Page 14 of Smoldering Nights
Izzy stared into her friend's beautiful blue eyes.While they were always beautiful, today they looked sad.
"Are you alright?Are you happy?"
Sadie shrugged, and her eyes glistened slightly more than they had before."It's alright."She jumped up and grabbed her keys.“I have to run to the hardware store.Do you want to come?”
“No.I think I need to clear my head.Maybe take a walk.Just around the block.”
Sadie frowned.“You sure?”
“Yeah.”Izzy forced a smile.“It’ll help.I need to do something normal.Waiting for people to call me back is like watching paint dry.”
Izzy stood and hugged her friend."You know you can always tell me everything.Right?"
"I know.Thank you."
She watched Sadie nab her purse off the counter and shuffle to the door.After Sadie left, Izzy laced up her shoes and stepped outside.The morning sun was already hot on her face.She walked down the sidewalk, muscles tight, eyes scanning every corner and parked car.
It wasn’t paranoia.It was instinct.
She headed toward town without thinking about what she was doing.She breathed in the heavy, moist air and fresh cut hay as she passed by the Canning Ranch driveway.Though it was long and you couldn't see the house from First Street, the lovely smells of fresh hay and wildflowers they allowed to grow along the fence line were pleasant.
Passing by Carley's real estate office, she smiled as she remembered her wedding just a few months ago, which brought her right back around to the sadness at her circumstance now.
"Get a grip, girl.It could have been so much worse."She squared her shoulders and continued on until she rounded the corner by Main Street and stopped when she saw the front of Petal Pushers.The damage was still roped off with yellow police tape, the windows blackened, the paint blistered.Her stomach twisted.
How many times had she unlocked that front door, arms full of peonies or roses?How many weddings had started with the blooms from that shop?She crossed her arms and tried to breathe through the rising ache in her chest.
“You shouldn’t be here.”
The deep voice came from behind her.She turned sharply and saw Mitch standing a few feet away, his arms crossed, eyes shadowed by concern.
Her lips curled into a smile.“You always sneak up on people?”
“You’re standing in front of a crime scene, looking like a target.”He took a step closer.“What if whoever did this came back to make sure it worked?”
“I just wanted to see it again.”
He nodded, glancing at the building.“I get it.But next time, bring me.”
She looked up at him.He was pale again, sweat starting to bead along his temple.
“You shouldn’t be out either,” she said.“You look like hell.”
“I’ve been worse.”
“You keep saying that.”
He gave a faint smile.“I keep meaning it.”
She laughed quietly, but the tension between them didn’t fade.“You find anything new?”
Mitch’s jaw tightened.“Maybe.A guy named Rayburn.Criminal history.Burglary, arson, theft.He’s been paid cash by Delilah Parker recently.”
Izzy’s brows rose.“Delilah?But why?”
“She has no credit.No loans.But she’s desperate.She’s been denied zoning to expand.Petal Pushers is in her way.”
“So you think she hired someone?”
