Forever Hers by Walters, Ednah (new ebook reader .TXT) 📗

“I’ll look at the rest of them at home, make some notes and get in touch with you. If something jumps at me and needs immediate attention, I’ll call you.”

Sally scribbled a number on the back of a card. “That’s my direct line. On the back is my cell phone number. Ol’ Bear wants us to catch these guys before someone gets seriously hurt. As it is, they’re scaring away tourists and renters, which is the source of income for most folks around here. If you need to talk to the witnesses, I can arrange it.”

“That won’t be necessary.” Eddie got up and Sally fell in step with him.

“How is Mrs. Franklin?” she asked.

“Could be better.” Eddie frowned. “How do you two know each other?”

“I pulled her over for a broken tail light the day she arrived in town. I think I really scared her.”

Eddie saw the opening and took it. The trick was to not reveal too much. “No, it wasn’t you. Someone was and still is stalking her.”

Sally stopped. “Has she filed a complaint or gotten a restraining order?”

Her response was perfect. “No, but if you have time, I’d like to sit down somewhere and discuss it.”

She chuckled. “I have all the time in the world.” She extended her left hand and spread her fingers to indicate the pale skin on her wedding ring finger. “Recently divorced. No kids. I’ll follow you in my squad car. There’s a nice café a block from here.”

“Actually, I was thinking of going to a local pub. I heard it has the best buffalo burgers and garlic fries.”

Sally grinned. “Eichardt’s. It gets a little crowded during tourist season, but the food is worth the wait.”

***

Wearing only pantyhose and a bra, Amy held dress after dress against her body then threw them on her bed. She couldn’t find anything she liked. When she’d come up with this idea, she hadn’t thought beyond driving to Eichardt’s Pub. She needed something that would make her stand out. The more witnesses the better. Nolan liked to do things in the dark and hide his hand. Tonight, she planned to expose him.

“Decided yet?” Lauren asked, munching on an apple. She pushed some of the dresses to the side, sat, stretched out long legs displayed to the max by a short, black mini skirt and crossed her booted feet.

Amy shook her head. “No. I haven’t dressed up in years.”

“Told you, you needed to start dating. Has Raelynn warmed up to Fitzgerald yet?”

Amy chuckled. “Kinda. The boat did it. You know how she loves going out in it. He fixed it, now he’s her hero.”

“We all need one. From this pile,” Lauren patted the clothes on the bed and got up, “you need help.” She dumped the apple core in the bathroom garbage can then marched to the rack of clothes in the closet and flipped through them. “You seriously need a new wardrobe.”

“Why? I never go anywhere.” Amy found a black sweater dress. It hugged her body then flared from her mid-thighs. “What about this one?”

“Ah, the quintessential black dress no woman should live without. Try it on before I give my verdict.”

Amy slipped the dress on.

“Nah. Too much mother-in-law’s funeral. This one.” Lauren lifted a red dress with plunging neckline. “Put it on.”

The material was flimsy and hugged her hips, the hem reaching the middle of her thighs.  She’d never worn it, though it was one of the few clothes she’d bought to celebrate her divorce.

“You don’t think it’s too daring? I mean, I can’t wear a bra with it.”

“The dress is perfect, Amy. Flirty without being slutty. Do you have shoes?”

“Oh yeah.” Amy went under her bed and pulled out a storage box.

“Holy crap on a cracker, Amy. You’ve been holding out on me. So many designer shoes. Size seven and a half. That’s my size.” She slipped on a black pair of Manolo Blahniks. “Perfect fit.”

“Take them.” The shoes were about four years old and Amy had only worn them once.

“No way. I’d never.”

“Seriously. I have that pair in nude, my favorite.” Amy selected a pair of knee-length boots. They were perfect for the outfit. While Lauren tried flats, leather patent boots and peek-toe sandals, Amy slipped on the boots and zipped them up.

Lauren looked up and whistled. “Oh, I’d love to be a fly on the wall at that bar tonight. Now for your hair.”

A few minutes later, Amy studied her reflection and smiled. Her make-up was flawless. Her hair, long in front and short in the back, framed her face, the locks touching her eyebrows. The outfit was daring and sexy. What would Eddie think? Not that she’d dressed for him.

“Take my car,” Lauren said.

Amy cocked a brow. “Why? What’s wrong with mine?”

“It’s a clunker. Don’t want you out there in the dark alone with a conked out car.”

“You know what? You are a good friend.”

“I know,” she said with a dramatic sigh. “Go, go.”

“Just a sec.” Amy ducked into Raelynn’s bedroom for a tiara.

“What’s that for?”

“Raelynn.” Her daughter was curled up on the sofa, her blue eyes reflecting cartoon characters on the screen. Amy turned on the lights and smiled when Raelynn sat up, saw her and her eyes lit up.

“Mommy, you look pretty,” she said.

“Thank you, sweetheart.” She kissed her daughter’s forehead. “Be good to Aunt Lauren while Mommy’s gone.”

Raelynn’s lower lip jutted out. “But I want to go with you.”

“And I want you to come, sweetie, but I have to help Mr. Eddie with something. I’ll be back to read to my little princess,” she placed the tiara on her head, “and kiss her goodnight.” She touched Raelynn’s nose

She still frowned. “But I’m hungry and Sam bumped my elbow right here and it hurts.”

Amy lifted the arm with the imaginary wound and kissed it. “There. Aunt Lauren will put a band aid on your boo-boo and give you something to eat.”

“But I want you to—”

“Come with me, Munchkin,” Lauren interrupted her. “You and I are going to have