Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 67665 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 338(@200wpm)___ 271(@250wpm)___ 226(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67665 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 338(@200wpm)___ 271(@250wpm)___ 226(@300wpm)
“Aww,” Ava crooned from across the table.
Lindsey patted my head like a puppy. I slid an arm around her middle and squeezed. She removed my hand with a surprised squeak, placating me with a platonic kiss on the cheek. What was going on with her? I helped myself to leftovers from her plate before pulling her to her feet. I walked her to her car, promising to be right behind her as she sped off toward home.
Fifteen minutes later, we were both pulling up to the cabin. I had spent a good deal of time cleaning, and the interior looked presentable. I had flipped the slashed couch cushions, righted the love seat, and repotted Lindsey’s plant. We put new sheets and blankets on the beds, rescued what we could from the toilet and the sinks and picked up all the loose clothes. It seemed like Lindsey’s stuff had been targeted more than mine, for obvious reasons. I had to tell Lindsey the truth, and I wasn’t looking forward to it.
When we got inside, she looked around with aching eyes. The memory of the mess was still fresh in her mind, and the pain of infiltration haunted her. I grabbed two beers from the fridge and handed one over.
“My wife is in town,” I said without preamble.
Lindsey surprised me by nodding. “I think I might know who she is.”
“Really?” I tossed my beer cap on the kitchen island and took a sip.
“I was in the grocery store looking for cake ingredients, and there was this strange woman who came up to me out of nowhere. She said I shouldn’t bake you a cake because, quote, ‘men don’t appreciate that shit.’”
I nodded. That had probably been Angie.
“Then I saw her again in the salon,” Lindsey said.
“She came to your salon?” This was worse than I thought. Not only had Angie trashed my house, but she was stalking my girlfriend.
Lindsey nodded. “I thought there was something off about her. She kept staring at me.”
I walked over to the kitchen and set my beer down.
“She’s a brunette now, just so you know.” Lindsey followed me, not bothering to uncap her own drink. “I dyed her hair.”
“Why didn’t you tell me about this?” I asked.
“I’m supposed to tell you about every strange customer I get?” she retorted.
“There are more?”
“No,” she said, clearly annoyed. “Do you think she’s the one who trashed our cabin?”
I nodded my confirmation. “I’m sorry.”
“Why didn’t you tell me that yesterday?”
“I didn’t want to upset you,” I said.
“Well it’s too late for that, because I’m upset,” she snapped. “Don’t call me out for keeping secrets when you do the same.”
I opened my mouth to apologize again, but she set her drink down, unopened, and pivoted toward her room. I watched her go, watched that lovely backside disappear down the hallway. We wouldn’t be sleeping together tonight. I heard the loud thump of her bedroom door swinging shut and sighed. Love was the spice of life, but things would certainly be easier without it. Instead of pushing the issue, I decided to give Lindsey her space. I finished off my beer, grabbed hers, and headed for my own room to watch TV.
24
LINDSEY
Iwas out of a job. I wasn’t sure what my next move was going to be, but I didn’t feel like I needed to pound the pavement just yet. I had called some of my regular clients to update them about what was going on, and I had a few house calls set up already. Instead of going into the salon the next morning, I met up with Ava and Macy for coffee.
There was a new bakery in town, owned by one of our clients’ grandchildren. Ava and I accepted a free cinnamon bun each, after much arguing.
“I won’t take no for an answer,” the young proprietor said.
We thanked her, ordering coffee to go with the pastry, and picked a seat outside on the porch. It was early spring, so it was cold enough for jackets but warm enough to enjoy breakfast outdoors. I added a third cinnamon bun to our order for Macy, and the three of us ate more sugar than anyone was accustomed to eating for breakfast.
“This is so good!” Ava said around a mouthful of sugary heaven.
I agreed, licking my lips.
Macy cut into hers like a pro, finishing it off in record time. “How are you girls holding up?” she asked, wiping her fingers on a napkin.
I sipped coffee thoughtfully. “I’m okay. I’ve called a few clients, and I have a few cuts and colors set up.”
“That’s great,” Macy enthused. “How awful was it yesterday?”
“It was pretty bad,” I said.
“Yeah,” Ava commiserated. “When the guys burst in the door, I thought for sure we were all going to jail.”
“And when Katrina ran out the back window,” I said, shaking my head.