CHAPTER 5

It was typical crisp fall night sitting outside Evelyn Shirley’s house just out of view, waiting. Seth had packed yet another round of “snacks,” which was really another delicious, well-planned meal. With all the planning that went into their evenings and how prepared he was for their outings, it was beginning to feel much more like dates than sleuthing. Molly wasn’t bothered by that at all. In fact, it pleased her he would go to such trouble…for her.

Over their meal, they passed the time by discussing their lives. Small talk that included just about everything. They were getting to know each other better, each enjoying the company, each focusing on the other one more and more.

Lights in the front of Evelyn’s house finally switched on, followed by the porch light, and then garage door going up just as they had when they nearly caught her before. The universe was listening and the stars were aligning because the timing was perfect having just finished off the Stromboli Seth had picked up from Savory Sweets Bistro. They knew the pattern well by now and quickly put everything back in the cooler. Time to follow that old bag Evelyn! This time — she wouldn’t get away.

Despite parking farther away and relying heavily on binoculars for optics, the couple ducked their heads, just as they had before. They were hiding from the headlights that crossed their space as Evelyn turned in the same direction toward town as she had each night before. Getting caught again wasn’t an option. Tonight, it seemed, would be just like the others, only this time, they would catch her.

Nights past had produced obstacles allowing Evelyn to get away. There was a cat on the hood of Seth’s SUV that wouldn’t move, a strong police presence and road block when the apple orchard had been raided by thieves, an impromptu town parade when the high school football team won the division championship, another parade when they won conference, another parade when they lost the state championship, and a handful of other things like annoying Sheriff Jasper.

Something felt off. If Seth didn’t know better, he’d guess there was a slight hesitation as Evelyn’s headlights passed over them. It was as if she had noticed them, and he feared they were caught — again. But the lights continued to pass as the sound of the car drifted off in the distance.

Seth pulled on to the main road, following Evelyn’s distant taillights. She had a slight lead and he was careful not to get too eager. They needed to keep a safe and unrecognizable distance. They were stopped at a red light, which allowed her to gain a greater lead, her taillights dimming in the distance. Seth was tempted to run the light since there wasn’t an ounce of traffic in the town that rolled up the sidewalks at night — unless there was a high school football parade. But given the luck they had, Seth was certain he’d be caught. The light finally turned green, and relief washed over him when he saw Sheriff Jasper on the other side of the small intersection, parked in a lot just out of sight. Crisis averted.

They were in the heart of town when they saw a mere glimpse of red in the distance entering a parking lot to the right. It was somewhere along the long row of various shops or restaurants on Main Street. …but which one?

Evelyn definitely had the advantage of a good lead, making it harder to find her quickly, but they were determined. Seth crawled through town, avoiding a scene, searching the area in question. It helped that the various lots were nearly empty, but it hadn’t turned up Evelyn.

Nearing the end of the strip, their hope was fading. It seemed perhaps she saw them and put the shake on them. That was until they crossed through the parking lot of Ben’s Brakes & BBQ. Low and behold, there sat Evelyn’s Cadillac…sans the old woman.

Seth crossed the lot to a parking space in the dark, shadowy corner, staying a safe distance from her car’s view while scanning the area for any trace of her. It was apparent she had already made it in to wherever she was heading because there wasn’t a sign of her anywhere. Watching for activity within the shop, they were left stumped. The lights were all off and Ben had long since closed, so why was Evelyn parked here? Was she hiding from something, or someone — had she seen them?

There were a handful of other empty vehicles, but they were likely vehicles waiting to be serviced by Ben or patrons of surrounding businesses.

“Do you think she’s in there?” Molly whispered.

“It could be a cover. She could be anywhere at this point,” Seth reasoned. “Evelyn doesn’t want to be caught or we’d have caught her by now.”

“What’s around here?” Molly questioned, scanning the row of businesses. “What could she possibly want to hide between Ben’s, the flower shop, and a handful of restaurants?

“There isn’t anything scandalous enough in Pine Valley to sneak around late at night and hide your car from,” he said with confidence as a life-long resident.

“The only place with lights on is Sadie’s place — Twinkle Toes, the dance studio,” she pointed out.

“What would Evelyn be doing there?” Seth asked.

A mischievous smile took over Molly’s expression while a slight giggle erupted. “The only late class over there is…the pole dancing class.”

