Nick Jones was sitting in his work truck, and it was parked in my driveway. My house was located on Main Street, but there wasn’t much traffic at the moment. My grip on the bag of murder notes tightened. Potential evidence against Nick filled my bag.
What to do, what to do. I dug for my phone and dialed Jake. Sophie was my best friend, but when it came to facing a deadly bully, my chances would be better with a strong man at my side.
“Hey Emma, what’s going on?” Jake answered right away.
“I’m walking home, and Nick’s in my driveway.” Not true. I’d stopped cold in my tracks.
“Turn around. Come to the coffee shop. I’m on my way.” The urgent tone told me I wasn’t overreacting.
Why hadn’t I thought of that? No doubt he figured if my brains were ink, I couldn’t dot an i.
Nick turned his head my way.
Our gazes locked.
The man frowned.
“Oh no, Jake, he saw me.” My cold hands grew damp.
Nick jumped out of his exterminator truck, painted to resemble a roach. “Hey, stop right there.”
I turned and sprinted in the opposite direction, clutching my bag tight against my side. “Jake, I’m running to you, but Nick’s coming after me.” My cutesy tennis shoes weren’t made for serious running, but I’d never been more serious.
The hefty man’s feet pounded on the blacktop. “Stop.”
I sprinted over the train tracks and continued toward downtown where there’d be people and safety.
Nick yelled obscenities.
A car drove by without stopping.
Jake appeared on the sidewalk running in his jeans and red-and-black plaid shirt. “Emma, go to the coffee shop. Brett’s in there. You’ll be safe.”
Nick’s steps slowed. The stocky man huffed. “Shoulda known you’d call for help.”
With Jake at my side, I faced the exterminator. “Nick, I don’t have anything to say to you.”
His eyes narrowed, and he stopped about six feet away. “Don’t believe all them rumors going around town. I didn’t kill Willow. Got no reason to.”
I kept a firm grip on my bag of evidence against him regarding the death of his first wife. “That’s for the cops to settle.”
“Right, and if they’re competent, you’ll find out how innocent I am.” His voice had turned deadly calm, scaring me more than the lunatic screaming curse words. “Mind your own business, Emma. Don’t dig into my life. Past or present.”
How’d he know what I’d been doing? “Have you been following me?”
“I’m not a stalker, if that’s what you mean.”
“You were sitting in my driveway like you knew I’d be home soon.” I didn’t mention the library in case he hadn’t followed me throughout the day.
Jake pulled out his phone. “Why don’t we call Chief Young?”
Nick spat. “No need to call the cops. I’m leaving.”
Jake lifted his chin. “Stay away from Emma.”
“Or what?”
“You’ll have more than the cops to worry about.”
Nick muttered something and stomped away.
We didn’t move until he disappeared from sight. “Why didn’t you leave when I told you? I could’ve handled him for you.”
I reached for Jake’s hand. “You probably won’t understand, but I’m not used to having others handle my problems. Still, it was nice to know I could call you. I appreciate you standing with me. Thanks for coming.” There were few men in my life, and becoming friends with Jake amazed me. He’d dropped whatever he’d been doing at the coffee shop and came to my aid.
He nodded. “Thanks for calling. I don’t trust that guy.”
“Wait until you hear what I learned today. You’ll trust him even less.” I shivered.
“Let’s go to the coffee shop so you can get warmed up.” He slid his arm around my shoulders, and we walked up the hill. “You need to try my new blend of coffee. I call it the Jakester.”
“The Jakester?” Relief filled my body with Jake at my side. I wasn’t ready to go into an empty house yet. Although I would have if necessary, and at some point, I’d need to go take care of Cowboy. “Cute, but you know I’m more of a tea person.”
“Yes, ma’am, which is exactly why I want you to try this.” We reached Anytime Coffee, and Jake opened the door for me. “Humor me. If you don’t like it, I’ll prepare your usual green tea and honey.”
“Deal.” I met his earnest gaze and smiled. “Do you have time to look over the notes with me?”
He smiled. “You bet, but is it safe to discuss here?”
One man sat at a window seat journaling, and a couple sat in the back, holding hands and talking softly.
I nodded. “I believe so. We’ll keep our eyes open for trouble.”
Jake nodded. “Sounds like a plan. Why don’t you take the back corner booth, and I’ll be right with you?”
After I settled, Brett appeared. “Emma, it’s good to see you. Jake said you were in trouble right before he took off at warp speed. Are you okay?”
“Yeah, and it’s probably due to Jake’s appearance. Nick Jones was waiting in my driveway when I got home, and he chased me.”
“You know, I’m your friend too. Call me anytime.” His dark brown eyes shone.
“Thanks, Brett. Will you tell me what’s going on with you?”
He sat across from me. “Can you keep a secret?”
“Yes. You can trust me.” I dreaded the words about to spill from his lips. I braced myself to hear the word cancer.
“I had hemorrhoid surgery.”
Relief flooded through me, and I rounded the table and hugged his neck. “Oh, Brett. I’m so relieved.”
He patted my back. “Thanks, I think.”
I returned to my seat. “Jake never hinted at what you were going through, and of course, I feared the worst. I mean, I realize it’s surgery and all, but still. Why don’t you want people to know?”
He turned his hands, palms up. “It’s embarrassing.”
“Trust me, you’re not the only person in town to have that surgery. Remember, I used to work at the pharmacy. How are you healing?”
“I’m fine. End of conversation.” He shook his head. “You going to try the Jakester?”
“Yeah, I don’t have much choice. Jake seems so proud of it.”
“Here he comes now. Be sure to mention you notice a hint of hazelnut.”
“Got it.”
Brett walked away and spoke to the lovey-dovey couple.
Jake placed two mugs of coffee on the table and claimed the seat Brett had vacated.
“So, this is the Jakester?” I lifted the mug and sniffed. “Mocha?”
“Yes, but there’s more to it.” His smile made my heart pitter-patter.
I blew on it and took my first sip.
Jake studied me as if he cared about my opinion.
“Yum.” I took another sip. “I detect a hint of hazelnut and something fruity.”
“Right.” He sipped from his blue mug. “What else?”
I didn’t want to ruin the moment and hurt Jake’s feelings. Another sip. I let it flow over my tongue and swallowed slowly. “It’s delicious, whatever you chose.”
“Dates.”
I snapped my fingers. “Excellent choice. This is my all-time favorite cup of coffee. You can make it for me anytime.”
He laughed. “Perfect since we’re Anytime Coffee House. Can I take your picture and quote you for social media?”
Yikes. “I must look a fright. Let me freshen my lipstick first.”
He gave me a lopsided grin. “You look beautiful.”
My heart went from a gentle pitter-patter to an all-out gallop. I hadn’t been in the market for romance, but Jake seemed to find ways to worm himself into my heart, probably without even trying. Earthworms were beneficial for my gardens. Maybe Jake would be a positive addition to my life even after we caught Willow’s murderer.