“Really?” I sat up slightly to look at Vee. She was smiling.

  “Yeah, I talked to her for a minute. She seems really sorry about everything.”

  I sighed, closing my eyes. I wasn’t going to fight, but I really didn’t want to hear her apology. She’d been a thorn in my side for days and almost each time she’d leave, something strange would happen. The last being my car blowing up.

  How could I get over that? But remembering what Detective Upton had said about the security footage, maybe Riley wasn’t involved.

  Detective Upton had come to see me at the hospital. He’d let me know that they had reviewed our security cameras plus Dr. Vega’s eye clinic’s footage. They saw the same sized figure on the day my tires had been slashed.

  “We are completely sure it was the same person as they pick the time that the sun is brightest, almost like they know that the cameras can’t see them well then.”

  “That’s strange.”

  “Yeah, but we are checking at the other businesses nearby as well, to see what we can find. I promise we will catch this person.”

  “And you looked into Riley Harding?”

  “Yes, I did. She was here, but there was no sign that she went near the back parking lot and after questioning her, I have no reason to suspect her.”

  I sighed. He’d left me after that. It was frustrating that they couldn’t solve any of these issues. He seemed just as frustrated. I tried to be understanding, but wasn’t this his job?

  Sawyer came back into the room. The smile on his face was telling. He was clearly into this girl. I had to forgive her.

  “Okay, she’s on her way and said she would stop to pick up some dinner. I said Sushi 73 would be easy. I hope that was okay.”

  “It’s perfect.” I said.

  “Great. I’m going to change before she gets here.” He leaned over, kissing the top of my head softly. “I really hope you both can make up.”

  “I’ll try.” I smiled at him.

  “Thanks, friend.”

  “I’m going to change, too, but do you need anything before I go?”

  “No, I’m set, but I think I’m going to get up for a minute. Run to the restroom.”

  Several minutes later, we were all back in the living room waiting for Riley. I still was on the fence about how I felt about her, but I’d resolved myself to at least hear her out, for Sawyer.

  There was a knock. Sawyer popped up.

  “Hey, come in.”

  “Thanks. I brought dinner.” She handed him the bag. She walked over to the couch where I was sitting. “Hi, Jess. How are you feeling?”

  Her tone was sweet and calm. Not the edgy one from her trips to The Crock Pot.

  “I’m doing better.”

  “Thank you for letting me come talk to you.” She looked over to the kitchen where Sawyer was unpacking dinner. “Should we eat first or talk first?”

  “We can talk first.” I said, flatly. I really didn’t want to hear what she had to say, but I would for Sawyer and for Vee, who now seemed like she was on team Riley.

  “Okay. I just want to say how very sorry I am for … well, everything. I really shouldn’t have come to your restaurant. I was feeling insecure, unwanted.” She took a deep breath. “It is childhood trauma.”

  A tear slid down her face. Ugh, she was going to play to my empathic side. Dang it. My weak spot.

  “I can understand that. It is hard to trust after … stuff.” I said.

  “Yeah, but I’m going to try to not let it get in my way. Sawyer and I talked. He is willing to give me a second chance, but only if you will forgive me.”

  I looked over at Sawyer. He tried not to make eye contact with me but flashed me a weak smile. Of course, he threw me under the bus. He might be a loyal friend, but sometimes he didn’t want to be a bad guy, ever.

  “Yeah, it’s fine. Just tell me this, do you know who did this to me? I mean, it didn’t have anything to do with your visits, right? My tires and then my car.”

  “No, not me at all.” She held her hands up in defense. “I promise.”

  Studying her, I tried to decide what I thought. She seemed sincere.

  “Okay, thanks. I didn’t think so, but I had to ask.”

  “Does that mean we’re good?”

  “Yeah, we’re good.” I smiled.

  “Well, okay. Thank you.” She clapped her hands together, then started to lean forward, stopping herself. Thank goodness that she didn’t hug me. I might be okay forgiving her, but only so far.

