Foxfire

by Carol Ann Erhardt

  Tyler placed his hand on Grace's shoulder, giving it a brief squeeze.

  “Tiffany led me to Grace's door, and I took the opportunity to introduce myself and tell her about the clinic.”

  A tap on the door turned all their heads. “Yoo hoo, I'm here. Better late than never, I always say.” Harri burst through the door, her bright orange hair dimmed only by the turquoise earrings bobbing on her lobes. She stopped abruptly when she caught sight of Tyler.

  Grace hurried forward. “Here let me take that,” she said relieving Harri of an oblong pan.

  Brad slid Harri's cardinal red sweater off her shoulders. “Harri, meet Tyler Sandford, our community veterinarian. Tyler, Harriet Parton. Better known as Harri.”

  Tyler lifted Harri's hand to his lips. “Ms. Parton, it's an honor to finally meet you. Brad's mentioned you many times. Are you relation to the famous Dolly?”

  Harri yanked her hand back as if burned. “A distant cousin of sorts.” Her voice dropped an octave and her lips turned downward. She narrowed her golden brown eyes, made more prominent by the lavish application of lavender eye shadow. “What's the old geezer been saying about me?”

  “Only good things, I assure you,” Tyler responded.

  Harri looked him over from head to toe. “You have an interesting aura. Lots of green.”

  Tyler's eyebrows lifted questioningly. “Green?”

  “Suits your profession. I see some dark purple, too.” She lifted the glasses hanging on a beaded chain and slipped them onto her nose. “Interesting,” she murmured. She removed the glasses and let them dangle around her neck.

  Brad slipped his arm across Harri's shoulders and squeezed. “Now, Harri, don't get started with that nonsense.” He smiled apologetically at Tyler. “Harri thinks she's psychic.”

  “Bradley Johnson.” Harri’s hands fisted on her ample hips. “One of these days you'll be sorry for doubting my abilities.”

  “Right, darlin'. So what did you bring for dessert?”

  Harri ignored him and squinted farsightedly at Tyler. Grace knew that look. She almost felt sorry for him. She could practically feel him squirm under that scrutinizing gaze.

  “I'm not sure of you yet, young man. Something's not right. But you can call me Harri.”

  Grace felt like giggling. The teasing, flirtatious veterinarian had met his match. She wondered what he thought about Harri's outrageous outfit—a long flowing broomstick skirt in blended splashes of red, gold and black, topped with a lime green poet's blouse. Only Harri could deck herself out like a peacock and still command respect. Her happy spirit invaded the room and brought a glow of love to Brad's eyes.

  He ladled their plates with steaming beef stew that made Grace's mouth water. The smell of freshly baked sourdough rolls wafted from the covered basket in the center of the table. She took one and passed the basket to Tyler, who sat so close their arms brushed when he took it. He winked and she slipped her hands to her lap to hide her trembling fingers. Damn him. He knew exactly what effect he had on her.

  Tiffany plopped loudly onto the floor and huffed a sigh.

  Brad's stomach jumped in time with his laughter. “I'm not forgetting you, girl. You just have to wait until it cools.”

  The dog's tail whacked the floor as she looked at him expectantly.

  “Where did you come from, Tyler?” Harri asked.

  Tyler coughed and choked on a bite of roll.

  Grace grinned wickedly and pounded him on the back.

  He covered his mouth with his napkin and slanted her a glance.

  She lifted her eyebrows and smiled innocently.

  “Sorry,” he said turning his gaze to Harri. “I was born and raised in Ohio.”

  “Why did you move to Tennessee?” Harri demanded.

  “I love the mountains. When I was a kid, our family vacationed in the Gatlinburg area. I've always wanted to live here. When the opportunity arose, I couldn't resist.”

  “What opportunity?” Harri prodded.

  Brad's silverware clattered against his plate. “Harri, don't be so nosy. If Tyler wants—”

  “It's all right, Brad. I don't mind. I was in partnership with...another vet. Things didn't work out, and here I am.”

  Harri's earrings swayed hypnotically as she buttered her roll with a vengeance. “Young man, you went from page one to the end and skipped the entire middle of that story.”

