Wright In Danger

Chapter Twelve

Loraine and June stayed for another hour. When they got up from their seats, the look on Beau's feet almost had Loraine sitting back down. Almost. She knew he still had plenty of work to do in finding Allison's kidnapper and there was no need for her to hold him up any longer from it. "Thank you for taking care of the threat so quickly. I feel better knowing that it's in the right hands now." Beau went to open the door. "No threat will ever go ignored. You have my word. I'll contact you as soon as I get word on prints." 

Nodding, June walked out the door before her with Rosalie on her heels. "I don't know how the kidnapper thinks I'm going to pose a problem." His mind was stuck on how they hadn't been noticed lurking in the neighborhood. Or was it that they had been able to blend in that easily? "They could have done this rather to make sure you wouldn't be." Crossing her arms, she contemplated that. "I hadn't thought about it from that perspective." He didn't expect her to have when she had been shaken from receiving it in the first place.

"What are you and June going to spend the rest of the day doing?" He was asking because he wanted to know that she had something to do to keep distracted. It wasn't healthy to let the kidnappers threat ruminate in her mind. Her answering smile was a flicker. "Since I'm staying with her for the night. We'll swing by my place so I can get my things. Maybe there's something around her house that needs tending to. I'll find something to keep my mind occupied." She sounded more determined than assured. He knew one thing that would take her mind off it. "Let me take you to dinner."

 Brows rising, she was speechless a moment. It made him wonder if he'd been too forward. "I...uh. What I mean to say is. Yes. I would very much like to have dinner with you, Beau." Relief swept through him. "Excellent. Does seven work for you?" Watching the blush come into her cheeks, he was looking forward to their time together. "It does. I'll see you then." Walking her to the door, June had a curious expression on her face. Beau knew she wouldn't ask until they were out the door. Girl talk.

June nudged her. "What's got you blushing so hard?" And why is Beau looking so pleased with himself?" Was he? Loraine wondered. Making their way down the steps, she didn't reply until they were back at the car. "Beau asked me out to dinner tonight." June stared at her over the hood of the car. "A date with Beau. The smile makes sense now. Do you know what you're wearing?" She shook her head as she opened the door. Climbing in, she reached for her belt. "If you want, you can help me pick something out while I pack." June had the better hand at dressing to impress, so trusting her in this came easy.

Walking through her door, she had to stand still a moment and just look around. Beau was of the firm belief that the kidnapper had left the threat. The knowledge that they had been on her property made her shiver. "Hey. Let's find you something to wear tonight," June said at her back. She was grateful June had been able to see into her thoughts so well right then and redirect her attention. Making their way into her room she went to the closet. Getting down her bag, she placed it on the bed. 

June was already rooting through her clothes. Leaving her too it, she went to get her things from the bathroom before picking out a pair of pajamas. Opening a drawer, June let out an excited squeak. "This one." Turning her head, she looked up to see the little black dress. "I don't know. It seems kind of...cliche." June made a face. "It's fine. Especially for a first date. You even have the perfect pair of heels to go with it." Bending down, she picked up one of the only two pairs of heels she owned. They were black and low heeled. "Don't I have something flirty and light?" 

Not even looking back in the closet she set the dress and shoes in the bag. So much for options. "You're going to look great. I even have just the right hairstyle in mind." Reaching up a hand she twirled it around her finger. She couldn't remember the last time she'd had anything done with it. June could have her way with it, as long as she allowed for tweaks to happen. Placing the pajamas in as well, she zipped it up. "Ready to go."

June lived in a much smaller house. It had an artsy vibe to it. Plenty of portraits adorned the walls. She made Loraine think of Lina in a way with all the colors as well. Walking into the guest bedroom, she placed the bag on the bed. June leaned in the threshold. "So what shall we do to keep ourselves occupied until your date?" Turning, she threw out her arms. "Your guess is as good as mine. Anything you started that needs to be completed?" A person could never go wrong with a project. "Hmm. I did have some flowers I haven't got around to planting. Also have some weeds that need to be pulled."

As long as it kept her mind off of the the kidnapper, she was all for both. Hanging up her dress, she followed June out to the backyard. The little fountain in the middle had birds playing in it. there were a few bees and a couple of butterflies. It was all so...comfortable. Loraine realized her own backyard looked sad in comparison. She vowed right then she would get to making more of it come next spring. The new flowers were next to the garage. June wiggled her fingers before picking some up. 

Planting was one thing and pulling weeds an entirely different. Loraine's hands were sore and she didn't especially like all the ants and spiders she kept eyeing. Looking over at June, she was in her element. Even humming as she went. Sighing, she flexed her hands as she went back to it. She didn't want to be completely exhausted by the time she needed to get ready. It would make for an awful time. Beau might even regret having asked her out. No. Thinking like this was not allowed. They would have a good time on their date and she would ignore any aches or pains.

"What other plans do you have for the yard?" She really was curious. June seemed to have a knack for finding just the right touch. Perhaps she'd be interesting in helping a sister out when next spring came around. "I'm thinking a trellis. I've always wanted roses. They're so fragrant and beautiful. I also want to put in a cobblestone path. Then someday, I'll have my own little pond with fish and turtles." Loraine couldn't help but think the phrase, dream big or don't dream at all, really applied to her sister.

They continued to talk about their homes while they worked. When it came time to wrap it up, Loraine was more than glad to be done. Her hands and back were done. Accepting June's assist to her feet, she cracked her back as she let out a hard sigh. "Girl if you want to see all your plans to fruition you need to get with the fact it takes a lot of work. I mean. You could hire someone but that takes away from the end result, really. You head in and get in the shower and I'll take care of putting things to right out here."

Walking back inside, she headed straight for the bathroom. Shutting the door behind her, she turned to look at her reflection. Grimacing, there was dirt streaked across her face and even some in her hair, which was a disaster. A good hard scrubbing would put it to rights. Peeling her clothes off she chucked them into the corner. If June was doing a load tonight, she'd ask her to toss them in. Turning the water on, she waited while it got hot. Stepping under, it felt wonderful on her sore muscles. Maybe she shouldn't have been so eager to help.

She didn't come out of the shower until her fingers pruned and she was sure she'd got every bit of dirt off her. Wrapping up in a thick towel, she made her way back into the bedroom. June popped her head in. "Get the dress on. I'm taking a quick shower myself and we'll get to your hair and make up. Did you want to do a neutral look or maybe smokey?" She was really getting into this. "I don't think I've ever gone with the smokey. I think you could really knock it out." Beaming, she scrunched her nose. "You're going to look sensational."