some noise, and Kari threw her hands up in the air, screaming as loudly as she could. Sighing, Hunter took a step away from her and crossed his arms over his chest.

  I’ll have to thank ol’ Dragon later for that one, he thought.

  Trying to move his focus away from Kari, he concentrated on the stage. He loved seeing his friend realize his dreams and couldn’t wait for the day when they signed on with a big label and got the recognition they deserved.

  Jake a.k.a. Dragon was one of the most warm-hearted guys he’d ever known. It had surprised him just as much as anyone else when he’d chosen to go into the rap genre.

  Hunter had always thought he’d be more of a smooth jazz or soulful pop artist. However, with Russell Turner—better known as Intricate—by his side, he’d defied all stereotypes.

  Russell had come to their school when the boys had been in junior high. He was from Detroit, and Hunter had initially disliked his bad manners and ‘street’ way of talking.

  However, as he had become friends with Jake, Hunter had learned to accept him and had even developed a bit of a friendship with him. When the duo had decided to start Fire Spitters after graduation, he’d been nothing but supportive.

  He’d never gotten to know Russell like he knew Jake, but he knew that his friend never had anything but positive things to say about his partner. As Hunter joined the police department and their lives had taken different turns, he’d always been glad that Jake had a friend like Russell to support him.

  As if on cue, Russell took center stage. Taller than his partner, Russell had black hair that he was wearing in a man-bun style that Hunter detested. With his studded ears, nose, and lip, plus heavy jewelry and multiple tattoos, Russell looked the part a lot more than Jake did, but Hunter couldn’t help but think he was trying a little too hard.

  ‘Intricate’ started in on one of the songs that he took the lead in. Hunter noticed that the crowd did not respond in the same way as they did to Jake and that the yells and cheering were noticeably more subdued.

  “Do you think he realizes that Dragon is ten times better than he is?” Hunter heard from behind him. He glanced over his shoulder to see a couple of guys in their 20s talking.

  “How could he not?” the second man replied. “I went through their last album and figured out which songs Dragon wrote and which ones this joker was responsible for. I can tell you, there is a huge difference.”

  “Why doesn’t he just drop him and become a solo act?” the first man wondered. “I bet his career would go sky high if he wasn’t being held back by that no-talent.”

  Hunter took a half step backward, trying to get closer to the pair so he could hear more of their conversation. Unfortunately, the two made a comment about ‘hitting the bar during this sucky song’ and drifted away.

  “What’s up?” Kari asked, her face full of concern. She’d obviously noticed the shift in his mood, and Hunter felt warmth in his chest when he realized that she had been keeping an eye on him.

  “Oh, nothing,” he said, brushing it off. “Hey, what do you think of this song?”

  Kari looked back at the stage and shrugged. “Not one of my favorites,” she said. “But I don’t mind it. Intricate just doesn’t have the…presence that Dragon does.” She looked at him, her eyes widening. “Don’t you dare tell him I said that!”

  Hunter chuckled, “Of course I won’t. Who do you think is the better writer?”

  “Oh, Dragon is, by far,” she said without a moment’s hesitation. “Every single one of their hits has been written by Jake. It’s something no one really talks about but…it’s there.”

  Hunter nodded and offered her a warm smile. “Well, you’d better get ready to rap again. I think Dragon is up next!”

  Chapter 7

  Kari

  After the Fire Spitters left the stage, Kari’s energy quickly flagged. She hadn’t jumped around so much in years—probably since college.

  Back in those days, she’d attended a ton of concerts. She could remember going to festivals with her friends that started at noon and didn’t end until nearly two in the morning. However, those days were clearly far behind her.

  “What’s wrong with you?” Kasi asked, noticing that her sister was much less enthused than she’d been just a few minutes earlier.

  “I’m kinda tired, and my feet hurt,” Kari admitted with a grimace. “I’m not as young as I once was. Obviously.”

  Kasi laughed. “Oh, my goodness, you’re talking like you’re 60 years old! You’re not even 30, my dear sister! This does not bode well for your future.”

