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share your passion for mac and cheese.”
    “It’s easier when Katy’s here. Folks just think I’m fixing her a plate,” Jake said, indicating he had thought this through.
    Morgan was enjoying the moment. The dining room was elegant and the music enjoyable. “What if I told you that it was going to be easier to get in the future?”
    “They’re moving it to the main buffet?”
    “No. Not exactly.”
    “You got the recipe?”
    “No…yes…I do, but you know mine’s not as good.”
    Morgan and her close friends weren’t known to be women of the kitchen. In fact, one of her best friends joked that her family ate out so much, when she announced, “Supper’s ready,” her kids would run to the car. Morgan had set off the kitchen’s smoke alarm more than once.
    Before Jake could answer, a young waitress asked if they would like coffee. Morgan always enjoyed a cup, especially when it was cold outside. Today she politely declined.
    “You don’t want any coffee?” Jake asked.
    “No. I can’t have the caffeine,” she said, thinking he might connect the dots.
    “Planning a power nap?”
    “Jake?”
    “Yeah?”
    “I’m pregnant.”
    Jake was shocked. He stared straight at her and began smiling.
    “We’re gonna have a baby,” she explained, glowing.

CHAPTER 12

    S AMANTHA WAS LISTENING to Sara Evans as she wrestled with the ethical issues involving her new clients. Occasionally she explained her thoughts to her cat. The cat pretended to care, but soon his eyes grew heavy to Sara’s smooth, sentimental voice. The cat stretched out asleep, and Sam was beginning to feel better about the situation with the old men.
    After graduating, Samantha had moved into her late aunt’s antebellum home that had been in the family since the 1850s. It had sat vacant for the last two years, and someone had stolen all of the period furnishings and paintings. Sam was certain it was a local antique dealer who had constantly pestered her to sell him the home’s contents. It pissed her off every time she thought about it. The Columbus tourism bureau had been begging her to restore the unique house and include it in the annual historic-homes tour. Sam knew she eventually would, but first she wanted to track down the authentic furniture. The giant old house was depressing with no furniture.
    Sam had decided she could act as attorney for the old men because if they had actually robbed the Kroger, any crimes they may have committed occurred prior to their meeting. She would be comfortable representing them as long as they didn’tdiscuss future crimes or ask her to cover up any criminal activity. Tomorrow she would deposit the cash retainer and pay some bills.
    As she finished the last sip of coffee, she turned off the music, clicked on the TV, and tuned in to the local news. The cat rolled over when she gently rubbed his head. Tom the cat was the only male in her life, and that was fine by her. Since her divorce almost two years earlier, dating had not figured into her lifestyle just yet.
    “So, Tom,” she said to the motionless cat.
    “We agree on our new clients?” Sam asked as she watched the anchor struggle through a news story. The teleprompter obviously wasn’t working correctly. It reminded her of the president. She chuckled.
    “I know it’s weird, but the old guys seem sweet and excited about helping others. I like that.”
    Samantha watched the cat ignore her.
    “Bottom line, I’m an attorney, and they need a good one.”
    Sam hoped to see her commercial run during the last newscast, but she never did.

CHAPTER 13

    E THAN “MOON PIE” Daniels had no formal education but a lot of street smarts. His savvy business instincts had created enough success to allow him to pursue his obsession of poaching big whitetail deer. Some people scuba dive; others play golf. Moon Pie loved to sneak onto someone else’s property and poach the biggest deer on the place. He loved the rush of getting away with it more than anything.