She had never been afraid here before, but today a new wariness filled her as she walked quickly down the path that would lead her to her car. She kept her gaze focused on the left and the right of the trail with an occasional glance over her shoulder to make sure she wasn’t being followed.
Somebody was after her. Somebody had broken into her shanty and had tried to kill her. And there was no reason to believe that the person wouldn’t try again. That thought made her grip the knife more firmly in her hand. She had no idea where the danger might come from, which only made it all the more frightening.
She breathed a deep sigh of relief when she finally reached her car. She slid behind the wheel, locked the doors, started the engine and then pulled out in the direction of town.
Last night she had tossed and turned with thoughts of the kiss she had shared with Daniel. It had been so totally unexpected and so totally hot.
The minute he had pulled her into his arms and his lips had claimed hers, she’d had a fire in her belly that she had never felt before. She had immediately been hungry for more from him. He had stirred her with just a kiss; she couldn’t even imagine what it would be like to make love with him.
And she shouldn’t even be thinking about that. She had more important things to think about, like who might want her dead. She had been racking her brain, trying to think of anyone who might have an issue with her, but she came up empty.
Once she reached town, she decided to stop at the dress shop where Monique worked. All That Jazz was dedicated to pandering to the women in town. It not only sold trendy and classic clothing but also purses, shoes, costume jewelry and bath and perfume items. Monique had been working there for the past three years, and last year had earned the title of assistant manager.
Angelique worried about her baby sister, who, since their mother’s murder had become slightly distant and quiet. It was obvious she was still deeply grieving, but chose to do it alone rather than with her two sisters to support her.
A tiny bell tinkled over the door as Angelique walked into the shop. The pleasant scents of lilac and vanilla and a hint of cinnamon with a variety of floral fragrances greeted her.
Monique stood behind the cash register. She was clad in a long, navy skirt and a red-and-navy peasant-style blouse. Her long dark hair was braided down her back and she looked positively lovely.
She offered up a surprised smile at the sight of Angelique. “Hey, sis. I didn’t expect to see you in here today,” she said as she moved around the counter and then gave Angelique a hug.
“I had to come into town to the grocery store and so I decided to stop in to see you,” Angelique replied. “You’ve been kind of scarce lately.”
“I’ve been working extra hours to keep busy. It’s good for me right now to stay busy. The real question is how are you doing?”
“I’m doing okay,” Angelique replied lightly. The last thing she wanted to do was worry her baby sister with how much the attack had affected her.
“For real?” Monique looked at her with concern.
“For real,” Angelique replied with a laugh. “I’m just rolling with the punches right now.”
“Well, let’s hope there are no more punches,” Monique replied. “On another subject, I spent this morning unpacking and tagging a shipment of new clothes that came in. When I saw one article, I immediately thought of you.”
Angelique followed her sister to a rack that held loungewear. Monique pulled out a honey-colored caftan with a V-neck that was lined with tiny pearls. “This would look gorgeous on you.”
“I love it. I’ll take it,” Angelique replied.
Monique laughed. “Wow, that was the easiest sale I’ve made all month.”
“That’s because you know exactly what I like. In fact, I’ll wear it this evening.” That was part of why Monique was so successfulas a salesperson. She knew her clientele and how to match women with the clothes.
“Anything special going on this evening?” Monique asked as the two walked back toward the cash register.
“I’m cooking dinner for Chief LeCroix.”
Monique raised a dark brow in obvious surprise. “Why?”
“I know how hard he’s been working to find answers for us, and he doesn’t really ever get a home-cooked meal, so I offered to fry up some of my special fish for him this evening,” Angelique replied.
Monique’s lips turned up in a half smile. “You like him.”
“It’s not like that,” Angelique replied quickly, even as the memory of his very hot kiss filled her head.
“It is like that,” Monique replied with a full grin. “I can see it on your face. You’re totally into him.”
“Okay, I’ll admit I like him a little bit. Of course I don’t know him very well, but what I do know about him, I like. But you know it won’t go anywhere.”
Monique studied her for a long moment as her grin fell. “You know, Angelique, someday you’re going to have to get over Jason.”
