Tank Full of Trouble

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Friday

A squeeze on her hand had Megan Cassidy looking up from under the hat protecting her long, wavy amber hair from the sun hitting her shoulders. The sun was high in the sky, warming the afternoon air, but the cool winds coming off the Atlantic Ocean cut through the heat, making her eager to leave the open market she and Aiden Tory were wandering through. Peering up to where Aiden’s gaze was directing her, she turned to see her beagle, Barney, and Aiden’s white and gray Shih Tzu nuzzling each other.

With a smile at the two dogs, Megan returned the hand squeeze and sighed.

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say that the two of them will miss each other more than we’ll miss each other.”

"I don’t think that's possible, Megan," Aiden answered as he gave her a hug and shook his head. "Each time I leave to work on a case I miss you more and more." He hesitated a moment before he continued. "Plus, there's the fact I'm always holding my breath waiting for a phone call to tell me that you've found some trouble to get into."

Megan gave him a gentle jab in the ribs with her elbow, but she laughed along with him. Aiden was right, she tended to find trouble, even without looking for it. But she was so occupied with work right now that there was no way she would have time for trouble of any kind. And if it dropped into her lap, well, she would straighten her shoulders and ignore it. At least as best as she could.

Before she could reply, she heard her name called. With a sigh, Megan handed her companion Barney's leash and excused herself to go see what the woman wanted. Since the woman was a new client, she wanted to be sure she was happy. She didn't talk long, just a few moments to answer a question. Then she was back by Aiden’s side, ready to continue their stroll through the market. Aiden and his dog, Gypsy, were leaving from the market to head down south to the airport. They were heading to Kentucky for a long weekend with

Aiden's family. Normally, Gypsy would stay with Megan, but Aiden was planning on spending quality time with his college-age son and had promised to bring the dog.

"It's pretty crowded here today. It sure differs from the summer when we can leisurely stroll through the market right over to the beach. Why don’t we head to the beach now and let the dogs run? Maybe Gypsy will wear herself out for the flight."

Aiden grabbed her hand and took the lead, his tall muscular body working through the crowds with Megan’s smaller frame following in his wake. The two dogs followed, their tails wagging.

Once they’d made their way through the crowd, they could walk at a more leisurely pace towards the beach. The smell of salt permeated the air as they climbed over the dune. Aiden dropped the leashes holding the two dogs, letting them run across the warm golden sand, chasing the birds.

Megan and Aiden walked at a more leisurely pace, holding hands and enjoying the little time they had together before Aiden had to leave. There was no need for more, they were comfortable enough with each other to enjoy silence, not feeling the need to fill every moment with conversation. Occasionally they would pass someone and spend a few moments catching up. Life was like that in Citrus Beach, everyone knew each other; everyone was a friend. And in typical small-town fashion, everybody seemed to be aware of what was going on in their neighbor’s lives—or wanted to find out. Aiden still was getting used to that small-town atmosphere, but Megan had lived here for years, raising her daughter and building her business.

Finally, the two dogs tired from the running after the birds and came back, panting, looking for attention and approval. Aiden glanced at his watch and realized it was time to say goodbye.

"Promise me you'll take care of yourself, Megan. I still wish you had found a way to come with us. Brandon is eager to meet you. So are my parents, for that matter."

"Oh, I wish I could too, Aiden, but there just wasn't enough time to arrange it. I promise I’ll go next time. I'd love to meet your son as well. I already feel like your mother and I are great friends from all the phone conversations we’ve had over the last few months. I also promise to take care of myself. After all, this is my busy season. Who has time to get into any kind of trouble?" She laughed.

Aiden just shook his head. Since meeting Megan, he had learned trouble had a way of finding her. Pulling her gently against him, he lowered his head and kissed her, ignoring the dog at his feet who was pawing at his leg for attention. Finally, the little dog barked her aggravation and Megan pulled back, breaking off their kiss with a small giggle.

"I guess she's ready to go, Aiden. Come on, Barney, let's walk these two to their car."

