Jack Beale 00 - Killer Run

feigned hurt feelings.
    “Oh, poor baby,” Max cooed and went over and kissed him on the top of his head.
    “How was your day?”
    “It was great, but you didn’t answer my question. Where’d you get the beers?”
    “In the fridge,” answered Dave. “Bottom shelf.”
    “Where’s Polly?”
    “Don’t know. After our run, she was going out. We were hungry and she drove us down to the little store down the road.”
    “And the beer?”
    “Let me get you one,” interjected Dave, and he got up and went into the kitchen. Patti followed.
    “Dave needed some rehydration after our run …” Jack said, throwing his friend under the bus.
    “Right,” said Max sarcastically.
    That was when the kitchen door opened, and Patti and Dave stepped back out onto the porch. Patti was sipping on a beer and Dave had one in each hand. He held one out to Max. She gave him a look of disapproval, but then with a hint of a smile, took the beer.
    The sun was pretty well down and Polly still hadn’t returned when Dave said, “Is anyone else getting hungry?”
    As soon as those words were spoken, everyone suddenly was starving. It didn’t take long for them to clean up, leave a note for Polly explaining the beer in her refrigerator, and then pile into the car and head out in search of food. They ended up in Lincoln at an Italian restaurant.
    There was no indication that Polly had yet returned when they walked back into the Inn. It had been a long first day, and goodnights were said as they headed for their rooms.
    “Oh my God! Those cannolis were amazing,” gushed Max she fell across the bed.
    “Your cannolis are amazing,” giggled Jack.
    “Pig.”
    “I know, but you love it,” he said with a grin as he lay down on the bed next to her. She rolled onto her side facing him, one leg draped over his, and smiled.
    “Max …” His words were smothered by her kiss as she slid over on top of him. Nothing else was said.

CHAPTER 38
    FOR THE SECOND TIME in as many mornings, Jack was the first one up. Polly greeted him in the kitchen with a cup of freshly brewed coffee. “How was your day yesterday?” she asked.
    “Great. Thank you for the ride to the store.”
    “I was going that way anyway. It was no big deal.”
    “Well, thanks again. Those trails out back are fantastic. I can only imagine how much time and effort went into making them. Your husband should be commended. Will he be back today?”
    “Unfortunately not. I talked to him yesterday. The project he’s helping with ran into some problems, so he’s not sure exactly when he’ll be back.”
    “Not too long, I hope.”
    “Oh no. Only another day or so.”
    “Listen, I’d like to apologize for stashing those beers in your refrigerator. I hope that wasn’t too presumptuous.”
    “Since you’re the only guests, it’s fine. It’s only a problem when we have a full house.”
    Jack started to apologize again, but she cut him off. “I don’t mean there’s a problem using the fridge,” she explained. “It’s just that when we’re full, there isn’t any spare space.”
    “Oh.”
    “We’ve been talking about getting small fridges for each of the rooms. Just haven’t yet.”
    Polly turned her head as Max arrived. “Tea?”
    “Oooh. That would be wonderful.”
    Just as the previous morning, Patti and Dave weren’t far behind. As soon as everyone had their coffees and teas, Polly asked about breakfast. “Today I have a treat for you. I made Fruit and Cream. There are also Danish pastries, eggs are always available, and you can have pancakes if you like.”
    Max was the first to respond. “What’s Fruit and Cream?”
    “It’s a sweet, sour cream–based custard with layers of blueberries, bananas, kiwi, strawberries, and raspberries.”
    “That sounds heavenly,” said Max. “I’ll have one.”
    Patti and Jack also said yes. Then Jack added scrambled eggs with bacon to his order, while Patti and Max opted for just Danish.
    Dave, being the least adventurous eater of the three, stayed with traditional fried eggs, bacon, and toast.
    * * *
    “Oh, man, Polly. That was so good,” said Jack as he placed his fork on his now-clean plate. “Can I get the recipe for that Fruit and Cream? It was incredible.”
    “Sure …” Polly started to reply but Max interrupted.
    “And you’re going to be making this?” asked Max, looking straight at Jack.
    He blushed slightly and looked down at his plate for a second before answering. “Of