Seth cringed. Thinking it through, however, he finally returned the grin and raised his eyebrows. His curiosity was two-fold. How do they get scandalous pictures of Evelyn working a pole, and two, how did Molly know there was a late-night pole dancing class?

“No, Seth, I don’t take the class! I know what you’re thinking, stop.” She reached over and smacked Seth’s shoulder for his dirty thoughts before finishing her thought. “I remember Sadie mentioning how surprised she was by the turn out…”

His grin only grew bigger.

“It’s more of a fun exercise class. Get your mind out of the gutter over there. It’s a great core workout,” she finished before catching the confidence in her tone that sounded much like experience. “Or so I’m told…I wouldn’t know!”

“I’m sure it’s a great work out — just as soon as they get home to their husbands and show them everything they learned.” Seth laughed.

Molly gave him a stern look and an eyeroll to show distaste in his wise crack, but it only ended in a laugh of her own. From what she heard at book club, Seth wasn’t wrong. Pine Valley husbands were fans of the pole class.

“Should we head over? See if she’s…in there?” he asked, an ounce of disgust crossing through his words at the realization that they very well could find the crotchety old lady in there. Evelyn Shirley scantily dressed and hanging from a pole, specifically.

The two wandered stealthily across the way like nosey ninjas of the night. The thin shades had been pulled on the windows of Twinkle Toes, allowing only a few shadows through. Nothing proving Evelyn was inside. Seth took a chance and tried the door, finding it was unlocked. This was almost too easy. They snuck in, quick to grab the bell above the door as it started to ring. They didn’t want to alert anyone to their presence.

The space inside was bare — empty. It was some sort of waiting room with long windows along one side looking into the studio — a viewing room for waiting parents — although the blinds were pulled there too. Seth and Molly went deeper into the dance studio, where they began to hear muffled sounds — voices.

Following a long hall flanked with bathrooms on one side and an office on the other, they still hadn’t come across a soul. There was an opening at the end of the narrow space that would end in another studio at the back of the building. That’s where the pole dancing class was held. Of course, that’s where they were going to find Evelyn because…ew.

The farther they lurched, the louder the muffled noise became obvious voices mixed with what sounded like muffled moans or growls. This did not sound like dancing — it was too labored and strained.

Seth paused, raising a hand to his puckered lips, indicating silence before waving for her to stay behind while he inspected. He feared they may have stumbled upon a scuffle of sorts. The clandestine mood that had been hovering all night became one of worry when a loud thud against the wall was met with more muffled grunts, moans, and flesh hitting flesh sounds. Something sinister was going on. Was Evelyn being attacked? And where was Sadie?

Seth carefully tucked Molly behind him when he felt her on his heels. Of course, she didn’t stay back. He kept a protective arm around her, reaching behind, that left her with butterflies she would have to sort out later. Molly loved the feel of Seth, and his protectiveness sent a warm surge to her core. Another loud whimper and moan filled the space and the sound of glass breaking had Seth rushing the space. Someone was in trouble!

Jaws dropped, eyes wide, something sinister was going on all right, and Evelyn Shirley was nowhere to be found. Loud gasps exchanged, and bodies quickly shifted. There was some kind of pole dancing underway, but not of the floor-to-ceiling, cold metal variety. No, Seth and Molly stumbled upon the hot, steamy, and, in this case, semi-naked against the wall kind. The “pole” belonged to Jace Detweiler, the town pediatrician, and Jace’s “pole dancer” held against the wall was Kinley Reed. Kinley Reed was one of the on again, off again dance instructors — her sister also happened to be Sadie. Seeing her awkwardly wrapped around the good doctor while pinned against the wall not only showed excellent core strength, but it explained the bang…against the wall.

Molly’s eyes shot open in surprise before she turned her glance sharply up. Words eluded her other than, “Oh my!”

Seth quickly turned his back to the couple, granting Kinley privacy so Jace could help her off the…wall.

“Sorry,” Seth said in a near stutter. “Uh…didn’t expect to find you here.”

“Is there anything I can, uh, help you…with?” Kinley said with a cringe, realizing how that sounded given what Seth and Molly just walked in on — and that she was standing half naked behind Jace.

A nervous laugh escaped the hot doctor. “Sorry, you seem to have caught us in a…compromising state.”

“Uh, yeah the lights were on, and…uh…we were worried,” Seth replied, squeezing his eyelids together, trying to find the words to explain their way out of why they were there.

