I watched her move briskly around the kitchen, toasting a couple of pieces of bread to bring up to her room so she could eat and dress. I wanted to tell her to sit down, relax, and savor her food. She really didn’t look well. But I held my tongue.
Mia was an adult. She could take care of herself. She didn’t need me mothering her. If she thought she could handle it, then she could.
Right?
Chapter 8
After Mia went upstairs, I had some more coffee, ate a bowl of oatmeal, and started a shopping list. I left it on the counter to see if Mia or Chrissy wanted to add anything before heading up to The Studio. I wanted to finish cleaning and organizing before Daniel and friends brought the furniture up.
I opened windows, swept, dusted, and tidied up a bit. As I was putting my new sketchbook away in its new home, a scrap of paper fluttered to the floor.
I picked it up. It was thin with half circles cut into it. I turned it over, trying to figure out where I had seen something like it before, when it hit me.
It looked like the edge that gets caught in the coils when someone tears a piece of paper out of a notebook.
Had someone torn a piece of paper out of my new sketchbook? When? And why?
Did someone do it when I was at the store and I hadn’t noticed? Or was it Mia or Chrissy? But why would they?
I quickly flipped through the book, but nothing seemed amiss. As far as I could tell, the pages were intact. I counted the pages and came up two short of the number advertised.
So, what now?
Should I try and return it? It’s not like I could prove that it happened before I bought the book.
Chances were, this was a nothing burger. Some five-year-old tore the pages out to draw on while her mother shopped. That was all.
I ran my fingers through my hair and decided to think about it later. I still had a lot to do before Daniel arrived, and it was probably nothing.
But still ... I lingered for a moment, staring at the sketchbook. Something just didn’t feel right.
Okay, enough already. I was making myself crazy over nothing. I had bigger things to focus on. Like getting ready for Daniel.
I headed down the stairs to the kitchen and found Chrissy eating a bowl of cereal and poking at her phone. I was wondering if I should ask her about the sketchbook when she spoke first. “Are you going to the store?” she asked.
“Yes,” I said. “Did you need anything?” My phone started buzzing from where it sat on the charger, and my heart sank. Hopefully, it wasn’t Daniel canceling.
She made a quick gesture with her head toward where I left the list on the counter. “Why are you buying frozen pizzas?”
“Well, I guess I could get delivery. I thought frozen would be easier,” I said, picking up my phone. It wasn’t Daniel. It was my mother. Now it wasn’t just my heart sinking, but everything inside me.
It was only two words. Call me.
It wasn’t the first time she had call or texted after our conversation in the garden, but I had barely responded, not wanting to get into a thing with her.
My strategy didn’t appear to be working.
“Earth to Becca,” Chrissy said. “Is anyone there?”
I looked up, shaking my head a little. “Sorry, just got distracted. What did you want?”
“I was asking about the pizza,” Chrissy said impatiently. “Why are you getting it?”
“Daniel and some of his friends are coming over to move that desk in the family room to The Studio,” I said. “And hopefully the love seat. I was going to feed them with pizza and beer. It’s going to be a bitch to drag that furniture up two flights of stairs.”
Chrissy eyed me over her phone. “I can make homemade pizza if you want,” she said. “Since you’re going to the store anyway, I’ll write down what I need.”
“You don’t have to do that,” I said, touched by her offer.
She shrugged. “I don’t mind. I like making pizza. I’ll make an extra we can freeze.” She peeked at me from behind her long, black hair, her eyes coy. “Besides, I like Daniel,” she said. “I think he’s good for you. The last thing I want is for him to break up with you because you gave him frozen pizza.”
“It’s not frozen, it’s DiGiornos,” I said.
She rolled her eyes. “Yeah, whatever.”
I smiled slightly and handed her the list and a pen. “You make the list and I’ll go jump in the shower.”
“Deal.”
***
I was standing in front of the beer section, trying to remember which brand Daniel liked, when someone from behind me said, “Becca?”
I turned to see JD. He was wearing his normal tight jeans, cowboy hat, and cat-who-ate-the-canary grin.
I forced a smile while glancing around to make sure I wasn’t alone with him. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
His grin widened. “Why? I have to eat, too.”
I peeked at his cart, which was filled with cans of soup, frozen meals, and a box of cheerios. “If you call that ‘eating.’”
“Clearly, not everyone is blessed with gourmet chef skills.” He looked pointedly in my cart, which was filled with all the makings for homemade pizzas and made-from-scratch meals.
“It’s not me, it’s my stepdaughter,” I said, and then wondered why I even told him that. He was a virtual stranger. How much did I want to share?
He cocked his head as if he knew what I was thinking, and smirked. He wore a black tee shirt that stretched across the muscles in his chest, which I tried not to look at too closely.
“I stand corrected—not all of us are blessed to be living with a gourmet chef.”
“That’s actually not what I meant,” I said briskly. “I just thought, the way you were talking, you’d be leaving Redemption soon.”
He shifted his weight and frowned. “Not sure why you’d think that. I like it here. I’m thinking I may stick around. I even got myself a job.”
Oh great. Like I wasn’t trying to avoid enough people in this town, now I had one more person to stay away from. “A job?”
