Read Online HAPPY PANTS CAFE (THE HAPPY PANTS SERIES) by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff - Free Book Online Page B

everything they’d shared? He’d always wondered about that. He assumed that she was too stubborn and too much of a coward to show she cared. Not even for him. That was Harp, though, tough and feisty.
    And, man, could she punch.
    Austin chuckled to himself as the speed limit increased to sixty-five and the road stretched out to four lanes. It was almost noon, and on a beautiful summer Saturday like this, he couldn’t imagine a nicer drive. In an hour, he’d be back in the city, where he’d call a few buddies and hook up for some basketball and beers. It wasn’t too late to save this day.
    He slid on his sunglasses and turned on the radio. The cookie on the seat grabbed his attention as hunger pangs kicked in. He shrugged. It’s just a damned cookie.
    With one hand on the steering wheel, he carefully peeled away the plastic wrapper and took a bite.
    Mmm. Not bad. Buttery sweet with a little bit of a kick. He gobbled down the rest of the treat and then heard the loud siren behind him. He glanced into the rearview mirror, to find flashing lights. Shit.
    He pulled to the side of the highway and reached for his wallet to dig out his license. When he looked up, he couldn’t believe it, but it was Ms. Luci’s son. Austin didn’t think he’d stepped over the line when he’d tried to talk the man out of taking Harper, but perhaps the officer didn’t agree. Payback time.
    “License and registration, please.”
    Austin handed them over. “Nice to see you again, Officer Leon-Parker.”
    The officer stared at Austin through his mirror lenses, but didn’t say anything.
    “I, uh, was with the lady you just arrested,” Austin explained. “Remember? I’m the other reporter. That is why you’re pulling me over, isn’t it?”
    The officer shook his head.
    “Maybe I’ll just stop talking now,” said Austin.
    “I’m pulling you over because littering our beautiful highways carries a fine of two hundred dollars.”
    “Littering?” Austin glanced over at the empty seat next to him. Darn. He knew better than to leave trash on the seat when the top was down. The wrapper must’ve flown out. “I think you caught me—”
    “Hey, Alberto.” A loud male voice came out over the officer’s radio fastened to his shoulder.
    He pressed the radio’s button. “Yeah? What’s up?”
    The voice said, “That woman you said to release refuses to leave.”
    The officer shook his head. “Nut bag. Why not?” he responded on the radio.
    “She says she deserves to stay in jail. For lying to some guy.”
    Austin’s ears perked up. “Is he talking about Harper?”
    The officer nodded. “That woman is insane. Shouldn’t she be on medication?”
    “Probably.” But nevertheless, Austin didn’t appreciate “Officer Alberto” talking bad about her. “She’s probably still a little upset over a disagreement we had. I’ll talk to her,” Austin offered, “and get her out of your hair if you let me go?”
    “Fine. But I’m warning you—”
    “No more littering, I promise, Officer,” Austin interrupted, eager to get the hell out there and see what was going on with Harper.
    “I was going to warn you that the woman is trouble.”
    Austin felt his anger bubble up. First this guy threw Harper on the ground for an innocent mistake, and now he was insulting her? Don’t get angry. “Thanks for pointing that out.”
    “You have cookie crumbs all over your shirt, by the way.”
    Austin looked down at the avalanche of cookie remnants on the front of his navy blue T-shirt. “Oh, yeah. I just had one of your mother’s cookies. Pretty good.”
    The sheriff lifted his brows. “You ate one of her cookies?”
    Austin nodded. “Sure. Why?”
    The officer smothered a smirk. “No reason. You can follow me back to the station.” The officer headed to his patrol car, mumbling something that sounded like, “Stupid asshole is in for a treat.”
    What the hell? Austin quirked his brows and pulled out behind the squad car after it