  Tyler chewed, studying his plate as if searching for a proper response.

  Harri slapped her knife onto the table. “You must let me read your palm sometime.”

  “Yes, Tyler,” Grace piped in, her voice laced with saccharin. “You should let Harri read your palm.”

  Harri flicked a glance at Grace's bare finger.

  “Hmmph. You should have listened to me, girl.”

  It was Grace's turn to cough.

  “You should see Tyler's clinic,” Brad interjected. “He's got a scale big enough to weigh a bear.”

  For a moment a heavy silence rent the air in the wake of Brad's obvious attempt to change the subject.

  “Not quite,” Tyler said. “Let's hope none of my clients has a bear for a pet.”

  “He's opening next week,” Brad said. “Ran an ad in the local paper.”

  Harri's eyes dilated, fixing on Grace for a few heart-stopping seconds, and then focused on Tyler. Her gaze wavered, settling somewhere between the two of them.

  Tyler nodded and reached for another roll. “It'll be slow to start, but I'm hoping to expand through word of mouth. Once I get an established client base, I'll hire someone to run the office. Appointments, billing, that sort of thing.”

  Brad lifted his fork and pointed at Grace. “Our Grace is looking for a job. Why not hire her?”

  Grace felt her face flush. She wrapped her fingers around her glass to keep from throttling Brad. What in the world was he doing? First inviting this stranger to dinner in a not-too-subtle matchmaking ploy, then letting him know she was unemployed. Surrogate grandfather or not, he'd stepped over the line.

  Brad cleared his throat and shoved away from the table. “I forgot about Tiffany.” He placed a bowl in front of the dog and then washed his hands noisily. The running water and Tiffany's snapping jaws were the only sounds to be heard.

  Tyler turned his glance to Grace. “You have any experience with computers?”

  “Yes, but I'm not...that is, I just quit my job. I haven't thought a lot about what I'm going to do next.”

  Brad began to clear the table. “What's the mystery dessert, Harri?”

  “Zodiac surprise,” she responded quickly.

  Anxiety and mirth brought a burst of laughter from Grace. Brad's deep booming guffaw joined in, followed by Tyler's more reserved chuckle.

  Harri's face lit as if a candle glowed within. Dimples marked her chipmunk cheeks. “It's vanilla cake made with coconut rum. You'll love it, I swear.”

  Brad pressed a kiss on the top of Harri's head. “Darlin', I'm sure we will.”

  And they did, polishing off nearly the entire cake with much approbation for the cook. Grace insisted on washing dishes, shooing everyone else to the living room. She wanted time to herself away from Tyler's virile presence. Her mind wandered to how easily she responded to him and how she didn't miss Connor at all. How could she move so easily from one ruined relationship into feeling attracted to another man? Especially one she didn't know. He could be a pervert or maybe even the serial killer the cops were trying to find. What did she really know about him?

  She placed the last dish in the drainer and reached for the dishtowel. Though she didn't hear a sound, she knew the moment Tyler entered the room.

  He took the towel from her hands. “Allow me,” he said.

  Tyler stepped back and reached for another item in the draining rack.

  Grace stepped aside, just as Harri popped around the corner with Brad close behind.

  “Need help?” Harri asked. She focused a stern schoolteacher scowl on Tyler.

  “No
pe, almost finished,” Tyler said.

  Grace said, “Dessert was scrumptious, Harri. What was in that icing?”

  “I might tell you the secret some day,” Harri said.

  Grace nuzzled her dog. “I'll hold you to that. Right now, I really should be heading for home.”

  “Me, too,” Tyler said.

  Brad removed his arm from around Harri's waist and took Tyler's outstretched hand.

  “Thanks for dinner, Brad,” the younger man said. He kissed Harri's cheek. “And thanks for the dessert, Harri.”

  Harri remained silent.

  “I'll walk Grace home,” Tyler said.

  Harri pulled Grace aside and whispered, “I don't trust him. That man's hiding something.”

  Grace flicked a glance from the corner of her eyes toward the two men, who were staring at her and Harri. What secrets did Tyler have? Harri could be counted on for her psychic abilities, and Grace knew better than to ignore her warning. Who was he? He said he was from Ohio. Was it possible he'd been sent to find her? Could he be working for Max? The thought made Grace feel as if a giant shovel had scooped out her insides.

