I woke up in Deacon’s bed for the second morning in a row, with my back against his front, his arm wrapped around me. The first thing he said was, “You’re going to spoil me, waking up like this.”
Same, Deacon.
The two of us talked all morning. We discussed whether or not Foster really had what he said he did, and if so, what he did with it. Also, we went over every possible scenario of who would want to frame me for Ben’s murder. Sadly, we didn’t come up with much.
Thankfully, Shane and Eddie had removed the knife from the oil pan early Saturday morning and disposed of it. I didn’t ask what they did with it and I don’t want to know. I’m just relieved it’s gone.
Serenity breezes in the room wearing a colorful caftan. “Morning, you two.”
“Hey, Serenity,” I say.
She stops and looks at me. “Oh, sweetie, are you okay? I know it’s been a helluva week but you look like you could use one of my smoothies.”
I can’t shake my head no fast enough. Last time she talked me into trying one of her concoctions, I was higher than I’ve ever been and didn’t sleep for three days. “No, no, I’m good. But thank you!”
“Okay, well, you let me know if you change your mind.”
She moves to the coffeepot and starts to make a cup when Deacon asks, “Did you have a chance to ask Frank for a list of people who were here Friday night?”
“Yes! He scribbled the names down on a piece of paper in my unit last night when he got in from work. Let me go get it.”
Deacon stops her just before she steps outside. “Hey, we’re keepingthings locked down around here for a while until we figure out what’s going on. You good with that?”
“Sure. But I have my usual group coming here for yoga this afternoon.” Serenity gives me a small smile. “But if that makes you uncomfortable then we can figure out somewhere else to go.”
“No, your group is fine to still come here.” Serenity holds a yoga class in the backyard every Sunday afternoon, weather permitting.
“There’s no one new in the group, is there?” Deacon asks.
She shakes her head. “No. Same ole bunch that’s been coming for years.”
“Thanks, Serenity.”
And then she’s gone.
I take a final sip of my coffee and say, “It’s going to take me all day to get my room back in order.” I’ve avoided it until now.
“We don’t have to tackle that today. You’re welcome to stay in my room for the foreseeable future. In fact, that’s the way I would prefer it.”
I lean against him. “Can I get my room straight and still stay in yours? Because that mess in there is all I can think about.”
He stands up, lifting me with him, then carries me down the short hall to my room. “Let’s knock it out and then head upstairs for a nap.”
We’ve been working for a couple of hours and there’s still so much to do. Deacon is a huge help with the big stuff but I’m the only one who can sort through everything.
“I’m starving,” Deacon says. “That grilled cheese didn’t make a dent.”He’s standing in front of the bed in the only clear spot on the floor. “Are you hungry? I can go pick something up.”
My lap is full of socks that I’m trying to sort into pairs. “I could destroy a cheeseburger right now.”
“Done.” He pauses before leaving the room. “Eddie and Shane are in the garage if you need them. And Serenity and her group have their asses up in the air in the backyard so hopefully that will scare anyone off who tries to come in here.”
I throw a sock at him. “I’m going to tell her you said that.”
He laughs. “I’ll tell her myself.” He walks to the exterior door, but only to check it to make sure it’s locked before leaving through the interior door. It’s that little bit of thoughtfulness that makes me weak in the knees for him.
A moment later I hear his car crank and back out of the driveway. Getting up from the floor, I decide to take a break while I wait for him to get back. I’m making myself some tea when Frank comes in the back door.
“Mind if I sneak in a load of laundry?” he asks.
