Catching Fireflies(55)

She regarded him with disappointment. “Did you really come over here tonight to seduce me?”

“Actually I came because I heard about what happened at school. I tried to call, but never got an answer.”

“I let voice mail pick up since I had company,” she said.

“Well, it worried me, so I came to check on you.”

“Thank you. That was sweet.”

He smiled. “Quite a night for me, anyway. First Raylene called me a gentleman and now you think I’m sweet.”

“Don’t let it go to your head. I’m sure you have lots and lots of flaws. I just can’t think of any at the moment.”

“I think I’ll concentrate on the fact that you haven’t ruled out letting me seduce you one of these days.”

“No, I definitely haven’t ruled that out.”

“Another time, then,” he said, bending down to touch his lips to hers. He could taste the hint of lime juice, tequila and salt that lingered on her lips, though the kiss would have been intoxicating enough without that.

He’d been right, he thought, as he reluctantly let her go. Now that he’d kissed her, even with just a brush of his lips across hers, he was lost. Oddly enough, it didn’t terrify him half as badly as he’d expected it to.

“Good night, Laura. We’ll talk tomorrow.”

As he left, he cast one last glance over his shoulder and saw her with her fingers to her lips, her expression vaguely dazed. Good, he thought. The effect had been mutual.



Laura was surprised when she received a call the morning after margarita night from Paula Vreeland, asking if they could meet for afternoon tea on the patio of The Corner Spa. Paula was a legend in town. An internationally renowned artist, her original works were priced way beyond Laura’s budget, but she had managed to buy one print, which hung in a place of prominence on the wall of Laura’s little apartment.

Though she thought the spa was an odd choice for a meeting, it was no more odd than the request itself. She had to admit curiosity had gotten the better of her. She arrived fifteen minutes early and found Mrs. Vreeland already there, chatting with her daughter, Maddie.

“Laura, nice to see you,” Maddie said. “Mother told me you were coming over. I don’t suppose I can sign you up for a membership while you’re here? We have special discounts for teachers.”

“One of these days,” Laura said, looking around with envy at the sunshine-drenched exercise room with its view of a wooded area beyond. Working out here in air-conditioning would be so much nicer than the way too rare, sweat-drenched walks she now took around the park.

Paula gave her daughter a chiding look. “I didn’t invite Ms. Reed over here so you could make a sales pitch.”

Maddie laughed. “It’s part of my job description to reel in new members. Why don’t the two of you go out onto the patio. It’s quiet out there. I’ll bring you something from the café. Anything in particular you’d like?”

“I’ve heard the fruit smoothies are amazing,” Laura admitted. “Could I try one of those?”

“Of course. Strawberry-banana okay?”

“Perfect.”

“And I’ll just have a glass of sweet tea,” Mrs. Vreeland said. “And maybe one of Dana Sue’s blueberry muffins.”

“Low-fat?” Maddie asked.

Paula wrinkled her nose. “Not if I have a choice,” she said at once.

After they were settled at a wrought-iron table on the shaded brick patio, Paula regarded her directly. “I’m sure you’re wondering why I called you out of the blue.”

“I am curious,” Laura admitted, “but grateful, too. I’ve been dying to meet you ever since I bought one of your gorgeous prints and found out you lived right here in Serenity. Somehow I’ve never managed to run into you around town.”

“Praise and a purchase are always great ways to win an artist’s heart,” Paula said with a laugh, then sobered. “I’m afraid what I have to say is a touchy business.”

Laura listened with increasing dismay as the older woman filled her in on what had been going on between Annabelle Litchfield and Misty Dawson. When Paula handed her a computer printout of some of the vicious posts, as well as the nearly naked photos purporting to be Misty, she actually gasped. It was far worse than anything she’d imagined.

“I had no idea,” she said. “No wonder Misty wouldn’t show her face in my class. I’m surprised she’s come to school at all.” She sighed. “Of course, she hasn’t been there for a couple of days now, and she actually tried to get out of coming at all.”