“Wow! You
“I suppose that’s the bad part,” she confessed. “I don’t have any idea. But there are plenty of other suspects. That’s good for Mr. Cheever but bad for the police and Julie Warner. It’s terrible not knowing who killed someone you loved.”
“You talk like you have personal experience with it.”
She explained briefly about John’s death. “This late in the game, we’ll probably never find the man who killed him.”
“I’m sorry. No wonder your son doesn’t like me.”
They finished eating and walked out into the sunshine. Tryon Street was congested with traffic. There was an accident waiting to be cleaned up right outside Latta Arcade.
“I guess I’ll just walk across to the shop,” Peggy said, feeling awkward again.
“Is that where the infamous Potting Shed is? I’ve never been inside Latta Arcade.”
“Really?” She took a deep breath, then slipped her arm through his. “I guess I’ll have to introduce you then.”
She told him about the history of the Arcade as they walked through it to reach Brevard Court. Without pausing for breath, she pushed open the door to her shop and walked inside. It was busy with lunchtime traffic, shoppers loading up on fall planting specials.
“I’m glad you’re here,” Selena said from behind the counter with ten customers in line. “I can use the help.”
“Would you mind?” Peggy asked Steve. “I need to help her get caught up.”
“No, that’s fine. Is there anything I can do to help?”
“Yes,” Selena answered. “This gentleman wants a hundred-pound bag of potting soil. His car is parked in back.”
Peggy frowned. “You don’t need to do that, Steve.”
“No problem,” he answered. “Where’s the potting soil?”
Selena grinned at Peggy after showing Steve the back storage area. “Who’s
“Never mind,” Peggy answered, ringing up the next customer in line. “Just don’t ever do
“Hey, if he likes you, he better like your shop, right?”
Peggy didn’t answer. When Selena was caught up, she walked back to the loading dock to find Steve helping another customer with a fifty-pound bag of bird food. The woman waved as she pulled away from the loading area.
“Thanks for your help,” Peggy said, embarrassed. “I didn’t expect you to do this.”
“Not a problem. Are you free for dinner tonight?”
“Not really. I have so much to do. Tests to grade. My experiments are at a critical point.”
“Just don’t tell me you have to wash your hair.”
She stared at him. “I’m sorry. I might need a little time. I wasn’t expecting this to happen.”
“Take all you like. I’m not going anywhere.” He kissed her lightly on the lips.
A sharply indrawn breath followed by a wild whooping noise caught their attention. Steve slipped his arm around Peggy as they faced the back door.
Sam ran out laughing. “Wow! Peggy’s got a boyfriend.”
“Sam, this is Steve Newsome. He’s a veterinarian who lives a few doors down from me,” Peggy introduced them. “Steve, this is Sam Ollson. He’s going to be a doctor someday. Right now, he works for me.”
“Nice to meet you.” Sam shook Steve’s hand. “Make sure you get her in by ten, or I’ll be out with my shotgun.”
“That’s not funny,” she told him. “We just saw Paul.”
“Right. He’s
Peggy didn’t laugh. “What are you doing here? I thought you had classes today.”
“I did. But I couldn’t get you on your cell phone.” Sam waggled his eyebrows. “Have you heard the news yet?”
“We were having lunch,” she said. “What news?”
“Keeley turned herself in to the police. She all but told them she killed Mark Warner.”
9
Blackberry
Botanical: Rubus fruticosus
Family: Rosaceae