Molly jumped in, attempting to save Seth, all while her eyes were still pinned on the ceiling. “Yeah, we thought maybe something was — wrong! Maybe something was wrong because it’s so late and all.”

Pleased with her answer, she smiled as her gaze drifted down. Shock rolled over her as she caught herself looking back at the partially clothed couple and their disheveled appearance. Molly stiffened, realizing they weren’t quite presentable, and quickly returned her stare to the ceiling.

“Nope, no...problem here,” Jace said with a sheepish grin and awkward chuckle again.

Seth reached around Molly, gently turning her around so she could relax her neck and exit without any more embarrassment — so they could quickly say their goodbyes and never speak of this encounter again. “We’ll be on our way then. Sorry for the…interruption. We’ll lock the door on the way out!”

Not a word was said while Seth and Molly hustled back through the building and out of the dance studio. Before they rushed back to the SUV across the street, Seth locked the door as promised. A quick jaunt and they were climbing in Seth’s parked SUV. Evelyn’s car was still parked, and she was still M.I.A. It wasn’t until they were safely back in the car that a side pinching laughter erupted from them both.

“Well, that was awkward!” Seth belted out between laughs.

“I am so embarrassed! I’m not going to be able to look at her the same at book club,” Molly laughed while tears welled from the humor in what just happened. “I’ve seen her…well, you know! And his…”

The laughter finally dulled to a few intermittent chuckles as the thought of what just happened crossed their minds at random while their focus returned to the task at hand: Operation Old Bitty Goes Down.

“So…sit here and wait for Evelyn?” Molly questioned, not sure what the plan was supposed to be. Sneaking into other lit buildings no longer felt like the right thing to do. “I mean, she’s bound to come back to her car at some point, right? Isn’t tomorrow the garden club or something?”

“Sounds like a plan. You hungry?” he asked with a smile, reaching for the cooler that was becoming a thing. That earned him a blushing grin from his lady passenger. “She’s gotta go home and sleep at some point.”

They sat and ate, watching for any signs of public enemy number one. Molly was amused by Seth’s reference to snack because it was much more than that. He packed yet another impressive well-planned and thoughtful meal. Libby was clearly helping him with his preparation as it was all of Molly’s favorites from her Bistro again.

Meal consumed, stomachs full, the night was getting long. Both seemed to be lost in thought as they each enjoyed their meal and the quiet company while watching for their target.

A shiver from the cool autumn night coursed through Molly with a violent shake.

“Are you cold?” Seth asked.

“I’m getting there. Rotten night to forget my jacket,” she said with a chuckle, embarrassed her body betrayed her by giving away that shiver.

Seth reached for the ignition, and said, “I’ll turn on the heater for you.”

“No!” Molly said a little harsher than she intended. Her hand quickly moved to his, generating that overwhelming shock of heat between them again. It wasn’t cold she was feeling now.

“She’ll notice us right away,” Molly whispered. “You can’t turn on the car.”

Seth removed his jacket instead, placing it around her shoulders, but didn’t let go. Instead, he pulled the jacket closer, bringing her with it.

“Well then here…wear this,” he whispered back.

A breathless, “Thank you,” fell from her lips.

Seth took her mouth, gentle and soft, tempting Molly with his tongue. She let him in, hardening their kiss as Molly began to explore Seth’s mouth. He was sweet, a gentleman, offering her more and more, but patiently waiting for Molly to accept and take them to the next level. Not knowing where her boundaries lay and where those potential limits left them, Seth cautiously advanced his offer to more with each touch of his mouth, and then his hands. He held Molly’s head in his hands and stroked her face with the pads of his thumbs while deepening their kiss, trying to show her what he couldn’t put into words. He never had the right words, not when it came to this…how he felt about her.

With each deep stroke of his tongue, Seth displayed just how deeply his feelings were for Molly, while each tug of her bottom lip between his teeth revealed how far he’d go for her. The gentle caring strokes of his thumbs were to show her how careful he would be with her, especially her heart. Seth wasn’t one for words — no, she left him speechless. Seth couldn’t put all that Molly provoked into words, even if he could find them. She left him hooked and senseless and she didn’t even know it.

His hands made their way down Molly’s neck, and Seth’s trailing kisses followed. He left her breathless as he unbuttoned her top ever so slowly, giving her ample opportunity to tell him when to stop. The heat he generated on this chilly night had Molly sitting sideways to relieve the pressure that slowly built from his every touch. Peppered kisses along Molly’s collarbone caused her head to fall back as he nipped and bit at her shoulders before he continued his descent. He finally made it to the curve of her breasts while his hands worked their way up and down her sides.

