Free Strolling Into Danger (A Seagrove Cozy Mystery Book 6) by Leona Fox Page B

giving up the circus and staying in Seagrove?” Sadie asked. “It seems kind of sudden.”
     
    “It is sudden,” Sil said. “But you’ll think I’m crazy if I tell you why.”
     
    “Try us,” Sadie coaxed.
     
    She took another sip of hot chocolate and settled into her chair. She was dead tired.
     
    “I don’t know,” he threw a sidelong glance at Betty.
     
    “It could jinx me.”
     
    “Listen,” Betty said. “If this has something to do with me you’d better spill the beans. I don’t like surprises.”
     
    “It was you,” Sil said.
     
    “I saw you standing on top of that trailer and you looked like a goddess. Or maybe a warrior. And when Win ran in your direction you didn’t flinch or cower, you stood taller and stronger. You were ready to deal with him, no matter what.”
     
    “That’s what I looked like to you?” Lucy said, skeptical.
     
    “That’s what I saw. And I’ve never seen anyone like you. I thought to myself, that’s her. That’s the woman I want to settle down with.” Sil looked sheepish.
     
    “I told you it was crazy. I know you don’t know me and I could be a bad seed. But the only way for you to see who I am is for me to stay here. To become part of your community. And then once I’m settled and I’ve got a job, no, not a job, a career, I’m going to ask you out on a date. Then we’ll see.” He turned to Sadie.
     
    “I made that plan while sitting on the bench out there. It’s always best to have a plan.”
     
    “That’s true,” Sadie said watching Betty’s face. What was she thinking?
     
    They ate in silence for a while and Sil got up and excused himself. “I’ll be going now,” he said.
     
    “I need to help finish breaking down the circus. Thank you for the meal.”
     
    He shook Sadie’s hand, his hand engulfing hers. Betty got up and walked him down the stairs to the front door.
     
    Sadie stayed where she was so she wouldn’t be tempted to spy on them, but when Betty came back up the stairs, Sadie sat up and raised her eyebrows.
     
    “So what do you think?” she asked. “Crazy as a loon, or sweet and inspired?”
     
    “God, I don’t know,” Betty said.
     
    “But I can’t deny I’m flattered. And attracted. I love big men. They make me feel, I don’t know – less like a blimp and more like just the right size.”
     
    “And if he asks you out?” Sadie raised her brows again.
     
    “Oh, I’d go. For sure. And then everything else depends on that first date.” Betty sat down on the couch with a sigh.
     
    “It’s been a long time since anyone made my heart pitter-patter like that.”
     
    “I know how that feels,” Sadie said.
     
    “All of a sudden there’s that feeling you never expected to have in your life again. It’s hard to resist.”
     
    She thought of how she felt with Chief Zack Woodstone. It was a giddy feeling. Poor guy, he was probably up to his ears in paperwork.
     
    “Gosh,” Betty said, interrupting Sadie’s thoughts, “all of a sudden I’m so tired. I’d better head home.”
     
    “Shall I drive you?” Sadie asked, sitting up.
     
    “No. I’m fine. It’s only around the block.” Betty picked up her plate and carried it into the kitchen.
     
    “Leave it,” Sadie said. “You made dinner, I’ll clean up.”
     
    “If you’re sure?” Betty looked at Sadie, questioning.
     
    “Of course I’m sure. And come to think of it, it’s time to take Mr. B out for his last walk of the night. We’ll walk you home and he can walk me back.”
     
    Betty started to protest, but Sadie was up and had her coat on before she finished her sentence. Sadie wasn’t about to let Betty walk home alone after the events of that week. No one should be out alone and worrying if a dying woman was about to come around the corner. And Mr. B would keep Sadie company on the way back.
     
    They dropped Betty off and watched to make sure she got in safely before Sadie and Mr. Bradshaw headed back home. Sadie lingered