Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 90164 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90164 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
“I don’t know for sure that those are from him, but he always, always sent me blood-red roses with a card that creeped me out. Remington hasn’t seen me today, Millie. He wouldn’t know how I look. But that’s the kind of shit he would say.”
“Yikes,” she whispers. “What do we do?”
“I just called my dad to find out if the asshole’s been released from jail. They were supposed to notify us. Dad hadn’t heard anything, but he’s going to look into it. My uncle Matt is a cop, pretty high up in Seattle, so he’ll have people he can reach out to, but they likely won’t be able to find anything out until tomorrow, since it’s Sunday.”
“So, we have to keep your brain occupied on other things for today. I can do that. Your shift is about over, but if you hang out and wait for me, I’ll take you out shopping and for a late lunch. Anything you want.”
“I’ll take you up on that. But rather than wait, I might just run over to check on Roger. I haven’t been over to visit as often as I thought I would.”
“Oh, that’s perfect,” she says. “But I’m going to walk you out to your car.”
“My dad’s going to really like you,” I inform her. “He doesn’t want me doing anything by myself.”
“It’s just common sense,” she replies and follows me out the back door. She waits while I get into the car, start it up, and pull away.
Millie really is the best friend I’ve ever had.
I love seeing all the spring flowers that have sprung up in town as I drive through the neighborhood to Roger’s house. I notice that someone is parked in the spot reserved for the garage apartment, and I’m relieved that he was able to find someone else to live there so quickly.
Roger answers the door, and his face lights up when he sees that it’s me.
“Erin, you don’t have to knock.”
“I figured I would. Didn’t want to startle you.” I immediately walk into his arms for a big hug and then frown when I look around the living room. It’s definitely more disheveled than usual. “How have you been?”
“Oh, I’m just fine.” He turns to walk away, and I notice that he’s limping.
“What happened to your leg?”
“I stumbled off the steps in the backyard.” He shakes his head. “I just get clumsier and clumsier.”
“Did you have it checked out?”
“It’s just a little sprain.”
“Is it your ankle?”
“The knee.”
Still frowning, I prop my hands on my hips. “Do you mind if I look at it?”
Roger pauses, but then shakes his head. “I don’t mind. It’s a little bruised up.”
But when I push his pants up around his knee, I see that it’s more than a little bruised up. It’s all black and blue and a little swollen.
“Roger, we need to ice this. It’s swollen. You sit right there, and I’ll fix you up.”
“You really don’t have to fuss.” But he doesn’t object too hard when I start making an ice pack in a towel and then lay it over the knee. “Thank you.”
“I’m sorry. I should check in with you more often.”
“It’s not your job to take care of me, you know.”
“It’s not a job at all; it’s out of love and you know it.” I lean in to kiss his cheek. “Now, while that does its job, tell me about your new tenant.”
“I don’t know much,” he says while he watches me bustle around his kitchen, making us each a cup of tea. “He’s new to town. Single guy. Does computer work from home, and he said the apartment worked because it’s furnished.”
“Oh, I’m glad that worked out.” I remember the customer from earlier today. “Is his name Clay?”
“You’ve met him?”
“I just waited on him at the coffee shop. He was kind of shy.”
“Definitely quiet, but that’s fine by me.”
“I’m making you a few ice packs, and I’m putting them in the freezer so you can just grab one and then sit and put it on the knee. Put it back in the freezer when you’re done, and it’ll be ready for next time.”
I glance over at him and find him smiling at me. “I’ve missed you, kiddo.”
“I’ve missed you, too.”
“I can’t believe I found so many new things at Polly’s,” I say as I nibble on a baby back rib. Millie took me to Rocky Mountain Smokehouse, the best BBQ place I’ve ever been to, after spending about an hour and a couple hundred dollars at A Pocket Full of Polly, my favorite dress shop in town. “I mean, I guess I need to get some things for summer, right?”
“Totally. And that sundress? The green one? Holy shit, you looked hot in that.”
I grin and nibble my rib. “Thanks. It was a good find. I have to say, between hanging out with Roger for a while, and then time with you, I haven’t had time to think about the scary things.”