by Jessica Beck
“Here you go,” I said as I gave Jake the water.
He barely noticed me as he took it from me. “Thanks.”
“I’ll be back soon,” I told the men.
Jake nodded absently as he said, “Take your time,” and Terry didn’t even manage that.
I had a hunch that I would have been able to finish the shift inside without either one of them ever noticing my absence. These two men had remarkable powers of concentration when they were working on a problem. I didn’t even feel bad about my motive to get Jake out and walking.
It had done what I’d hoped, and now I had a chance to see how my donut shop was really doing. Maybe, for just a few minutes, I’d get back that sense of normalcy that I’d been missing over the past few days.
Chapter 15
“I’m back,” I said as I walked inside Donut Hearts again. “Did you miss me?”
“More than I can ever express,” Emma said with a grin. I knew that working the front wasn’t her favorite job to do at the donut shop, and I was a little surprised to find that her mother wasn’t running the counter instead.
“Where’s your mom?” I asked as I looked around at the nearly spotless front area.
“At the moment, she’s up to her elbows in dirty dishes, gaining a new appreciation for what I do more and more by the hour,” Emma answered.
“You’re not making her do all of the dirty bowls, trays, cups and dishes, are you?”
“No, I helped her out a little before we opened, and I’m lending a hand at the end of the day, too. She’s not nearly as fast at it as I am.”
“That’s because you’ve had lots and lots of practice,” I said.
She smiled. “You bet I have. I’ve got to say, I have a new respect for you as well, Suzanne. Running this place without you even for a few days has really taught me a lot.”
“How so?”
“My question for you is: How do you manage to do this every day without going crazy?” she asked me. “It’s absolutely exhausting.”
“You should know. You’re here with me six days a week,” I reminded her.
“Sure, but that’s just as your assistant,” Emma said. “It’s a whole different ballgame being the one in charge. I’ve got to say, I’m truly impressed.”
“Don’t worry. You’ll get the hang of it soon enough,” I assured her.
“I hope you’re right.” Emma leaned closer and lowered her voice as she added, “I can’t believe they caught Heather spying on you this morning. Wild, huh?”
“It was wild, all right. If Grace hadn’t come along, I’m not sure we would have ever caught her. In a way, it’s kind of crazy the way it worked out.”
“As long as she’s back in jail, that’s all that matters,” Emma said. “Dad’s planning to run the story this afternoon in a special edition of the paper. He’s planning to drag up the old case, and he’s even including Heather’s mug shot with the story.” Emma’s father and Sharon’s husband, Ray, ran the town newspaper, and he never could pass up a good story. He’d even run a piece on Jake’s heroics the day before, but I’d kept it from my boyfriend. I was certain that Jake wouldn’t approve of the glowing praise in the article, nor the photograph Ray had chosen to use. Where he’d managed to find Jake’s photo from his police academy graduation was beyond me. Even I had trouble recognizing my boyfriend from the grainy photo.
“How’s Jake doing, by the way?” Emma asked.
“I’m encouraged by how quickly he’s healing, to tell you the truth. He even walked over here with me from the cottage.”
“He’s here?” Emma asked as she looked around outside.
“Yes, but he probably won’t come in this time. He’s outside with his guardian angel, as a matter of fact,” I said as I explained Terry Hanlan’s presence to her.
“Inspector Hanlan sounds like a good friend to have,” Emma said.
“He is at that,” I answered as the front door opened. I half-expected to see Jake or Terry come in, but it was my ex, Max, instead.
“I just said hi to Jake,” Max said as he approached. “So, you’re back making donuts already, are you? That break didn’t last very long, did it?”
“I’m not working, Max. I’m just here visiting.”
“It must be killing you standing on the sidelines,” he said good-naturedly.
“Not as much as you might think,” I answered. “How’s Emily doing?” Max and Emily Hargraves had been engaged recently, but unlike Max and me earlier, they hadn’t made it all the way to the altar, though they were still dating.
