Page 44 of Smoldering Nights
He kissed her lips lightly and pulled her in for a hug."I think you should stay here today and not go into Petal Pushers."
"I can't do that."She pulled away and looked up at him."Customers are already slow to come back after the fire.I haven't done any advertising because I don't have my inventory where it needs to be, so only a few brave folks are coming in.I can't lose the few customers I have by not being open.Consistency, I need consistency."
"You need to be safe."
"Ms.Jillie will be in today."
He took a deep breath and squeezed her tightly."I don't like it, but I admire you, Iz."
She wasn’t running.
And neither was he.
Chapter22
The moment Izzy stepped into Petal Pushers, the scent of lavender and fresh greenery wrapped around her like an old friend.But the comfort she usually felt here didn’t settle in.Not today.
The air was heavier now.Tense.As if the walls themselves remembered what had been done.The faint smell of smoke lingered.In a bar-b-que restaurant, the smell of wood fire was enticing.Here, it was a reminder of something sinister.
She paused at the doorway, letting the stillness settle before stepping inside.Ms.Jillie had already opened up and was at the counter unpacking a box of vases.The older woman glanced up and gave a warm smile, but Izzy could still see the faint worry behind her eyes.
“Morning, sweetheart,” Ms.Jillie said.“I was just restocking the display shelves.Didn’t want to mess with anything special.”
Izzy nodded and walked behind the counter.“Thanks, Ms.Jillie.I’m going to check the greenhouse and water the plants.”
Ms.Jillie reached over and gently squeezed her hand.“You take your time.”
The greenhouse behind the shop still carried that faint, damp smell from last week’s pipe issue and, again, the smoke.Sunlight spilled in through the high windows, dancing over rows of potted begonias and peace lilies.Izzy walked slowly, scanning everything.
She wanted to believe this was still hers.Her place.Her peace.But paranoia slid in around the edges like a creeping fog.
When she reached the pegboard, her breath hitched.
The pruning shears were gone.Again.
Her pulse quickened.She stepped closer, checking the pegs.No note.No tag moved.No tools shifted.
Just… missing.
She turned slowly, taking in every detail of the space.One of the floor mats by the service sink was slightly askew.She hadn’t noticed that before.Had someone come back here?After she closed up for the day yesterday?
Her throat tightened.She hurried to the front of the store."Ms.Jillie, did you go into the greenhouse this morning?"
"No dear, I came in and saw the boxes stacked from yesterday's delivery, and began unpacking them.Why, is something wrong?"
"I don't know.I hope not."
She pulled out her phone and texted Mitch.
Shears missing again.Greenhouse floor mat looks moved.
His reply came a moment later.
On my way.Don’t touch anything.
She pocketed her phone and backed up a few steps, her heart thudding.Looking up, she saw Ms.Jillie watching her, her brows wrinkled in concern.Izzy tried to smile, but it felt as fake as it likely looked.
"Izzy?"