“At Aunt May’s. Dishwasher.”
Inwardly, I groaned. Mia and her meddling. Maybe he would have left if she hadn’t opened her mouth two nights ago. “Oh. Well, that’s good.” I started pushing the cart away. “I have to get going, but I’m sure I’ll see you around.”
“Aren’t you forgetting something?” he asked.
I gritted my teeth as I kept pushing the cart. “No, I think I’m good. Thanks though.”
“So, you don’t need any beer?”
Oh crap. I had almost forgotten. For a moment, I wondered if it was worth stopping at a liquor store on my way home, but did I really have the time? Daniel was going to be there shortly, and I knew Chrissy was anxious to get the pizzas started.
Trying not to show my displeasure, I turned my cart around and pushed it back. “No, you’re right. I do need beer.”
I could feel JD’s eyes hot on the back of my neck as I studied the variety of cans and bottles on display. What to grab? There were too many choices. I was kicking myself for not remembering what kind Daniel always ordered.
“Leinenkugel’s.”
I jumped. His voice was right by my ear. I could feel his breath tickle the hairs on the back of my neck.
“What?” I asked, stepping away. I wanted to scrub the back of my neck where his breath had touched, but I restrained myself.
He gave me a sideways smile, as if he was guessing my thoughts. “Leinenkugel’s,” he said again. “You’re buying beer for Daniel, right? Well, that’s what he drinks.”
How did he know that? Any of that? What Daniel drinks and that I’m buying beer for him? I snatched a twelve pack from the shelves, trying not to grunt in surprise at how heavy twelve bottles of beer were. “I just need beer,” I said lam
ely. “I don’t drink it, so I don’t know what’s good.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Thank you,” I muttered, dropping it into the cart and wishing I didn’t feel so self-conscious. “I appreciate the help.”
“Everyone likes Leiny’s,” he said. “It’s a good choice.”
I straightened, gave him a faint smile, and pushed my cart away, hoping he would take the hint and not follow me. He stayed where he was, and when I glanced back at him, he gave me a cocky smile, like he knew what I was thinking.
God, he could be annoying.
Luckily, there was an empty line, so I was able to quickly pay for my groceries, all the while praying he wasn’t going to appear behind me. I hurried out of the store.
Was this going to be the new normal? Going about my business and suddenly running into JD at the store or the bar or anywhere else? God, I hoped not. There was something about him. Something that just didn’t feel right.
I sincerely hoped the town of Redemption agreed with me and would eventually send him on his merry way, leaving me with one less thing to worry about.
As I headed to my car, I saw a familiar figure trundling through the parking lot, pushing her own shopping cart loaded with various items. Maude. A local homeless woman.
I hadn’t seen her since the day I realized she had witnessed CB taking Brittany. As usual, she was wrapped in a colorful array of scarves and coats, despite the heat of the day.
I waved and called out to her. She looked up, squinted against the sun, and her face brightened when she saw me, although she still appeared to be muttering to herself. She pushed the cart faster and it rattled dangerously on its broken wheel.
“How are you?” I asked her as she came closer.
She paused and glanced around the parking lot. “Bad news,” she muttered. “Always bad news.”
A cold damp breeze brushed the back of my neck. “I’m sorry?”
She didn’t quite look at me and continued mumbling. “Like a bad penny. Always turning up when you least suspect it.”
“What bad penny?” I asked. “What are you talking about?”
She sighed, like she couldn’t believe how slow I was, before raising her head and meeting my eyes. “Be careful,” she said, her voice clear and sharp. “You don’t want to disappear, too.”
With that, she turned her broken cart around and trundled away, leaving me standing there with my mouth hanging open, gawking after her.
Chapter 9
“This looks great,” Daniel said, hands on his hips as he surveyed The Studio. His other two helpers, both fellow cops, had already clomped back down to the kitchen for beer and homemade pizza. For the moment, at least, we were alone.
“The desk and love seat are perfect,” I said, forcing myself to focus on the furniture instead of on the fact that there were two floors separating us from everyone else. “Thanks for lugging them up here for me.”
“No big deal,” he said, his eyes lingering on mine, causing my senses to tingle. “You did all the hard work. It’s really nice, how you laid everything out.”
“Thanks,” I said lamely. Were we really standing there discussing my interior design skills? It all felt a little surreal.
“Besides, I’m happy to do my part to help you get your business started on the right foot,” he continued. “And,” he waved his hand around The Studio, “with a headquarters like this, how could you not be successful?”
My smile dimmed as I wiped my suddenly sweaty hands against my shorts. What if I wasn’t successful? What if Stefan and my family were right, and I had no business starting a business?
What if I couldn’t do it? What if I ended up letting everyone down?
Daniel cocked his head, frowning slightly. “Did I say something wrong?”
I gave my head a quick shake, trying to jolt myself out of my negative mood. “No, it’s not you. I’m just ... I guess this just made it all real. You know? I’m starting a business. I’m getting back into art. I mean—holy crap! I’m really doing this!”
“You are!” he said. “It’s happening!”
