Chapter Thirty-Seven

Though her breath caught as she entered the Common House, her nerves fled as soon as she saw the way it was decorated. Ben’s hand touched her back, nudging her forward but also reminding her that he was there. Most of the others had already arrived. Margie and Joseph were talking with Tate, the guest of honor. Mira, still dressed all in black, chatted with Ryan. Tate’s pops ambled over to him without oxygen and put a hand on the boy’s—young man’s—back. He said something that made the others laugh.

Raj and a woman Annie didn’t recognize were seated at the table, looking at a photo album. A banner was hung up over the kitchen area that read: Happy Belated Birthday, Tate.

It was Annie’s idea to celebrate the occasion. After he was released from police custody, Tate had given her a long hug and a promise to come clean with his pops about his transgressions. Ryan had gone with him to remind his grandfather what a good kid he actually was and to explain everything that happened.

There were a few residents of the complex she didn’t really know yet. Annie was more than fine taking her time to get to know them. She could strike up conversations on her delivery days. She was pleased when Ben’s grandmother; grandfather; Ashley; Stephanie; and their brother, Levi, showed up.

There were hugs all around, presents put on a table off to the side, and a selection of appetizers and snacks that called to Annie.

She excused herself from Ben and his family to go grab something to eat. Mira joined her, picking up a plastic plate.

“How are you doing?” Annie held an empty plate but turned to look at the woman.

“I’m good. Better than I was. Thank you for your part in helping to find the truth.”

She hadn’t seen Mira in the week and a half since Ginger had been formally charged.

“I didn’t do anything. Honestly, I’m lucky I didn’t get more people hurt.”

Mira reached out, squeezed Annie’s arm. “You pushed for the truth. That’s more than those two detectives did. Ryan told me they’re under investigation.” She shook her head before continuing. “I’m glad you made it out okay. I’m so glad Tate didn’t take the fall for this. I still can’t believe Dad is gone.” Her tone shifted, her gaze looking past Annie. She blinked a few times as though ridding herself of memories or tears before meeting her eyes again.

“I’m sorry. What will you do now?” Annie realized she didn’t know much about the woman.

Mira’s smile bloomed, changing her face, making her look younger. “I’m going to stay. Part of me feels like it’ll help me be closer to him. That’s probably dumb, but it feels right to stay.”

Annie smiled. “If it feels right, then you definitely should. We’ll be neighbors.”

Mira nodded. “Yes. I keep to myself a lot. One of the things my father and I fought so much about was me coming to work for him, but I’m not a people person. I like burying myself in research and archives. I work at the museum in Trenton.”

“It surprised me that your dad owned a dealership. He…” Annie’s voice trailed off. Her cheeks heated.

“Didn’t seem like a people person?” Mira laughed. “You’re right. He wasn’t. It was why he let Conway buy in. He liked the cars, the paperwork, and the money. Conway did the rest.”

Annie didn’t want to pry. Well, she did, but she didn’t want to cross a line. Turning to start adding food to her plate, she asked as casually as she could, “Do you think you’ll patch things up with him? He seems to really care about you.”

Mira’s expression grew solemn. She set the plate down. “He told me he’d crossed a line he couldn’t uncross. I blamed him for my father’s death, but that wasn’t what he was talking about. He reported my dad for tax fraud. He thought I wouldn’t forgive him. But I think if he can get over me accusing him of killing my dad, it’s worth being open to the idea of trying again. We’ve been through a lot.”

Ben came up to her side. “Having a hard time choosing what to eat?”

Mira smiled shyly at him. “Hi, Ben.”

“Hey, Mira. How are you?”

“I’m okay.” She glanced at Annie, started to walk away, but Annie put a hand on her shoulder.

When Mira met her gaze, Annie leaned in. “Take a risk. When someone cares that much, they don’t just stop feeling it.”

Mira nodded. Annie turned back to her plate, noted that Ben had eaten the cheese she’d put on it. Laughing, she added more. He ate that, too.

“Get your own, mister.”

He looked at her, and her stomach did that whirly thing only he inspired. “You look really pretty today.” His voice was low. Her heartbeat kicked like a bass drum.

“You, too.” She closed her eyes, groaned. When she opened them again, humor flashed in Ben’s gaze. “You know what I meant.”

He shook his head, his smile growing. “Is it my hair? Or my shirt? Does the color match my eyes? Or bring them out? Is that how you say it? What do you think is prettiest thing about me?”

She glanced around. People were laughing and talking and healing. It was…really nice. These were good people. Annie was lucky to have them for neighbors. She looked back at Ben, who was still smiling at her.

“I think you’re prettiest when you stop talking,” she teased.

Ben leaned in so close, his nose was nearly touching Annie’s. “Hmm. What could I do with a pretty girl that wouldn’t require talking?”

She’d never had someone make her want to burst into laughter while simultaneously stirring up all her feelings. She put one hand on his chest, calling his bluff. “If you don’t know the answer to that, I’ll be pretty disappointed.”

His gaze widened. Annie wanted to give a triumphant ha when desire flashed in those green eyes.

