I veered toward the checkout counter first so Max could say hi. “Hey, Missy. I just need to pick up some dog food real quick.”
She crouched down to spoil Max with attention. I left him with her and found our preferred brand, then brought it to the check out. I spotted some cat toys on the way and decided to pick up a little present for Duchess. My mom would appreciate it.
“Is that all for you?” she asked.
“Yep, this will do it.” I grabbed a pouch of sweet potato dog treats—his favorite—and got out my wallet.
I glanced out the front window while she rang up my purchase. Max happily wagged his tail next to me. I didn’t know what I was looking for, exactly. I couldn’t see my car from where I was standing. Did I think I’d see the stalker, peeking in the window, watching me?
The voice on the phone had unsettled me. I just wanted to get out of there.
Missy handed me a small bag with the cat toys and dog treats. I grabbed the dog food and settled it on my hip, then grabbed the rest. “Thanks, Missy. I’ll see you later.”
“Have a great day. Bye, Max!”
My heart beat uncomfortably hard as we walked out of the store. The sidewalk on this side of the street was empty, just a few cars parked nearby. A couple walked out of a store two doors down, but otherwise, no one was around.
I took a deep breath. I was fine. Just feeling jumpy after that phone call. I shouldn’t have answered it in the first place. That had been stupid.
The leash jerked as Max hit the end of it. His nose was to the ground and he pulled toward my car.
“Hang on, Max. I know you want a treat, but you can wait.”
He half-dragged me to my car where he kept sniffing furiously.
“Was there a squirrel?” I adjusted the bag so I could get out my keys. There was a squirrel, chittering at us from the roof of the building. “It’s gone now, silly dog.”
Max didn’t stop sniffing. He tried to do a lap around the car, but I kept a tight grip on the leash while I opened the passenger door.
“Max, seriously, stop. I need to put your food in the car.”
I tossed the stuff onto the passenger seat and shut the door, then let Max do his lap.
“See? The squirrel is go—”
I was about to say gone, when I realized Max hadn’t caught the scent of a squirrel.
There was a folded piece of paper on the windshield of my car, tucked beneath the windshield wiper.
Taking slow steps around the car, I moved closer to the driver’s side. My back prickled and my heart hammered in my chest. With quick, darting movements, I checked my surroundings. But I already knew I wouldn’t see him. I’d have bet anything that he’d either left immediately or was hiding, watching me from afar.
My hand shook as I reached for the note. It was a piece of printer paper. No handwriting and if it was anything like the vandalism incidents, there wouldn’t be any fingerprints. It was typed in a basic font, probably Times New Roman. No smears of blood or letters cut from newspaper and magazine clippings. Just the words, I hate you.
“Max, let’s go.”
With my heart in my throat, I loaded him up and headed home.
CHAPTER 32
Josiah
Five minutes after Audrey left, I regretted letting her go alone. She was right, it was probably fine, and I couldn’t shadow her every move like a bodyguard. But I still didn’t like it.
Despite the heat, the cabinets were going in without too much drama. My dad wasn’t as young as he used to be but he was still as strong as an ox. And despite the fact that Zachary was generally a pain in the ass, he was a good worker. Motivated by his paycheck more than brotherly loyalty, probably, but that was fine with me.
We’d put in the uppers first and so far, everything was level and square. My cabinet guy did good work. I’d go back through later and install all the doors and shelves.
Dad stepped back and mopped his head with a blue bandanna. “Looking good.”
Zachary handed him a bottle of water. “Yeah. Doesn’t suck.”
It was true. It didn’t suck. In fact, it looked great. Probably my favorite of all the houses I’d remodeled so far.
Audrey had good taste.
Of course, she was with me, but maybe it was just her taste in men that was questionable.
I was a lucky bastard.
Dad checked his watch. “Mind if we finish tomorrow? I have a few things to get done at home and then I need to get cleaned up. Your mom wants me to take her dancing.”
“Dancing?” I asked. “Since when do you dance?”
“Since your mom wanted to learn.” He shrugged. “We’ve been taking lessons.”