Shattered (A Jenny Watkins Mystery Book 3)

by Becky Durfee

  Elijah’s words echoed in her head. No man is perfect. You just have to find a man whose flaws you can live with. Was Zack that man? He was clearly flawed, but his imperfections were not rooted in hostility or greed. If anything, he was a guy who tried to do the right thing but often didn’t know how. Perhaps that was not such a horrible flaw after all. In any relationship each person is supposed to bring something to the table. Zack could make Jenny feel attractive and support her in her quest to use her abilities to the fullest, and in return Jenny could coach Zack on how to be a little more responsible and socially acceptable.

  The last thought made Jenny smile. He did have a child-like innocence about him, and maybe the teacher in her could take some pleasure in helping him reach his potential. It wasn’t as if the giving was going to be one-sided if they got together. Unlike in her marriage to Greg, she would benefit too.

  A smile splayed across her face as the thought of a relationship with Zack caused the butterflies to stir in her stomach. Perhaps Roddan was right, and the soul really did know what it wants, even if the brain took a little longer to catch on.

  Chapter 18

  “I found out why Phillip was acting so funny at the store,” Jenny told Zack as she sat curled up on his couch.

  “Oh yeah?” Zack asked. “Why was that?”

  “It seems that when Pam had gone into the store before I got there, she told Phillip that I was interested in him. So he was freaking out every time he looked at me, not because he wanted to kill me, but because he was trying to work up the courage to ask me out.”

  “See? I told you you’re hot.”

  Jenny rolled her eyes. “Well, during Larry’s interview at the station, he said that Phillip always avoided stressful situations—including asking women out on dates. It doesn’t seem like he’s been in the company of a woman for a long time. So I imagine the poor guy would have been willing to ask out anyone who claimed to be interested in him.”

  “Don’t sell yourself short,” Zack replied. “But I do have to admit I feel kind of sorry for the guy. Here he thought he was going to go out with a hot girl, and it turned out it was all just a lie.”

  “Well, if you think about it, Pam’s intent was to ultimately pin a murder on him. Two murders, actually, if you include mine.” She shivered at the notion that she was supposed to be the next victim. “So if the only thing that happened to Phillip was that he didn’t get a date, he’s doing pretty well for himself.”

  “I guess you’re right,” Zack said. “But it still sucks.”

  “Oh, and the reason that picture in the Archway Grill caused a stir was because Debbie was in it, not because of Larry. And for the record, Larry is not—nor was he ever—gay,” Jenny declared. “Pam and Debbie just came up with that little story to bolster their version of events.”

  “They put a lot of thought into their little scheme, didn’t they?” Zack noted. “But they were no match for you and your infinite wisdom.”

  Jenny playfully rolled her eyes before she surveyed the room, noticing the odd mixture of large cardboard boxes and Christmas decorations in Zack’s apartment. “Your place is looking pretty Christmassy, in an I’m-going-to-be-moving-soon kind of way.”

  “It’s the first year I’ve had a tree since I moved into my own place,” he said proudly. “I figured you might enjoy the festivity.”

  Jenny looked at the table-top tree complete with unsentimental, mass-produced ornaments, and she couldn’t help but smile. “It’s a real beauty,” she joked. “It looks like Charlie Brown’s tree.”

  “I know, doesn’t it? But I was always a sucker for Charlie Brown’s tree. When I was a kid I felt sorry for it, and I decided that I’d take home the sorry looking trees when I was a grown up. And look! Now I have.”

  “It’s not even real,” Jenny said with a laugh.

  “Even better,” Zack replied. “Then I can use it again next year.” He took a seat next to Jenny on the sofa. “So, how did your meeting with Greg go?”

  She shrugged and shook her head. “It depends how you look at it. It was a bit of a train wreck, but that was very telling. I’m hoping it gives him the hint once and for all that it’s over.”

  “What happened?”

  “Well,” she began, “as promised, he brought me a present—a very expensive pair of diamond earrings.”

  Zack looked at Jenny with an expression that indicated he didn’t know how he was supposed to react to that news.

  To clue him in, she added, “When was the last time you’ve seen me wear expensive jewelry?”

  Zack thought for a moment. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you wear expensive jewelry.”

  “Exactly,” Jenny exclaimed. She then pulled her hair behind her ear. “And look. I don’t even have pierced ears.”

  “Did you tell him that?”

  “Yes, actually, I did. And do you know what his response was?”

  “I’m almost afraid to find out.”

  “He told me that it looks like now is a good time for me to go get my ears pierced.”

  Zack once again looked as if he was confused.

  Jenny threw her hands in the air. “It’s the same old shit. He bought me a present that wasn’t appropriate for me. It was expensive, yes, but anyone who knows me at all would know that wasn’t a good gift. And how does he react when he finds out the present was all wrong? He implies that I need to go out and make changes to myself so that I can adapt to his gift.” She rubbed her temples. “It was the last straw for me. I don’t need to see any more.”

  “So how did you leave it?”

  “I told him to keep the earrings and to give them to the girl they were meant for. Oh, he was pissed about that. I think he figured that he’d show up at my door with an expensive gift and I’d melt into his arms. I swear he really doesn’t know me at all.”

  “Well,” Zack said, “If you look under the tree, there’s a present with your name on it. I hope you like this one.”

  “They’re not diamond earrings, are they?”

  “My boss doesn’t pay me enough to afford diamond earrings.”

  Jenny stuck out her tongue at Zack. “Well, I have a couple of things for you, too, but I’m not sure you deserve them after that comment.” She got up and retrieved three gifts out of her bag.

  “Oh,” Zack said with a furrowed brow. “I only got you one thing.”

  Jenny smiled. “It’s not a contest.”

  “Well,” Zack said. “You go first.” He went to the tree and retrieved a poorly-wrapped present, which he handed to her before he sat back down. She had to admit she was curious as she opened the rectangular box. Once the wrapping paper was off, she removed the lid to discover the box contained business cards. She lifted one out to see a card that said, “Jenny Watkins, psychic.” Zack’s name and phone number were in smaller print underneath.

  “I wasn’t sure if you wanted your number out there, so I used mine,” Zack explained.

  The smile on Jenny’s face spoke volumes. “Thank you,” she said sincerely. “This is the best gift ever.”

  “I’m glad you like it,” Zack replied. “You know, it’s kind of hard to shop for a multi-millionaire.”

  Jenny laughed. “It’s perfect. Truly.” After a quick kiss on his cheek, she reached over for one of her gifts and held it out to Zack.

  He unwrapped the present and found a piece of paper inside of a box. “It’s a receipt,” Jenny explained. “You are the proud owner of a boat slip on Radmere Lake. It’s about twenty minutes from our new house.”

  His face lit up. “Thanks! I was wondering what I was going to do with my boat.”

  “Well, now you know.”

  He looked up at her with a wide-eyed smile. “That’s awesome. I love it.”

  Jenny held out the second gift. “Here. You’ll like this one less.”

  Zack laughed as soon as he realized what was underneath the paper. “An umbrella! I need one of those.”

  “I know you do. You got soaked
during Morgan Caldwell’s case, remember?”

  “I sure do. But now I’ll be high and dry…as long as I can remember to bring the thing with me when it rains.”

  Jenny handed him the third gift with a smile, although Zack looked confused when he opened it. “I don’t get it,” he said. “Another umbrella? Why would I need two?”

  To be continued in Exposed.