“She’s absolutely perfect,” Max said with a sincere grin. Honestly, I never thought I’d be able to say it, but I was happy that my ex-husband had found his one true love at last. “As a matter of fact, that’s the real reason that I’m here.” He turned to Emma and said, “Emily’s craving a chocolate éclair again. Please tell me that you have at least one left.”
“I happen to have two,” Emma said happily.
“Even better. I’ll take them both.”
As Emma boxed the treats up, I said, “I haven’t been by her shop lately. How are the guys dressed at the moment?” The guys I was referring to were Emily’s shop’s namesakes, Two Cows and A Moose, named in honor of her childhood stuffed animals that still played prominent roles in her life. She had dressed them in some outlandish garb in the past, and it had turned out to be a real drawing power for her store.
“That’s a funny story. We had just watched an old movie of Robin Hood, so she has them dressed in felt outfits, hats included. I made them all tiny bows and quivers filled with real little arrows in keeping with the general theme. If I say so myself, they look great.”
“I’ll have to get by and see them before she changes them again. Is she still keeping that scrapbook with pictures of all of their outfits?”
“It’s the only way she can keep track of everything,” he said. It was clear that Max had fully bought into the premise that Cow, Spots, and Moose were just as real as anyone else, something that I knew Emily loved him for. In the end, it seemed that the two of them were a great match, despite my earlier misgivings about the pairing.
“Have you two had a chance to reschedule that wedding of yours?” I asked.
Max shrugged. “We’re in no hurry, but when we do, you’ll be one of the first ones to know. After all, we wouldn’t be together if it weren’t for you.”
“Don’t give me too much credit,” I protested.
“You shouldn’t be so modest, Suzanne. You did me the biggest favor anyone has ever done for me in my life the day you talked Emily into giving me another chance.” He lightly kissed me on the cheek, paid for the éclairs, grabbed the box, and then took off.
“I still can’t get over how well the two of you get along these days,” Emma said.
“Hey, people can change.”
“I know that they can, but it doesn’t feel like they do all that often.”
“Then that’s even more reason to celebrate it when it does happen,” I said. “How has business been over the past few days?”
Emma frowned a little as she said, “It’s good, though I’ve had a few complaints that my donuts aren’t as good as the ones you make. I don’t see how that’s possible, since I’m using the same recipes that you use, but it’s true. I taste samples every now and then of the ones that Mom and I create, but they don’t have that little something extra that yours seem to.”
I had to laugh. It felt good that I was still needed after all. Since I’d handed over the reins of the store to Emma and her mother, I’d been feeling as though they’d picked up where I’d left off without skipping a beat, and for some reason, that fact had saddened me. “Try not to take it too personally, Emma. You know that I get complaints all of the time, too, so do your best not to let it bother you.”
“It’s kind of hard not to, though, isn’t it? Working in the front of the store is kind of like being on the Internet. People can be really mean, can’t they?”
I had to laugh at her analogy. “I don’t know; I find some folks on the Web can be much meaner than the ones I run into in real life, and some of those folks have been killers.”
“It’s a cold and cruel world out there all around, isn’t it?” Emma asked.
“It can be, but there are a lot of good things in it, too. Don’t ever forget that.”
“I won’t be able to, not as long as you’re around,” Emma said. “You’re not going anywhere anytime soon, are you?”
“I hadn’t planned to,” I said. “You don’t mind me just popping in like this, do you?”
My assistant laughed. “Are you kidding me? I thought you’d be here yesterday. Donut Hearts will always be your place, Suzanne, no matter how long you’re gone. Come around as often as you’d like. Oh, no.”
I wondered about the last part of her statement. “Pardon me?”
“It’s not you,” she said as she pointed over my shoulder. “Two vans from the Senior Center just pulled up. I didn’t know they were coming.”
I knew those guys and gals could be a real handful from firsthand experience. “Would you like me to stick around and lend a hand?”
