Page 40 of One Sweet Match Up

Donovan touched Zoe’s shoulder, and she instantly remembered how his touch had comforted her ever-so-briefly at the Majestic Theater. How was it he always knew when she needed some nonverbal assurance that everything was going to be okay?

“This purse was empty when she found it,” he said. “Hours later, I pulled out a soup ladle.”

“You don’t say?” Sheila asked. “It wasn’t in there when you first found it?”

Zoe shook her head. “No. I checked the purse that morning for identification. It was empty.”

“There’s something else.” He paused as if to say something.

“What else did you find in it?” Zoe shot that question over with both agitation and dread. He should have gotten rid of the purse like she’d asked.

“I was going to mention your food delivery.”

“Oh, right.”

Donovan twisted his body toward Sheila. “Zoe got a random order today from Fresh Foods. She didn’t place it, but we’re wondering if it might be Mary’s doing. I’ve heard from Adam that she likes to”—he paused, straightening his back—“help some business owners out with surprise deliveries.”

“She does seem to like to keep people on their toes.” Sheila seemed to be amused by that. “It’s certainly possible. Mary was a powerful witch. I’m sure even in the afterlife she’s found a loophole to cause some real-time ruckus. I wouldn’t worry about it. Eventually her motives are revealed. In the meantime, enjoy the food.”

Zoe couldn’t help but notice the earlier twinkle in Sheila’s eye was back. “Well, if you can get a message to her, can you tell her the next time she feels like placing an order for me to check my bank account? Otherwise, I’ll go bankrupt before spring.”

“I’ll help you pay for it,” Donovan piped up.

“That’s not the point.” Zoe stood. “Sheila, thank you so much for letting us barge into your home. I appreciate your listening to us, and I’m truly sorry for the blue spoon.” She pulled on her jacket as Donovan stood and grabbed his.

“You’re welcome anytime. We’ll deal with the blue spoon.” Sheila got up from her rocking chair, moving over to her living room window. “My, it’s sure coming down hard out there.”

“Yeah, we should get going,” Zoe said, zipping up her jacket all the way. The last thing she wanted was to get stuck again in the snow with Donovan.

“You two need hats,” Sheila said. “Do young people not wear them these days?”

“Mine was blown off the night off the blizzard,” Zoe said, feeling a ping of sadness. She’d looked up and down Main Street the next day for her mother’s hat but never found it.

“I lost mine, too,” Donovan said. “My lucky Colorado Rockies cap.”

“Maybe they’re together,” Zoe scoffed. They really needed to stop talking about winter outerwear and get going. “Thank you, again, Shei—”

“Wait!” Sheila cut her off. “Stay right here.” The old woman scurried out of her living room, almost tripping over Magic in the process.

Zoe stepped closer to the window and stared out into the dark, the wind whistling through the trees as the snow steadily came down. It would be a picturesque scene that she’d enjoy if she was home in her flannel pajamas with a nice glass of wine.

“You okay?” Donovan asked, coming up beside her.

Was she okay? Not really. What other ways would Mary try to interfere with her life? Why did this dead resident care about her? She was a transplant. Moving here had been a random decision. She could have easily picked another small town on the map.

She glanced up at Donovan. And if he hadn’t fired her she’d still be in Denver. Maybe him, too. “We should probably go before the roads get worse.”

“Yeah, I’ll give you a ride back and follow you home to make sure you get there safe.”

“That isn’t necessary.” She paused, adding, “The following me home part.”

“I insi—” Donovan stopped mid-sentence, his jaw dropped.

“What?” Zoe spun around to see Sheila had returned to the living room. In one hand was a worn black and purple baseball cap and the other . . . “It can’t be,” Zoe whispered.

“I found them on my doorstep when I returned home from Texas. I take it these are yours.”

Zoe’s hand visibly shook as she took her mother’s pink hat from Sheila.

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