  “So, y’all ready to eat?” Vee asked.

  We went to the table where Sawyer had laid everything.

  “This looks great, Riley. Thank you.” I said. “Sushi 73 is my favorite.”

  “That’s what Sawyer said. It was a little bit to butter you up.”

  I looked at her and then smiled. “Well, it worked.”

  Sawyer passed me the spicy tuna bowl that she got for me. “I told her it was your favorite.”

  “Oh, it is. If Kano ever stops making this, I will be sad.”

  Kano was the chef and owner at Sushi 73. We had become friends years ago at a cooking competition. We clicked being from the same hometown.

  He knew just what I liked to eat, too. After he’d opened Sushi 73, he would see me coming and start making my bowl.

  He had come into my restaurant, too, and loved my alphabet soup. He would get it with half a turkey club sandwich.

  We continued to eat and make small talk. Now that I was getting to know her without the weirdness between us, she was actually fun. Her quick wit matched Sawyer’s, and I could barely keep up with their banter.

  My head started to spin a bit and the yawns began.

  “Y’all are a riot! I am having fun.” I laughed through a yawn. “But I’m sorry. I need to rest.”

  “Do you need help?” Vee asked.

  “No, no. I’m going to take my pain meds and then head up to bed. Good night, all.” I waved and went to bed.

  Lying in bed, I thought about Riley and Sawyer. I really hoped that she wasn’t involved, because after this evening, I liked her. I fell asleep with that thought in my head.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Day five stuck at home, but who’s counting? At least I had people to help me or check on me. Like today, Mr. Jones wanted to check on me and we were going to discuss the students.

  Until he got here, I relaxed and let my aunt wait on me. She made it her mission to ensure I rested and didn’t move except to go to the bathroom.

  “Where do you think you’re going, young lady?” She snapped.

  “To the bathroom.”

  “Do you need help?”

  “Um, I think I can handle it.” I laughed.

  “Well, I’ll come wait outside the bathroom for you.”

  I didn’t want to fight with her, so I just let her walk with me to the half bathroom, then when I came out, she escorted me back to the couch.

  Every five minutes, she’d pepper me with questions.

  “Do you need a drink? Do you need something to eat? Want another blanket?”.

  “I’m good. I still have water. I’m not hungry. No, this one is fine.”

  Mr. Jones was going to be a nice change of pace and give her someone else to interact with than just me. I wish Granny Ines was able to come over, but she volunteered at a nursing home and did a lot with her church group.

  She checked on me each day. Honestly, though, I think she was glad Aunt Rita had something to do besides hang around their house. Since she’d sold her dance studio, she hadn’t found a hobby or things to keep her busy. She’d sometimes volunteer with Granny, but otherwise, she didn’t do much.

  After lunch, there was a knock at the door.

  Aunt Rita held a hand up for me to stay while she hopped up to answer the door.

  “Hello, Duncan, please come in.”

  “Hi, Rita. It’s so good to see you.” He kissed her check as they hugged hello.

  I peeked over the couch as he came over.

  “Hi, Jessie. These are for you from the kids and me.” He held out a floral arrangement and a stack of cards. “It looks like you have quite a few people thinking of you.”

  “Oh, thank you. These are beautiful and I will look through the cards later.” I said, taking them from him. I set them on the end table behind me.

  “How are you feeling?”

  “I’m feeling okay. Sore and the burns are still a bit raw, but overall, I’m okay.”

  “Duncan, may I get you a drink?” Aunt Rita asked.

  “Maybe hot tea?”

  “With sugar or sweetener?”

  “Sugar is perfect.”

  “Of course.” She left us.

  He took a seat across from me on the couch.

  “So, what exactly happened?”

  “Not exactly sure.” I didn’t want to tell him exactly what was going on. “They are still investigating what happened to it. Maybe faulty wiring.”

  “That’s a shame. Didn’t you win that car?”

