I dart past Jasper, and soon I’m right in Willow and Marigold’s midst.
“Wonderful vigil,” I say. “I hope it brought you both some peace.” I try my hardest to control my breathing from the quick jaunt over.
Both women nod in agreement, but Willow squints past me as if trying to make something out.
“Is that your sister?” Her jaw becomes unhinged. Her blonde hair is combed to the side, and in this dull light she looks strikingly like Macy whether she intended to or not.
“Yes, she’s out on bail,” I say. “And it wasn’t soon enough.”
“Well good for her.” Willow cinches her lips. But is it good for me? The last thing I need while trying to rebuild my life is the white-hot spotlight of suspicion over me. What if they discover what I’m running from? I’ll do time, that’s for sure. And if I run now, I might do far more time for a murder I didn’t commit. Not that it hadn’t crossed my mind. But unless I poisoned those donuts in my sleep, I’m not the one who should be frying for this one. I’m sorry, Macy. I might look an awful lot like you at the moment, but I’m not paying for your sins.
I take a deep breath as I contemplate her thoughts.
Willow is officially crossed off the suspect list. And I’m not interested in her petty theft. So her secret is safe with me, and with Jasper for that matter, since he’s already been apprised.
Marigold postures my way. “Are you okay, Bizzy?” Her hair is slicked back, nice and neat, and she’s impeccably dressed for the brisk fall weather. She’s wrapped in a gorgeous plaid peacoat, and I want to stop everything and make her tell me where she garnered that wool treasure. Although, if I did track it down, I probably couldn’t get over the sticker shock.
“I’m fine.” I try to shake out all of the madness this night has already displayed out of my mind. “How are you? Any more of those ghostly happenings?”
Willow gasps hard as she looks to Marigold. “You too?” Oh, thank God. At least I know it’s not just me. And Lord knows Marigold irritated Ember the most.
Marigold gives a somber nod. “And you?”
A horrible moan escapes Willow. “I think I’m going insane. Every night this week I’ve heard strange noises, scratches outside my window. And last night I woke to find red sticky liquid oozing all over my living room floor. It turned out to be the cherry vanilla bubble bath we were selling. There was a puddle of it right in front of my door. I thought it was blood. I screamed for an hour at least. I know that was Ember. It was her way of telling me she wasn’t happy that I was closing the store.”
Marigold nods my way. “She’s after us. She wants to control us from the great beyond. She wants us to be afraid of her from the other side as much as she wanted us to fear her in the here and now. Ember is as tenacious in death as she ever was in life.” Not a surprise. A brat in this life and the next. “Honestly, I think Warner would be proud.”
Willow shakes her head as she looks to Marigold. “How is Warner doing?” There is a pained look in her eyes as she asks the question. “Is he any better?”
Marigold stiffens. “His only daughter is dead. He’s doing worse than you’ll ever imagine.” Something across the street catches her eye. “Well, would you look at that?”
Willow and I turn that way to find Flint and Hunter having a rather animated conversation.
Here it is. My moment.
I turn back to the ladies in front of me. “Will I see you both here for the parade on Thanksgiving?”
Willow glances back to her shop. “I’ll be here. I struck a deal with the landlord, and I told him I’d be out by the weekend. I’ve got a lot of cleanup ahead of me. Ember’s ghost really did a number in there.” A sorrowful laugh strums through her. “Words I never thought I’d say, and yet I’m not all that surprised.” And a parade—how fitting. I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate the fact I won’t have to live another moment under Ember Sweet’s thumb.
Marigold takes in a breath. “I’ll be here.” Her gaze is still pinned on Flint and Hunter across the street. I need to make sure that rat fries for what he did. And as soon as the sheriff’s department untangles the knot of Laurel’s disappearance, I’m sure they’ll realize they have their man. “I’ve always liked a good parade.” She shrugs over to Willow. “I’ll even help you pack up the store. What can I say? I’m feeling generous.”
“That’s a great idea,” I say. “I’ll bring the donuts!” My hand flies to my lips. “That’s not what I meant.” I cringe as I quickly step away with a wave.
I spot Jasper watching me with his hands shoved deep in his pockets from about thirty feet away. He looks stern and concerned, and yet very, very patient with me.
And I’m glad about that glimmer of patience in him because he’s going to have to hold steady a little bit longer. My feet carry me across the street at a quickened clip, and no sooner do I arrive than Flint has moved on to a crowd of women all cheering and clamoring for his attention.
Perfect. I scoff at my own imperfect timing.
Hunter is already walking down the street in a determined fashion that lets me know he’s taking off, and I jog my way over until I catch up with him.
“Hunter!” I call out, and he turns around, giving me a sweep with his eyes as if trying to place me. His dark blond hair is combed back
