Page 19 of A Perfect Target

She cried for several long minutes and then finally stopped. Still, she remained in his arms for a bit longer and then sat back from him.

“I’m so sorry, and I’m so embarrassed,” she finally said as she swiped the last of her tears off her cheeks.

“Don’t be, there’s nothing for you to be embarrassed about,” he replied.

“Just so you know, in normal life, I’m not a weepy kind of woman.”

“Suzanna, this isn’t even close to normal life and so don’t beat yourself up about crying. You suffered a tremendous shock this morning, so give yourself a break.”

“Okay,” she replied and released a tremulous sigh. She closed her eyes for a moment and then looked at him once again. “You know what’s so terrifying about these murders?”

“What’s that?” he asked. Her scent was still redolent in the air, a fragrance that would have stirred him under different circumstances.

“I’ve said it before. The Scarecrow Killer has to be somebody we all know. He lives here…he works here. He’s somebody’s neighbor or friend. Millsville is a small town, and yet he’s managed to remain hidden among us. That’s what’s so horrifying to me.”

“That’s got to be terrifying to everyone,” he replied. “I imagine you have neighbors suspecting neighbors and family members suspecting each other among other things.”

She nodded. “This makes his fourth victim, and so far, as far as anyone knows, the police still don’t have any clues.”

“Well let’s hope they can get some new clues today that will help them catch this creep,” he replied. He picked up his coffee cup and took a drink.

“Let’s talk about something else now,” she said with another sigh. “We need to talk about something more pleasant.”

“That sounds like a good idea to me. I noticed your pictures on the wall. I’m assuming those are all students with you?”

He got the reaction he was hoping for—her eyes seemed to brighten and a small smile curved her lips. “Yes, most of the photos of them were taken last year on field day when we were all outside and playing games.”

“When is field day?” he asked, just wanting to keep her talking about pleasant things…about things he knew she loved.

“It’s around the first of May…a couple of weeks before school’s end. I hope you’ll be there. It’s a day when all of the parents are invited.”

“Then I’ll definitely be there,” he replied. “Do you give out ribbons or awards?”

“Ribbons, although they have to be earned. I’m not a teacher who believes everyone gets a ribbon just for showing up.”

“Ah, so you’re a tough nut,” he teased.

“Actually, everyone goes home with a participation award,” she admitted. “It’s a nice printed piece of paper, but the ribbons are a different matter.”

“So you are a bit of a softie after all,” he replied and was awarded with her small burst of laughter.

“Last year when I went to field day for Sammy at his old school, my son and I killed it in the three-legged race. We were all set up to go in for the win until I tangled up in my own feet and we fell within a foot of the finish line, and another team beat us.”

She laughed again, and he enjoyed the pleasant sound. “Those three-legged races can be such fun to watch. I love to see the students and parents working together.”

“I imagine it’s mostly mothers who show up,” he replied.

“It is usually mothers. Then there are the students who have nobody show up for them. My heart always breaks a little bit for them.”

“I’ll be glad to step in and be a substitute dad to whoever needs one on that day,” Seth replied.

She gazed at him warmly. “You’re a very nice man, Seth Daniels.”

Oh, he could easily fall into the beautiful blue depths of her eyes. “I try to be.”

For a long moment their gazes remained locked, and desire for her fired through him. The moment ended with her clearing her throat and picking up her coffee mug.

He stayed with her until it was time for him to head to the bus stop to get Sammy. They had shared a lunch of sandwiches, and he was grateful to see that she seemed to be in a much better frame of mind as the day had gone on.