of canned soup and chili, but he hoped he was out of here before he had to eat the tuna. He’d make sure he was. What he had to do wouldn’t take long.
Yesterday he’d walked from the B&B to the small downtown area, wearing a baseball cap he’d found in the bedroom he chose as a disguise of sorts. His hair was a fair blond, distinctive, and it was best to cover it up. He’d stood at the end of the street and watched Gabi leave work. As soon as he’d seen the beauty salon, he’d known if she was in town she’d be there. He would’ve followed her home, but there had been too many people out and about so he’d gone back to the B&B and slept. He’d slept a lot since coming here. Normally he didn’t sleep more than five hours a night. He had to admit, he felt different here. Better. Stronger with each passing day. Maybe it was all the extra rest, but then again, maybe something in this shitty little town agreed with him.
His plan this morning had been to hide in the woods and watch the street, to watch Gabi return to work, to wait for his opportunity to reveal himself to her. But she hadn’t gone to work. No, she was out for a stroll as if she didn’t have a care in the world. She had no idea he was watching her.
Ignorance was bliss. Gabi’s ignorance wouldn’t last much longer.
Gabi felt better with the entrance to the woods behind her. She relaxed as she walked into Ivy’s bakery.
It was impossible to know what kind of mood Ivy would be in, from one day to the next. Her twin Eve was steady, almost always pleasant. She had a nice smile, and an easy way about her. Ivy, though she looked very much like her sister, had an unpredictable temper and an impressive scowl.
If Gabi was more curious she might ask why Ivy’s personality was so unlike her twin’s. What had made her so angry? Ivy got her red hair trimmed every couple of months, so she’d been in the chair in the beauty shop. But she didn’t offer much in the way of personal information and Gabi didn’t ask.
Every woman was allowed her secrets.
But man, could Ivy bake.
If Ivy hadn’t mentioned that they needed a hair stylist, that morning Mia’s screams had led them to Mystic Springs, Gabi might’ve gassed up and left town. Thank goodness Ivy had been in a friendly mood that particular morning. Otherwise, where might she be? There was no way to know.
The baker scowled at Judge, who refused to be left outside. Gabi thought that maybe she should’ve brought Judge’s leash with her, but she really didn’t want to harness the big bloodhound. It didn’t take a critter specialist to realize he wouldn’t like it.
Gabi ordered a variety of baked goods to go. A couple of cupcakes. A bear claw. Half a dozen of Mia’s favorite cookies. Chocolate chip. She’d cook dinner for Silas, but she didn’t know what he’d like for dessert. She added a couple of lemon bars to the mix.
As Ivy boxed up the order, she said, “So, Silas Hollister. I didn’t see the second date coming, not after the first one went so wrong.”
“Neither did I,” Gabi said honestly. Did Ivy know Silas had come back to the house last night, that he’d stayed a while? She wouldn’t think so, but in this town it was definitely possible. “He’s a nice guy. I like him. That first time things just weren’t right, I guess. It was a fluke.”
“I suppose he gave you the mutt.” Ivy placed the pretty lavender box of goodies on the counter and took the cash Gabi offered.
The bloodhound glanced up, as if he knew they were talking about him. “Judge is no mutt,” Gabi said, a little defensively. “He’s a new member of the family. He and Mia have taken quite a liking to one another.”
Ivy handed Gabi’s change across the counter. “I still don’t know why you gave Silas a second chance. I mean, he’s a nice guy and all, if you like the quiet type, but after last time…” She stopped abruptly. “It’s none of my business.”
I was lonely, so damn tired of being alone every night. I need the touch of another human being. “Silas asked, I said yes. It’s nothing serious.”
She couldn’t allow it to be.
She left Ivy’s, the lavender box stored securely in a