  Kari swatted her on the shoulder. “Thanks for the support, sis. I hate to disappoint you with my lameness, but I think I’m going to go relax backstage for a while.”

  Kasi frowned. “You know there are still two more acts, right? You really want to miss out? You know the Outcasts are going to be the big finale!” At the mere mention of her favorite band, Kasi’s eyes lit up. “I can’t believe I get to see them perform from the front row! This is going to be awesome.” She looked back at her sister. “You’re really going to miss them?”

  Kari nodded reluctantly. “I’m totally out of gas, and I’m afraid I’ll just bring you down. Come back and meet me when you’re ready?”

  Kasi waved her away so she could focus on the stage, which was now home to a girl band that seemed to be some sort of strange combination of country music and rap and had the inexplicable name of Dream Ponies.

  Kari made her way to the backstage area, pushing bodies out of the way as she went. She felt herself getting annoyed at the crowd, and once again wondered when she’d gotten so old.

  I’m a little old woman in a 27-year old body, she thought ruefully. I hope Hunter will be happy sitting around on the porch and drinking tea and complaining about the neighbors if we start dating. Because that seems to be about all I have in me these days.

  “Hi, Kari!” Maddy clearly had the same thought as she was relaxing on the backstage couch when Kari arrived. “You look as exhausted as I feel.”

  Maddy actually didn’t look exhausted at all. She looked fresh and glamorous in her jeans, floral bomber jacket, and pointy heels.

  Her red hair hung loose and cascaded over her shoulders, and her makeup looked like she’d just spent hours on it, even though Kari knew she’d been sweating in the auditorium for hours, just like she’d been. She was, in a word, stunning.

  Great, now I feel old and ugly, Kari thought, but put a smile on her face as she plopped down on the couch beside her.

  “Yep, I’m pretty worn out. But I got to see the Fire Spitters, so I’m happy! Jake was amazing, by the way. I just never get enough of seeing him perform. I bet you don’t, either!”

  Maddy beamed. “He’s really talented, isn’t he? I’m just so proud of him. He works really hard for what he has. No one deserves it more than
he does.”

  “So, how did you two meet?” Kari decided if they were going to spend some time together until the show was over, she might as well learn more about Jake’s girlfriend. “I’m always up for a good boy meets girl story!”

  Maddy’s smile broadened. “Well, I don’t know how interesting of a story it will make, but I know it sure holds a place in my heart.” She took a sip of the drink she was holding. “I was DJing at a club in Rochester, and the Fire Spitters had a show there the same night. I stuck around to listen to them because I’d heard such good things. As soon as they finished playing, Jake found me in the audience.”

  “And the rest is history?” Kari asked with a chuckle. She couldn’t help but notice that Maddy was much friendlier now than she had been when they’d first met.

  Maybe she’s just one of those shy girls that seem aloof until you get to know them. Kari thought.

  Maddy laughed with her. “Well, not exactly. I’d just broken up with my boyfriend, who’d cheated on me.” Her face darkened, and the smile disappeared. She took another drink, and Kari waited patiently. “I wasn’t in the mood for starting any type of relationship, but Jake just wouldn’t give up. He kept coming back to the club until I finally gave him my phone number.”

  “That’s sweet,” Kari said. “Nothing like being pursued by a good-looking guy, huh?”

  The words may have been in regard to Jake, but Kari’s thoughts were all about Hunter. She knew how good it felt to feel wanted and to know that a good man had no one else on his mind but you.

  Maddy nodded. “Yeah, it was pretty amazing. After he got my number, he would text me song lyrics and poems and all kinds of romantic things. Even with that, I probably turned him down twenty times for a date until I finally gave in.”

  “I bet you’re glad you did,” Kari told her.

  “You better believe it!” Maddy got a faraway look in her eyes. “For our first date, he found one of my favorite bands performing at a tiny club in New York. He not only got tickets, but he somehow convinced them to play for us for twenty minutes before they let anyone else in.”