Adam was the first to sit up and he shoved the cloth into the basket. “I guess we should address this secrecy thing.”

As she sat up, one of the ducks nudged her leg. “We can’t be seen together. Not out here, anyway.” The area around the pond was secluded, too private. “The gossip would be rampant.”

“In public, I guess we should keep arguing, like we always have.”

“I can tell you you’re an arrogant ass and that if I want to spend time with your sexy little brother I will?”

Adam gave a one-sided grin. “And I will tell you to get your filthy animals off me.”

“You wish they liked you that much.”

Adam scooped up a squawking, flailing duck that had been pecking his ankle, then released it. “When you’re around, even the cockroaches like me.”

“Lucky you.” She said it with such sarcasm that he laughed. “Where do we meet when we must? Your grandmother’s retreat belongs to you and Vera. The town kids use the Fredericks place.”

Adam took a moment, then said softly, “Dad has an apartment in KC.”

“Had it for long?” She was trying to sound as though it was an ordinary question.

“He bought it twenty-one years and seven months ago.”

Kelly knew what he was saying. It looked like Burke Hatten had the apartment even when he was married to Adam’s mother. Kelly thought about saying some platitudes but she didn’t. “Sorry,” she whispered.

“I found the deed and keys in the safe. I haven’t seen the place. I asked Robbie about it, but he knows nothing.”

Kelly stood up. “We’ll meet there when we need to. I have to go. Mom will be...” She looked at the ring. “This is going to cause a lot of commotion.”

“Call me if it gets too bad. It’s just Robbie and me in that big house, so I can talk in private.”

“I bet Mom and Forey will want the reception in your house. Do you have enough champagne glasses?”

Adam groaned. “I’m already regretting this.”

“Come on, Mr. Selfish. There’s a dance on Saturday. You and Vera can—”

“She’s not going. Did you forget that she works on Saturday nights?”

Kelly tried to keep her face straight, to give away nothing. Vera did not work on Saturday nights. “Then I’ll go alone. Or maybe I can get Seth Murray to escort me. Platonic, of course. No wall slamming allowed.”

“I’ll be there.”

From the way he was frowning, Kelly guessed that he’d seen her look of surprise when he’d said Vera had to work on Saturday. If Vera wasn’t working that night, where was she going? Was she with someone or alone?

They shook hands again when they left. A deal had been made.

CHAPTER SIX