Page 28 of Finding Forever
It was time to buy a barbecue grill.
twenty-one
ERIC
Flames leaped around the meat on the grill. I turned another sausage and prodded the steak. So far, so good. I hadn’t burned down the veranda or filled the cottage with smoke.
Sherlock had taken up guard dog duties beside the picnic chairs. Whether that was to stop anyone from burning themselves or to be first in line for the food, I wasn’t sure.
“Here’s a bowl for the onions.” Alex left the dish on the table. “What do you think of your new barbecue grill?”
“It’s better than the one Dad used to have.”
Alex grinned. “I hope so. You won’t need to order takeout ever again.”
Riley walked around the edge of the cottage. “Who’s eating takeout?”
I sighed. I didn’t think I’d ever get used to the way my heart pounded whenever I saw him.
“Not Eric,” Alex said quickly. “From now on, this is a takeout-free zone. I can’t believe he’s never owned a barbecue grill.”
“Eric isn’t the only one.” Riley grinned at Alex. “I probably had barbecued food three times while I was in Europe.”
“I’m surrounded by philistines,” Alex groaned. “You can’t be in your thirties and not have burned at least one sausage.”
I waved the metal tongs over the meat. “I refuse to burn the first meal I’ve cooked on the grill.”
Riley placed a bowl of salad on the table and opened the bottle of wine he’d brought. “I’m pleased to hear it. Thanks for inviting me over. I should have finished painting an hour ago.”
Alex handed Riley a wineglass. “I hope you don’t mind the snooping we did to find out who you are.”
“It happens all the time. That’s why I don’t have any personal social media accounts.” He filled Alex’s glass, then looked for mine.
“Not for me.” I cleared my throat. Now was as good a time as any to tell Alex and Riley the other reason they were here. “I need to tell you both something.”
Alex groaned. “You’re putting us in your book, aren’t you?”
“I wish it was that simple. A few days ago, I told Riley that someone has been stalking me. I moved to Sunrise Bay, hoping he’d lose interest and go away. He hasn’t.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Alex asked. “I might have been able to help.”
“The police are doing all they can. What Riley doesn’t know is that a couple of days ago, the stalker recreated a murder scene from my first book. No one was hurt, but the police are worried the stalker will eventually kill someone.”
Riley sat on the edge of a chair. “Are the police any closer to knowing who he is?”
“Not yet.”
Alex frowned. “Why would he recreate a murder scene from your book?”
“I have no idea. Maybe he’s living his life through my characters. If the police don’t find any new leads, I’m hiring a bodyguard.”
“I know some people who might be able to help,” Alex muttered.
My eyes widened. “You do?”
“I work with people who use high-level personal protection services. If the police aren’t able to find the stalker, let me know. I’ll call a company I’ve worked with in the past.”
Riley sighed. “And I thought my life was complicated. Can I do anything to help?”