Free Bun for Your Life by Karoline Barrett Page B

apple, and lemonade iced tea. I made it myself. It’s not from a box, I can assure you.”
    â€œYou’re an angel.” I took the plate and Thermos from her. “Thank you so much.”
    â€œYou’re welcome. It was nothing.” She peered around. “Looks like they’re almost done. I am so excited you’re here. I’ll get going now. I don’t want to interfere, and I’ve got grocery shopping to do. Make sure the movers have your bed all set up, so you can put your sheets on it first thing. That way you can plop right in tonight. Can I get you anything from the store?”
    I smiled at her. “No, but thank you so much for asking.”
    â€œDon’t worry about the plate and Thermos, you can return them anytime.”
    By the time Dottie had gone back downstairs, the movers were done. I gave them a check, doled out a tip to each of them with a promise I’d recommend them to anyone I knew who was moving. As soon as they were out the door I ate the sandwich and apple, drank some of the lemonade iced tea, and put the cookies away for later. Before I did anything else, I took a ride to the phone store and got a new battery for my cell phone. When I returned to my new home, I found the box marked
Sheets and Blankets
, took Dottie’s advice about making the bed, then went back to unpacking the boxes in the kitchen. By five o’clock I was ready to quit. A break was definitely in order. The auction started at eight, so I had to start getting ready by at least six thirty. I took the Thermos Dottie had left and went downstairs. I sat on the porch steps and finished the lemonade iced tea.
    I wondered if Dottie would let me sell it at the bakery. I’d have to tell Olivia about it. I bet it would be a huge hit. Maybe even sell it warm when it got really cold outside. Even though we were days away from Thanksgiving, today it had stayed in the upper sixties.
    I watched a big black pickup truck pull up beside my car in the driveway. I remembered Dottie saying the other tenanthad a dog. That looked like a basset hound in the front seat with his, or her, paws up on the dashboard. That’s not what had my attention. It was the basset hound’s owner who had my attention. Really, what were the chances?
    I watched the driver exit his truck. It was definitely Detective Corsino. Unless he had a twin brother. He did kind of a double take when he saw me, and didn’t smile. Apparently, he wasn’t big on smiling. He had to be the other tenant. I guess Dottie hadn’t mentioned my name to him. Or even that a new tenant was moving in. Not that she had to, but I got the impression she liked mothering her tenants. Detective Corsino, however, didn’t look like the type who would welcome that.
    â€œYou’re the sharp dresser?” I jumped up.
    He stopped in front of me, looking puzzled. “Was that some kind of compliment?”
    â€œNo. I’m quoting Dottie. She’s the one who said you’re a sharp dresser.” I couldn’t argue with her as I took in his black cargo pants and perfect-fitting royal blue polo shirt. I reached down and petted his dog.
    â€œI do answer my phone, Ms. Tyler. It’s on the business card I gave you. Remember? No need to stalk me at home. Can I help you?”
    â€œI am not stalking you, detective. I live here. I moved in today,” I informed him. “Since we’re neighbors, you may as well call me Molly.”
    â€œThen welcome to the neighborhood. Come on, Beau, let’s go.”
    I was about to thank him, but he quickly disappeared around the corner. I guess he wasn’t into chitchatting. Frankly, Beau looked friendlier. The detective hadn’t asked me to address him as Sean, either. I gathered up the Thermos and went back to my own apartment. I’d return it, and the plate, to Dottie tomorrow.
    Now, what to do for dinner? I fished my phone out of my purse and, pleased with myself for