  “I did. I’ll miss it very much.”

  “So, down to business. How are my kiddos doing?”

  “They are doing great. Exceeding expectations. Natalie cannot say enough good things about Shayla.”

  “Natalie is your pastry chef, correct?”

  “That’s right.”

  “Shayla has talked almost non-stop about it. She has been giving lessons to the rest of the class, and everyone is excited, hoping for their turn.”

  “Well, given the success of the first three, I’m hoping we can offer to others going forward. I just have to figure out the details and how many I can take on.”

  “Yes, I know you’ll have limited spots, so I have started to reach out to other restaurants to find anyone willing to do the same. When I mentioned you were doing it, I had two students picked up. One to A Dash and A Pinch, and one to Polly’s Pizzeria. I have Mills Steakhouse interested and I have a meeting with Chef Nathan at Beaks and Brews in a few days.”

  “That is wonderful. I’m so glad to hear others are interested in doing it. All together, we can raise up wonderful new chefs.” I smiled.

  “All because of you.”

  Aunt Rita came into the living room with a tray with three mugs of hot tea and a batch of fresh oatmeal cookies. She had baked them earlier today, making the house smell wonderful.

  We spent the next hour chatting about this or that, but nothing serious. I began to yawn, and my head started to spin a bit.

  “Well, I will let you rest, but I’m so glad you are on the mend.” He stood, giving my hand a squeeze.

  “Thank you so much for coming. It truly was wonderful to see you.”

  “I’ll walk you out,” Rita said.

  I laid my head back as I listened to them say goodbyes. I was asleep before she even had the door closed behind him. It was a few hours before I woke.

  The house was quiet, and there was a note for me on the coffee table from Aunt Rita. She had left, but checking the time, my roommates should be home soon.

  I went to clean myself up and use the bathroom before they arrived home. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to cook for us, so I think they planned to pick something up on the way home.

  Back on the couch, I flipped through channels until I found something without a lot of flashing or action. It was an animal documentary.

  The door opened and in came my roommates.

  “We brought dinner!”

  “Yay! My heroes.”

  “Beaks and Brew chicken with coleslaw and baked beans.” Vee said. “Chef Nathan sends his thoughts to you. He threw in a dessert for free.”

  “Oh, yummy. That’s so sweet of him. I’ll have to send him a text later.”

  It was good to have friends. I was feeling the love.

  “Are you up for sitting at the table, or do you want me to fix you a plate?”

  “I would love to sit up.”

  “So, how was your visit with Mr. Jones?”

  “It was nice. He told me a few other restaurants are open to having student come work with them.”

  “You’re a trendsetter.”

  “You started a fad.”

  “I just want to help the students.”

  “You have a big heart.”

  Dinner was great, but afterwards, I was ready for bed. Vee came upstairs with me. She climbed into the bed with me so we could talk before I fell asleep.

  “I am so glad you are okay.” She said.

  “Me too. That was so scary.”

  “It was so scary. When I first saw you, I was so worried.”

  “Well, I’m tough and not going to let these people win.”

  “I know you won’t.”

  We laid there quietly. I woke hours later, alone in my room. I could hear Sawyer downstairs playing his game. Vee must be in her bed now. I can’t believe I fell asleep talking.

  Thankful for my friends and family, and so thankful to still be alive. Today had been a nice, boring, rest day. Just what I needed. I fell back asleep with a smile on my face.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Day one million and fifty of being home, stuck on the couch or bed. In reality, it was only seven days, but it just felt like more. Aunt Rita was still coming to make sure I was resting, and while I loved her, I was ready for her to go home, or get a hobby.

  My headache wasn’t getting better, though my body was healing nicely. It looked like my burns weren’t going to leave much scarring, but still too early to tell for sure. But the doctor wanted me to continue resting each day and limit my screen time.

  Today, I woke early to make breakfast for Sawyer and Vee before they left, and before Aunt Rita came to stop me, but I couldn’t take it any longer. I needed to cook something.