  “It's a good thing you have Tiffany,” Harri said so all could hear. “I've been thinking of getting myself a dog. Did you hear another woman was killed last night?”

  Grace's dinner turned to acid, burning her esophagus. She swallowed hard. She'd talked to the police, who'd made her feel foolish for reporting what she'd seen. She'd shrugged it off, but she couldn't stop thinking about the poor women.

  Tyler drew his brows together. “Another woman? What happened?”

  Harri stared at Tyler, lips pressed together in a thin line. A brief moment of stagnant silence thickened the air. Finally she replied, “Another poor woman was slashed to death by the Knoxville Knifer.”

  “Another?” Tyler queried.

  Harri gave Tyler a look that would make most men worry for their lives.

  “Three other victims in the past five weeks,” she responded in an accusatory tone. “That makes four women killed by the Knoxville Knifer, and the police don't have a suspect.”

  “Here in Foxfire?” Tyler asked. He didn't seem to notice Harri's antagonistic attitude.

  Brad moved closer to Grace. She gave him a grateful smile for his silent comfort.

  “Not here,” he answered quickly, placing a hand on Grace's shoulder. “In Knoxville. Nothing bad ever happens in Foxfire.”

  Gathering strength from Brad's touch, Grace admitted, “I talked to the police today about the latest murder.”

  Brad frowned. “The police? Did you know that woman?”

  “No. But last night I saw someone in the parking garage. He was standing in the shadows beside the elevator on the second floor. The light above the doors was out, but my headlights caught him when I passed. I didn't think much of it until I read the article this morning.”

  Despite the warmth in the room, she couldn't suppress a shiver. Visions of a knife kept flashing through her mind.

  Harri's eyes sparkled with intensity. “You've got to come and let me read the Tarot cards for you. Do you think you saw the Knoxville Knifer?”

  “The police don't think so. I couldn't give a very good description. Actually, they made me feel foolish for going in to report it.”

  Harri squinted, her lips pursing. She shook her head. “Something's going on. You've got something dark corrupting your aura. Come by tomorrow and I'll do a reading.”

  “Damn it, Harri!” Brad stepped between the two women. “You stop scaring her. She's had enough to deal with the past two days.”

  Grace put a hand on Brad's arm. “She isn't scaring me, and besides I believe in Harri's abilities.”

  Brad shook his head. “I think it's all a bunch of hooey.”

  Harri glared at Brad. “If you'll get my sweater, I'll be on my way. You're beginning to get on my nerves, Bradley.”

  “Please don't fight,” Grace pleaded. “I’m sure what I saw was nothing at all. Just like the police said.”

  Harri kept her narrow gaze focused on Brad until he mumbled a brief apology.

  Grace kissed Brad and Harri on the cheeks and left them to work out their difference. Tiffany raced ahead, and Tyler soon caught up with her.

  “Tiffany,” she called. Though she didn't think she had anything to fear from Tyler, one could never be too careful. She felt grateful her dog was near.

  Chapter Three

  Tyler had to increase his pace to keep up with Grace. Tiffany ran ahead of them, dodging in and out of trees.

  Tyler had been following the murders committed by the serial killer dubbed the Knoxville Knifer. At first he wondered if there might be a connection to Max, but discarded the idea because Max preferred a quick kill by shooting his victims in the head. Besides, his list seemed limited to those who'd testified in his trial. Random serial killings didn't fit the profile.

  Tyler kept a close surveillance on the wooded area pressing in on them. If Max wasn't here yet, he would be eventually. Tyler intended to be alert and ready. He caught sight of the moonlight glinting off Grace's molten cap of red curls. He took her arm and slowed their pace, not wanting to reach her house too soon.

  “You don't have to walk me home,” she blurted.

  Suppressing a grin, he said, “Maybe not, but I want to. Besides, I have to pass your house to get to mine.”

  “Just don't get the wrong idea. I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”

  “Glad to hear that. If a bear shows up, I wouldn't know what to do. Glad you're here to protect me.”

