“Got it,” I said, trying not to smile. “And what would you like me to do?”
“Well, she seems to do better when you’re around—at least until she’s comfortable with me again. I’ve already told her that whatever you two decide about making your gifts public is up to you. I think we just need to spend more time together. I was thinking maybe we could arrange a double date with you and Jack?”
He must have seen something in my expression. “Oh, right. Sorry. I thought that since you and Jack were living under the same roof again . . .” His words faltered.
“Not anymore,” I said, forcing a smile. “But I’m sure we can still double-date with you and Jayne.”
“Great,” he said, his eyes suddenly serious. “And maybe we can all have a talk together about the two of you teaming up and helping me with my cold cases. We could keep it anonymous for your safety. When I think about all the people you could help find answers about missing loved ones . . .” He stopped. “Well, let’s just say that I’ve seen what you and Jayne can do, and I’d like you both to consider it.”
“I promise to think about it and to have a discussion with Jayne. But I’m pretty sure that after I’m done helping Veronica, I’m done. I want my old life back.”
He studied me, digesting my words. “I guess I can understand that. All I’m asking right now is for you to consider it.” He moved toward the door. “I’ll get back to you with dates and ideas for our double date, all right?”
“Sounds good,” I said, happy for Jayne and for all the promise and optimism of a new romance. And if I was being honest with myself, a little bit jealous, too.
Thomas turned back at the door. “One more thing. If you don’t mind me asking, how well do you know Michael Farrell?”
I was surprised at the question. “Not very well. I’ve only reconnected with Veronica recently, and of course our daughters are best friends, so we see them at school functions. But I definitely know Veronica much better than Michael.” An ugly thought hit me as I rolled over the implications of his question in my mind. I stood and walked toward him. “You don’t think that . . .”
Thomas held up his hand. “That he had anything to do with Adrienne’s murder? He has a solid alibi verified and confirmed by Veronica. They were together at the time of Adrienne’s death, so he’s never been considered a suspect.” He was thoughtful for a moment. “I was just curious, I guess. I would never have picked out Michael and Veronica in a crowd as being a couple, that’s all.”
I’d often thought the same thing, but was reluctant to admit it out loud, trying to be loyal to my friend. “Yes, well, sometimes opposites do attract, I suppose.”
We said our good-byes, and Thomas left, leaving me standing in my office, staring at the door, the scent of Vanilla Musk creeping around me. I felt unsettled, as if someone had just given me an answer to a question I’d already forgotten.
I returned to my desk, not surprised at all to find the red heart-shaped felt ruffled pillow in my chair, sitting up at attention, waiting for me to do something. I picked it up and held it against my chest, wishing I knew the answer to just one of all the questions swirling inside my head.
CHAPTER 30
I set my laptop on the garden bench, opened to my latest worksheet. It sat next to Nola’s iPad, which was displaying the weather forecast for the weekend. I’d already placed the hourly expected temperatures in the correct worksheet columns, as well as the amount of sunlight versus shade throughout Saturday and the chance of precipitation. I’d just realized that I needed to add more columns for the phase of the moon and the exact times of sunrise and sunset since Rebecca’s shower would start before sunset and continue into the evening.
I felt back in my element, experiencing a rare but much-needed realignment in a familiar place where I felt in control and, above all else, organized. It’s what had gotten me through a difficult childhood and other challenging periods in my life. I’d been feeling like a car with unbalanced tires tugging it in different directions, none of them where I wanted to go.
Beau had just left, having worked on the fence for most of the afternoon except when I’d distracted him with requests to hold one end of a tape measure or to give his opinion on various seating arrangements for an outdoor baby/lingerie shower. I’d be lying if I said delaying him wasn’t an added bonus to receiving his help.
I straightened while typing the “average daily rainfall” number into the spreadsheet, the back of my scalp tingling, my pulse tripping. “Jack?”
“If I didn’t know you so well, I’d guess you were working with NASA to plan the next rocket launch. But since you’re Mellie, I’m thinking you’re planning Rebecca’s shower.”
I didn’t turn around, needing more time before I saw his face. Remembering the last time I’d seen him. “I’m just trying to find the right places for the food table and seating arrangements. And figure out how many outdoor heaters and glitter blasters we’ll need.” I saved my work and closed my laptop, taking a deep breath before turning to face him. “So, you’re back.”
“I said I’d be back today. Didn’t you listen to my voice mail?”
“I did. But I assumed you’d go to your apartment, since that’s where you live now.”
Jack walked toward me, stopping only a few feet away, his deep blue eyes searching mine. “I came straight here from the airport.”
I didn’t move, resisting the magnetic pull that seemed to exist between us. “Why? Did you forget something?”