“No, I suppose not. Well, if you think of anyone call me.” He dropped his card on the counter and walked out of the store.
People in town say Detective Heidelberg aka Berg is a good guy and a great detective, but for some reason I don’t see it. Many townsfolk wish he would be police chief instead of Chief Elroy. I see them as different as day and night. Maybe they work well together, but I wish the overbearing detective would leave town.
I closed the store fifteen minutes early and went home. I had enough excitement for one day. I was looking forward to peace and quiet. Then I remembered Clark was coming to dinner.
Was Georgie right? Would he expect to stay for breakfast, too? Goodness gracious, Annie. You get yourself in more predicaments.
#######
I walked into my kitchen, dropped my purse and jacket on a chair, and set Yummy outside in his run. I wondered what I should prepare for dinner. I knew I had spaghetti sauce and meatballs and a loaf of French bread in the freezer. I checked my pantry and found a box of spaghetti. I set a large pot of water on to boil and placed the sauce and meatballs in the microwave to thaw. I walked out to keep Yummy company. I walked to the end of the pier. Watching the water on the lake never failed to calm me. I felt the stress of the day begin to leave my shoulders when I glanced toward Inga’s house. It was difficult to see with the sun beginning to set and the sun partially blinding me, but I could see the front door of Inga’s mansion open. Someone or maybe two people stood just inside the door. Two others stood on the porch. I did try to see who they were, but I couldn’t see well enough. It appears everyone is upset by the way arms are flailing, and two of the people paced back and forth.
Yummy’s bark brought me back from the edge of the pier. I picked him up, and we went back into the house. Yummy ran to the door and barked. I heard a knock. I peeked through the security peephole and saw a smiling Clark on the porch carrying a bouquet of flowers.
Flowers. Oh my goodness. He brought flowers. What’s on his mind? Oh no. Annie, get a grip. Open the door and smile.
I opened the door and smiled at Clark. Yummy stopped barking when he saw it was Clark.
“Hi. Can I come in?” He grinned at me.
“Of course.” I stepped back. He opened the broken door frame and walked in the house. He handed me the flowers. I felt my face flush.
“Thanks, but you didn’t need to buy flowers.” I smelled them, and the scent helped me to relax a bit more.
“I thought you could use something nice after your hard day. Is the screen in the garage? I’ll put it up while I still have a bit of sunlight.”
I opened the garage, and while Clark worked on the door, I prepared dinner.
He finished with the door before I finished dinner. He asked where he could clean up, and I showed him to my powder room and quickly asked, “Would you prefer garlic bread or Italian cheese bread?”
His eyes went up as if in thought. He looked at me and said, “Let’s skip garlic,” Then he winked and I rushed back to the kitchen.
Oh boy, Annie. Maybe you should have invited Aunt Irene to dinner. She would just eat and leave before Clark did, and I’d still have to deal with a man who winked at me and wants to skip the garlic. Breathe deep and face this. You can do it. You’re an adult with a grown child. What are you worried about? Everything. I felt my heart pick up speed.
Dinner was enjoyable, and I relaxed listening to Clark’s stories about life in California and some of the strange things that people request at the hardware store. The funniest was when he explained that elderly Mr. Colroy inquired about what size engine to order for his time machine.
“Poor Mr. Colroy’s arthritis is getting to him, and he desperately wants to travel to the past before he had arthritis,” Clark said. “He comes in every few days to buy a new part. I think I may visit him this week and see how the time machine is coming along.” He smiled as he reached for another piece of cheese bread.
After dinner, we relaxed on the patio for a while until I began to yawn. Clark stood and said it was time to call it a night. I thanked him for repairing my door and walked to my front door. I heard his voice behind me.
“Annie, I’m not going home. I’m staying here tonight.”
My mind raced in more directions than I thought possible, and I fought panic. I turned and looked at him. My thoughts show plainly on my face. I think my eyes are wide open.
“Don’t worry. I’m going to sleep on the couch.” He grinned. “I don’t want you here alone with someone walking around free after they threatened you.” He walked up to me and placed his hands on my shoulders. “My thoughts are platonic or as platonic as I can keep them. We can discuss non-platonic feelings later when your life settles down.” He kissed my forehead.
When he settled on the couch, I felt safer and fell asleep quickly. I woke to an empty bed. Yummy must have decided to visit Clark at some point during the night. I smell coffee. A quick shower, and dressed in my clothes for a day at the bookstore I made my way downstairs to find Clark sitting on the patio with Aunt Irene.