  Her quick laughter washed over him.

  “Brad didn't tell me he was inviting a sexy woman to dinner,” he continued.

  She looked at him from under one raised eyebrow.

  He grinned. “But I'm glad he did.”

  “You're so full of bull. I suppose women usually throw themselves at your feet.”

  “Only the four-legged ones.”

  She grinned and kicked at a stone on the path. “He didn't tell me you were coming either.”

  “Sneaky, isn't he?”

  “Sometimes. Look, Brad is like family. He feels responsible for me.” She stopped and swung to face him. “I'm not looking for a relationship. If you want the truth, I've just ended one. I'm not...that is, I've decided...”

  He loved the way she moved her hands when she talked, as if leading an invisible orchestra. The top of her head barely reached his shoulder. Her waist was tiny, small enough he felt he could span it with his hands. Below it her hips flared provocatively. Altogether a nice package. One he'd like to sample, if not for his rule against mixing business with pleasure.

  Her outstretched arms dropped to her side, and her shoulders sagged. “I'm sorry. I love Brad, but sometimes—”

  He cupped her elbow and started walking again. “Hey, don't worry. I'm not looking for a relationship either.”

  They strolled in silence for several steps. “I must say, that although Brad told me a lot about Harri, she isn't quite what I expected.”

  Grace's tinkling laugh wrapped around his chest and stole his breath. Something he wasn't prepared for.

  “She's a force to be reckoned with. Sometimes her predictions are right on.”

  “Really? Do you think I should let her read my palm?” He turned her to face him. “Maybe she can tell me if...” He ran his hands up her arms and squeezed her shoulders. “...I'm going to get my wish.” He couldn't help pushing her buttons. “You know, make a success of the clinic,” he added. He started walking again, slipping his hand back under her elbow.

  “Maybe you should,” Grace said.

  Tyler laughed. “Nah, like Brad, I don't believe in that hokey stuff.”

  “She might surprise you.”

  Too quickly they reached her house. She'd left the porch light on, and he recalled how sexy and vulnerable she'd looked last night standing under its glow, her eyes all red and puffy. He mentally checked his emotions. He couldn't let his feelings get in
the way of what he had to do, for he needed to spend more time with her. Even though he hadn't opened for business, he'd have to press her to come to work for him. What a stroke of luck for him that she wasn't employed. “About the job opening…”

  Grace pushed her hands out as if to ward him off. “Brad shouldn't have said anything.”

  “You mean you're not looking for a job?”

  She blew out a loud breath. “I am, but I don’t want you to feel obligated because of Brad.”

  He stepped forward and Tiffany plopped herself between them. Her tongue rippled while she panted. He kept his distance, respecting the dog's territorial barrier. “I don’t feel obligated. I need an office manager. You need a job. I don't know what you're looking for, but let's talk.”

  “I appreciate your offer, but you don't know anything about me.”

  “I know you can operate a computer. You told me that much. That's why we need to talk. You know, I learn about you, and you learn about...” He winked. “The job opening.”

  “Let me think about it.”

  Her eyes sparkled beneath lashes so long and curly he ached to feel them against his skin. The woman was dangerous. He’d been without a woman for much too long.

  He held out a hand and received a wet kiss from the dog. He loved dogs, but that wasn't the type of kiss he hungered for tonight.

  He'd had a few dates over the past few years, but always with women who wouldn't expect a commitment. Something about Grace screamed commitment. Despite the fact she'd been the girlfriend of a mobster, he sensed she might have been telling the jury the truth when she said she didn't know about Max's criminal activities.

  But that shouldn't matter. Tyler was here for one reason. To put an end to Max's killing spree and bring the bastard to justice. Or kill him. Whichever opportunity afforded itself. But to have a chance, Tyler needed Grace. If he had to romance her to make that happen, he'd do so and enjoy every second. She wasn't immune to the chemistry brewing between them.

  Grace closed her eyes and sent forth an audible sigh. He leaned forward and brushed his lips against hers before she could resist.

  He expected a slap, or at the least that she'd push him away. He didn't expect the warm, soft pressure of her lips kissing him back.