His eyes were such a deep blue—I had never noticed how clear they were before. In the sun-drenched room that appeared even more bright with all the light wood, his eyes were like the surface of a calm lake on a sunny day.
He sucked in his breath and took a step closer to me, and my own breathing quickly became harsh and unsteady in my ears. “Becca ...” he said.
“Hey, you two lovebirds,” yelled a voice from below. “Pizza’s getting cold.”
“Not to mention you’re missing out on the beer,” yelled a different voice.
Daniel made a face and stepped away from me. My knees felt weak and shaky. “We’ll be right there,” he yelled back. “Sorry,” he said to me.
“What do you have to be sorry about?” I asked. It took everything I could to keep myself standing.
He gave me a lopsided grin. “Well, I should have known this wasn’t the right time or place. Can I come back over tonight?”
I could feel my own smile widen. “Of course.”
His face lit up as he made a move toward me, but then seemed to check himself. “I think I hear a beer calling my name,” he said.
“And the homemade pizza,” I reminded him. “Chrissy spent hours slaving over a hot stove.”
“Seriously?” he asked as he followed me down the stairs.
“Well, not hours,” I had to admit. “She’s actually gotten pretty fast. She’s become addicted to that show Chopped, so she’s been on a bit of a speed quest with her meals. I think she’s actually considering competitive cooking.”
“That would be something.”
I could hear Chrissy laughing at something one of the cops said. Kind of a flirtatious laughter, I noted. I was still mulling that over when we entered the kitchen and all three of them turned to face us.
“’Bout time you showed up,” said the older cop, Scott. He was leaning against the counter, holding a plate filled with pizza. He was maybe a few years older than Daniel and me, with thinning light-brown hair and a mustache.
“What are you complaining about? That just means more for you,” Daniel said.
Chrissy was standing next to the stove holding a spatula. A faint pink flush that matched the bright-pink highlights in her long black hair lit up her face, making her deep brown eyes sparkle. She was so gorgeous, my chest hurt.
And clearly, I wasn’t the only one who noticed. Trevor, the younger and much better-looking cop with his head full of thick, black hair and cool, grey eyes was standing near her, his eyes glued to her face.
I went to the fridge to get a beer for Daniel, making a point of slamming the door. Trevor jumped. “Oh, hey Becca. Your studio looks great by the way.”
“Thanks,” I said, handing the beer to Daniel. He didn’t look happy. “Want some pizza?” I asked him.
“Sure,” he said, his eyes never leaving Chrissy and Trevor. “Trevor, why don’t you grab me some?”
Chrissy looked up. “Oh, I don’t mind getting it for you,” she said, piling a couple of pieces onto a plate. She was so engrossed in plating, she didn’t notice the hard look Daniel was giving Trevor, who at least had the grace to look slightly ashamed of himself as he backed up a couple steps.
“Thanks,” Daniel said as Chrissy handed him a plate. “You really didn’t have to go through this much trouble.”
Her smile lit up her face, and I could hear Trevor’s breath catch in his throat. “No trouble. I like to cook. And I’m glad you’re helping Becca get her act together.”
“Appreciate the words of encouragement,” I said drily. “Are you saying I couldn’t do that on my own?”
“I didn’t say that,” Chrissy said as she handed me a plate of pizza. “I was just thanking Daniel for doing his part to help. Don’t you need all
the help you can get?”
I made a face at her. She smiled sweetly in return.
Even though Chrissy had been much easier to live with over the past few weeks, the sarcastic teenager in her still made an appearance every now and then.
Daniel’s cell phone buzzed, making me wonder if I should find my phone to see if I had any messages—specifically, from my mother. Maybe I ought to call her back after the guys left.
“Is it work?” Scott asked as Daniel put his plate down to check. The way Scott asked made me wonder if it was code for something else.
Daniel shook his head, although his expression seemed to darken. “I’m going to have to go,” he said, tossing the last few bites of pizza into his mouth.
“Is there a problem?” I asked.
He shook his head. He finished chewing and swallowing, and said, “Just something I have to do. Trevor, you want to come with?”
Scott put his plate down. “Do you need me ...” but Daniel shook his head and waved Scott back. “No, it’s fine. Finish your pizza. Trevor?” His tone was brusque as he shot Scott a look that made me think he wasn’t all that happy with him, either.
Trevor nodded and put his plate down. “The pizza was really delicious, thank you,” he said to Chrissy, who smiled.
“Trevor,” Daniel said again, a little more forcibly. Trevor seemed to have momentarily frozen, transfixed by Chrissy’s smile. He shook himself briefly, nodded to Chrissy, and started toward the door.
“I’ll call you later,” Daniel murmured in my ear. “Let you know when I’m coming over.” I nodded, and he shot me one last smile before following Trevor out the door.
Scott silently watched the whole scene unfold as he finished munching his pizza. As soon as the door closed behind Daniel and Trevor, he took a final swallow of his beer and stood up. “Well, I better be off myself. This was really something, Chrissy. Thank you.”
“Thanks again for helping drag all of that stuff up to The Studio,” I said.
He nodded at me and left.
“Want any more pizza?” Chrissy asked me brightly.
Secrets of Redemption Box Set Page 75