I overslept Wednesday morning. Nightmares about Willow’s murder had kept me tossing and turning. If it hadn’t been for Cowboy’s nudging, my cold feet would still be buried under the covers along with the rest of my body.
We headed out for his morning walk before my first cup of tea. I couldn’t take my dog inside Anytime Coffee House, but I texted Jake and asked him to fix me a cup of green tea with honey.
Brett had a small seating area set up on the sidewalk in front of the shop, and I waited there with Cowboy. The dog barked a friendly greeting, and his tail swished each time a person walked by. Most people pet his head and spoke to both of us.
Jake walked out with an environmentally friendly cup. “Good morning, Sunshine.”
“Um, Sunshine?”
“Yeah, for your sunny disposition, and you’re a flower farmer.”
“Morning.” I caught my reflection in the shop’s window. Strands of red hair had escaped the ponytail, and my always-pale complexion appeared pasty. I passed him the money. “Thanks for doing this.”
“No problem. We’re fully staffed this morning, so it was easy.” He pocketed the money, knelt beside my dog, and rubbed his head. “Cowboy looks good.”
“Thanks. I keep reading books on the best way to care for him. Puppies need to burn up their energy, and they need love and attention.”
“How are you doing? Er, not taking care of the dog, but you personally.”
“I’m exhausted. Between work, helping cater, and answering Matt’s questions last night, I didn’t want to roll out of bed this morning. Cowboy had other ideas, though.” I sipped my tea.
“Say, do you know of any affordable apartments for rent?”
“Affordable? Not sure.” I took another sip. “I guess it needs to be in a reputable complex.”
“It can even be a house. I can’t afford to keep staying with Faith and Zig. Once Celia leaves town, I need to get my own place.”
“Do you have any interest in buying a house?” A loud truck rumbled by, and I tightened my grip on the leash, but Cowboy behaved.
Jake jumped, but tried to act nonchalant. “Not yet. If I get on with the police department, then I might buy my own place. For now, I only need a rental.”
“Let me ask around. I’ll get back to you.”
“Thanks.” He stood and moved toward the shop. “I’ll see you around, Emma.”
“Bye.” With the cup in one hand and gripping the leash with my other hand, I led Cowboy to the park a few blocks away. I let him loose in the dog park area where he could run free, and I wouldn’t worry about him trampling my flowers.
Leaning against the fence, sipping my tea, I watched Cowboy run the perimeter. Another pet owner played toss with her beagle. Dog toys. Why hadn’t I thought of that? Later I’d stop by the dollar store and buy some toys for Cowboy so we could have fun.
I snapped a picture of the dog and sent it to Abby. I finally got the puppy you always begged for.
My thoughts turned to Willow’s murder. Nick Jones had been left alone with Willow when Paige took off on her morning run. Nick had been upstairs spraying the apartment over the bookstore. Paige had said she wanted to rent the space out as an apartment, so it made sense she’d want the place to be free of insects and rodents.
Cowboy ran to me, panting.
“Hey, boy. I probably should’ve brought you a bowl for water. I promise to get better at being your owner. Water, water bowl, and toys. It makes sense you’re thirsty.”
The beagle’s owner pointed to a water spiggot. She said, “Maybe you can get your dog to drink from that. The only trick is to make sure he doesn’t choke.”
“Thanks.” I went to it and turned the knob. Cupping my hands together, I caught the water. “Cowboy, come here.”
The golden retriever gave me a curious look.
I spilled water and started all over. “Drink.”
He sniffed my hands, then lapped up the water.
“Good boy.” I repeated the process with him until he appeared satisfied, then I attached the leash to his harness, and we left the park.
The sight of an approaching car slowed my steps, and we edged toward the grass. It was the black Audi from the previous night. My heart beat hard against my ribs.
I stopped, and Cowboy whined.
The car slowed to a crawl, and the window lowered. The driver pointed his front finger toward me and thumb up. Like a gun. “If you know what’s good for you and that mutt, you’ll mind your own business.” Dave Smith stepped on the gas and disappeared.
My racing heart and shaky limbs made it impossible to walk.
Cowboy rubbed against my leg and barked.
Deep breaths. I couldn’t fall apart on Second Street in Lutz, Texas. Cowboy depended on me to get him home. Breathe in. Breathe out. One foot forward, then the other. I could do it.
The long walk home was a blur. Dave Smith had threatened me. If I believed Rusty, Dave may have been the same man who’d paid him to kill Willow. Why wasn’t he in jail? Probably something like lack of evidence.
Somehow, Cowboy and I made it to the house. Once inside, I locked and bolted the door before collapsing on the couch.
Willow was dead. Dave Smith was free as could be. Rusty was in rehab. Dave was Rita’s ex-fiancé. What did he have to gain by Willow’s death? It opened the door for Rita to be with Vince, making it harder for Dave to rekindle the flames of love. Although, Vince had turned Rita’s proposition down flat. Rumor was Vince had a mistress. Had Vince asked Rita for the best way to get rid of his wife before the divorce? Had she agreed, thinking Vince wanted to be with her? If sorting through the clues was as easy as weeding my garden, I’d be much closer to an answer.
It was simple for me to distinguish between a flower and an unwanted plant. Pull a weed, and throw it out. The trouble with Willow’s murder was I didn’t know the difference between clues, red herrings, and lies. So far, Dave’s threat scared me more than anything else.
If I continued trying to prove Paige’s innocence, it’d be best not to let Dave find out.