Love Under Two Detectives by Cara Covington (good books to read for women txt) 📗

a list of the authorities that will need to be notified, but from what we can see, it should not be a problem.”

“This is a step that I never thought we’d ever take,” Kate Benedict said. Then she looked around the table. Anthony wondered if it was his imagination that she seemed to focus on Adam and Jake. “This will only be temporary. I mean that, gentlemen.”

Adam sighed. “Grandma Kate, I know I’ve groused some and muttered about making Lusty a gated community in the past. Please believe me when I say, that was my frustration talking. I really don’t like this any more than you do.”

“I do know that. I also know these next few months could be rough on you—well, you and Robert. You both share the annoying quality of believing the responsibility for the health and safety of everyone in the family rests in your hands.”

“It doesn’t?” Adam and Robert responded at the same time. That brought a chuckle from everyone and eased the tension somewhat. This was serious business. Anthony had known many of these people for years. He knew how seriously they all took the health and safety of their family.

Robert Jessop sat forward. “Greg and Cody are as comfortable as they can be, under the circumstances. Marc and I will administer the first tests when we leave here, and it shouldn’t take too long to know whether or not they have the virus. Dr. Li Cheng was thorough in his report, so we know what to expect and what to look for. If they test negative, we’ll do it again in a couple of days and continue on until the quarantine period is over. If our guys test positive, we’re ready for that, too.”

“Our labs in Abilene, Houston, and Dallas are sending sufficient testing kits here,” Kate Benedict said. “They’re also going to increase production, as they’re possibly going to be needed elsewhere in the area.” She looked around the table. “We’ll make them available, free of charge, to the state, or other states, if they’re needed.”

“I spoke to the triplets out in L.A.,” Adam said. “They’re wrapping things up and heading home. Should be here in a few days.” He looked over at Jordan. “So that will be four more trailers we’re going to need.”

“Four?” Anthony asked. He was vaguely aware that the “triplets” Adam referred to were Paul, Lucas, and Wesley Jessop and that they were screen writers.

Adam grinned. “Like every other male in the family, they’re protective of their wife and each other. So they decided that they would each quarantine separately for the first fourteen days they’re home.”

“In their case, quarantine is mostly for form. Unlike Greg and Cody, it’s doubtful they’ve been exposed. But since we’re taking that precaution with everyone who comes home…” Robert let the sentence trail. “Christopher will be living alone in that house Aunt Samantha is outfitting for him. He’s agreed to quarantine there before heading to the office.”

“He, like Mary, was pleased to know that we’ve made arrangements for the rest of his family in New York. As we’ve done for those in Wyoming and Montana.”

Kate’s comment was a reminder to him just how far-flung the family was.

“Every trailer is outfitted with all the amenities of home, including a laptop and a complete entertainment system,” Jordan said. “Along with enough food and water, of course.” Then he grinned. “I’ve heard the aunts are cooking and baking up a storm.”

“And very happily doing so.” Kate smiled. “That will give us six trailers set up and available, and that should be enough,” Kate said.

“I’d like to purchase a few more and keep them out by the cottage,” Jordan said. “Just in case we need them.”

“All right. Do what you think best. We don’t know if this is going to be a full-blown situation, or not.” Kate looked around the table. “What worries me is how very contagious this thing is. In the worst-case scenario, we have several houses that currently are vacant, that can be used if necessary.”

“I think we’ve got it all covered—for now,” Jake Kendall said. “I say that because this is a new situation for us all, and I think it will be a very fluid one. Robbie, do you have anything more to add?”

“No. As you say, we’ll learn as we go. I think the plans we’ve made are good for now.”

“Excellent. We’ll get together as needed,” Grandma Kate said. “Thank you all for coming.”

It didn’t take long for the meeting to break up. He and Toby had a few private words with Kate, and then they were headed to the car. Their thoughts of course turned to Mary Kendall.

“Have you ever met this Christopher?” Anthony asked Toby. He’d started the car and began to negotiate his way out of the parking lot.

He wasn’t exactly jealous that Mary had accompanied Aunt Samantha and some of the other Kendall women on their quest today to furnish a house for another man.

Not exactly.

“I know precisely how you’re feeling right now. It’s kind of a pisser, isn’t it?” Toby chuckled. “I don’t have a great deal of experience with being in a committed relationship, but something tells me we have to kind of get rid of this niggling jealousy of ours—or at least make damn sure Mary doesn’t find out about it. And no, I’ve never met him, but we know Will, and Chris is his brother.”

Anthony exhaled heavily. “Yeah. I feel marginally better knowing you’re on the exact same page.”

“I think the circumstances have something to do with it, too. We’re feeling threatened by life at the moment.”

Anthony sure as hell couldn’t deny that. One of the things he had to do at some point was to put a call in to Chief Robb. Kate had suggested he do so, and that had been a relief of another sort. He’d already decided he’d contact the chief on his cell phone this evening. Better to do it privately as opposed to officially.

Anthony didn’t