by Lena Gregory
“For Boggy Creek?”
“No, for Rolling Pines.” He pulled a folded sheet of printer paper out of his pocket. “I’ve already gotten about half the residents to sign, and I was wondering if you would too?”
“What is it for?”
“I want to go before the town council and get approval to have a fire exit put in at the back of the development.” His hand shook as he held out the paper. “That fire last night was a real eye opener. If that place had gone up, there’s no chance all of us would have gotten out. Especially if it had been toward the front of the development instead of the back.”
Gia shivered, despite the heat pouring off the grill. “Absolutely, I’ll sign.”
“Thank you.” He held out a pen. “Signatures are a big help, but I think the more residents who show up at the meeting, the better chance we’ll have of being taken seriously.”
She stripped off her gloves and signed the petition, then handed it back to him. “Just let me know when the meeting is, and I’ll be there.”
“Thank you very much, ma’am.”
“You bet. It was nice meeting you, Cole. And don’t forget about the job offer.”
“I won’t.” He waved over his shoulder on his way out the door.
Gia piled bacon and eggs on a roll, topped it with a piece of cheese, salt, pepper, and ketchup, then wrapped it and stuffed it into a bag. She put the order up in the cutout and rang the bell for Willow.
The older man was gone, his coffee cup sitting beside a rumpled linen napkin and the closed menu on the table. No way could running into him three times in less than twenty-four hours be a coincidence. Someone had to know who her mystery man was. Now if she could just escape the kitchen long enough to find that someone.
Chapter 13
Gia stretched her back, then flipped the last egg on the grill and waited for it to cook. She tilted her head from side to side. More than twelve hours in front of the grill had left her sweating and stiff. She really hoped Cole considered her offer and then agreed. She loved cooking, but she needed a break sometimes.
And she needed to find out who her stalker was. If the man she kept seeing was even looking for her. Could be he just happened to be in the restaurant the night before. Boggy Creek was a small town, and people tended to frequent the same places. And yet… Something about him made her uncomfortable.
Could he be Marcia’s killer? But why would he be stalking Gia? Looking for whatever documents she’d left for her, maybe? Too bad Gia had no clue what they were about or where to find them.
“Gia?” Willow pulled off her apron and rolled it into a ball. “Everything is done out front, and I’m getting ready to head out.”
“Thanks, Willow. I know it was a madhouse out there today. I’m sorry I couldn’t get out front to help.”
“No worries. I like it when it’s busy. Makes the time fly by.”
“Don’t I know it.” The day really had gone by in a flash. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Yup. Good night.”
Gia slid the egg onto the bacon, ham, and sausage she’d already piled on a roll, then added cheese, salt, and pepper. She scooped a generous serving of home fries into a container, then filled another with grits, and put everything in a bag with Harley’s name on the front. She wished she could do more for him. Although he had problems, including the fact he couldn’t seem to go inside a building, which left him homeless and wandering the streets, he was a good man with a good heart. The business owners along Main Street all watched out for him, but he’d only accept so much help. She’d offered him use of the empty apartment over the café, but as far as she could tell, he’d never taken her up on it.
She poured a large sweet tea, put the cover on with a piece of tape to hold it down, tossed a straw, napkins, and utensils into his bag, and set everything on the counter. Even though she’d already finished cleaning up, and Willow never forgot to do anything, Gia double-checked everything was clean and ready to open the next day as she hurried through and grabbed the stack of newspapers from behind the register. She’d already had Willow rip the covers off to return to the company, so Gia carried the rest to the back to leave for Harley, who used them to keep warm in the winter.
Gia pushed the door open. Harley’s dinner from the night before still sat on the small table beside the stack of newspapers she’d left. Weird. Harley had been taking dinner since she’d first started leaving it. She added the papers she held to the stack, tossed the old food in the garbage, and set the new food out. She squinted and tried to peer into the woods, but she couldn’t see any sign of him in the shadows. Hopefully, he was okay.
She pulled the door closed, locked it, grabbed her purse from her office, and took one last look around. Finally done. She was about ready to fall on her face. She thought about making a quick cup of coffee to take with her, but her stomach churned. No sleep, swamped all day, all she wanted was a hot shower and her bed.
Digging through her purse for the keys, she practically ran toward the front door.
“Excuse me.”
Gia jumped at the deep, unfamiliar voice.
A man she’d never seen before stood just inside the door, wearing a blue uniform and holding a large white envelope in his hand. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you. I’m with Rapid Couriers, and I have a package for you.”
“Oh.” Gia gave a nervous laugh as she pressed the hand holding her key ring against her chest and stabbed herself with a key. She dropped the keys back into her bag and rubbed the sore spot. “I’m sorry. It’s been a very long day.”
“No problem, ma’am. The door was open, but I didn’t see anyone so I figured I’d just come in and wait.” He held the envelope out to her.
“Thank you.” It was her own fault; she should have walked out front and locked the door when Willow had left. You’d think she’d have learned that lesson already. She couldn’t even think clearly. It was time to go home before she collapsed somewhere. She dug a few dollar bills out of her bag, handed them to him, and took the letter.
