Page 10 of Hot For You

As he closed the scrapbook, he smiled. This was so fucking fun he could barely keep from telling his online buddies about it. Although he covered his tracks so well that he’d never be found, he was still careful. Maybe he would tell them. He’d have to give it some thought.

For one brief moment, he thought about his mother. What would she think of what he was doing? Would she even realize it was her fucking fault? All of those cigarette burns had only been the start of what she’d put him through.

He shoved aside the thoughts. This was his time to glory in his brilliance.

Humming to himself, he went into the kitchen and grabbed bread, peanut butter, and grape jelly, along with a carton of milk. He was famished after his successful day. Being an arsonist of his caliber was like being an artist. It took talent, time, and patience. Not to mention a lot of hard work.

Rather than waiting a few weeks to strike again, he was hungry for more.

And he was hungry for it now.

Chapter 5

Thursday morning the kitchen was filled with the smell of fresh baked chocolate chip pecan cookies. Carilyn popped another nugget of cookie dough into her mouth as she spooned globs of it on the baking sheet. “Do you always bake cookies for the firefighters?” she asked Leigh as she set the spoon back in the batter bowl.

Leigh took the filled cookie sheet. “Sometimes I make muffins, Rice Krispy treats, or brownies. Treats easy to cut up that can be picked up with your fingers.”

Carilyn grabbed a smaller bowl and plopped a spoonful of chocolate chip cookie dough with no nuts on a new banking sheet. “The guys must love you.”

“The feeling is mutual.” Leigh opened the oven and slid the sheet she was holding inside before closing it again. “They risk their lives every time they go out on a fire and they don’t get paid or appreciated nearly enough.” She gave a sly grin. “Besides, it gives me an excuse to see all of those sexy firefighters when I deliver the goodies.”

Carilyn laughed as she finished another row. “I hear you about them not being appreciated enough. Firefighters, police officers, and teachers. Three of the most important professions, yet they don’t get paid what they’re worth.”

“Amen.” Leigh shut the oven door. “That’s the last sheet?”

“Yep.” Carilyn scraped the bowl with a rubber spatula and then scooped out the last of the dough to make one more cookie. “This is the batch with no nuts for Cody.”

Leigh returned to the table and grabbed the now full sheet and set it beside the stove to wait its turn. “He’s going to appreciate that you made cookies just for him.”

Carilyn shook her head. “You would have done it anyway.”

Leigh grinned. “I’ll make a point to tell him that you made those special.”

“Stop playing matchmaker.” Carilyn shook the rubber spatula at Leigh. “I’m only going to be here a month so there’s no point in it.”

“Sure there is.” Leigh picked up the empty batter bowls from the table and carried them to the sink. “It would be awesome if you moved here, Cari.”

“I’m not moving here.” Carilyn gave her an exasperated look. “I’ve lived in Kansas all my life.”

“So.” Leigh rinsed out the bowls in the sink before putting them in the dishwasher. “You could do with a change. You’ll love it here.”

Carilyn couldn’t help a smile. “Give it up.”

A mischievous look was in Leigh’s eyes. “Never.”

Carilyn helped Leigh put ingredients away in the pantry, clean the counters, and straighten the kitchen as the cookies baked and then cooled.

“I talked with Mike about you not having transportation now that you don’t have a vehicle.” Leigh leaned against the counter. “So that you don’t have to rush out and buy a new car, you can use mine while I’m in Europe. He’s going to take me to the airport Saturday.”

“Thank you.” Carilyn rested one arm on the breakfast bar. “Are you still up for some shopping before we take the cookies to the fire department?” She looked down at the too-long, loose jeans she was wearing that belonged to Leigh who, at five-ten was a good five inches taller than Carilyn and a size bigger. “I can’t keep wearing your clothes.”

“You look cute with the jeans rolled up like that.” Leigh grinned. “But yes, you know I love to shop, whatever the excuse. Plus, maybe I can find a cute dress to take on my trip. You should find something a little dressy too.”

Carilyn smiled then sighed. “I need to replace so many things. At least I have a toothbrush,” she added. They’d gone to the corner convenience store last night to get a toothbrush and toothpaste. “But replacing my laptop is the most important thing I need to do.”

After the cookies were finished baking and had cooled, they headed out to look for a laptop, clothes, and other things that Carilyn would need during her stay in Prescott. It was always fun shopping with Leigh who was bubbly and enthusiastic and had a great eye for style and for what looked great on Carilyn.

When they finished shopping, they unloaded the bags at Leigh’s house and put them all into the guest bedroom, including the box with the new laptop. Carilyn sighed. It was going to take forever to upload everything and get it all back into working order so that she’d be ready to work come Monday.

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