A whistle pierced the air and Susan looked out the windshield to see Reed motioning for her to join him on the porch. She grabbed her purse, got out of the car and slammed the door. She saw Reed’s eyes widen at her display of temper, but she wasn’t done yet.
“A whistle? Really? My daddy taught me that real men meet a lady at the door. They don’t honk and they certainly don’t whistle.”
Susan watched an array of emotions pass across his face and knew she’d gone too far. She saw the sweet, nice guy retreat and a stranger take his place.
“My job is to keep you safe, ma’am,” he said tersely, startling Susan with his formality. “There’s a bundle of rosemary on your porch. I whistled because I need to keep you close while I check the house and I want you to keep an eye on the rosemary.”
“That still doesn’t explain why you whistled at me like I was your trained dog.” She knew she was acting like a spoiled brat and she still wasn’t sure why, but she couldn’t help it. Reed’s eyes narrowed and his frown grew deeper, but she met his eyes fearlessly.
He sighed and ran his hands through his hair, then in a calm, yet formal voice said, “I’m a trained U.S. Marshal. I’m not here to take you to dinner, I’m here to keep you safe. What I do might not make sense to you, but I have my reasons. I need you to trust me and follow my instructions.”
Her eyes filled with tears. “I’m sorry, Reed. I know all that. It’s just. . .everything!” she cried out. She took a couple of deep, ragged breaths while Reed stood nearby, watching her, hands in his pockets.
Get it together, Susan! she told herself. This was not who she was. She could examine her out-of-character behavior later, but right now it she needed to act like a grown-up. She took another breath, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. She squared her shoulders and looked up at him, her eyes red, but full of determination. “What do you want me to do?” she asked.
“That’s the spirit,” he encouraged her, sounding more like the friendly man she’d spent the day with. “I need you to stand right here so you can see into the house and still keep an eye on the street. If anything seems wrong or unusual, I want you to call out and I’ll come running. I need to check out the inside of the house and make sure there are no other surprises.”
He leaned forward, lifted her chin with his fingers and looked her in the eye. “Don’t worry Miss Sinclair, I’ll be back quicker than a hot knife through butter,” he drawled, making her giggle in spite of herself.
Reed searched the house and while she kept an eye on the rosemary, she reflected on her behavior. She’d seen other women act crazy over a man and she’d never understood it. Now it was happening to her and she really didn’t understand it. Regardless of her reaction to him, she had to remember he was here to keep her safe, not date her.
It wasn’t long before he rejoined her on the porch. “All clear inside. It’s safe to go in.”
“Praise the Lord,” she said softly, “I need a hot bath and a nice, home-cooked meal.”
“Well, you go on and take that bath. I checked out your fridge last night and I found the makin’s for some good grub. That is, if you don’t mind me cooking for you?” he asked.
She eyed him suspiciously. “You seem too good to be true. You protect and serve and cook, too? And by the way, your drawl and accent seem to come and go an awful lot,” she said. “Is any of that persona real?”
Reed grinned and winked at her. “It’s all real, honey, but sometimes, I add a little extra to spice things up!”
Susan didn’t want him calling her ‘honey,’ at least not like this, but she knew he was trying to diffuse the tension, and he was so cute and charming she couldn’t be angry with him.
“Fine, you can cook dinner. But don’t call me honey.”
“Yes ma’am, Miss Sinclair,” he saluted her, his eyes sparkling.
She headed for her bedroom, shaking her head and wondering why the way he said Miss Sinclair made her heart race.
4
It was amazing how a nice hot bubble bath could turn a bad day around. Susan finished drying her hair and added one last swipe of mascara. She looked in the mirror and almost didn’t recognize herself.
She’d always worn her blonde hair short, but now, in WITSEC, she had a new name and a new look. Besides the auburn-colored hair and longer, wavier hairstyle, there were worry lines and dark circles that hadn’t been there a few months ago. But she also saw a more mature, stronger woman.
