“I get it now. But I’m going to throw it out there. When horny Damian wants to come out and play, you know where to find me.”
He left the kitchen on that note, but not before he called from over his shoulder. “Trigger.”
After our conversation that morning on triggers, I needed to get out of the house because I was definitely feeling a little hot under the collar. I left a note for Damian, grabbed the bike from the garage and headed to the nursery we had passed the other day when we went into town. The place was huge compared to what I was used to in the city. I was wishing I’d brought the car. Strolling around the tables outside, the premade pots were beautiful—aster and millet, mums and ornamental cabbage. Fall was definitely in the air, freshly cut cornstalks were tied in bundles and resting against the wall. There were tables and tables of pumpkins of all sizes, shapes and colors and a table of nothing but Indian corn. It was while I moved through the army of scarecrows that someone approached me. She was in her sixties, dressed in jeans and a flannel shirt and had the biggest smile on her face.
“Hi. Can I help you find anything?”
“I’m just looking.”
“I don’t recall seeing you before. Are you new to town?”
“I am. My husband Damian and I just moved here last week.” The lie so smoothly slipped off my tongue. I offered my hand. “I’m Thea Tate.”
“Maureen Petersen.”
“Is this your nursery?”
“It is.”
“It’s lovely. I’m wishing I brought the car.”
“I may have gone a little overboard, but I just love decorating for fall.”
I did too.
“I’ll leave you to browse. If you need anything, I’ll be inside.”
“Thank you, Maureen.”
It was amazing to me how nice people were here, so genuinely friendly. If I was more of a cynic, I’d been suspicious about what it was in their air supply that had them acting so nice.
After the nursery, I went for a ride. Maureen wasn’t the only one who liked decorating for fall. Practically every house I passed had mums and pumpkins which got me wondering who had decorated the place we were staying at. Unless the neighbors took it on themselves so the house didn’t stand out.
Two hours after I left the house, I returned to find Damian pacing in the living room. I hadn’t even closed the door and he was on me. Right up in my face, pinning me to the wall. “Where the fuck were you?”
In the alley when he’d killed that man I hadn’t been afraid, but I was afraid of him now. “The nursery. I left you a note.”
“I was at the nursery. You weren’t there.”
“I went for a ride.”
“Until this is over, I want to know where you are every second of the day.”
“Okay.”
He rubbed his hand over the back of his neck, the first sign of frustration I had seen from him.
“I’m sorry.”
“No, I’m sorry. I just...when you weren’t there…”
“Maybe we should find something to do with our evenings. Being platonic and alone together is taking a toll on both of us, but maybe we could find an activity or even a job.”
“You want to get a job?”
“I want to get out of the house and talk to people.”
“What kind of job are you looking for?”
“I don’t know. I’m busy during the day with my design work, but something fun and easy.”
“There’s a bar on Main Street, Janice’s. That place looks pretty happening.”
“Waitressing is hard work, but it’s a thought. I’m going to pound the pavement tomorrow and see what’s available.”
“Bring your cell and check in every half an hour.”
“Okay.”
“I’m going for a run.”
“Again?”
“Yes.” I could have sworn he added, “And a cold shower,” as he walked out. He wasn’t going to be able to keep his hands off me for much longer and that thought had me heading to my bathroom for a cold shower too.
“I’m sorry. It’s all I have right now.”
My first stop of the day in my hunt for a job was Charlie’s Chicken Hut. I had thought I could work the register or fry up some chicken since I had worked in the fast food industry in college, but the only job available was a two-day a week afternoon gig of wearing the Charlie Chicken costume while walking up and down Main Street handing out free samples. I wanted social interaction but badly enough to wear a chicken outfit?
“Thank you for taking the time to talk with me.”
“I hope you find something else, but if not, I’d be happy to have you.”