Free Bare Necessities by Lacey Wolfe

vandalized.”
    “Let’s just change the subject. This is touchy and fresh, and the last thing either you or I want is to be on non-speaking terms over some silly fight, right?”
    Ava’s arms fell to her side, and she smiled. “You always were the peacemaker. God, what would I do without you in my life?”
    “I don’t know. Have a lot more enemies?”
    Lila walked over, obviously getting worn out from the circles she had been running around the living room. She stood in front of Ava and reached up. Ava picked up the little girl, and when Lila snuggled up next to her and plopped her thumb in her mouth, Ava’s heart melted. Maybe she was catching the bug, because right about now she wanted her own.

 
     
    Chapter Eleven
     
    Seth had been right, and now the town folks were scrambling madly, collecting supplies. The first dusting of snow hit a little early this year. The weatherman reported that it wasn’t going to last. The next day, the day would heat up enough to melt the snow away, but it still left everyone in a tizzy. The local grocery stores were packed as everyone prepared for the upcoming winter.
    Pulling into the station, Seth was ready to get this day over with. The first part had been the usual nonsense, and now the last half was dealing with all this snow stuff. Hopefully, everyone made it home safely tonight, and he could get some rest. After the visit from Ava, and knowing she just might have let him make love to her, had left him up all night tossing and turning.
    As he entered his office, he noticed several officers watching him. He wasn’t really sure why. Looking down, he checked to make sure he hadn’t spilt anything on himself. Nothing. Shrugging it off, he took a seat in his office and fired up the computer to go over his e-mails.
    Cody suddenly leaned through the doorway. “I need to talk to you.”
    “What’s up?”
    “It’s about Ava’s case.”
    Shit. What was going on now?
    “There’s been something else,” Cody continued.
    “You’re kidding. What?”
    “A note was left at her cabin.”
    Seth stood, shoving the chair away from his desk so it smacked against the wall. “The person has been to her place?”
    Cody nodded and handed him a paper. “This is what the note said. It’s not looking good for you.”
    Now Seth was really confused. He took the note and read in disbelief. Your kisses may be sweet, but I still want to see your sweet ass walking out of this town.
    “Fuck.” Seth gripped the paper tightly in his hands.
    “I’m going to ask this only once. Is it you?”
    “Hell, no!” Seth yelled. “Someone is trying to set me up.”
    “Any idea who?” Cody asked.
    “No.” Seth shook his head. “But I wish I did. I’m glad you’re in charge of this. I know you’ll find him.”
    Cody cleared his throat. “We’ll find whoever it is.”
    “There has to be someone else. Ava has to know someone else who has said something.” Seth’s thoughts turned back to last night when she’d visited him. “When did she get the note?” Please say last night. At least then he’d have an alibi.
    “When she returned home today from a visit with Julie.”
    Shit! “I know I’m not in charge of this, but you’re going to have to come down hard on Ava to think of someone. Anyone at all she has seen walk by the place slowly or whatever.” He let out a groan. “Does she think I sent this note?”
    “No. When she brought us the note, we asked her that. She said she was sure it wasn’t you and that she thought someone was setting you up.”
    Relief swept through him. Thank God for that. Maybe whoever this person was wouldn’t be able to ruin things between them. Whoever was terrorizing Ava had to be someone she knew and had to be watching from afar. Maybe an old flame or a friend she’d done wrong. Then it dawned on him. They knew nothing about her past.
    “Find out about old friends she might have gotten in a fight with, family who might feel like she owes them money,