Free The Devil Wore Sneakers by Nora Leduc

relief that Liam and his wife hadn’t lived forever in the apartment. But what did she care if they had? She wouldn’t change her mind about him. She’d be leaving Barley ASAP. “Where do I keep my clothes? I don’t need much room.”
    “We’ll raid my mother’s storage unit for another bureau after we stop at the police station. My mom inherited her Aunt Tildie’s furniture, and it’s stored with my mom’s’ antiques. Might as well put the stuff to use. Eat your breakfast and we’ll go. Chip can finish up.”
    “Looks like lots to carry.” The two men had removed half the cartons.
    “I don’t mind,” the boy said.
    “Yeah, you shouldn’t. I’m paying you extra. The dishwasher needs emptying before lunch. You can remove the rest of this stash after the noon crowd. Luce, I’ll clear a chair for you. Your food is on the box to your right. You’ll have space on the table once I haul away my belongings.” He grabbed a pair of poles and skis.
    Chip scooped up the boots. “Did you hear they took down the online picture of your brother’s funeral?”
    “She knows.” Liam’s gruff voice cut him off.
    “It’s okay, Liam. Chip, who do the kids think posted it?”
    The teen gave a half shrug. “The principal says the police are investigating and when they find out who did it, he’ll suspend the guilty person for hacking into the school website and putting up the image of Mr. Watson’s casket on his teacher’ page.” Chip shook his head. Nobody’s talking.”
    “I’m glad it’s gone. Thanks.”
    Chip disappeared through the door.
    Liam scratched the back of his neck. “The kid has no common sense.”
    “I like to stay in touch with what people are saying.”
    “As long as you can sort out the gossip from the truth. Okay, Luce, make yourself at home, and I’ll be just a few seconds.”
    After he left the room, she let out a breath of stress, sat, and opened her takeout. The giant cinnamon roll was a trademark pastry from the Maple Leaf’s bakery department. The sweet was one of her favorites. Liam had remembered. Happiness flowed through her while her mouth watered.
    She nibbled on the roll and looked out the living room window. The clouds drifted across the sky. The wind blew pebbles skipping over the sidewalk and the lanes of sparse traffic. A blonde in an ivory jacket hurried down the walkway. Her familiar gait gave away her identity. Clarissa. Didn’t the woman work?
    Another female approached from the opposite direction. She walked with a slow, careful step. It was Bella. Lucy inched to the end of the seat as the two women continued toward each other. Would Clarissa shout, “Bitch” at Bella?
    Would Bella break into tears? Three more seconds. They must have seen each other by now.
    “What’s so interesting outside?” Liam stepped in front of her to peer through the window.
    “Clarissa and Bella, and they’re about to meet.” Lucy strained to look around him. “I was curious about how they greeted each other.”
    “They ignored each other and walked by. Here. Is this better?” He held out a key on a looped cord. “My spare. It opens the doors to your apartment and the Moose.”
    “Thank you.” She stuffed it into the pocket of her jeans.
    “How about we exchange cell numbers, too.”
    They swapped phones, plugged in their digits, and gave them back. It was business, she reassured herself. “I guess it’s official.” She held her cell in her hand, feeling like they had performed a ritual in a bonding ceremony. “We’re landlord and tenant now.”
    “Do we shake on it?” The gleam in his eyes suggested he wanted more.
    Be careful , warned the voice in her head . Don’t go backward in life. Keep moving forward.
    “Hey, Liam.” Hank, the bartender, was in the doorway. “A man wants to discuss extending your ad in the free press next week.”
    “Be right back.” Liam laid a hand on Lucy’s shoulder and then left.
    The surge of warmth from his palm lingered. Okay,