“Thank you, ma’am.” He tipped his hat and left.
She contemplated the envelope for a moment. Her name and address were neatly printed across the front, but there were no other markings and no return address. Exhaustion won out over curiosity. She probably wouldn’t be able to read the words anyway. Already, the world appeared as nothing more than a blurry haze. Time to go.
She dropped the letter into her bag and locked up, then turned and stood on the walkway, staring at the empty spot where she usually parked her car. How could she have forgotten Savannah had driven her to work? Tears leaked out the corners of her eyes.
Gia pulled out her phone and dialed Savannah’s number as she walked toward the doggie day care center to pick up Thor. Thankfully, it wasn’t that far, and the cool evening air helped clear her mind a little.
Savannah picked up on the second ring. “Hey. Ready to go?”
“Go where?”
“Home, silly. I’m just taking care of my dogs, and I’ll be there to pick you up.”
She should have realized Savannah would come back for her. “Sorry, Savannah, it’s been a long day.”
“I bet.”
“Have you heard anything from Hunt?” Gia asked.
“No. Have you?”
“Nothing.” And she was worried sick about him. But she didn’t have to tell Savannah that; the concern was already evident in Savannah’s voice.
“I’m about done with the dogs. Where are you now?”
“I’m headed to pick up Thor.” The thought of the long ride home was too much to contemplate. “You know what?”
“What?”
“Don’t even worry about picking me up. I think I’ll take a walk in the park with Thor, hit one of the food trucks for dinner, and crash at the apartment.”
“Are you sure
?” Savannah asked.
“Yeah, I have no idea what’s going on up there. I did hear the fire was out, but I don’t feel like dealing with anything else tonight. I just want to close my eyes.” Everything she owned probably smelled like smoke anyway. No sense going home tonight, when she was too tired to do anything. After a good night’s sleep, she could go home and deal with laundry and whatever else needed doing.
“Aww, honey. I understand. Do you need anything?”
“I could use some clothes to wear tomorrow.”
“No problem. I’ll drop something off to you later.”
“Thanks, Savannah.”
“Of course. What are friends for?”
Gia disconnected and dropped the phone back into her bag. The cool air against her face felt good, but the humidity still made breathing feel a little too much like work. She strolled down Main Street, taking her time, enjoying the small-town feel.
Kids rode by her on bikes, parents pushed strollers, couples walked hand in hand, and not one of them seemed to be in a hurry. The leisurely pace at which everyone in Boggy Creek moved forced Gia to slow down, to enjoy life instead of rushing through it without experiencing much of anything. And she loved it. She loved everything about it. The slower pace brought a sense of peace she’d never known, even in her current state of exhaustion.
“Gia.” Trevor ran over from across the street. “Hold up.”
“Hey, Trevor.”
“Hi.” He tripped over the curb and would have gone flat on his face if not for a nice save by one of the palm trees lining the street. He pushed away from the tree and smoothed a hand over his shirt. “As I was saying. Hi, Gia.”
She couldn’t help laughing, even though she’d come to expect his clumsiness. “How in the world do you stay up on a paddleboard for hours yet trip over your own feet trying to walk?”
His adorable grin could light up the darkest mood. “It’s a gift.”
“Obviously.” The one time he’d taken her paddleboarding, she’d been amazed by his skill.
“So, you headed over to get Thor?”
“Yes. I forgot Savannah dropped me off this morning, so I don’t have a car. I figured I’d head over to the park, then crash at the apartment. I didn’t get much sleep last night.”
“I heard about the fire. I’m sorry. Did you lose much?”
“I don’t think I lost anything, but I haven’t been home all day.”
“If you need a ride, I’d be happy to take you.”
Though the thought of her nice comfy bed did appeal, she could get an extra hour of sleep if she just stayed at the apartment. She needed the hour. Of course, if Hunt showed up battered and bruised again, she wouldn’t be there. Plus, she had told Harley he could use the apartment whenever he wanted. Not that he ever had. Thinking hurt her brain. “I’m good, Trevor, thank you.”
“No problem. I’ll walk with you to the day care center, but then I have to get back.”
She started walking along the sidewalk side by side with Trevor. She’d thought about stopping by his shop earlier, but walking together worked out even better. Multitasking at its best. “Have you seen Harley lately?”
“No, why?”
“I don’t know. I left his dinner out yesterday, and he didn’t take it. Didn’t take the newspapers either.”
“That is weird. I haven’t seen him, but I’ll certainly ask around and see if anyone else has.”
“Thanks, Trevor. I worry about him.”
“I know. Me too. But everyone around here looks out for him. I’m sure he’ll be okay. He’s probably just roaming around somewhere being… well, Harley.”
“I guess, but I’d feel better if I knew someone had seen him.”
“Have you checked the clearing in the woods?”
“No, it was late when I realized he hadn’t eaten last night’s dinner.” She left off the fact she rarely, if ever, went out to the back parking lot except to dump the garbage.