“No thanks. It’s too late for me, but save yourself,” Emma replied with a smile.
“I’ll leave you to it, then,” I said as I walked out the door, stopping to hold it for the streaming band of eager treat-lovers making their way inside.
“Are you two ready to go?” I asked as I approached Jake and Terry.
“Are you finished already?” Jake asked me, clearly surprised that I was ready to go. Was there a hint of disappointment in his voice as he’d said it?
“Why, would you like me to go back in and give you two more time?”
“It’s not that,” Jake said. “I was just hoping for a little longer time to rest up for the trek back.”
“Tell you what I’ll do,” I said. “Why don’t I go back and grab my Jeep while you two stay here? I can come back and get you both so neither one of you have to walk.”
“I’d rather you didn’t do that,” Terry said gravely.
I saw Jake shake his head subtly, trying to warn his friend off the approach he was about to take with me, but his coworker failed to read the sign.
“Sorry,” I said lightly.
“Does that mean that you won’t do it?” Terry asked.
“No, it just means that I’m sorry that I have to disappoint you,” I answered with a pleasant smile.
“Suzanne, you could be in significant danger if you go back to the cottage alone,” Terry said, and then he turned to his friend. “Jake, help me out here.”
“I’m just an innocent bystander here. You’re on your own, pal,” Jake said.
I touched Terry’s hand lightly. “Listen, I appreciate the gesture, but Jake needs a ride, and I’m going to provide it. They caught my stalker this morning, remember?”
“You know what? I’m feeling better all of a sudden. I could probably walk now,” Jake said as he started to get up.
“Nonsense,” I answered as I put my hand on his good shoulder. I was chafing a little at all of the attention I’d been getting lately, and while I was willing to put up with it from Jake, I needed a little space for myself. “You’re not going anywhere, mister.”
Jake nodded, accepting that this was about way more than walking now.
“I can go with you myself,” Terry said reluctantly as he started to stand.
“If you do that, then who’s going to watch Jake? Isn’t he the most important target here?”
“You’re more important than I am,” Jake said.
I touched his cheek lightly. “I appreciate you saying that, but you need to tell your friend here that I’m going to go get my car, alone, and that I’ll be back soon.”
“Is she always this stubborn?” Terry asked Jake in clear frustration.
“Only when it’s important to her that she gets her way. You might as well give it up, Terry. You’re not going to win this one.”
The state police inspector struggled a few more seconds, and then he finally nodded. “I’ll agree to this on one condition. You need to be available to me on the phone the entire time in case there is trouble, so don’t call your mother or your best friend while you’re walking to your Jeep. Will you at least agree to that?”
I didn’t like it, but I could see that he had a good point. “Fine.”
“Very good,” Terry said, and then he asked me, “Why do I feel as though we both just lost this argument?”
“Keep telling yourself that if it helps you sleep at night,” I said, and then I kissed Jake lightly on the forehead. “I’ll be right back, so don’t you go anywhere.”
“Where would I go?” he asked with a smile before he added softly, “Don’t take any crazy chances, okay? Just get the Jeep and come straight back here. Stay out of the house; will you do that for me?”
“I will, but just for you,” I agreed.
I decided to take advantage of the situation and get out of there before either man could change their mind. I knew that Terry, and to a lesser extent Jake, were both just watching out for me, but I was a grown woman, and I couldn’t take being under constant supervision and surveillance.
Even though it was a short walk back to the cottage, I relished the idea of being out on my own.
I just hoped that there was no reason for any of us to regret my decision to go alone.
Chapter 16
As I walked down the road to my place alone, I began to regret my decision to ignore Terry’s advice. With every step, I could feel the gazes of a multitude of bad men peering out at me, daring me to take one step into the park that I knew so well. I had the creepiest feeling in my gut that if I veered off course even a single step, something dark and evil would swallow me whole. Even though it was broad daylight, I still couldn’t shake the feeling, but honestly, if it had been dark out, I never would have insisted that I go alone. Today, there was no comfort in the light, though.
