“Great, then our date won’t be interrupted this time?”
“Not by a call,” Calder confirmed as we reached the pretzel stand. “Can’t promise that there won’t be some other catastrophe that’ll get in the way. You know, always the chance of a freak tornado, or a shoe emergency.”
“Or one of us could fall through a porch,” I added slyly. Calder held his hand over his heart as if I had just said something terribly offensive.
“Nobody will be falling through a porch that I’ve fixed, I assure you,” he said very seriously, before addressing the pretzel vendor. “Two of your biggest, saltiest pretzels, please.”
“Aren’t you adventurous?” I playfully shoved him in the shoulder, a move which reminded me of just how much muscle was hiding under his clothes. It sent a real shiver down my spine. I could only imagine being able to run my fingers over him, feeling his body against mine, moving in that primal dance.
The image became so intense that I had to look away for a few seconds and clear my throat. Out here in public, I had to make sure that I stayed demure. Especially this close to work.
Calder paid for the pretzels and handed me one.
“It’s bigger than I expected,” I pointed out, going in for a small bite.
Calder snorted. “Won’t be the only thing you say that about, I hope.”
At that, I swallowed the pretzel bit I’d been eating whole, and started coughing. Calder quickly hammered on my back a few times without hesitation, and the bite dislodged. I managed to get it down, but had to pause to catch my breath.
“You alright?” Calder asked with a voice full of concern. “Didn’t mean to cause a medical emergency.”
“I’m fine,” I laughed, shaking my head. “I just didn’t expect that.”
“Rhea, it’s you!” The familiar voice drew my attention, and I spotted Jackie approaching us with her pack of small dogs. “How are you doing? How’s the house? I saw you got the fence fixed. Must’ve cost a pretty penny, eh?”
I noticed Calder’s slight frown. Probably annoyed that his time with me was being interrupted yet again. I was, too, but I couldn’t just chase Jackie away. I smiled, and leaned in when she wrapped me in a hug.
“Actually, I had some help with the house,” I answered when I stepped back again, glancing over at Calder sneakily. “I’d say I’m doing pretty great, actually.”
“Oh good, good, and you? Who are you, if I may ask?” Jackie’s tone was conspiratorial when she looked over at Calder. I was sure she actually knew who he was, but maybe she just wanted more information than she already had.
“Calder. I work at the fire station.” he said politely with a quick nod of his head. “You’re Jackie, right?”
“Oh, you know me then,” she giggled, waving him off with one hand. “I suppose I am around a lot. Speaking of the fire station, you’ve heard about that apartment fire, haven’t you? I heard that they called it arson, can you believe it?”
“Really?” I asked curiously, looking to Calder for confirmation, and he nodded. The only thing I’d heard about it was during my eavesdropping session, and I didn’t want to make that too obvious. Plus, I didn’t spend a lot of time with the guys talking about the fires they were putting out.
“Thought you’d know.” Jackie’s eyes were wide. “You think they have a suspect yet? Was it one of the people in the house? Insurance, you think? Usually it’s insurance, isn’t it? Or, did they have enemies? A lot of people have deep secrets that you’d never see from just looking at them, right?”
“We don’t really know much about it just yet,” Calder answered evenly. “I can’t talk about anything that hasn’t been made public, anyway.”
Jackie waved her hand at that. “Of course, of course, I suppose I’m just overly curious. But you can’t blame me, really, it’s not the kind of thing that happens here often, is it? Everyone’s been talking about it, it’s crazy. All kinds of theories out there, I’ve heard.”
“Shouldn’t believe all the gossip,” Calder warned seriously, and Jackie chuckled.
“I wouldn’t,” she insisted, though I wasn’t so sure she meant it. “I just like listening, you know? Hearing what people think. It’s the most interesting thing in my life right now, unfortunately. Not exactly a wild ride. Although, I have started a herb garden.”
“You have?” I prompted, glad for the change in topic.
“Had no idea I had such green thumbs, to be honest with you,” Jackie answered brightly, clearly happy that someone was showing interest in her hobbies. “They’re doing great. Pretty soon, I’ll be handing out spices with packages. Maybe I’ll start a small business. Maybe not, my husband wouldn’t be too happy with all of that. He likes his food bland, you know? Like everything else. Nothing fiery for him. He says it gives him acid reflux, but I think he’s just got a boring palette.”
One of her dogs began to whine and pull at its leash. The others soon impatiently joined in, which made Jackie let out a long sigh.
“I suppose I have to go now,” she said, rolling her eyes. “They don’t like having their walks interrupted.”
Calder shot me a look and I had to hold back a smile while I answered. “Just like kids, aren’t they? I’ll see you later, right?”
“Sure, sure!” Jackie grinned before she started walking away. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Calder!”
