Chapter 16
sixteen
DREW
A week of cooking meals at my place plus a couple of sleepovers have me no closer to convincing Georgie to stay with me for the rest of the month.
I’m frustrated as hell because the weather is getting colder and there’s no way the heater in the room she’s using is adequate, not to mention the walls only have one layer, there’s no drywall, only frame work and the outer cladding.
And this mysterious renter is a problem too.
I don’t know what it is but there’s something that has my instincts standing at attention. Telling me to get Georgie as far from him as possible. It makes no sense when I haven’t met the guy.
She’s had a few more interactions with him and his daughter but I’ve yet to lay eyes on either of them, in spite of dropping her off and picking her up most days, and spending a couple of nights in my truck in front of her house.
Tonight’s plan is for me to meet her at the library before we head to the festival. We haven’t been since last Friday and I’m not on shift this evening so I’ll be able to wander around with her and check everything out.
I’m close to the library when my phone rings. Hitting the button on the steering wheel I say. “Hello.”
“Drew. How close are you?” Georgie’s panicked voice bounces around the cab and my foot presses harder on the accelerator.
“Two minutes. Why?”
“We need to get to the festival. Something happened to the stand Noah Callahan is using and they need a few extra hands to fix it.”
“What do you mean something happened?” Did it fall over? The wind has been strong on occasion but not enough to blow a stand over.
“I think it’s some sort of vandalism. Ann wasn’t too forthcoming with information when she called me in a panic.”
“Did they report it?” The cop in me wants to make sure the perpetrator is brought to justice. “They shouldn’t touch anything until they do.”
“I don’t know.” The loud slam of a door echoes over the line. “I just know Ann sounded really upset by what’s happened and I want to get there to help.”
“Okay, I’m almost—” Half a block up the street Georgie comes marching down the sidewalk in my direction. “I see you.”
Her head snaps up and I can see the relief wash over her face. Pulling to the curb I wait for her to hop in and buckle her belt before driving off.
“Call Ann back and see if they’ve reported it.”
“I’m sure they have.”
“I’d rather be one hundred percent sure. At least message her and tell them not to do anything until I get there if they haven’t called it in.”
“Okay.”
She madly taps at her phone as I drive us closer to the festival. Thankfully it’s early and I’m able to find a parking spot not far from the entrance.
I’ve barely put the truck in park when Georgie is shoving open her door and jumping out.
“Hey. Wait up.” I scramble to switch off the engine and follow her. “Georgie.”
“Your legs are longer,” she calls over her shoulder. “You’ll catch up.”
She’s right, except I’d rather be at her side as she navigates her way through the crowd.
I’m beside her in less than a minute and with my height I see what she’s talking about before she does. “Damn.”
“What? What? What do you see?”
“It looks like someone spray painted a message on the front of the stand.”
“What does it say?”
“Get out.” I’ve heard the rumors. But unlike most of Evergreen Lake’s residents, I have the resources to confirm or deny them, and I’m not ashamed to admit that when I first heard the tales of Noah Callahan’s arrest, I used what I have at my disposal.
“Oh. I wish people would stop spreading lies about Noah.”
“Lies?” I glance down at her, put my hand on her back as we move around a large group of people staring in the direction of the vandalized stand.
“Yes. He’s no more a killer than I am.”
“And you know this how?”
“Because Ginger would never leave Gingerbreads to a killer.”
The conviction in her voice has me smiling. “I’m not sure your method of deduction is credible but the conclusion is one hundred percent correct.”
“You know this because…”
“I’m a cop.”
“Deputy.”
“Same thing.”
“Okay, so you what? Looked into it?”
“Yes.”
“I’m not sure if I’m pleased or not that you invaded his privacy like that.”
“I didn’t invade anything. I just ran his name. And I’m within my rights to do that if I’m concerned about a new resident. Which with the way rumors have been circulating, I had a right to be.”