She sighed and turned towards the door. Just as she reached for the knob, there was a knock. She opened the door and was surprised to find Reed standing there, a tray of food in his hands.
“I thought you might prefer to have your dinner in here, so you don’t have to put up with me anymore today.” His twinkling eyes let her know he was teasing, but she realized there was an ugly element of truth to it.
“I’m not putting up with you,” she corrected. “I’m just not used to being around people all day, every day. I like to have some time alone, away from people.”
“Believe me, I understand the need for some privacy. I grew up with four brothers and three sisters. When I could afford to move out, I got my own little studio apartment. My brothers wanted me to share a place with them and they couldn’t understand why I refused. But I needed some peace and quiet, a place where I could just relax and be alone.” He suddenly stopped talking and looked down at her, his eyes wide. He probably hadn’t meant to share so much personal information and she struggled to find a way to let him know she respected his honesty.
“Now that I’ve had a nice bath, I’d actually appreciate some company, if you don’t mind,” she broke the awkward silence.
He nodded, “Happy to oblige, Miss Sinclair.”
She followed him to the dining table and sat down. “Would you like to say grace or should I?” she asked.
“It’s your home, so it’s your choice.” His nonchalant response riled her up again and just as she was about to let him have it for being rude, he ducked his head, closed his eyes and started the prayer.
“Dear Lord, thank You for the food, for the company and for another day on this earth. We appreciate You providing for us and keeping us safe. In Your name, amen.”
He took the platter from the tray and set it in front of Susan. Her mouth started to water at the tantalizing aroma of the chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, green beans and gravy.
“You made this?” she asked, incredulous. “From what I had in my kitchen?”
Reed laughed. “Yes, I did. You didn’t have the spices I normally use, but I improvised. I think it turned out pretty darn good!”
Susan picked up a fork and knife and sliced off a piece of the chicken fried steak. As she took a bite, she moaned in pleasure. “Oh my! This is wonderful!”
His face flushed, and even the tops of his ears turned pink with embarrassment. “Do you really like it?”
Susan could tell that it meant a lot to him, and it really was delicious, so she smiled and nodded. “I really do! This is amazing.” She took a bite of the mashed potatoes and the green beans. “Wow! These are incredible, too!”
He sat down and started eating his supper. “Oh yeah, I like this. I hope I can remember how I made this. It’s even better than usual.” He took another bite, then looked up at Susan who was watching him. He swallowed his food, wiped his mouth on his napkin, then asked, “What? Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Better than usual?” she repeated. “You make this regularly?”
“Well, yeah, don’t you?” His brow creased in confusion as he looked at her.
“No!” she laughed. “I live alone. I usually eat soup or a sandwich or make a cheese plate.”
He looked at her, aghast. “A cheese plate? Now it’s my turn to say, ‘really?’” he joked. She grinned at him and took another bite of her food. “Seriously, though. You don’t cook meals for yourself?”
She pushed some potatoes around on her plate while she thought. “I used to,�
� she admitted. “But I’m tired when I get home and I hate wasting food. I’m not much of a leftover person, so if I make more than I can eat at one sitting, it usually goes to waste.”
“Well, I’ll just have to teach you how to make this wonderful dinner for one, then. That way you can make it often and not have an excuse to make a cheese plate!” He shuddered in mock horror.
She shook her head and laughed. “If you can teach me to cook food that tastes like this, I give you my word I’ll give up cheese plates forever!” she vowed.
“Challenge accepted,” he rubbed his hands together gleefully.
Reed was exhausted. He wanted to go straight to bed but he needed to patrol before he settled in for the night. He let himself out the front door and locked it behind him. He looked up and down the neighborhood street. Most of the houses were dark at this hour, but a couple still had lights burning in at least one room. It was quiet tonight, the sound of crickets notwithstanding.
