Chapter 19
Justine finished her online yoga session, turned off her device, and headed for the shower. Tonight she’d selected the extended session, needing the extra relaxation benefits. This had been one hell of a week, and it was only hump day.
The squad was coming along nicely, but a couple of the girls still needed to understand who was boss. Justine Mallory did not put up with any back talk or any breaking of the rules from her girls.
Slipping off her formfitting suit, she considered her body in the mirror that spanned floor to ceiling and half the length of one wall.
She liked watching herself work out. A smile tugged at her lips, then faded.
It wouldn’t be long now until things would start to go drastically downhill.
She worked out every day, sometimes twice, but no one got to keep their good looks and firm body forever.
At least not naturally, and she had no desire to deal with the surgical lines of work.
None for her. She would just have to increase her already rigorous regimen. And then what?
She stared at her face. Not so bad for a woman approaching forty.
The very best skin treatments and, most important, sunscreen, along with good genes, had ensured a minimal amount of lines.
She turned her head left, then right, assessed any changes.
But every year the new students arrived looking even younger.
Pretty soon she’d be just another old lady schoolteacher.
She couldn’t live with that. That was the very reason she had to plan better for her future.
She needed long-term security. There was only one man in this town who could give her that, but the timing had to be just right.
Pushing aside the troubling thoughts, she treated herself to a long, leisurely shower.
She’d no more stepped out onto the fuzzy bath mat when pounding thundered from her front door.
She loathed unexpected company, and since she had no plans for the evening, whoever was at her door hadn’t been invited.
“The people in this town,” she muttered as she slipped on her robe and tucked her hair up out of the way. They simply didn’t have any manners, much less class.
Annoyed that her routine had been disrupted, she stamped into the living room.
With her wet hair twisted in a claw clip and wearing no makeup, it would take an absolute emergency for her to allow anyone to see her like this.
She checked the security peephole in her door and sighed, as much from relief as frustration.
She gave the lock a twist and opened up. “Misty, what’re you doing here at this hour?”
Misty pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose and shuffled across the threshold. “I need to talk to you.”
Telling Misty to go home wouldn’t do any good.
When she got like this the only thing Justine could do was ride it out with her.
They’d talked about the incident at the salon, for the good it would do.
Resigned, Justine offered, “How about some tea?” Not the sweet, iced kind everyone around here preferred, but a nice green tea with benefits like antioxidants.
Misty plopped onto the sofa as if she owned the place. “No thanks.”
Justine closed the door and joined her. Misty knew Justine had a routine, but she simply disregarded that knowledge whenever she felt needy.
“What’s the problem?” Justine was spending more and more time holding Misty’s hand these days.
She needed to stop obsessing about the things that might go wrong.
There was simply no purpose in it. From the moment Austin’s release had been announced, Misty had been in a tizzy.
Justine wished her friend would pay a little more attention to herself instead. She could be attractive if she tried. Even after spending fifty bucks at the salon for a cut and style, she still stuck her hair into a ponytail. And those baggy clothes. The whole image got on Justine’s last nerve.
“It’s him,” Misty said, squeezing her hands between her knees. “He won’t leave.”
Justine had watched Misty get like this before. She was a perpetual worrywart, and once she latched on to an idea she simply wouldn’t let go. Justine couldn’t say she hadn’t expected this.
“Stay away from him,” Justine urged, “and you’ll be fine. I’m certain he won’t try to bother you.” The whole idea was irrational.
Misty glared at her through those Coke bottle lenses. “It’s not me I’m worried about. It’s her. It’s just like before; she’s following him around like a puppy.”
“I see.” Justine felt the first swell of significant tension. “Has something specific happened?”
“Not yet.” Misty moved her shoulders in a noncommittal gesture. “But she’s not going to let it go and neither is he. There’ll be trouble. You know what he’ll do.”
“You saw her following him around?”
Misty nodded. “She was at Sid’s today too. I tried discouraging her with the rumor that Austin was innocent.”
Justine cringed inwardly. Misty was truly a brilliant individual. Her IQ was off the charts, but she was so dense when it came to everyday life. “Emily’s never going to consider Clint Austin innocent. And I’m not sure nudging her in that direction is a good thing.”
“She doesn’t have to think he’s innocent; she just needs to leave it alone before something bad happens.”
“I think,” Justine said calmly, despite the suspicions now niggling at her, “that we need to just relax and talk about something else.” Misty was obsessing even more than Justine had surmised.
“You saw her this morning,” Misty countered, not ready to let it go. “She’s not taking this well. She’s on the edge, just like you said.” She shook her head. “I’m really worried.”
Justine placed a reassuring hand on Misty’s arm. “Misty, honey, I think this whole thing will settle down. Ray is taking care of everything.” Ray loved this town. He wasn’t about to let the past destroy all that he cared about.
Misty gave her head another of those hard shakes.
“I don’t think so. She’s not going to stop until it’s too late.
” Misty had really worked herself into a state.
Justine draped her arm around her friend’s shoulders.
“Let’s forget about this whole business.
Let the chief and his boys take care of it. ”
Justine had learned a long time ago that staying calm in most any situation was extremely valuable. She wished she could teach that lesson to Misty. Life would be so much easier for her. For everyone. Sometimes Misty’s need to be protective was detrimental to both of them.
Misty leaned her head on Justine’s shoulder. “You heard about the break-in at his house, didn’t you?”
“I did.”
“He shouldn’t have come back here.”
“No,” Justine agreed. “He shouldn’t have.”
The quiet that followed was soothing. Perhaps the turbulence would pass this easily. There was just one thing, but Justine really hated to bring up the subject again. “You weren’t the one who broke into his house, were you?”
That Misty didn’t immediately tense or draw away was a good sign. “Don’t be silly, Justine.” She laughed, poked at her glasses. “Why would I do that?”
Justine patted her hand. “See, I made you laugh.”
“You did.” Misty stifled a yawn. “Can I sleep here tonight? I don’t want to go home.”
“Sure, honey. You know you’re always welcome here.” Justine relaxed. “That’s what friends are for.”