“Hmm…”
“You don’t think I should know if he was arrested or committed murder?”
“Yes. But?—”
“Georgie! Thank you for coming so quickly.” Ann Emerson comes rushing over.
“Of course.”
“I’m sorry I worried you. I should have known Violet would have it under control. Although I was hoping to get everything fixed before either she or Noah got here.”
“Where’s Noah?” I ask. I don’t see him with the people milling about the stand.
“Violet sent him to get her some hot chocolate. I think it’s an empty errand. She didn’t want him to have to deal with this. And as usual, my daughter has got things well in hand.”
I look more closely at the stand and see Violet Emerson and her brother-in-law draping a blanket over the front to cover the spray paint. Her niece, Ava, is wrapping tinsel around herself, tinsel I’m sure her aunt plans to use to brighten up the Gingerbreads display.
“Did they report the damage?”
“Yes. Although I doubt anything will be done. Or can be done.”
“No one saw who did it?”
“From what I heard it was like that first thing this morning.”
I don’t have to look around to know there aren’t any cameras set up. Which means unless someone witnessed what happened or someone feels guilty and confesses, we’re unlike to find out who our graffiti artist is.
“Seeing how Violet has everything under control, will you do me another favor?” Ann asks.
“Of course. What do you need?” Georgie looks my way. “We don’t have anything planned we can’t postpone.”
I nod in agreement.
“Oh, there’s not need to change plans. But after you have dinner will you come back and buy some of the cookies Violet and Jacob are putting out ready for Noah’s return? It would do him wonders to see someone else supporting him.”
“Of course! I can’t wait to taste what he’s been baking. The aromas coming out of Gingerbreads have had my mouthwatering,” Georgie says.
“I know. He’s definitely got the touch.” Ann looks behind me. “Oh, there’s John, I need to get going. It’s date night.”
She leaves us with a smile and I turn my gaze back to the stand Violet and her brother-in-law have been busy putting together. There’s now a warmer filled with a variety of delicious looking cookies.
“Come on. That’s Noah coming back now. He doesn’t need us adding to the gawkers. We should go grab something to eat and come back for dessert.” Georgie wraps her arms around one of mine and tugs me in the other direction. “What do you feel like?”
“I don’t care as long as we eat.”
“You have to have a preference for something. What did you think was the best thing we ate last week?”
“The fish tacos.”
“They were delicious. And I’m not a fan of fish.”
“You’re not? Then why did we get them?”
“Because you have to try everything at the festival. Unless you’ve already had it and didn’t like it.”
“Obviously.”
For the next hour we wander around, talking to people we know and people we don’t while sampling most of the food on offer. Like last week, we get one of everything and share.
I love feeding her. It’s intimate and shows a level of trust I’ve never experienced with anyone.
I would never have done this in the past.
Not that my ex would have allowed it. On our first date I offered her a piece of the lobster I’d ordered and she promptly told me it was disgusting to share food.
The more time I spend with Georgie, the more I realize my relationship with my ex should never have progressed to marriage. And it certainly should never have lasted as long as it did.
“Hey.” Georgie bumps me with her hip. “What’s got you all broody?”
“Just thinking how different things are with you.”
“Different to what?”
“My ex.”
“Oh.” She turns her face up toward me. “Can I be honest?”
“Of course. I hope you’ll always tell me the truth.”
“I think you’re better off without your ex. From the little you’ve told me and the deep groove you get between your brows when you think about her, she doesn’t sound very nice.”
“She wasn’t.” I shake my head. “I’m not sure what I was thinking when I married her.”
“Men sometimes don’t think straight when a woman can suck dick well.”
I spit out the mouthful of water I just took. Try to catch it in my hand but it sprays out and dribbles down my chin.
“Here.” Georgie holds out a napkin. A grin plays at her lips.
“This isn’t funny.” I mop at my face. “And warn a guy next time.”