He turned and looked at Susan’s home. It was a nice house. The outside was painted medium blue with white shutters and a white fence encircled the small front yard. The garden ran along the front of the house, then down the side and into the back, with flowers of all colors and green ornamental grasses which gave it an organic, unplanned look. Both the front and back yards sported a well-trimmed lawn of buffalo grass, creating an interesting contrast of order next to the wild garden.
He’d never had a home like this, and he’d always been a bit envious of those who did. Family was important to him, and he hoped that one day he’d have a house filled with children and wife who loved him. He wanted a yard and trees and friendly neighbors he could invite over for a weekend barbecue. It was nice dream, but he wasn’t sure if a life like that was in the cards for this U.S. Marshal.
Reed sighed. He’d finished checking the outside of the house and now it was time to get to bed. He would be going to school with Susan in the morning and if today was any indication, he’d need his rest. He’d forgotten how noisy classrooms were and how rambunctious kids were. It was more than that, though. Even though women were attracted to him wherever he went, dealing with the women in the teacher’s lounge had stressed him out. It’d never bothered him until today. Somehow, knowing Susan was watching made the attention embarrassing instead of flattering.
He walked up the steps and unlocked the front door. He shut it behind him and made sure the deadbolt was secure. As he walked past her closed bedroom door, he thought about how scared she must have been, witnessing a brutal murder and being forced to leave her life behind. She’d just started to get settled in when the bundles of rosemary appeared on her doorstep. He must have scared the daylights out of her when he walked up behind her while she was gardening. Dealing with all of that would be hard for anyone, so he would try harder to understand her mood swings.
That still didn’t explain why she’d been surly on the ride home and why she’d snapped at him when he whistled. To be fair, he’d tried to get her attention, but she was staring in the other direction. At the time, a whistle had seemed more discreet that yelling, “Hey Susan, come watch the stuff the perp left!”
Reed chuckled to himself as he put on his pajamas. He’d try to remember what she was going through and cut her some slack. He was a nice guy, but his job wasn’t to make her smile, or protect her feelings. It was to keep her safe.
Even so, his last thought before he fell asleep was of how Susan’s eyes sparkled when she smiled at him, and how she made his heart race.
5
Susan woke up to the smell of coffee brewing and some sort of sugary scent that she couldn’t quite identify. She rolled over and looked at her alarm clock. It wasn’t due to go off for another 20 minutes.
She sat up and stretched, marveling at the fact that she wasn’t angry. Normally, if she woke up before her alarm, she’d be irritated. But the aromas coming from her kitchen were winning her over and she hurried to get dressed.
She walked out of her bedroom 15 minutes later. She could smell bacon now, and her mouth watered in anticipation. Reed’s back was to her as she walked into the kitchen and as she watched him turn the bacon in the skillet, she took a moment to reflect.
She’d lived alone most of her life. She preferred to take care of herself and was usually uncomfortable around others. Her mother had teased her about becoming a teacher and being surrounded by people all day, since she was such an introvert. But kids were different, she’d argued. She didn’t feel overwhelmed in front of her class, she felt invigorated. Being around adults, that’s what made her sweat.
He turned around and smiled at her, catching her off-guard. She blushed and smiled back, tentatively. “I can smell bacon and coffee, but I can’t identify the other amazing smell,” she said as she walked towards him.
“Blueberry muffins.” He gestured towards the table with the tongs. “Have a seat and I’ll get you a plate.” Susan started to argue--it was her kitchen after all, and he shouldn’t be ordering her around. But her stomach chose that moment to rumble loudly, so she retreated to the table, hoping he hadn’t heard.
There were coffee mugs on the table along with a steaming carafe of coffee, so she poured herself a cup. He’d placed some cream and sugar on the table as well and she helped herself to a spoonful of sugar and a splash of cream. She slowly took a sip of the hot liquid.
“Oh, my goodness, this is the best coffee I’ve ever tasted!” She took another sip and was delighted to find it tasted just as amazing as her first sip.
