License to Dill by Mary Ellen Hughes Read Free Book Online Page B

apple and red onion marmalade that she’d cooked up recently to spread on slices of crusty bread along with a bit of cheese. Will had already gamely, though tentatively, tried it and admitted he liked it. So there was hope for the man, though Piper doubted he’d ever give anything like sushi a try—especially after the production Scott made of it the night before.
    The crowd settled down, and Piper was reaching into her tote for an apple cider drink when the teams trotted onto the field to enthusiastic cheers. Lacking the welcoming ceremony of the night before, there was a feel of “getting down to business,” with the Cloverdale All-Stars and their fans clearly aching to redeem themselves after the previous night’s loss.
    Gerald Standley took his place on the sideline beside the team’s head coach, both of the men wearing grim, determined looks, but Piper didn’t see Denise Standley. She might be simply sitting in the stands with friends, Piper knew, but it still was surprising not to see her beside her husband as she’d been during the first game. Knowing now what she did about the history between Denise and Raffaele Conti, Piper hoped there wasn’t a personal reason for the glower on Gerald Standley’s face.
    â€œOh, there’s Ben,” Erin cried, and Piper followed her gaze to see Ben strolling at the base of the stands, thumbs looped over his auxiliary officer belt as he scanned the crowd with an intense “Dirty Harry” squint. Then he spotted Erin, and a little-boy grin lit up his face. Ben waved, then glanced around with an air of embarrassment before resuming his authoritative attitude.
    Piper suddenly caught sight of Scott wandering along the same walkway and scanning the crowd. Piper had dressed in grays and browns that evening, hoping to be much less conspicuous than she’d been the night before. She knew she’d agreed to remain friends with the man, but at the time she’d assumed that meant sharing an occasional pleasant greeting as they passed on the street, not spending one evening after another in his company. She held her breath as Scott passed in front of their section and let it out as he continued on by, her camouflage apparently working. Then she saw him walk over to Ben.
    No, no, no
, she silently mouthed. But Ben became the helpful (though unofficial) policeman as he raised an arm to point in her direction. Piper’s hands shot up to her face as though to shade her eyes. She saw through her fingers, though, that she’d been too late, as Scott retraced his steps and trotted up the aisle toward her.
    â€œHey, there!” he cried. “We meet again!”
    â€œHello, Scott!” Aunt Judy responded cheerily. “I wondered if you weren’t coming! The game’s already started.”
    Piper was going to have a serious talk with Aunt Judy about her hospitable attitude toward Piper’s ex-fiancé.
    â€œI had to hustle,” Scott answered her aunt, “since the time with my Realtor ran a bit late.”
    Piper, who’d noticed Scott once again had his backpack with him, managed a weak smile in greeting. Will grunted, having just ripped a huge chunk from his sandwich with his teeth.
    â€œMind if I squeeze in?” Scott asked Erin, already swinging down his backpack and easing into the row behind Piper. Erin, ever polite, slid toward Megan to make room, though she looked somewhat distressed to lose the space she’d hoped Ben would fill.
    â€œRealtor?” Aunt Judy said over her shoulder. “How exciting. Living quarters or office space?”
    â€œOffice. And,” he added, “I looked at a nice little place right down the block from your shop, Piper.”
    Will choked on his food, and Aunt Judy helpfully pounded on his back.
    â€œYou did?” Piper asked, once Will had settled down.
    â€œRight next to an orthopedist’s office. Good location, huh? Get patched up by the doc