Chapter 15 Jade
The town is a flurry of activity this morning. Police cruisers and SUVs line the streets, along with news vans and bystanders. The thought of all these police has my mouth going dry. I can’t believe this is happening in our small town.
For as long as I’ve lived here, Lavender Falls has been a friendly and quiet place. It’s one of the reasons I’ve stayed. The town and its residents have always made me feel safe. I’m a long way from home, and that has always brought me a bit of comfort. Now, I feel on edge.
Between feeling like I’m being watched, that voice from Saturday night, and now the intruder along with all the emails, I know I need to call Nick.
I think about what I overheard Mrs. Ira and the knitters talking about earlier this morning. How there hasn’t been such a tragedy since Cade Donovan’s wife. I make a mental note to ask Wren what they meant. I knew Cade had children, but I didn’t realize he wasn’t married.
The clicking of heels against the hard floors disrupts my thoughts. I glance to see Sarah coming to a stop next to me, joining to watch out the window at all the people in Town Square. It looks like the press conference is about to start.
“You think the rodeo and fair will still happen?” she asks as we watch West and a few men in suits we don’t recognize, take the stand.
Despite the chilly weather and steady fall of rain, Town Square is filled with community members.
“I hope they don’t cancel, but I understand if they do,” I tell her, watching as cameras start flashing and people start shouting.
The annual rodeo and Kick Off to Summer event are always a blast. With the rodeo on Friday evening and the fair on Saturday, it’s always such a fun time for our little town, and I look forward to it each new year.
Sarah hums. “I’m sure with such a heavy police presence that surely whoever is doing this won’t risk coming out. Plus, there will be so many people if, God forbid, something does happen, surely someone will see something.”
“True.” I nod, thinking about it.
“It’s kind of unnerving to think it could be someone we’ve walked past or served as a customer.” She shivers before walking off.
Her words leave an unsettled feeling in my stomach. Especially after having someone in my house last night. I shake the thoughts away and head back to the till as the crowd outside begins to disperse.
A few busy hours later, the chime of the door and West entering has me smiling and my stomach doing that swoopy swirly thing.
“Good afternoon, Sheriff.”
“Afternoon, Jade. How’s it going? I hope you were able to get some sleep last night?”
“It’s going. It’s been pretty busy here today. People looking to hide away from the rain. And I did get some sleep last night. Thank you again for checking things out last night.”
“Of course, anytime,” he says as he comes to rest against the counter.
Smiling, I bend down and reach under the counter for a bag I stored there earlier. “You never came in this morning, and I know how much you love when we have lemon fritters, so I saved you a few,” I tell him, handing over the bag.
His eyes widen in surprise, and a grin takes over his handsome face, dimples and all.
“Wow. Thanks,” he says, grabbing the bag.
“Actually, that’s why I’m here. I know it’s a little past lunch, but I figured the rush might be over, and since I didn’t get the chance to come by this morning, I thought maybe you would like to join me for lunch? ”
“That actually sounds lovely. It’s quieted down, so I’m sure I can step away for a while. Let me just go tell Sarah and Wren and then we can go.” I smile widely, taking off my apron.
“I’ll be waiting,” he says, rapping his knuckles against the counter.
When I push through the back doors, my feet stop and my mouth drops open at the scene before me. On the floor sits Wren, who’s completely covered in batter and Sarah, whose face is almost as red as her hair from laughing.
“What in the world happened here?” I giggle, surveying the area.
“I was trying to mix the batter and slipped on an egg yolk that fell to the floor.” Wren winces, looking sorry.
“Sh-sh-she, grabbed onto the bowl while the mixer was still going and it-it went everywhere.” Sarah laughs, fighting to catch a breath. “You should have seen it.”
Wren sticks her tongue out at Sarah, which makes her laugh harder.
“So, is it a bad time for me to leave the shop for a bit?” I ask, looking around worried about leaving them to deal with the mess as well as any customers.
“What do you need to leave for?” Sarah asks, finally able to breathe.
“Um.” I glance between the two of them. “West came in and asked if I would like to go have lunch with him. But if you guys need me to stay and help clean this up, I can just tell him some other time,” I say, trying to hide my disappointment.
“No, no. It’s okay. We’ll be fine. You go,” Sarah says.
“You’re sure?” I hesitate.
“Absolutely, now get out of here.”
“Well, all right,” I say before turning back around out the doors.
