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When would he call?
“You’re probably wondering if I’ve ever seen a ghost out here,” Jane said, not so comfortable anymore. “I haven’t. My grandmother used to call me anti-paranormal. One of the reasons I’m such a good fit here, I guess. I haven’t even heard the cries of the departed the way she did. Anyway, about the dog. We’re crossing into the Garden’s oldest section. There’s a tradition, you see. When a new cemetery opens, the first occupant becomes a recently passed dog to keep guard over the bodies and allow the souls to pass in peace. As a little girl, I came up with my own ritual. Only my favorite people get to meet the Garden’s first resident, Muffin.”
“That’s…”
Trying to find a nice way to say “creepy”?
“Pretty wonderful,” he finished, and she beamed at him.
They reached Muffin’s headstone. The most elaborate marker in the entire cemetery, with a life-size metal sculpture of a golden retriever surrounded by equally life-size metal toys, welded to a thick base. A ball, a bone, and a shoe. Her steps faltered as she realized there was a new toy in the mix. One that blended perfectly. Was that a…crowbar?
Frowning, she leaned closer. Definitely a crowbar. Dirt smeared the sides, some specks darker than others…with a red tint?
Jane gasped as realization punched her. “Oh, my goodness!”
“What? What’s wrong?” Beau darted his gaze, as if searching for a bad guy to demolish. His entire body vibrated with tension as he balled his hands into fists. “Did you see someone?”
“I think we just discovered the murder weapon.”
Chapter Five
Dr. Gabriel Dansing
Forever Out of the Office.
Plot 1205, Garden of Memories
“That man is like a fine wine, only getting better with age.” Fiona sat in her rocking chair before the unlit hearth, knitting.
Jane grinned as she worked a string of yarn through the first cast-on stitch. For the past half hour, she’d worked beside Fiona, knitting as well. They’d chatted about old times and laughed. Then Sheriff Moore had shown up unannounced to guard the (possible) murder weapon until Conrad’s arrival. Fiona had spoken of little else since.
A common enough occurrence. This time was different because Jane had caught herself doing the same thing—with Conrad.
Something warm settled in her chest at the thought of seeing the special agent again.
Was he half as eager to see her? A third as eager? Even the merest scooch?
As she threaded a second stitch, she slid her gaze to the couch. How would Rolex react? Her precious kitty was currently posted on the top cushion behind Beau, swiping at him anytime he leaned back. Which he did. Often. He reclined with her laptop balanced on a pillow as he inspected camera connections. His features remained blank, yet tension seeped from him.
If he didn’t have a girlfriend, he needed one. Someone who would help him relax. While Jane couldn’t enjoy a happily ever after of her own, she wholeheartedly believed other people should experience theirs.
“Speaking of fine wine,” she announced. “Do you have a girlfriend, Beau?” Why not get this conversation going? If Fiona hoped to set them up, the truth needed to come out. Jane and Beau could laugh and move on from there. Then Jane could take over match making duties for him. The thought excited her. Another adventure! Finally, she understood the appeal for Fiona.
What did he wish for in a girl? What did Conrad want? Confidence? Drive? A femme fatale? Quirkiness? A tendency to ramble? A collection of hats?
“No girlfriend,” Beau replied, giving her a look that said, I know what you’re doing.
“But you’ve had one? Long term? Or maybe more than one?”
“Yes. One long term. And I don’t want another one. Relationships aren’t a good fit for me.”
Jane pursed her lips—caught red-handed! She gazed at Fiona for help.
The pancake-baking genius hurried to stop a laugh and glanced down at her knitting. Translation: You run this interrogation on your own.
Very well. She would! “Let’s say relationships are a wonderful fit for you. Describe your perfect girl,” she said to Beau. “What are you looking for in a forever mate?”
“I’m not looking.”
“Why not?” She was being nosy, but she didn’t care. How else would she learn what she needed to know?
Fiona gaped at her, all who are you and when did you get this bold?
“I’m not discussing this with you,” he grumbled.
Too bad, so sad. “Well, guess what? I am discussing it with you. What if we internet dated together? We can pick each other’s dates.” A small sacrifice on her part to reach a desired end—Beau’s happiness. “We should at least download the same app and compare notes.” It wasn’t the worst idea she’d ever had.
A little dating might do her some good, too. Since her heart was locked in a coffin and buried too deep to find, she wouldn’t have to worry about any breaks. She could get to know new people. Laugh, maybe. Finally, she would stop thinking of Special Agent Conrad Ryan and his wild effect on her.
