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On Sunday, Luke picked up Maddie and Trixie. They drove to a small park on the edge of town. Tall green pine trees guarded the perimeter, while picnic benches and green grass – still lush even in the warm weather – invited one to sit and relax and enjoy an alfresco meal.
Maddie had brought a large blanket and Luke helped her smooth it over the grass. They had a spot all to themselves. In the distance children played on the swings, and an occasional bird chirped.
Maddie felt the weight of the events of last week lift off her shoulders. Trixie wore her turquoise harness and settled down on the red-checked blanket, rolling on her back and exposing her white tummy to the sun.
“She’s cute.” Luke smiled at the Persian.
“And I think she knows it.” Maddie stifled a giggle.
“You’re cute too.” Luke sat down next to her and traced his finger along her cheekbone.
“So are you,” Maddie whispered, before his mouth met hers.
After a couple of minutes, a loud “Mrrow!” interrupted them.
“I think Trixie’s saying she’s hungry,” Maddie said ruefully as they broke apart, the imprint of Luke’s lips on hers sending a tingle down her spine.
“Here you go, Trixie.” She reached into the cooler and opened a container containing chicken in gravy.
Trixie bunted Maddie’s arm in thanks, then delicately licked off the gravy as if it were the finest meal she’d ever eaten.
“I guess we’d better eat too,” Luke said wryly, helping Maddie take the rest of the food out of the cooler.
They lunched on cold fried chicken, coleslaw, and fresh bread rolls. Maddie had packed strawberries for dessert, as well as water and freshly squeezed lemonade. After all the coffee she’d drunk last week, she thought she’d have a caffeine-free day. She hadn’t counted on Luke’s kisses having a similar effect.
After Trixie finished her lunch, she lay down on the blanket again, a contented look on her face.
“We should do this more often,” Luke commented once they’d eaten the last of the strawberries.
“Definitely,” Maddie agreed.
“Mrrow,” Trixie said softly, before closing her eyes and dozing.
Maddie and Luke spoke quietly about their plans for the next few weeks, then somehow the talk turned to Veronica’s murder.
“I’m glad you and Suzanne aren’t considered suspects,” he said.
“Me too.”
“Veronica returning to Estherville obviously stirred up some deep-seated resentment,” he continued.
Maddie stared at him. “You think so?”
He nodded. “I had a customer grumbling to me about it a couple of days ago.”
“What did he say?”
“Not much.” He shrugged. “Just that he was surprised she was back after the way she’d burned people in high school.”
“Has Detective Edgewater spoken to him?” Maddie asked.
“I don’t know.” He scrutinized her. “You’re not going to get involved in this, are you?”
“I don’t want to, but ...” How could she explain to him what she could barely put into words to herself? There was a certain satisfaction in bringing a killer to justice, and in the past, she and Suzanne – and Trixie – had helped to do just that. But Detective Edgewater’s warning rang in her mind. After a few close calls in the past, did she really want to involve herself in someone else’s business – murderous business – again?
“Promise me you’ll be careful,” Luke told her. “I don’t want anything happening to you or my sister. Or Trixie.” He glanced fondly at the stretched-out feline, snoozing contentedly in the sun.
As if she heard her name, Trixie blinked and slowly opened her eyes. She rolled over, this time angling her body into a spot of shade provided by the large branches of a pine tree nearby, before closing her eyes and dozing once more.
Maddie envied her the ability to do that. Her familiar looked like she didn’t have a care in the world.
“I promise,” she said softly, glad that somehow Luke seemed to understand her dilemma.
“What about this Ramon guy?” he asked. “Do you trust him?”
“Yes.” She nodded. “We’ve known him for a while now. And Trixie likes him.”
Luke smiled as he looked over at the cat. “Then maybe my sister is safe with him.”
“I think Suzanne can look after herself,” Maddie tried to reassure him.
Suzanne had called her late yesterday afternoon, bubbling over about her lunch date with Ramon. Maddie had found it difficult to get a word in, until her friend finally ran out of breath – and voice.
“I hope so.” Luke grew serious. “I know she’s a grown woman, but she’s my sister and always will be.”
“Maybe if you meet him ...?” Maddie suggested slowly, an idea forming in her mind. “What if you’re at Brewed from the Bean at the same time as Ramon? He usually stops by a few times per week to grab a coffee.”
“You’re a genius.” Luke pressed a swift kiss on her lips.
“I’ll text you next time he’s at the truck,” Maddie replied, a soft smile on her face.
A couple of hours later, Luke drove Maddie and Trixie home. The Persian scampered inside the house, curling up on the sofa, (Wytchcraft for the Chosen out of sight) while Maddie made Luke a latte. Instead of caffeine, she enjoyed some lemonade left over from lunch.
After confirming plans for dinner on Tuesday, Luke left.
Maddie sighed after him as she watched him get into his tan SUV. She felt like echoing Suzanne when she spoke about Ramon at times.
I’m so going to marry that man one day.
Before or after she told him she was a witch?