Page 84 of Sweet Somethings

"She heard you; we'll just have to see if she decides to listen."

She nodded. "I should get back to the bakery."

"I'll come by tomorrow and pick up the letters. I have to admit I need a little time to get ready to read them again."

"I'll see you then." As she walked out of the nursery, she was happy to have solved half of the mystery, but she was still curious about Cecelia's old lover. Was he someone in town? It seemed likely since Cecelia had lived in Fairhope most of her life. Although, it was certainly possible the man in question had moved away years ago.

She probably wasn't going to find out the answer, unless Cecelia had a change of heart about sharing between now and tomorrow. But why would she? It was her personal business and it had obviously been a painful breakup.

As she got into her car, she impulsively pulled out her phone and called Roman. She knew he would be interested to hear what she had found out. Plus, she just really wanted to talk to him.

He answered after a couple of rings, and she was a little surprised to hear male conversation in the background. "Hi, it's me," she said. "Are you out somewhere?"

"No, I'm in the house. Hang on a second." He paused for a moment. "Okay, I moved. It's quieter here."

"Who is at the house with you? It sounds like you're having a party."

"Not a party, but we have had a few beers."

"You and who else?"

"You're not going to believe me."

"Doug," she guessed.

"And Travis."

"How on earth did that happen? Last I heard, you were mortal enemies."

"Things have changed remarkably fast," he agreed. "Travis came by looking for work. I was about to turn him away when Doug showed up with the old police files on the fire. Apparently, he decided to get more information, as you obviously encouraged him to do."

"I'm glad he did, especially since it sounds like whatever he found out has brought the three of you together again."

"We're talking. I wouldn't say we're best friends, but it's clear that there were a lot of misunderstandings surrounding our police interviews. And it turns out there might have been an actual arsonist involved. Doug discovered there were similar fires started elsewhere that were never solved."

"So none of you were responsible?"

"Nope. I believe what the other guys have told me, and they seem to believe me."

"I'm so glad," she said, genuinely happy he'd been able to get rid of that dark, hanging cloud.

"I didn't think I cared that much, but now that we've cleared the air, it does feel good. Of course, Doug admitted that he went to the lengths that he did to protect his run for mayor and future political ambitions, but I appreciated the fact that he owned up to it."

"This is great. I'm really happy for you. And I think I have to remind you that some of this might have happened because I stuck my nose into it."

His laugh warmed her heart. "No doubt, Juliette, no doubt. What have you been up to today? Baking like a madwoman?"

"Definitely, but I do have some other news."

"I can't wait to hear it."

She settled into her seat, thinking how nice it felt to have Roman to talk to. "I figured out the identity of the letter writer."

"No kidding? Who?"

"It's someone we both know—"

"If you tell me it's Martha, I don't know what I'll say," he said dryly.

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