She looked up when a plate was placed in front of her with a large muffin and four perfectly cooked slices of bacon. “Thank you, Reed.” She marveled at the beauty of the blueberry muffin. She wanted to take a bite, but she needed to do something first.
He joined her at the table, reaching across and laying his hand next to hers, leaving it up to her if she took it or not. She wrapped her fingers around his large hand and held tight.
“Thank You, Lord, for the food and the heavenly coffee. Thank You for bringing me a marshal who can cook and who knows how to clean up after himself. Bless us and keep us safe this fine day, amen.”
Susan picked up the muffin and took a large bite. Her eyes opened wide in amazement as the incredible flavors of blueberry and butter hit her taste buds and he grinned at her reaction.
He grabbed one for himself and just as he bit into the muffin, there was a loud knock at the door. Reed finished chewing, took off the apron he’d been wearing and set it on the counter.
“That’ll be Maggie,” he said as he walked towards the door. “She wanted to check in with you and make sure you’re still okay with me being here.”
She choked on the muffin and grabbed a napkin to cover her mouth. Had her childish behavior yesterday made him reconsider staying with her? She stood up and rushed to the door, stopping dead in her tracks as she reached it.
Reed was standing on the porch looking down at Maggie who was squatting and bagging another bundle of rosemary. “I was out here an hour ago and that wasn’t there,” she heard him say.
“I believe you. Everything has dew on it but the rosemary, which means it hasn’t been here long.” She sighed, looking up into Susan’s stricken eyes. “Did either of you hear anything at all?”
Reed looked over at Susan and she shook her head, no. He shrugged his shoulders and stuck his hands in his pockets. “I’m going to walk around the yard and the street, see if I see anything out of place.”
The women watched him walk away and Maggie shook her head. “I was really hoping Reed’s presence would deter this person, but I guess not.”
“He’s only been here for a day,” she reminded her. “Maybe they didn’t notice him yet.” She shrugged her shoulders and was so focused on watching him walk away she missed the grin on Maggie’s face and the glint in her eye.
“So, you’re okay with Reed staying? Even though you got another bundle of rosemary?”
“Of course. It’s not his fault. Let’s give it more time an
d see what happens,” she suggested. She heard the marshal cough, looked over at her and did a double take. “What? Why are you grinning at me like that?”
“Oh, nothing,” Maggie told her. “I’m just surprised that you’re okay with him staying, that’s all.” Susan felt her cheeks start to flush and turn pink, and she ducked her head in embarrassment.
“I’ve never lived with a man,” she admitted. “I thought it would be uncomfortable and awkward. But Reed cooked dinner last night and made me breakfast this morning, which was amazing. I slept better than I’ve slept in a long time, knowing he was here, keeping watch over me.” She paused, shrugging her shoulders. “I don’t know. Maybe I’ve just been alone too long.”
“Maybe,” Maggie said, her voice thoughtful. “Or maybe it’s his charm winning you over.” She grinned cheekily at Susan who blushed furiously.
“What’s going on here?” Reed asked. He climbed the porch steps looking from his partner’s laughing face to Susan’s beet-red face. She didn’t have an answer for that, so she fled into the house, mumbling something about being late for school.
Safely behind the closed door of her bedroom, she looked at herself in the mirror. She knew she’d been rude, but she’d been startled by the realization that Maggie might be right. What if she was falling for Reed? That couldn’t end well. For one thing, he was posing as her brother. For another, if they didn’t find out who was leaving her little presents, she’d have to start over again, somewhere else, as someone else and she’d never see him again.
She made a face at herself in the mirror. “Get a grip, Susan. He’s not your boyfriend, he’s the muscle.” She laughed as she pictured him flexing his biceps in his cowboy hat and boots, and she relaxed a little.
Susan noticed her bedside clock in the mirror’s reflection and realized she’d better get a move on or she really was going to be late for school. She finished getting ready in record time and headed into the kitchen. She wasn’t about to leave without finishing her delicious breakfast.
Murder and a Pinch of Rosemary Page 2