********
Marla stretched out on the huge, warm boulder while the dogs played in the water of the river they had hiked to earlier in the day. The heat felt good on her bones and she closed her eyes and enjoyed the sounds and scents of nature all around her. As much as she loved owning the bakery and all the people, there were times when she just wanted to be alone, without the noises of lawn mowers and trimmers buzzing throughout her neighborhood. Here she was able to emotionally remove herself from her problems and analyze them calmly and logically. Today’s quandary: what did she have that someone else wanted so bad they were willing to break into her house, twice, to look for it? The answer that kept coming back to her was, nothing. She had absolutely nothing more or less than anyone else in her neighborhood of small, two bedroom bungalow’s. It was sparsely furnished in early hand-me-down, donated by the good people of Wynott. Three dogs that they could have taken any time if they wanted to. A bicycle that she rarely used, simply because she preferred to walk everywhere. She didn’t even have a credit card or driver’s license for cripes sakes. She never carried a purse, preferring to just use her pockets, because all she needed was her debit card, house key and bakery key. She was a simple person with simple needs and she minded her own business. Saint Marla. She hadn’t even been out on a date since coming to Wynott so she could tic ‘annoying ex-boyfriend’ off the list. And speaking of annoying, Peter Jensen immediately popped into her mind. Now he was another can of worm’s altogether. Handsome, but he apparently knew that by the way he acted so superior to everyone else, as if he owned the whole town. For a newcomer he certainly hadn’t made any friends around town. According to Betsy he liked being alone and made no secret of it at the police station. Although everyone admitted that he knew his job and was persistent with his cases. Marla still had trouble believing that she was one of his ‘cases’. Probably according to him the biggest nut case he’d ever seen. She had no business being attracted to him. He clearly didn’t return the feelings. Maybe it was the challenge? No, she’d had enough challenges in the last three years to last a lifetime. So what was it about Pete that made her shake, rattle and roll when he was around? She felt safe with him around, which was good, but she also felt an underlying sexual tension that attracted her. It made her want to explore his body and feel him inside of her. To feel his body in her and on her and next to her. Then once they caught their breath, do it all again until neither one could move. The thought made her stomach clinch as she felt a throbbing ache of want right down to her feminine core. She had no idea if she even liked having sex but somehow, with Pete, she wanted to find out. There was only one problem with that, he wasn’t interested, and that was one of the only things she was sure of today. Marla sensed a shadow move over her, chilling her body. She opened her eyes and thought she was dreaming.
“Your dogs are swimming in the river,” Pete stated angrily. Marla looked up into his shaded eyes to see her reflection.
“I know, they love the water, except for Curly, he just drinks it. Let me guess, you have a problem with the dogs in the water.” Marla sat up and rested her hands on her knees waiting for his reply.
“I do because they’re scaring the fish away, and I came here to fish.” He rested his hands on his hips.
“Couldn’t you go down or up or whatever you call it and do it someplace else?”
“I was told this was the best spot around for miles.”
“Well I’m sorry if I ruined your precious fishing. I guess next time we’ll have to co-ordinate our plans so we don’t have to run into each other. Larry! Curly! Moe! Come!” Marla scooped-up Curly, put him in her backpack and stormed off, the other two wet dogs following happily as she marched back onto the trail, pissed. She heard Pete call after her.
“Well you don’t have to get pissed about it, the damage is already done. By all means, come back and enjoy your rock.”
Marla ignored him and continued on the trail back to the park and, eventually, her house. Well, so much for a day of peace and quiet. Or should I say half day. She only got one half day per week for pleasure and Pete had made sure he ruined even that for her. When she heard Moe yipe she looked back quickly. She was shocked to see Pete bending down on one knee and holding Moe’s paw in his hand. Before she could speak Pete was soothing Moe.
“Just a little picker stuck in your paw buddy, nothing to worry about. I took care of it for you. You’re such a good boy, yes you are!” Pete said as he scratched Moe’s ear and allowed him to place a sloppy kiss on his stubble covered cheek. Marla rushed over to Moe to comfort him as well.
“My poor baby. Are you all right? Did you thank Mr. Jensen for fixing it for you?” Moe gave her a little woof of happiness as his tail thumped on the ground.
“Thank you for taking out the picker. Are you following me?” Marla asked boldly.
“No. Yes. I mean I’m heading back to the park and apparently this is the only path, so I guess I am. I have to say though, the view is fantastic.” Marla wasn’t sure what he meant by that so she didn’t answer. Instead she called Moe to follow her and continued back onto the trail, ignoring Pete the rest of the way home. By the time Marla got to her house on foot, Pete was sitting on her front porch steps holding three huge dog biscuits.
“I didn’t have anywhere else to go since my fishing plans were waylaid. I figure the least you could do was feed me some lunch or something, leftovers, anything. I’m really sick of fast food and I’m a terrible cook, so I thought you might…be….able to help…me?” Pete grinned widely, a genuine smile, when he saw Marla laughing at his pitiful attempt at scoring a home cooked meal.
“It sounds fair enough, since my quiet day in the country has been sidelined. Let’s go raid the fridge and see what I’ve got.” Marla put the dogs in the backyard to finish drying and to eat their treats and Pete followed her into the house. When Marla looked up she yelled and suddenly stopped in her tracks. Pete moved around her to see what was going on. Her entire house was in complete shambles, furniture was upended, drawer’s pulled completely out and tossed upside down in a heap on the living room floor. All her wall hangings had been pulled off and broken into pieces before being added to the pile. Every kitchen cupboard and drawer were all in the same condition, even her refrigerator and freezer had been emptied onto the floor and the appliances pulled away from the walls. Canisters of flour, sugar, salt, coffee and everything else had been opened and dumped as well. Even the light fixtures had been searched as they hung crookedly from their sockets.
“Why are they doing this to me?” Marla said through the hand that was over her mouth. She bent down to pick up something but Pete’s arm snaked quickly around her waist and pulled her against his body. “Don’t touch anything. I’ll call this in, come outside with me.” Pete turned Marla around and led her out the back door, seating her on the plastic lawn chair while he made the call. Marla stared blankly ahead in shock and speechless.