Grinning now, she pops up on her toes and kisses the side of my jaw. “It’s only a bit of water.”
“Not exactly the weather to be drenched.”
“Oh, stop exaggerating. It was only a mouthful.”
“It’s still freezing.” Finished drying my face and hand, I drop the napkin in a trash can and reach for her hand. “Come on. Let’s go get some of those cookies from the Gingerbreads stand and take them home.”
“Good idea. It’s getting cold out and my outfit might have been warm enough for working indoors and while the sun was up, but now it’s dark, I’m feeling it.”
“Why didn’t you say something? We could have left earlier.” I slip my jacket off and drape it around her. “Put your arms in.”
“I have a jacket on. I can’t take yours.”
“But it’s not enough. And I’ll be fine.”
Her eyes narrow and I can tell she’s contemplating arguing with me so I grab the zip and do it up, all the way to her chin. With her arms by her side, it’s like she’s wearing a straitjacket and all sorts of ideas pop into my head about restraining her.
With a huff, she wiggles her arms and manages to get them into the sleeves. Free of her confinement, she puts her arm through mine and tugs me forward. “Let’s hurry so you don’t freeze to death.”
I laugh. “Now who’s exaggerating?” All I get is a side eye look that has me laughing again.
Weaving our way through the crowd, we make it back to where we started over an hour ago to discover most of the cookies are still in the warmer. I step up to Noah and ask for one of every flavor while Georgie steps off to the side to have a hushed conversation with Violet.
Smiling at the man, I say, “These smell delicious. I can’t wait for you to get the shop open again. Georgie and I will be in as soon as you do.”
“Thank you. I’m not sure exactly when the shop will be open but probably not before the new year.”
“Well, whenever it is, we’ll be there.” I offer my hand. I don’t know if he knows who I am and I don’t want to worry him by telling him what I do for a living, but I’ll give him my name. “I’m Drew.”
“Noah. Nice to meet you.”
“Same.” I let go and turn to Georgie. “Ready to take our dessert home?”
“Did you get the chocolate chip?”
“I got one of each.”
“Ooo…good idea. See you later, Violet. Noah. It’s good to see you both back in Evergreen Lake.”
Her words get closed lip smiles but no acknowledgment of it being good to be here and I wonder if Noah isn’t the only one who’s back under less than favorable circumstances.
Slipping my hand into Georgie’s, I tug her into my side. “Want to grab a hot chocolate to take home?”
“No. We bought those supplies for your place the other night. There’s still plenty. I’ll make us some to go with our cookies when we get home.”
A coil of pleasure spirals through me at her words. I love that she referred to my place as home. I’m sure she did it subconsciously but it shows how she feels about not just my apartment but me.
Her words also relieve some of the frustration of not convincing her to stay with me instead of in that box of a room. An idea forms. One that might lead to her spending the night.
“It’s still early, want to watch a movie when we get home?”
“Yes! We can do a Christmas movie marathon.”
“I’m assuming you know which Christmas movies you want to watch.” With her hand in mine, I lead the way back to my truck at a fast pace. Without my jacket I can feel how chilly it’s getting and if I’m cold, so is Georgie.
“Whatever is on your streaming service.”
“I’ll leave the movie choices and hot chocolate to you. I’ll pop us some popcorn.”
“Are you working tomorrow?”
“Not until the afternoon.”
“Should we stop at my place so I can grab a change of clothes?”
Inside I pump a fist in the air. Outside I calmly say, “Sounds like a plan. You should probably grab a few outfits to leave at my place. Then you don’t have to worry about it next time.”
“Next time?”
“Yes. Next time.”
I’m not about to ask her if she’ll stay again. I’m going with it happening.
I know assuming things can get you into trouble—did that with my ex—but with Georgie, it seems like the right way to go.
And if I can manage to get her to stay over more nights than not, I won’t have to continue my efforts to convince her to move in because I’ll have achieved my objective.
Georgie safe under my roof.