Wolman’s eyes narrowed.
“Just taking it for a test drive, Detective Wolman.”
“We’re not there.” She turned and headed for the exit. She opened the door and then looked over her shoulder. “Yet.”
Kelly was stunned. It seemed like they’d finally connected on some level, and there was hope that maybe someday they’d be friends. Despite her brother.
Breena reappeared as quickly as she had disappeared. “Is she gone? Was it bad?”
“Surprisingly, no.” Kelly waved her employee over to her. “I think we’re at a good place. Who knows? We might be friends one day.”
Breena gave her a dubious look.
“It’s possible.” The bell over the door jingled and a deliveryman entered carrying a package. He requested Kelly’s signature before handing over the box. Once he had it, he left and Kelly stared at the return address. “It’s from Bishop’s.” She looked at Breena and they both shrugged.
“Go on, open it!” Breena handed Kelly a pair of scissors to cut through the tape.
When she got the package open, Kelly found a shoebox inside and a note card. She flipped the card open and read it.
“Out loud,” Breena urged.
“You are so nosey.”
“Look who’s talking.” Breena laughed.
“Fair enough. It says, Thank you, best Serena.” Kelly lowered the card.
“That’s all? You saved her from going to prison and you almost got yourself killed and all she said was thank you?” Breena’s face scrunched up in disgust. “She should be ashamed of herself.”
“No, you don’t understand. This is huge for Serena. She actually said thank you and sent me a pair of Christian Louboutin shoes!” Kelly’s heart raced as she pulled the cover of the shoebox off and reached in for the shoes. She could swear she heard angels singing when she touched the shoe. Serena had sent her a pair of patent leather, four-inch stilettos in the classic beige shade.
“OMG! Let me see!” Breena grabbed the shoe. “It’s beautiful. Look at the red sole!”
“I know. I’m really shocked she did this.” Kelly took back her shoe and set it gently in the box with its mate.
“Well, you deserve them. I am totally jealous. Too bad we don’t wear the same size.” Breena wrinkled her nose and smiled. “You’d let me wear them if we did, right?”
Before Kelly could answer the question, she was saved by the bell. A customer bustled in with two bags of clothes to consign. She tucked her unexpected gift away while Breena sorted through the clothes. For the rest of the afternoon they worked as a steady stream of customers came and went.
When the boutique quieted down, Kelly took a break. She wanted to check on her roof, again.
Outside, she inhaled a deep breath of fresh spring air while a warm breeze flitted by.
Out on the sidewalk, she glanced up and admired the new roof. It was the most important and expensive purchase she’d ever made, but it was well worth it. Buck had worked overtime without any additional charge to make sure she had a solid roof in time for spring and for the upcoming start of hurricane season, which was only a couple months away.
“Miss Quinn.”
Kelly spun around and saw Detective Barber approaching with a coffee cup from Doug’s in his hand. Unlike Wolman, he looked as if he was on duty in a lightweight sports jacket over dark gray pants.
“Good afternoon, Detective.”
He slid off his sunglasses and glanced up at the roof. “Looks good.”
“Thank you. It’s one less thing I have to worry about. What brings you by? Or, are you just out for a stroll in this gorgeous weather?”
“I thought I’d check to see how you’re doing. You got yourself into a very dangerous situation.” He slipped his sunglasses back on and took a drink of his coffee.
“Yes, I did. I’m doing okay.” The Louboutin shoes definitely helped boost her mood, but he wouldn’t understand that. “I’ve had some bad dreams but they’re happening less and less. And I have some really good friends to get me through this.” One of them was approaching from the direction of the bakery.
“Good to hear. Well, I better get back to the PD. Hopefully, I’ll see you around, but not at one of my crime scenes.” He grinned before heading off. His swagger was cool and confident. Kelly tore her gaze away from his swagger and the view of his backside.
Liv hustled to Kelly and gawked at Detective Barber walking away. “Who was that?”
“Nate Barber.”
Liv hit Kelly on the arm. “You didn’t tell me he was cute.”
“Ouch! It doesn’t matter if he’s cute or not. I’m not interested.” No, she planned for the foreseeable future to remain unattached. Relationships were too much work, too complicated, and ultimately too painful.
“Well, then give him my number.” Liv giggled.
Kelly rolled her eyes. “Will do the next time I see him. What are you up to this afternoon?”
Liv tilted her head upward. “It’s so nice I’m thinking of taking a drive to the beach. How about you play hooky with me?”
Playing hooky sounded like fun and Kelly was tempted. “As much as I’d love to, I can’t. I really should stay and work.”
Liv pouted.
“Oh, no, that’s not going to work.” Kelly tried not to giggle but Liv looked so silly.
“It’ll be fun. Come on. Don’t forget, you were almost killed three weeks ago. Life is short. Let’s go to the beach.” Liv tugged at Kelly’s arm. She could be such a bad influence on Kelly.
“Okay.” Kelly relented. She’d call Breena from the car; make up some excuse for her sudden disappearance. “But I have to be back to close up.”
Kelly had learned a few lessons over the past month, and one of those lessons was never to take anyone or anything for granted. Like her hometown.
They linked arms and walked toward Liv’s car. Hanging out with her friend was a great way to spend the afternoon. Wasn’t that what living at the beach was all about? Sun, sand and good friends.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Debra Sennefelder is an avid reader who reads across a range of genres, but mystery fiction is her obsession. Her interest in people and relationships is channeled into her novels against a backdrop of crime and mystery. When she’s not reading, she enjoys cooking and baking and as a former food blogger, she is constantly taking photographs of her food. Yeah, she’s that person. Born and raised in New York City, where she majored in her hobby of fashion buying, she now lives and writes in Connecticut with her family. She’s worked in retail and publishing before becoming a full-time author. Her writing companion is her adorable and slightly spoiled Shih-Tzu, Connie.
You can learn more about Debra at www.DebraSennefelder.com
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