I stop at the office grabbing my purse and jacket then head back out to the front where West is waiting.
“You ready?”
“Yes!”
“Any idea where you’d like to go?” he asks, placing a hand on the small of my back and sending a jolt up my spine as we get to the door.
“Feel like going to Misty’s?” I ask him.
“Sure. That sounds great. I could go for her BLT right about now.”
Since it’s raining, we get into his cruiser that’s parked outside the bakery and head over to Misty’s Diner, where the scent of fresh brewed coffee and grease greets us.
The diner is packed with people staying out of the rain and staying warm by sipping on coffees and hot chocolates while enjoying a nice sandwich, burger, or plate of fries.
Settling into a booth, I shake off the water from my jacket and hang it on the racks attached to the booth, West doing the same.
After we place our orders, I decide to ask him about what he thinks will happen regarding the upcoming weekend.
“It’s all still a go. We’ll have a lot of officers out, as well as a lot of volunteers who’ve offered to work as security. We don’t want to frighten anyone or call things off unless needed, but we do want people to stay vigilant.”
“Oh, good.” I smile with relief. “I love the fair and rodeo so much. I was worried they would be cancelled.”
West takes a sip of his hot chocolate, shaking his head. “Nah. We’ll make sure it still happens,” he says, setting his cup back down. “Besides, we have our date. I wouldn’t let it get cancelled.” He winks, making my cheeks flush.
A waitress brings over our food, and we eat in a comfortable silence for a few bites before I remember I wanted to ask Wren about what the knitters meant. Since West is here, I decide to just ask him.
“So, I have a question. And I apologize if I’m overstepping or it’s not my business. It’s just that I overheard something earlier and have been curious,” I say, setting my sandwich down on my plate.
“Okay. Ask away,” West says, setting down his own sandwich to focus on me.
“Well, I overheard Mrs. Ira say something about Lavender Falls hasn’t seen such a tragedy since your brother’s wife,” I say, biting my lip, afraid I’m being too nosy.
West leans back in the booth and lets out a huff of air, running his hands down his face. “A few years ago, my brother Cade lost his wife,” he tells me.
My hand flies to my mouth. “Oh gosh, West. I am so sorry.”
“It was tough.” He tilts his head as if lost in the memories. “She had just given birth to their second baby five months prior.”
Leaning forward in the booth, I reach out and grab his hand, rubbing soothing circles over his thumb. “I’m truly sorry to hear that,” I tell him sincerely.
Glancing down at our hands, he quietly says, “It was postpartum depression.”
“I can’t even imagine what your family must have felt. I’m sorry, West.”
“That’s three times,” he says, looking up from our connected hands with a smile. At first, I’m confused thinking he means his brother has lost three wives, but I can’t imagine that’s something he would smile about.
“I’m sorry?” I ask.
“You’ve called me West three times now. Once the other night and twice just now.” He smiles.
“Huh. I guess I did.” I smile back.
“About time you start,” he tells me as he begins to rub his thumbs over mine, the same way I was just doing for him. Except this feels different. And I like it.
We sit and smile at each other for a few moments before a voice clears making us pull apart and look up.
“Oh, hi, Misty.”
“Well, aren’t you two just the cutest things,” she drawls out, her face lit up.
Flipping my hair in front of my cheeks to hide the growing blush, I look down at the table.
“How are you, Misty?” West asks her.
“Oh, I’m good. I was just coming over here to ask how the press conference went. It’s been the talk around the tables. Should we be worried?” she asks, rubbing her hands on her apron.
“Nah. No need to panic. We’ve put out a profile, so I’ll make sure that gets around to you in case you see anyone that raises concerns. For now, our guy has a certain type so we just need those women to stay alert and aware.”
“Oh, thank goodness. I’ve been so worried.”
“I promise we are doing our very best to catch this guy.”
Misty places her hand on West’s shoulder, giving it a squeeze.
“Thanks for all you do, Sheriff. I’ll let you two sweethearts get back to your date now.
Oh, and you tell that brother of yours to bring in those adorable children of his this weekend.
Aunt Misty will make extra special pancakes for them cuties.
” She smiles before heading back to the kitchen.
“I didn’t realize Misty is your aunt,” I say, taking another bite of my sandwich.
“She’s not.” He chuckles. “She’s just Aunt Misty to all the kids in town. Back when we were kids, we called her aunt as well.” He smiles, shaking his head.