Page 8 of June's First Murder
"That would be fabulous! We’ll be ready to drop by then!"
He walked away with a grin on his face, and Sara Lee couldn't stop smiling as she returned to the booth. Barb raised her eyebrows but mercifully said nothing as she handed Sara Lee a cup to fill.
The festival continued with the sounds of music, laughter, and children's voices. But Raymond continued to move through it like a shadow, spreading discomfort wherever he went. Sara Lee watched him argue with Bob near the lumberyard's booth. The only words she caught were something about money and old debts. Bob's face went red with anger, his fists clenched, but his son, Bill, pulled him away before anything escalated.
Around four o'clock, Raymond approached Barb's coffee booth. Sara Lee smelled him before she saw him… bourbon and sweat and something sour.
"Coffee," he demanded, not asked. His words slurred together.
"Coming right up," Barb said with professional politeness, though Sara Lee saw her jaw tighten.
Raymond leaned against the table, his eyes unfocused. "You're a pretty thing," he said to Barb. "Bet you get lots of attention."
"Sir, here’s your coffee." Barb set the cup down firmly.
"How about you give me your number with that coffee?" His grin was sloppy.
"No, thank you." Barb's voice stayed polite, but Sara Lee could see her discomfort.
"Come on, sweetheart. Don't be like that." Raymond reached across the table, his hand going for Barb's wrist.
Barb jerked back. "Don't touch me."
"I was just being friendly?—"
"The lady said no." Deputy Tom Parsons appeared seemingly from nowhere, his hand resting meaningfully on his belt near his handcuffs. His usually friendly face was set in hard lines. "Move along, Mr. Melton."
Raymond's expression turned ugly. "You threatening me, deputy?"
"I'm suggesting you get your coffee and go. Now."
For a moment, Sara Lee’s breath caught in her lungs, expecting that Raymond might escalate the confrontation. Then he grabbed his coffee, sloshing some over the rim, and stalked away muttering something crude under his breath.
"Thank you," Barb said quietly to Tom.
"Anytime." His expression softened when he looked at her. "You okay?"
"I'm fine. Just... what a nasty man."
Tom lingered a moment longer, clearly wanting to say something more. Then he just offered a chin lift before duty called him away. Barb watched him go, a small smile playing at her lips.
"Well," Sara Lee said. "That was… interesting."
"He asked me out earlier today," Barb admitted, then rushed, "Tom, I mean. Not that horrible man."
"And?"
"And I said yes. We're going to dinner Saturday." Barb's smile widened.
"You know he’s been sweet on you since high school. You’ve just never seemed to notice before."
Barb blushed. “Better late than never,” she quipped, grinning.
Sara Lee hugged her friend, genuinely happy. Today might have Raymond darkening it, but good things were happening too. Carl had asked her out. Tom and Barb were finally going on a long-anticipated date. The festival was beautiful, and it seemed most people enjoyed celebrating their lovely town and the start of summer.
4
JUNE
