Page 36 of His Wisconsin Wallflower
The skin between Raisa’s shoulder blades prickled, her whole body going still. She didn’t want to turn her back on them. The idea of walking away—of showing them the vulnerable line of her spine—made her throat tighten. Her lizard brain told her she should keep them where she could see them.
She wanted to act, but how? Devaney couldn’t leave, not until she figured out what to do. She forced herself to focus on making the lattes.
Could it really be Devaney?
Did she have something to do with Vanessa’s disappearance?
This seemed absurd, but the evidence was mounting.
Or is my dislike for the woman clouding my judgment?
Raisa’s hands shook as she carried the drinks over and placed them on the table.
Beth reached for her latte, her sharp eyes narrowing. “You took your sweet time with that.”
“Sorry about that,” Raisa said quickly, averting her gaze. She glanced at Devaney, who was staring at her, her back to the window. Straightening, she managed a breezy, “Enjoy your drinks.”
She scuttled back behind the counter, muttered an excuse to Lila and disappeared into the kitchen. After closing the door, Raisa pulled her phone from her pocket and, typed out a quicktext to Quinten:Devaney is here with Beth. I think she might have something to do with Vanessa. I need help.
She hit send and tucked away her phone. Her pulse thundered in her ears.
Devaney? For sure? But how? And why?
After putting her phone away, she left the kitchen. Lila cocked her head in a clear but silent, “Are you all right?”
Goodness, I love that woman.
Raisa gave her a barely there nod, before locking her focus on Devaney. The raven-haired woman was sipping her drink with a smug smile, scanning the shop lazily. She looked far too relaxed for someone who might have been involved in a crime.
Raisa’s pulse raced as she tried to think of a way to keep Devaney occupied. She grabbed a cloth and started wiping down the counter, sneaking glances at the two women. Beth was chatting animatedly, but Devaney’s attention flicked toward Raisa. There was something sharp and calculating in her startling blue gaze that set Raisa’s teeth on edge.
A cold sweat broke out on her forehead. She reached for her phone again, pretending to check the time, but her fingers hovered over the screen. Should she send another message to Quinten? She hadn’t heard back yet. The tension in her chest grew unbearable.
“Raisa?”
She looked up to see Devaney standing at the counter, her arms crossed. “Is there a problem?”
“No,” Raisa rushed out the words, hating that her voice sounded higher than usual. “Why would there be?”
Devaney’s lips curled into a smirk. “You keep looking at me. It’s distracting.”
“I’m not”—Raisa started—“All right, okay. Yes, I am. I was admiring your shoes. Where did you find them?”
“My shoes?” Devaney narrowed her eyes to slits. Her gaze was cold and cutting enough to draw blood.
Raisa took an involuntary step back thanks to the intense hatred in those eyes, her movement halted by the coffee prep table behind her. Devaney leaned in, and her voice dropped to an angry whisper shout. “You think you’re clever, don’t you?” Her tone was laced with menace. “Let me tell you; you’re not. So, stop whatever it is you’re trying to do.”
Raisa’s breath hitched. “I… I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Devaney’s entire bearing was so predatory it gave Raisa a ‘deer in the headlight’ sensation.
Then the bell above the door jingled again, and the tension snapped like a rubber band.
“Hey, Raisa.” Gavin’s voice rang out, casual and light. Corbin followed close behind, looking so much like his brother as he scanned the room that Quinten’s absence was like a physical ache. Corbin glanced at Devaney before shifting his attention to Raisa.
Raisa’s knees nearly gave out. Now three of the people she suspected might be involved with Vanessa’s disappearance were in her shop.
“Gavin. Corbin.” She inclined her head, surprised her voice sounded steadier than she felt.
