“Got you,” I whispered to my computer screen.
An older man bent and picked up one of the gnomes before disappearing off camera. I downloaded that clip plus the three after it that showed the guy kidnapping all three of Mrs. Jones’s yard décor family. I typed out a quick email to Dylan, attached the files, and hit send. My work here was done. He would be better at identifying the old guy since he pretty much knew everyone in town.
It was almost seven by then, and I assumed Seth would be getting off soon. I picked up my phone and shot off a text.
Me: I’m about to leave work. Did you still want to get ice cream?
I waited a few minutes and then tucked my phone into my bag before heading out. I still hadn’t heard anything by the time I got home, and since I hadn’t eaten dinner yet, I busied myself in the kitchen warming up leftovers from the night before. My phone vibrated on the counter as I put the dishes in the dishwasher, and I grabbed a dishtowel to dry my hands before picking it up.
Mountain Man: Can’t make it tonight. Working a large wildfire. Gonna be a while.
Me: Another one? We really need some rain.
Mountain Man: Do you have a crystal for that? I’d totally carry that shit in my pocket if so.
I smiled as I stared at the screen. I hadn’t told him anything about my healing crystals—not that they were any good for summoning rain—so I couldn’t help but wonder how he knew about them.
Me: Not specifically for rain, but citrine and green jade can attract good luck and success.
As I waited for Seth’s reply, a text notification popped up from Hattie and I clicked on it.
Hattie: Ok, so for Saturday it’ll be you, me, my mom, and Savannah in one car. And then Ashley, Bella, Tina, and the girls in another. Rachel and Brittney are meeting us there since they live in the city already.
Me: I’m so excited. I’ve never been wedding dress shopping before.
Hattie: Really?
Me: Yeah. I don’t have sisters and I’ve only had one friend from college get married. She only took her mom and MOH dress shopping.
Hattie: I’m glad you said yes, then.
Me: Me too
Hattie: You and Seth looked pretty cozy on Saturday…you sure you two are just faking?
Me: Yes. I’m sure. Neither of us are looking for anything serious. That’s why we came up with this plan.
Hattie: You could have something not serious.
Me: I don’t believe anything casual ever ends well. Someone always gets attached, feelings get hurt.
And I knew myself well enough to say it would be me. I would probably be the one to get attached. So a strict no-go boundary needed to be in place.
Hattie: You’re probably right.
Hattie: Have you asked him about going to the scholarship fundraising dinner as your date?
Me: Not yet. I’m worried it’s a little too serious to bring a fake date to.
Hattie: Maybe by then you’ll be ready to bring a real date.
I rolled my eyes. Talk about relentless. But the dinner wasn’t for another five weeks, so I had plenty of time to decide if I wanted to ask him to be my fake date or not.
Chapter Sixteen
SETH
It suckedthat I hadn’t been able to take Violet for ice cream. The fire had us all on site until well past ten. Maybe we could try again tonight. I made a mental note to text her once I was back at the station.
