Page 22 of Loving My Enemy

“I’m just happy he’s okay.” Her words were sincere. Honest.

Will nodded to the new guy who rode with him and they worked quickly but carefully to get Paul loaded onto the gurney.

“Wait!” Paul said.

“What is it?” Will asked as he began to search for additional injuries.

“Nothing like that, boy,” Paul answered and swatted Will’s hands away along with the new guy before he turned to Elka. “Will you come with me, dear?”

Her skin went pale at the old man’s request, but a beat later, she nodded and flashed a nervous smile his way. “Sure thing, Paul. I’ll see if Nina or someone can track down Doreen.”

“I’ll do it,” I volunteered because standing around for the past fifteen minutes made me feel as useless as tits on a fish.

“Don’t bother the woman. She’s probably on her way back from the city with the twins. They went shopping.”

Denied once again. “All right. Let me know if you need a ride home, Paul.”

The old man lifted a hand and waved as the ambulance door closed between us. I stood in that spot for a long time, shocked and dismayed to realize that I might have been completely and totally wrong about Elka.

Maybe I was, but I still wasn’t completely sold on that idea.

Not yet.

Chapter 12

Elka

One of my favorite things about Tulip specifically, and Texas in general, was the abundance of sunshine. It seemed there were more sunny days than gloomy ones, and today was perfectly beautiful, which made it the perfect day to make a few special deliveries to the locals who had supported my business. Their business meant everything to me and even though I didn’t understandwhythey were so compelled to help out, I was grateful enough that I’d gotten up early this morning to bake a batch of lavender shortbread cookies as a small gift of thanks.

With my car in working order again, I took my time and enjoyed the cool morning air as I loaded the car and made the short drive to my first stop. The door opened and both Mimi and Trixie appeared in track suits that were exactly the same, except in color. Mimi wore a vibrant red and Trixie’s was a deep green.

“Good morning, Elka.”

I shook off the creeps caused by them speaking in unison, and beamed a smile at them. “Good morning, ladies. I have your order and a special gift of thanks for supporting my business.” They stepped aside to let me enter with the box that containednearly a dozen different candles, a few bottles of essential oils, potpourri sashes, and even sunscreen because Tulip was a small town and word had spread quickly about what happened with Paul. The whole town was behaving like I was some kind of hero, but I did for Paul what anyone would have. He was a nice old man and I could listen to the story of how he and Doreen met and fell in love a thousand times.

“This personal touch makes me feel very important,” Mimi admitted, an adorable pink tint to her cheeks.

“Then you’ll love these lavender shortbreads. I made them this morning.” Before Mimi could grab the decorative box, Trixie scooped them up and bit into one.

“My goodness, girl. You cook like this and you look like that? I’d be real careful if I were you. A younger version of me might put itching powder in your panty drawer.”

Mimi snorted. “A younger version? Didn’t you threaten Betty with the same thing last week?”

Trixie huffed and crossed her arms. “That’s only because …” Whatever else she was going to say was halted by a very long, intense, and silent twin conversation between the two women.

Knowing when it was time to leave was becoming a specialty of mine. I inched towards the door. “I hope you enjoy your products, ladies!”

“Wait!” Trixie darted off with the box of shortbreads still in her hand and returned a moment later. “We made you some more of the corn jelly since you seem to like it so much.”

“I do,” I told her, oddly touched at the gift. “Thank you. This is very kind.”

Now it was Mimi’s turn to snort. “Don’t you believe that for one second, little girl.” She flashed a smile that took the sting off her words. The moment she found her opportunity, Mimi made a grab for the cookies. “Thanks again, honey.”

My face was fixed into an amused smile as I made my way towards the car because those old ladies reminded me so much of me and Austin, always bickering just because it was our default. Taking each other’s crap because it was a fun to get a rise out of your siblings. My smiled grew just a little bit wider when I realized it didn’t hurt as much to think about Austin anymore.

In the short time I’d been inside with Mimi and Trixie, the temperature had shot up by at least ten degrees. I turned on the air conditioner before the next delivery so I didn’t show up to the mayor’s office looking like a vagrant. Even though I had no plans to become politically active beyond voting, I didn’t want to show up looking anything less than put together, since the last time I saw the man, I was on my knees in the dirt with a gun aimed at me.

“Nope, not thinking about that. Not today. Not tomorrow. Not ever.” It became my mantra every time thoughts of Deputy Vargas crossed my mind. Each time I thought of him as Antonio instead of deputy, I said the words. Dirty thoughts, same. Naughty thoughts, also the same. Apparently it was a pretty useful all-around mantra. “Not ever,” I said one last time as I stood on the cement steps of City Hall before pulling one of the large metal doors open.

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