The short walk seemed to take forever, but I finally turned the last corner and saw my Jeep sitting there in the driveway.
But that still didn’t mean that I was safe. The plastic windows weren’t exactly secure, and I knew anyone with the least amount of determination could get inside. Hadn’t Max sneaked in once when he’d been hiding from the police? How hard would it be for Rusk to slip inside and wait for me in the backseat, ready to choke me the second I got in?
I circled the Jeep twice before I was confident that it was safe to get in and drive away. After I was as sure as I could be, I jumped inside and slammed the flimsy door behind me. Jamming the key into the ignition, I prayed for the engine to start and get me out of there before anything bad could happen.
Only the blasted thing wouldn’t start.
I’d flooded the engine in my haste to get out of there, and so I had to wait the longest two minutes of my life before I tried to start the engine again. I’d learned long ago that the two-minute break was required for this particular vehicle, and I was usually a little more careful about pumping the gas before I tried to start it, but what could I say? I’d panicked, and now I was paying for my rash behavior.
The entire time I waited, my gaze kept darting all around me, front to back, side to side, but always on the lookout for someone evil coming for me.
I finally couldn’t take it any longer. I tried starting the engine again, and this time the Jeep sprang to life. Shoving it into gear as I took the emergency brake off, I sped back to the donut shop, only to find Jake and Terry walking down the road toward me.
After I stopped in the middle of the road, I opened my window and asked them, “Why didn’t you two wait? That was the plan, remember?”
“What took you so long?” Jake asked, the relief obvious on his face. “We thought something might have happened to you.”
“I flooded the engine,” I admitted. “Sorry about that. I didn’t mean to scare you both.”
“It’s fine now,” they said
as Terry climbed into the back and Jake sat beside me. I turned the Jeep around and then I drove us back to the cottage in short order. With the company of two state police inspectors, the woods lost a lot of their earlier menace in my eyes.
“Did you see anything along the way?” Terry asked me as we approached the cottage.
“Nothing but monsters hiding in every shadow,” I said. “I admit it. I was nervous.”
“Not half as frightened as we were for your safety,” Jake said.
When I got to the cottage, Terry said, “Let me out, Jake, but then I want you to get back into the Jeep. Suzanne, be ready to take off the second you hear or see anything out of the ordinary.”
“We’re not leaving you if something goes wrong in there, and you can’t make us,” I said, and Jake nodded his approval.
It was clear that Terry wanted to argue with us, but in the end, he just smiled as he shook his head. “Suit yourself, but if somebody kills all three of us, don’t blame me.”
After three long minutes, I asked Jake, “Should we go check on him? He’s been in there an awfully long time.”
“No worries, Suzanne. Terry’s just being thorough,” my boyfriend said, but it was clear that he was a little unsure himself.
“Maybe so, but I’m giving him one more minute, and then I’m calling Chief Martin,” I replied firmly.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” Jake said.
“Why not?”
“If something has happened to Terry, I’m not sure the Chief will be able to help him. If it comes to that, I’ll go in myself.”
“With a bad arm? What are you going to be able to do to help him?” I asked him.
“I’m not sure, but I have to try,” Jake said. “It’s the only way I’d ever be able to live with myself if something happened to him while he was guarding us.”
Now I spent the last seconds hoping beyond hope that Jake wouldn’t have to go inside as backup. If Terry, just as well trained as my boyfriend and healthy to boot, couldn’t stop Rusk, what chance did Jake have? He didn’t even have the use of his right arm. I decided that no matter how much Jake protested, I was going to go into the cottage with him. Between the two of us, we might just be able to stop Rusk. I was sure that Jake would fight me on my decision, but he really wasn’t going to have any choice. If he’d thought that I was being stubborn before, he was about to be in for a real glimpse of how hard I could dig in my heels when I needed to.
