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“Let me know if you find anything.” Chief Sims picked up the evidence bags and then pegged both Cole and Olivia with a grandfatherly look. “Be careful, you two. I have a bad feeling about this.”
Cole didn’t say it, but he shared the police chief’s feelings. The stalker’s note had put them on alert.
This wasn’t over. Not by a long shot.
TEN
The rest of the day flew by quickly. While Cole tackled background checks, Olivia wrangled her long to-do list. The work helped to distract her from the dead mouse and the creepy note. By the time they entered the Lonestar Sugar Shop for the last meeting of the day, she was running on fumes. The scent of buttery frosting caused her mouth to water. Olivia hummed in approval and took a deep breath. “I never tire of the smell of cake.”
“Who would?” Cole joined her at the front counter. The display held an assortment of cupcakes topped with gorgeous whirls of icing. Larger cakes rested on the lower shelves. Nearby there was a freezer with enticing ice cream flavors. “Every one of these looks delicious. How often do you have a cake tasting?” His lips curved into a grin. “And do we try them alongside the clients?”
“I do several cake tastings a month. And no, we don’t get to try the cake along with the clients.” She smoothed a hand down her pencil skirt. “Which is far better for my figure. I’d be ten pounds heavier if I indulged every time I was here.”
Cole’s attention dropped to her feet and then slowly lifted. He said nothing, but based on the look of appreciation buried in those dark eyes, whatever he was thinking was completely unprofessional. Olivia sensed he didn’t believe she needed to shy away from eating cake one bit.
A flush rose in her cheeks. It’d been like this all day. Their eyes would meet during a meeting, or he’d hand her a printout from the copier or make a funny comment, and then she’d blush like a schoolgirl with a secret crush. It was utterly humiliating. And baffling. She hadn’t felt one ounce of interest for another man since Aaron’s death.
Olivia wanted to dismiss this attraction as misplaced gratitude for everything Cole was doing, but that wasn’t honest. There’d been a spark between them before Cole saved her life. It’d been easier to ignore, however, when they only saw each other fleetingly. Spending an entire day together—coupled with Cole’s brave actions and their conversations—had turned that initial spark into something more.
Olivia tore her gaze from his, glancing down at the tablet in her hand. “We’re meeting with Rosie Jackson and Vincent Santiago.” The only appropriate way to handle this unwelcome thrum of attraction zipping between them was by focusing on work. “Their wedding is scheduled for May.”
Cole hummed. “Rosie Jackson is the youngest daughter of U.S. Senator Kaylee Jackson. Rosie grew up in Serenity, and after graduating from optometrist school, came back to her hometown to open an eye clinic. She seems down to earth, if her social media is any indication. She volunteers at the local animal shelter, enjoys hiking, and time with her friends. Her finances appear in good order. She drives a Honda and lives in a small apartment near the center of town.”
Olivia’s brows arched. “Wow. You were thorough in your background checks.”
“As thorough as I can be without access to official records.” His nose wrinkled as if he’d smelled something sour. “Vincent Santiago is the opposite of Rosie. He likes to party. He owns a towing company and is in massive debt. The only good thing I can say is that he doesn’t have a criminal record. I can’t imagine what Rosie sees in him, let alone why she’d marry him.”
“Sometimes opposites attract.”
He snorted in derision. “Sure. That’s why so many marriages end in divorce.”
Before she could answer, the door to the shop opened. David Martinez, Olivia’s former assistant, strolled in. His dirty blond hair had recently been trimmed and stuck up in spikes that were meant to look effortless but failed. His jeans were ripped along the knees and his bright orange undershirt matched the flower tips on the loud Hawaiian button-down he’d thrown on top. An earring dangled from his left earlobe.
The casual look was a far cry from the way Olivia normally saw him. As her assistant, he’d always worn business clothes and a discreet earring. This outfit—the bright colors and artistic style—fit his personality much better.
Olivia smiled in greeting. “David! How nice to see you.” She gave him a sisterly hug. “What are you doing in town?”
“I was in the neighborhood visiting a friend and thought I’d take cupcakes to my mom. You know she loves red velvet.” His bright blue eyes danced over her face. “But I’m so glad I ran into you. The police questioned me the other day. They said you’d been attacked or something. Is everything okay?”
“I’m fine.” Guilt plagued her. David was her friend and it bothered her he’d been questioned like a suspect. “I’m sorry if they showed up out of the blue or caused you any trouble. The police don’t have many leads.”
“I got that feeling as well. They were asking if I knew of someone who’d want to hurt you. Of course I told them no. Everyone I know loves you.” David’s gaze drifted to Cole and a questioning look came into his eyes.
Olivia quickly introduced the two men. They shook hands. Pleasantries were exchanged, although the air seemed charged with an uncomfortable tension she couldn’t quite place. Both Cole and David seemed to be assessing each other, and neither liked what they saw.
The bakery door swung open again and Rosie burst into the shop with a high-dose of energy. “We’re late. I know we’re late. It’s all my fault.” She was followed by a much more subdued Vincent, who affectionately watched as Rosie squealed and embraced David in a big hug. “Are you going to join us for the cake tasting?”
David extracted himself, but his broad smile showed he didn’t mind the attention. “I’m afraid not. I’ve got a dinner date with my mom and she’ll be furious if I’m late.”
Olivia greeted her clients. Then she gestured toward Cole. “Allow me to introduce my new assistant, Cole Donnelly. He’ll be joining us for the cake tasting and will work with me on your wedding.”
Rosie pumped Cole’s hand with excited energy. “Nice to meet you. I’m Rosie.” She stepped back and wrapped an arm around Vincent’s waist. “This is my fiancé, Vince. We don’t share the same taste in cake flavors, so this meeting may not be a great first impression.”
“Don’t listen to Rosie.” Vincent smiled ruefully. “I’ve already resigned myself to eating vanilla cake, so there won’t be a lick of fighting.”
Cole chuckled as he shook Vincent’s proffered hand. “Pleasure to meet you.”
“The table is set for the tasting.” Olivia gestured toward a room in the back of the bakery. “The baker will run through the flavors. I’ll join you in just a moment.”
