Page 12 of Loving My Enemy

“No. Yeah. Hell, I don’t know. She told Penny she wouldn’t do it if I came anywhere near her.” That hurt like hell to hear, but I couldn’t blame her. And then a few days ago, she’d made it clear she would rather struggle carrying boxes half her size than accept my help. It was a kick in the balls.

“Can’t say I blame her, but I can say that I’m not switching with you. You don’t deserve it, man, but I also don’t want Penny and Nina breathing down my neck. Sorry.”

We stopped for coffee and I knew Jackson was right. I didn’t deserve his help. But I wasn’t ready to give up or accept defeat. Elka was hiding something and I knew it. I wouldn’t stop until I found out what, but I could be a little nicer. “Maybe so, but I can’t be the only one suspicious about her.”

“Really? I don’t seem to remember you being all that suspicious of Penny when she came to town. Or Nina with the tats and piercings.” At my confused look, Jackson barked out a laugh. “Maybe there’s something about this woman that gets to you.”

“There isn’t.”

Jackson laughed harder, drawing stares as we walked through one of the aisles, sipping coffee. It was barely nine o’clock in the morning and half the town had already showed up to buy, sell, or support the artists. It was one of the great things about living in a small town—the support. Knowing you’d be all right because the same people who were all up in your business would show up and support you with just as much energy. “You like her. Now I can’t wait to meet her.”

Less than two minutes later, we both stood in front of the small booth with the Elka’s Essence banner, the words written in soft purple script. Elka sat on one of those stress balls, fabric falling all around her legs, and wore big red sunglasses with heart-shaped lenses. Her pink lips rested in a plump pout that spread when she saw Jackson.

“That’s her.”

“Elka?” Jackson asked. She nodded and I watched Jackson’s smile glow and turned predatory. “Jackson Slater, at your service.” His hand extended her way and she took it, slightly guarded but still friendly.

“For the next few hours anyway. It’s nice to meet you, Jackson.” Not that I expected her to, but it stung when she didn’t even acknowledge me. “What kind of hero are you?”

He laughed, shoving his hands into his jeans as he moved forward, closer to Elka. “Detective.”

“Aren’t you a bit young to be a detective?”

The jerk had the nerve to blush, a fact that was as impressive as it was disgusting. I wondered how long it took him to learn that particular trick. “I’m technically only an investigator because Vargas here didn’t want the job. We split the duties. I got the title, but he’s got a higher rank.”

“Right.” Still she didn’t acknowledge me and it was starting to piss me off.

“Good morning, Elka.”

“Morning, officer.” She turned back to Jackson. “I’m not sure what you’re supposed to do but if someone else needs your help, don’t feel like you have to stick around.”

“I have the Bell twins and I’m sure they could use some help,” I told Jackson, staring at him until he gave up.

“Oh, fine. You don’t have a firearm today, do you?” I glared at my so-called friend but he just laughed, like it was all some big damn joke. “Okay, okay. I’m going. It was nice to meet you, Elka.”

“You too.” As soon as his back was turned, her smile vanished, and her attention turned to the small black device in her hands. I watched her for a few minutes and she never once looked up or showed any awareness that I was still there.

“You should be more aware of your surroundings.” The fact that she didn’t even flinch at my voice told more than she probably wanted.

“Is there something you need, officer?”

“Antonio. My name is Antonio.” Did she get off on being so difficult? This was exactly why I stopped getting involved with women for more than a few hours: they could never make any-damn-thing simple.

She sighed and looked up, but her eyes were shielded by those ridiculous sunglasses. “First names are for friends.”

This was as good an opening as it would probably get. “Listen, Elka. I’m sorry about the way I acted at the Black Thumb. Maybe I overreacted, and I’m sorry. Truly.” I wished I could see what the hell was going on in those bottomless blue eyes, but she still wore the sunglasses, leaving me flying blind.

“Okay.”

What in the hell did that mean? “Okay as in you forgive me and we can have a clean slate?”

Her lips twitched, but when she shoved the little black tablet into her ugly patchwork bag and folded her arms, I knew it wasn’t amusement. “It means okay, I’ve heard what you have to say.”

That wasn’t good enough so I took the seat she’d clearly meant for Jackson and sat. Watching her talk to people who walked up to ask about her candles and incense. She smiled at every single person and answered their questions patiently. It wasn’t a version of her I’d seen yet. It was compelling.

“What are these for?” Betty Kemp stopped, eyeing Elka and then me before turning her gaze back to the small gift box.

“These are blessing kits—perfect for housewarming gifts. But if you simply want to remove negative energy from a space and replace it with positive energy, this is the kit to help.”

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