Page 10 of Purrfectly Adorable

“I’ll see you again on Wednesday. If I don’t see you beforehand.”

“I appreciate it, Brandon. It’s not necessary but I appreciate it.”

She shows me out and grins at me through the glass, locking the door behind me.

Shaking my head, I pull out my flashlight, checking the outside of all the doors and windows. There has to be something, dang it!

But there’s not. And by the time I head home early in the morning, I’m tired, hungry and frustrated beyond belief. And no closer to finding out what the heck is going on around here.

7

DELIA

“I’ve seen Brandon hanging out at your house lately, Delia. What’s going on with you two?”

Rolling my eyes, I groan. “There’s nothing going on. Stop letting your husband’s writing color what you see every day.”

She giggles, shaking her blond head. “I’m not letting him color my insights. He thinks I’m crazy too. But I know what I’m seeing. I know when two people like each other even when they’re trying not to.”

Sighing deeply, I roll my shoulders. I haven’t been sleeping well lately. Every time I close my eyes, I feel like there’s someone there. Someone hiding in my bedroom. Someone who wants something.

Princess has been edgy as heck. Probably because she hasn’t been allowed out of the house for weeks.

“Listen, Alanis. Brandon is going to come to the book club tonight. He thinks that someone here has been breaking into my house for some reason. That they’re looking for something. Do you know what that might be?”

“No.” Her golden brows lift. “Why didn’t you mention this before? You must have been terrified.”

“I was. But…it’s…well, I don’t think they’re trying to hurt me. I think he’s being a little overzealous.”

Her head shakes and she frowns. “Hey, there’s no way he could be too careful, darling. If someone is breaking into your house, he has every right to be concerned. Heck, I’m concerned. I’m your friend. You should have mentioned this before, babe.”

“I’m sorry. It’s only happened twice and I’m trying to keep things under control. You know how stuff makes the rounds in this town.”

“I’m your friend. I’m not gonna start sharing your business all over town.”

Huffing, I sigh. “I know. I know. I’m just…I don’t know. I haven’t been sleeping well.”

“Okay. Well, everyone’s gonna be here soon. Let’s get ready. Did you enjoy the book this week?”

“Yes! It was so good! But I have to say, that best friend of hers was a real troublemaker.”

“Yes! Thank you. That’s what I thought too.”

The room begins filling up and I grin at Hetty. But she doesn’t smile back at me. Her eyes dart away from me.

Scrunching my brows, I cock my head. Brandon stops next to me. “What’s up with her? She looks angry.”

“I don’t think she looks angry. I think she looks distracted, upset.”

“Okay. Upset about what? About not finding what she’s been looking for?”

“I saw that person. They were way too tall to be little Hetty.”

“Okay. So it’s not here. Why does she look like she’s about to jump out of her skin then?”

“Let’s get ready to chat, everyone!” Everyone rushes to find a seat and Brandon sits in the background, crossing his arms and legs and settling in.

“Alright, ladies! What did we all think about the main characters?”

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