It didn’t matter. The look of sympathy he offered when he squeezed her hand told her he understood. “I’ll let you know if I hear anything.”
“Thanks.” If his bag was still there when she got up the next morning, she’d have to suck it up and check the clearing he often hung out in on the far side of her parking lot. If she looked straight ahead, she’d probably be able to avoid looking at the dumpster. And if she couldn’t, well, she’d just have to deal with it. She owed Harley that much. He’d been a good friend to her, and nothing would stop her from being there for him.
When they reached the day care center, they stopped. “Well, I’m going to head back now. We’re still on for Monday, right?”
“Monday?”
“Kayaking?”
“Sure thing. I’m looking forward to it.” In a not so excited about getting in a flimsy little boat in a lake full of critters sort of way.
“Great.” He started backing away. “I’ll see you Monday morning, then. Unless I see you sooner, which I might, since we only work a few stores down from each other.”
He backed into a bench and plopped down to sit. “I meant to do that.”
Gia laughed as she waved and hurried in to pick up Thor.
* * * *
After sitting in the park and having two tacos and a large Diet Pepsi, Gia returned to the apartment above the café, fed Thor and took him for one last walk, then locked up. A clean pair of leggings and a tunic style top lay over a chair at the small round table in the corner of the kitchen. Apparently, Savannah had already come and gone.
The idea of a hot shower flickered into her mind, then flickered right back out again as she flopped onto the couch and dropped her head back. The minute she landed, her eyes started to close.
She lifted her purse, which she’d tossed onto the couch on her way in, and dropped it onto the floor. The white envelope the courier had brought fell out and slid across the laminate flooring. She had half a mind to leave it by the side of the couch where it landed, but no matter how tired she was, the curiosity wouldn’t allow her to sleep until she knew what it contained. Better to just open it and get it over with.
She snagged the envelope beneath her bare foot and pulled it toward her across the floor. Curiosity did not give her the energy to get up. She picked it up, ripped it open, and pulled out a single sheet of printer paper.
Dear Ms. Morelli,
I was so sorry to hear your establishment would be closing. If you are interested in selling, I would be pleased if you would consider my offer.
She turned the page over, but other than the short paragraph followed by a ridiculously low offer and a corporate stamp with a signature she couldn’t read scribbled above it, nothing gave any indication where the letter had come from. It had to be some sort of joke. She couldn’t make out the signature, but the stamp was from a company called the Starboard Corporation. She’d never heard of it. Of course, she didn’t have her computer with her, so she couldn’t even look it up. She tossed the letter aside and lay down on the couch.
Thor lay on the floor beside her. She didn’t have a crate for him at the apartment, but he’d have to make do.
Her eyes fell shut and she drifted in and out, on the verge of sleep, but not quite there. The smell of smoke wafted to her. Flames flickered against the backs of her eyelids. Light, dark, light, dark, a dizzying array of color and shadow. The crackle and pop as the flames consumed everything in their path. She was trapped. Nowhere to go. No escape. A wall of flames and heat battered her, threatened to consume her.
She jerked upright and took a huge gulp of air. Clean air. No smoke. No flames. Just Thor snoring softly at her side. She grabbed her cell phone and checked the time. Three AM. No way could she call anyone now, but first thing in the morning, she’d call Savannah and ask her to see if Tommy would allow her to come before the town council and beg for a fire exit in Rolling Pines
.
Chapter 14
When the alarm went off Monday morning, Gia hit the snooze button. Kayaking day had arrived faster than she would have thought possible, especially considering she hadn’t had a decent night’s sleep in almost a week. Plagued by nightmares, concerned about Harley, who no one had seen in close to a week despite Gia working up the courage to check the clearing behind the café, sick with worry over Hunt, who she hadn’t seen or heard from since the night of the fire, Gia spent most nights lying awake, staring at the ceiling—which whoever had painted missed a spot just above the bed. When she wasn’t trying to sleep, she spent her time scrubbing the smoky stench from everything in the house, washing all the curtains, linens, clothing, and shampooing the area rugs. She was just grateful there was no damage.
The alarm went off again, and she had half a mind to call Trevor and tell him she couldn’t go. What would be a good enough excuse to get out of paddling a thin wisp of a boat through snake and alligator infested waters? Anything! But there was no excuse good enough to hurt Trevor.
The third time the alarm sounded, she swung her feet over the side of the bed and sat up. She turned the alarm off, stood, and slid her feet into her slippers. “Come on, boy. If I have to be up, you have to be up too.”
Thor moaned and stood, then stretched his front paws and arched his back.
She trudged toward the kitchen with Thor on her heels. After starting a pot of coffee, she opened the back door to let Thor out. He was halfway through the door when Gia spotted the snake on the deck and snagged his collar. “Wait, Thor.”
She yanked him back and slammed the French door all in one motion, then peeked out the window. A long, thick snake lay curled in a puddle of sunlight on the deck right outside the door. She started to hyperventilate. She had no idea what kind of snake it was, just that some of them could be poisonous. On the bright side, she was now wide awake.
Thor whined at her side, fidgeting around, pacing back and forth in front of the door.