Free Poison Me by Cami Checketts Page A

owner’s began, then paused. “Jake?”
    Jake looked up but continued massaging the wound. “Hey, Mr. Trapper, I didn’t see you coming.”
    “I didn’t see you either.” The older man frowned. “Please call me Michael.”
    “Okay, Michael,” Jake said, though it seemed disrespectful to refer to an older gentleman by his first name.
    “How bad did I get you?” Michael asked.
    “It’s just a flesh wound.” Jake straightened and stuck out his hand. “How are you, sir?”
    Michael shook the extended hand. “I’m okay. And you?”
    “I was doing better a few minutes ago.”
    Michael flinched. “Oh, Jake. I am truly sorry.”
    He laughed. “I shouldn’t tease you, sir. I’m fine. What are you doing grocery shopping? Doesn’t the Palace feed you all your meals?”
    Michael nodded. “Yes, but I like to have treats for the grandkids and food for the days… well, I like my own food for the days the menu sounds disgusting.”
    Jake started pushing his cart slowly down the aisle. Michael kept pace with him. “Some of those meals don’t sound too appetizing,” Jake said. “So how’s the Palace treating you?”
    “They usually feed me well.”
    “The women all seem to enjoy you.”
    “One man for every twenty women.” Michael shrugged. “Good odds.”
    “And my grandma?” Jake knew he shouldn’t ask, but he couldn’t help himself.
    Michael turned from him, studying a display of Kit-Kats. “You know how it is with your grandmother and me.”
    “No, I don’t.” Jake halted, gripping the shopping cart handle. “You can tell me to stay out of it, but I sense Grandma has something against you. She’s nice to everyone, even Jennalou, most of the time. You’re such a great guy. I can’t figure out why she’s short with you.”
    Michael bypassed the Kit-Kats and retrieved a bag of peanut M&M’s. Jake waited for an answer.
    “Ruby’s told you nothing about me?” Michael asked, finally turning to face him.
    Jake shook his head quickly.
    Michael’s shoulders drooped. “Then I can’t tell you anything either. I’ve known your Grandma a long time, Jake, and I’ve always…” He paused. “I’ve always thought highly of her. If you want to know why she has a hard time with me, you’d better ask her.”
    Jake nodded. “Okay.” He softly slapped Michael on the shoulder. “Gotta respect a man who won’t bus-roll my grandma.”
    “You’re a good boy, Jake.” Michael smiled. “I’m proud of you, son.”
    Jake’s eyebrows rose, but he said, “Thank you, sir.”
    Michael rushed on. “I’m sure Ruby’s proud of you, too. Thanks for taking such good care of her.”
    He pushed his cart away before Jake could respond. Jake stood watching the tall man and wondering about the mystery with Grandma Ruby that Michael was obviously hiding. It might be time to talk to Ellie.
     
     

Chapter Nine
     
    Everything hurt. Richard took slow, shallow breaths, but it didn’t help. Would anything ease this pain? He pressed a hand to the tenderness in his abdomen and bit back a cry. Would he survive the night? He exhaled and the ache increased. Did he want to survive?
    “Richard?” A high-pitched voice floated through the darkness, the result of eyesight gradually fading into a constant haze. How he longed for the penetration of light and clarity into his brain.
    “Who’s there?” he asked, reaching out to the voice with a gnarled hand. It wasn’t his cousin, Ruby, the only woman who ever visited him. Ruby always smelled like lavender and vanilla. This woman smelled like a variety of fresh-cut flowers, but he couldn’t tell if she’d actually brought him flowers or if it was just her perfume. “What do you want?”
    “It’s okay. It’s just me. I’m here to help.”
    He didn’t know who “me” was, but if someone had come to help, he’d praise her name. The voice sounded familiar, but he couldn’t quite place it.
    “I don’t know if anyone can help me.” Richard’s hand dropped to