“Annie,” Ben’s grandmother said, joining them. Ben stepped back, cleared his throat, and gave his grandmother a tight smile.

She embraced Annie. “I’m so happy you’re okay. What a whirlwind adventure for you.”

Annie nodded, adding to her plate. “I’m just glad it’s all over.”

Desiree leaned in closer, putting a hand on Annie’s arm. “I hope you’ll join us on Thursday. We’ll be just a regular book club again, I guess.”

That was fine by Annie. “I’m looking forward to it.”

Desiree smiled, leaned in. “This month’s selection is erotica.”

Annie’s face heated. “Okay. Maybe a little less now.”

Ben snorted with laughter. “I’ll meet you guys over there. Please never fill me in on book club.”

Shaking her head, Annie shoved a large cracker into her mouth so she wouldn’t have to respond.

It would only work for so long so Annie was grateful when Margie stood at the front of the room and tapped a fork to her wineglass.

Everyone turned her way. Joseph sat in a chair, his adoring gaze on the woman he loved. Ben’s gaze caught Annie’s; his smile settled down the galloping horses in her chest. Funny because looking at him sped them up as well.

“I just want to wish Tate a happy birthday. I’m sorry we didn’t do it sooner. We’re also sorry for all the trouble that came your way.” Margie paused, looking at Tate, who smiled awkwardly and shifted in his spot. Then she looked around the room at everyone else. “We’re neighbors. I know that can mean many things. We don’t have to be close or best friends, but it’s natural, at times, for our lives to intersect. When bad things happen, we want to do what we can to assure ourselves we’re safe. With everything that’s we’ve been through, I feel lucky to know that you’re a group who will watch out for each other, lean on each other for more than muffins.”

The group laughed. Annie glanced at Mira.

“There are changes coming. Mira is moving into Gill’s. Ginger’s family is selling her home.” Margie looked at Joseph. “And Joseph is selling his to move in with me.”

People clapped. “About time,” Tate’s pops called out with a raspy voice.

Margie looked at Joseph, her smile shining right from her eyes. “I know not everyone is lucky enough to call their neighbors friends, but I feel honored I can do that with so many of you.” She raised her glass.

Others followed suit before breaking off again to chat in smaller. Annie watched, listening from her seat. She wondered how her parents were doing on the open seas. Their waters had probably been less choppy than her own, but she was still glad she came. Margie was right; not everyone got to call neighbors their friends, but Annie had a feeling, no matter how long she stayed in this little town, the people in this room were going to leave a lasting mark on her heart.

Ben walked her home about an hour later. By silent, mutual agreement, they went into the garage. Ben opened two canvas chairs, set them next to the cat beds. When Annie sat down beside him so they could stare at the little balls of fur, it felt natural, excitingly so, to reach for his hand.

“Mira said she was okay with you keeping one?” Ben looked over at her.

“She’s going to come visit Shelby every day so they can get familiar again. She said she knows people who want kittens, so if I want one or two or all of them, fine, but she can home them if not.”

Ben chuckled. “Four cats. That’s a lot all at once.”

“Tell me about it. I was worried about one. But then I was worried about only one, you know?” Annie looked away from the cats, met Ben’s gaze.

“Yeah. Two is always better than one. Especially since they’re so perfectly named in pairs.”

“Exactly. But two is a lot for someone who has never had a pet.”

Ben leaned forward in his seat, pulling Annie closer. “Not if that someone has a vet on speed dial.”

Annie arched her brows even as she leaned in. “You think you’re on speed dial?”

Trailing one finger down her cheek, he nodded. “I should be. With how often you pass out, it would be smart.”

The distance between them was starting to disappear with each breath she took. Still, Annie held back. “I only pass out at other people’s blood.”

“Two is a solid choice. Sherlock and Watson.” His lashes lowered slightly. They were enviably long enough to notice.

“A good team.”

Ben’s thumb traced over Annie’s lower lip, making her breath catch. “A very good team.”

When she felt Ben’s breath on her lips, her eyes fluttered closed. A loud protest in the form of a cat howl stopped them both. Her eyes popped open when Ben made a slight “oof” sound. Shelby sat on his lap.

Annie scowled at the cat. “Really?”

Ben’s laughter made it impossible to hold the frown. He stroked the cat’s back. She purred. Loudly.

Annie leaned in close to the cat, nearly nose to nose. “I’ll allow it because you saved my life and I appreciate it.”

Shelby responded by cleaning her paw. Ben reached out with the hand not petting the cat to take Annie’s hand again.

When he squeezed it, she felt all of the things neither of them needed to say. There was plenty of time for whatever came next. But for now, like Ben, she was content to just sit. To enjoy the moment. And the company.

The End

About the Author

Jody Holford writes sweet romance and cozy mysteries with sweet romance in them. She’s published several books including the cozies in The Britton Bay Series. She’s unintentionally funny and rarely on time for anything. If she’s not writing, she’s reading, hanging out with her family, or doodling. She also writes rooms under the pen name, Sophie Sullivan.

Visit Jody’s website at jodyholfordauthor,com.