Framed Shadows: Shadows Landing #6 by Kathleen Brooks (well read books TXT) 📗

clear enough when I told you that I love you, but I’m in this forever. Not just right now.”

The Keeneston contingent was forgotten as Tinsley dropped the phone and vaulted into his arms. She knocked him back onto the bed and kissed him deep enough to rock his world. They probably would have continued if Cy weren’t suddenly yelling Paxton’s name over the phone.

When Paxton picked up the phone from the floor, he saw that Maurice and Murray were gone and everyone was down in the basement with the stolen art.

“Kendry, you knew they were here and didn’t tell us?” Cy demanded.

“You are not welcome on any guy trips,” Miles pouted.

“Don’t worry, Paxton. You can come to the spa with us,” Annie said with a smirk.

“Sorry, guys. A gentleman is only as good as his word and they made us promise not to say anything. And I’d be happy to go to a spa with you ladies anytime.”

Robyn suddenly appeared and then disappeared from the screen as she jumped up and down like she was on a pogo stick. “Aw, there’s my good girl. I’ll give you some more apple pie next time I see you,” Paxton said, fully aware he was baby-talking over the phone to a dog who was now happily yipping and wagging her tail in response.

“I’m surrounded by traitors,” Ahmed grumbled as he glared at Robyn. However, Robyn knew just what to do. She went to Ahmed, sat down, cocked her head, and placed her paw on his leg.

“There’s my baby girl,” Ahmed said in matching baby-talk. He patted his chest and Robyn leaped into his arms. “I should have brought Nemi. Mother and daughter were working together. I’ll have Mo fly her here in his plane so we can catch that bad Curtis together. Would you like that?” he asked Robyn who licked his face in return.

Suddenly all heads turned toward the camera. “Is there an engagement?” Cy asked.

“No, Uncle Cy,” Tinsley said patiently.

“Yet,” Paxton added with a wink to him.

A wall of Davies brothers filled the screen. “We’ll come to Shadows Landing soon and we’ll decide if you can marry our niece.”

Tinsley groaned. “You’re worse than Ridge.”

“We’re older and have more experience at chasing off undeserving men,” Miles said, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Couples’ trip?” Cade asked the group as he slung his arm around his wife.

“Great idea,” Marshall said with a grin. “Let’s see how he does with our wives. They’re even more protective of Tinsley.”

Annie rolled her eyes. “Tinsley is perfectly capable of taking care of herself.”

“No, she’s not,” Cy said.

“She’s too sweet,” Cade added.

“Way too nice,” Miles said.

“I’m surprised she isn’t constantly being taken advantage of,” Marshall said to his brothers.

Then they all turned to glare at Paxton.

“I’m not taking advantage of her,” Paxton swore.

“If you saw him naked, you’d know who was taking advantage of whom,” Bridget said and then gave Annie a high five. Tinsley groaned and covered her face in embarrassment. However, Cade and Ahmed looked at Paxton with such a glare that Paxton was afraid they’d reach through the camera and kill him.

“Anyway,” Connor said, getting everyone’s attention back to the case. “Tinsley, I’m going to have the art transferred to you and Paxton after we log it into evidence. I want you to identify it and Paxton can trace it along with the other art. “

“It looks like we’re headed to Shadows Landing. We can take it with us,” Cy said.

“You tried to take my wife, you tried to take my dog, and you tried to take my friends’ niece,” Ahmed said into the camera. “And now I know your name. It’s never good when I know your name.”

Bridget rolled her eyes. “He didn’t try to take me. He was doing a naked photoshoot with those sweet old ladies who make apple pie.”

The men snickered.

“Hey, I’m getting a pie every month for a year for that photo,” Paxton defended, and suddenly the snickering stopped.

“Are you talking about Miss Ruby and Miss Winnie’s apple pies? Twelve of them?” Miles asked.

“That’s right,” Paxton told them.

“Heck, I’d get naked for that,” Cade said.

“Absolutely,” his brothers agreed.

“Okay, so maybe I won’t kill you . . . yet,” Ahmed said slowly before he ended the video call.

“Well, today has already been interesting,” Paxton said, setting down his phone.

“And we haven’t had the church barbeque run yet.” Tinsley pushed him back onto the bed. “It’s almost over, isn’t it?” she asked as she climbed on top of him.

Paxton rested his hands on her hips and looked up at her. “They’ve taken down the Myriad and recovered the artwork. All that is missing is Curtis Engle. As soon as the bust is done on whoever shows up tomorrow to get their paintings, you’re done. You’re out so I can breathe again.”

“Hmm,” Tinsley said, shifting her hips against his. “I think we should celebrate. I wonder—”

“Wonder what?” Paxton asked.

“If I can make you scream,” Tinsley said before bending down and capturing his lips with hers.

25

Tinsley sat at the end of the pew as the donations were counted in the Lowcountry Smokehouse and Pink Pig donations jars. Reverend Winston gave a stirring talk on loving your neighbor, but even he knew by this point in the service it was all about the barbeque.

The choir sang and Reverend Winston grabbed a candlestick from the altar. He approached Tinsley with a smile on his face as the congregation grew restless. “I heard you have a big day tomorrow. Take this for your office desk, just in case.”

Tinsley smiled and took the candlestick that had been part of the church since its founding. “Thank you, Reverend Winston.”

“Why did he give you a candlestick?” Paxton asked as Reverend Winston went back up to the altar.

“Because it has a dagger hidden in it.”

Paxton snorted. “What do you know about using a dagger?”

“Just hope you never find out,” Tinsley replied calmly.

The volunteers compared counts as Reverend Winston blessed the congregation. The card was handed over to him and everyone stood, ready