Calling her dog over her shoulder, Megan pulled Aiden toward the parking lot and their cars. In much less time than she wished, they were unlocking their car doors, letting the dogs into their perspective vehicles.

After taking a few more moments to say goodbye, Aiden got behind the wheel of his car and with a final wave drove off. Megan raised her hands over her eyes to shield them from the glare as she watched the cherry-red Cutlass, Aiden's pride and joy, disappear down Main Street.

"Aunt Megan!"

The sound of the young girl’s shout brought Megan back to the present. She turned towards the voice she knew so well to find a 10-year-old girl waving at her. Right behind the girl was a slightly older boy and a couple holding hands, all walking towards her. Megan couldn't help but smile at the sweet picture in front of her. The petite blond woman was holding the hand of a tall, muscular man with auburn hair, the same hair as Megan.

The man was her cousin Paul, whom she'd grown up with. He was more like a brother than a cousin, and they’d had many adventures together in their youth. The young boy was serious looking, but when he saw Megan gave a quick smile.

For Megan the picture was sweet, not just for the family unit in front of her, but because she was aware of their history. Paul and his wife Lucy were foster parents to the young kids in front of them. Sammy, the little girl, and Toby completed their lives, and her cousins were adopting the two children.

"Did Aiden leave already?" Lucy asked as she joined Megan.

"Just a moment ago, you guys just missed him."

"He'll be back before you know it, Aunt Megan," the serious young man said, trying to reassure her.

"You're absolutely right, Toby. What are you guys doing out here?"

Before the adults could answer, Sammy jumped in to tell Megan all about the day’s activities. One of the most important pieces of news: their cat, Ginger, had just given birth to a litter of kittens. Ginger had been adopted into Paul and Lucy’s family just like the kids. They’d discovered her after a hurricane and when no one claimed her, she stayed on as a new family member. You couldn't help but laugh at Sammy’s enthusiasm, and Megan was pleased to see how happy the girl was. After she had finished her story, the three adults chatted while the kids played with Barney. Paul was leaning against Megan's car when his mobile phone rang. Excusing himself, he turned away from the others to answer it. A moment later he was back, a frown between his brows.

"Problem, Paul?"

"Yes, unfortunately there's a problem on the job site. I'm sorry kids, but I have to cut our day short. Lucy, you’ll have to take me out to the job. I can get a ride back with my foreman."

His wife nodded in understanding, but being a typical child, Sammy would not let him off so easily.

"But we’re supposed to be going to the movies. Emma will be there waiting for us," she whined.

Megan couldn't stand to see the disappointment on her face and jumped in with a solution.

“I’ll take care of these two. You guys go do what you need to.”

There was a reason she was the favorite aunt. Besides, Emma was her daughter, and would have also been disappointed. Megan’s twenty-two-year-old daughter was taking on the role of older cousin with vigor. There were many Saturday afternoons that Emma and her roommate, Taylor, included the two kids in their plans for a fun day.

Paul and Lucy looked at Megan, clearly relieved by her offer to drive the children to the theater. They wouldn’t have to break a promise to their new family members. Lucy gave Megan a quick hug, asking her if she was sure she had the time to escort the kids to the movie theater.

"It's not a problem at all. It works out well for me, too. I'm supposed to be meeting Joe Stevens in the same plaza. Hop into the back seat, kids. We’ll head over to meet Emma in a minute."

"Thanks, Megan. Emma can bring the kids home after the movies. I know you and Barney are planning to head to Palm Beach this afternoon, so if you’re sure this won't hold you up, we would appreciate it," said Paul.

With a few last-minute instructions to the children, Lucy gave each of them a kiss goodbye. Then thanking Megan one more time, Lucy and Paul left for the job site, a new home that Paul’s construction company was building.

Megan opened the door to her car. As she put the key in the ignition, she issued the instruction to buckle up to her eager passengers. Barney sat on the seat between the two of them enjoying their undivided attention. Megan smiled at the picture they made and then reached over and turned the radio on. She found a channel they all liked, turned the volume up, and then pulled out of the parking lot towards the movie theater.