Molly felt for the hem of Seth’s shirt, tugging at it so she could find the warm smooth skin her hands craved to touch. She traced the hills and valleys of his hard, muscular physique, creating an entirely new craving. Molly wanted a taste of that. She let out a breathy gasp of surprise that was drenched in desire when she felt him free her breast and begin his lavish onslaught of pleasure.

Overwhelmed by the sensations moving over her body and the warmth collecting in her most personal place, she got lost in him. Molly forgot where she was, caring only about who she was with, wanting more of him in every way. She pushed out her chest, encouraging Seth to take more and let her legs fall slightly open, inviting more of what he was offering.

His hand drifted low, sliding up and down her inner thigh, teasing her, landing higher and higher with each stroke, finding the source of the heat she was emitting. Seth stopped only briefly, looking at Molly, searching for his next move. He wasn’t done with her, but an act so intimate wasn’t assumed, it required her assent.

Molly’s slight nod and subtle grin was all he needed. She wound her hands through his dark, thick hair to pull his mouth back to hers. Understanding what this meant caused Seth’s heart to swell. Now he knew she felt something for him, wanted him even, but more important, she trusted him.

Seth’s confidence grew, as did other things, while pulling himself closer to her. Seth’s SUV was good sized, but it didn’t make for an easy conquest. That would have to wait for another time when slow and easy wasn’t due to a gear shift and center console. Seth was satisfied with the night’s escapades, no matter how far they went, or didn’t go. Molly wasn’t a cheap and easy car lay — she was a wine and dine all night kind of woman. Tonight was just an invitation. Seth would show Molly what he had for her, how much he cared for her and desired her. Most importantly that he was waiting for her.

Her breathing became shallower with every stroke and glide between her legs. Her sharp gasps quickened into pants as his pace increased over her core. Greedily, she lifted her hips, moving against his hand, fingers gliding in and out as his thumb added pressure to her bundle of nerves. He felt her core tighten around him as he pulled at her swollen nipple with his teeth bringing her to a quaking finish that had her come down around him while she screamed his name.

Seth kissed her gently, sweetly, while she slowly relaxed into her seat, until her breathing quieted and slowed. Until there was a loud bang on the window that had them both jumping in place, then quickly tugging at her clothes to cover her. Panic ran thought them when another knock hit the window behind Seth.

They assumed it was the sheriff, but their faces paled when the voice behind the banging rang out. “Who’s in there? What’s going on in there?”

Evelyn Shirley.

Seth and Molly were startled by the intrusion, but grateful for the cool fall night. The heat their shenanigans generated granted a layer of privacy — foggy windows — allowing the flustered, and mildly embarrassed couple, to get themselves back in order. Seth turned the key to the ignition so he could let his down only a bit — hard to snap a picture that way.

“Ms. Shirley…” he said calmly

“I heard a scream. What on earth is goin’ on in there?” Evelyn asked while bobbing her head, trying to see around Seth. “I have the sheriff on speed dial, ya know!”

Seth cleared his throat and offered an eyeroll. “I don’t doubt that.”

“Who is that behind you!” Evelyn snapped in a pitchy tone. “Ms. Sexton? Oh, I should’ve known!”

Evelyn shined her cell phone flashlight in the window, blinding them both during her interrogation. “This is a good, wholesome family town. We attract a fine array of guests. Canoodling after dark in a parking lot like a couple horny teenagers doesn’t bode well around here! I suggest you find a more…discreet location for your…indiscretions!”

“Oh, it’s not what you think,” Molly chimed, eyes wide, knowing full well what was to come of this.

“It’s exactly what I think! Your buttons are crooked, dear!” Evelyn deadpanned, shaking her head as she walked away.

“Wait!” Molly hollered, gaining an are you crazy look from Seth.

Evelyn turned slowly and raised an eyebrow, waiting for what Molly had to say.

“Where were you just now?” Molly asked.

A look of shock and offense crossed the old woman’s face as if disgusted by such a personal question. “Well, that’s none of your business!”

Then she was gone.

Stunned, the couple sat in silence watching Evelyn Shirley’s taillights fade in the distance. That didn’t go as planned, but it wasn’t awful either.

Evelyn — one.

Seth and Molly — zero.