Page 75 of The Scent of Happiness

Dixie shook her head vigorously. “Don’t. My doctor. I have an inhaler. He gave me.”

“Where?” Mom asked.

Dixie patted her pockets and came up with a gray plastic tube.

“All right then,” Mom said. “How about we get you out of here? Get you some water?”

Dixie nodded.

“And you’ll stay and let us talk to you?”

Dixie nodded again.

“Let’s go.” Mom took Dixie’s arm and led her out of the garage. Theo herded her along and then stood in front of her, as if ready to tackle her the moment she tried to leave.

Dixie put her hands on her knees, her shoulders rising and falling with her breaths. She straightened and took a hit of her inhaler. She seemed to be getting some color back in her cheeks, although it was hard to tell in the dim light from the open garage door. “Thank you,” she said.

“Told you she’s fine,” Theo said. “Can you hand me my phone, Brooke? It’s in my jacket pocket. I’m glad I saved Uche’s contact information.”

Dixie hit her inhaler again. “Is that necessary?”

“Oh, you thought Officer Douche was your personal assistant, didn’t you?” Theo asked. “You liked him fine when you sent him to harass Brooke. It’s going to feel different when he arrests you for breaking and entering. Not to mention industrial sabotage.”

“No!” Dixie gasped. “I never—Brooke, listen to me. Sharon, I only—” She broke off into another coughing fit.

“I can make a case for that, and Brooke can win it. The police report will be exhibit A.” Theo’s eyebrows came together as his lips turned up. “I hope you enjoy jail.”

“Jail?” Dixie squawked.

Theo continued to wear that smug smile. “Until you’re bailed out, yes. Brooke, can I have my phone?”

But instead of handing it over, Brooke plunged her hands into the jacket pockets and held them there. An idea was forming. An opportunity. She brought her nose to the lapel of Theo’s jacket, and something clicked for her.

Uche could not help this situation. He could only make it worse. A police report plus a counter-suit would eat up even more of Brooke’s time and money, and keep her relationship with Theo in limbo even longer. She needed fewer legal entanglements, not more.

It was time to make a deal.

Brooke had never seen Dixie anything but cool and in control. But at this moment, as Dixie gazed at Brooke with wide and pleading eyes, Brooke could practically smell her fear.

The fight had gone out of her. Dixie was vulnerable and ready to strike a bargain. For once, Brooke had the upper hand. This was the perfect time to act.

But Mom was towing Dixie toward the house. “Come inside,” she said. “Sit down. Get some water. Let’s talk this through.”

Theo rushed to get in front of them. “Detain her, yes. Good. But talking to her would be a mistake.”

Mom raised a skeptical eyebrow and turned it first on Brooke, then back to Theo. “I’m not sure you’re the best judge of what’s a mistake.”

Brooke scoffed. “Mother…”

Mom waved her off. “Call the police. Call whomever. We’ll be waiting inside. Dixie, come with me.”

“By all means.” Theo gave a half bow and flourished his hand toward the front of the house. He waited until Mom and Dixie were out of sight, then picked Brooke up and twirled her around. “We can win this.”

“Right? This is perfect.” Brooke giggled as he put her down. Her anger had faded away, replaced by a bubbly sensation in her chest. She was light, loose, able to accomplish anything. “You’re the detail guy. Tell me exactly what I should ask for before I offer her a deal.”

“A what now?” Theo pulled back and held her at arm’s length.

“Oh, sorry. My brain ran ahead of me again.” This felt like the end of a fairy tale, when problems disappeared. She needed to make one small bargain with a witch and then she’d ride into the sunset with her handsome prince. Happy ever after was so close she could taste it.