Rogue Angel - Footprints Part 48

And Annja had no way of knowing what Jenny's reaction might be. This whole thing was spiraling out of control far too quickly for Annja to keep up. Somehow she'd have to get to grips with it all and fast.

David would want a kiss before too long, and if Annja didn't have a solution for his looming libido Jenny would be hurt badly. And Annja was determined to make sure that didn't happen.

She took another swig of the beer, which now tasted stale to her. "Nothing's wrong. I'm hungry, is all. Let's get inside and see if David is at all talented in the kitchen."

Jenny smiled. "Sounds good to me. But I really want to see whatever it is he says he has to prove that big foot exists."

"Yeah," Annja said. "That should be interesting."

Chapter 25.

As disgusted as Annja was with David, even she had to admit that he could whip up some pretty tasty grub. The barbecued chicken had a slick coating of thick sauce that made her mouth water. The potato salad had an interesting mix of mayonnaise and mustard that gave it a yellow hue and delivered just the slightest tang. Combined with the cold beer, Annja was in culinary heaven.

She wiped her mouth. "Food's good, David."

He smirked. "Finger-licking good, huh?"

Annja grew serious. "So when are we going to get to this evidence of the Sasquatch? I don't know about anyone else, but I'm anxious to see it."

Joey nodded. "I agree. Let's see it."

David held up his sauce-stained hand. "First we enjoy the meal and then we can get to business." He glanced at Jenny. "Food okay, Jenny?"

She nodded. "You're quite the chef."

"I grew up with a family of cooks. My mother and grandmother made sure that I knew how to work a kitchen. Maybe they thought they'd better do it because no woman could ever stand to be with me for too long. If they didn't teach me to cook, I'd starve to death."

Annja grimaced. If only they knew how right they were, she thought. She glanced at Jenny and grinned. Jenny smiled back.

Joey finished his chicken and wiped his mouth. "I'm done."

David smiled. "Joey, I've got a nice chocolate cake for dessert. Just try to be patient, would you?"

Joey slumped back into his chair.

David checked his watch. "Besides, we're still too early."

"Early for what?" Annja asked.

"The evidence," David said.

"You don't have it here?"

Dave shook his head. "It's coming, though. Probably even as we speak."

Annja's radar was on full alert. What was he talking about? If he didn't have the evidence, then who did? And why wasn't it here already? She sighed and took another sip of her beer. "This just keeps getting better and better."

"What's that?" David asked.

"Nothing," she muttered.

David eyed her and then went back to his chicken. Joey, however, stared at him and frowned.

"Seriously, Sheriff, what the h.e.l.l is going on here? What do you mean you don't have the evidence but it's on its way? What's that about? It's mobile?"

David grinned. "Very mobile."

"You've got someone helping you?" Annja asked.

David shrugged. "I guess you could say that."

Joey shook his head. "I hate riddles like this. They're a waste of time. Better to just come out and say what you mean, rather than d.i.c.k around with this useless teasing c.r.a.p."

"You need to learn some patience, Joey," David said sharply. "There's something to be said for creating an atmosphere."

"There's also something to be said for getting back to the hotel for some much-needed sleep," Annja said. "Just how much longer are we going to be waiting for your evidence to show up?"

"Maybe twenty minutes. Long enough for a piece of cake."

Jenny pushed her plate away. "I'm stuffed. I don't know if I can handle a slab of cake right now."

Joey nodded. "Yeah, I'm not into the cake, either. Maybe later, huh?"

David shook his head. "No. You have to have the cake. It won't taste as good once it cools. Fresh out of the oven is the best time to eat it."

Annja shook her head. "Fine. Whatever. Just dish out the cake and let us eat it and then we can get to the reason we're all here."

David stood and collected the plates. "You guys relax and I'll be right back with dessert."

Annja watched him leave the dining room and then looked at Joey and Jenny. "Anyone else think this is getting a little strange?"

Joey nodded. "He's different. This isn't how he normally is. He seems obsessed about that cake for some reason."

"And what was up with the evidence not being here yet?"

"Beats me."

Annja looked at Jenny. "You okay? You haven't said much."

Jenny looked at her. "What were you guys doing out on the porch for so long before I came outside?"

Annja swallowed. "You want the truth?"

"Of course."

Annja frowned. "Your would-be suitor made a pa.s.s at me."

Jenny jerked back. "Cut it out."