  I had nearly everything ready when my phone rang. The display showed Duncan Jones.

  “Hello, Mr. Jones.”

  “Hi, Jessie. I hope I didn’t wake you.”

  “No, not at all. I am making breakfast.”

  “Well, I wanted to … gosh, this isn’t easy to say, but someone broke into the school overnight. They wrote a threat on the walls all over the classroom.”

  “What? Why? What does it say?”

  “Stop helping Jessica or else you’ll be next.” His voice caught. “Jess, what is going on?”

  I took a deep breath, not knowing how much to tell him, but knowing I couldn’t hide this from him. He needed to know, especially now.

  “I have been investigating the murder of a friend. He had found evidence that someone was embezzling money from the high school, mostly from the culinary arts program.”

  “What?”

  “Yeah, seriously. It points to someone on the city council, but not sure who yet.”

  “So, your car exploding, not a malfunction?”

  How did he figure that out? No point holding it all back now.

  “Yes, it’s related.”

  “Oh, Jessie.”

  “I’m so sorry that they came to you. I didn’t think I had pointed any fingers your way. It should have all been at me.”

  “Maybe because I came by there the other day? Maybe because the money is being stolen from here?”

  “Maybe so. What do you need me to do?” I asked.

  “Nothing. I have already called the police, but while I was waiting, I thought I would call you since they named you.”

  “Well, okay.”

  “I’ll let you know what they say.”

  “Again, I’m so sorry.”

  I choked back tears after we had hung up. This was not what I wanted. Come for me if they must, but my friends were another story. Mr. Jones was the sweetest, most caring person I knew. He didn’t deserve to be harassed.

  “Hey, good morning.” Vee said, coming into the kitchen. “Are you okay?”

  “You always know.”

  “Yeah, well.” She shrugged.

  “Mr. Jones just called. Someone broke into the school and painted a threat on the wall. It said to stop helping me.”

  “Oh, Jess.” She gasped. “I hope we can solve this soon. I can’t take more of these types of calls.”

  “Me neither.”

  Sawyer came downstairs then, all smiles and bed head.

  “Good morning, ladies. Oh, friend, you made us breakfast!” He grabbed a plate, completely unaware that I was upset. That was one big difference between the two.

  I chuckled to myself as I got a plate of food and joined him at the table. Vee got coffee first and then joined us with a plate.

  My phone rang then. It was Detective Upton.

  “Hi, Detective. I guess you’re calling about the school.” I saw Sawyer’s head pop up and he mouthed to Vee, asking what happened. She gave him a minute sign as she turned her attention to listen.

  “Yes, I wanted to come by later to interview you. Just see if you have any ideas.”

  “I’ll be here all day. Doctor’s orders.”

  “Yes, okay. By the way, how are you feeling?”

  “Not awful, but not great.”

  “Well, I will keep my visit short. I’m just heading over to the school. Once I’m on my way to you, I’ll text.”

  “Okay, sounds good.”

  I hung up and then looked at my friends. I really wished they could stay home with me today, but I knew they had to get to work.

  “What happened?” Sawyer asked.

  “Someone broke into the school. Mr. Jones called me earlier.”

  “What? Seriously?”

  “Yeah, and Detective Upton is coming over later to talk with me.”

  “Does he think you are involved?”

  “No, they painted a threat to Mr. Jones, pointing to me. Stop helping Jessica or you’ll be next, or something like that.”

  He looked at me for a long second. “I’m going to take a day off.”

  He hopped up from the table before I could respond. I heard him in the other room on the phone. He came back a moment later.

  “Alrighty, I’m yours for the day.”

  “What do you think is going to happen here?” I laughed.

  “I don’t know, but between you getting shot at, car exploding, and now this, I am just not taking chances with you today.”

  “Well, I’ll be happy to have the extra company and a buffer between Aunt Rita.”

 

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