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  Ridge felt an odd sensation at the thought of her being his next door neighbor. “I guess you’ve taken her statement. You got a copy?”

  Chief Ramsey stepped to the desk, thumbed through the folder, and then handed a paper to Ridge. “Tizzy jogs every morning, and the cemetery is on her route.” Ramsey raised his brows and scrunched up his face. “And as crazy as it sounds, she sometimes stops and chats with some of the---er, residents. Today, she went through there at her usual time, about six, and that’s when she discovered the body. At first, she thought she was seeing things, but after taking a closer look, she recognized Marlene.”

  “She seems awfully calm for someone who found a corpse a few hours ago,”

  Ridge said, his blue eyes fixed, his voice stiff.

  “Tizzy thinks of the departed in a different way from you and me. Uh . . . she not only chats with them, sometimes, they . . . chat back,” Bubba said.

  Ridge snapped his head around. “You’re kidding, right?”

  Both Bubba and Earl Dean gave a silent wag of their heads.

  “So, you’re saying she actually talks to them and they talk to her? Well, case solved. Let’s get her to ask them who did it. Surely they witnessed something. I mean, what else are they doing other than lying around?” Ridge was unable to suppress his sarcasm.

  The door swung open, and Dan and Tizzy walked in. All three men turned to face them. Ridge tipped his hat. “I’m Texas Ranger Ridge Cooper. I understand you found the body.”

  Tizzy met his gaze with a slow flutter of her lashes and a sweet smile. “I know who you are, Trooper Cooper.” The Texas drawl flowed from her mouth like a lazy river. “Doesn’t take long for news to spread when a stranger arrives. I hope everything is satisfactory at Browning House. If there’s anything you need, please let me know.”

  She had the most beautiful eyes he’d ever seen, like dark chocolate. Her creamy skin was flawless. He instantly desired to touch her, and he imagined how it would feel to let his hands linger on her body.

  Dan’s voice brought him back to reality. “Earl, pass me my spit cup, would you?”

  Tizzy shot him a look and placed her hands on her hips. “Lord, Dan, I honestly don’t understand how Mandy can stand to kiss you after you chew that stuff all day.”

  “She chooses to focus on the many fine qualities I possess and not this one little bad habit. Take my word, she likes kissing me plenty.”

  Tizzy cocked her head to one side and rolled her eyes. “What fine qualities are we talking about exactly?”

  A slow grin curled his lips, and he nodded to emphasize each attribute. “Let’s see. I’m handsome, devoted, easy-going, passionate, a terrific father, wonderful husband, fantastic lover, and I work my butt off to rid the county of evil-doers. I’d say she’s pretty damn lucky to have me, chewing tobacco and all.”

  “I stand corrected,” she said, raising her hands in surrender.

  “Oh no you don’t,” Dan said. “You’re giving up too easy. What’s the deal?”

  “No deal,” Tizzy shrugged. “You made me realize, you’re right and I’m wrong. Besides, I gotta get back down to Sweet Thangs. The rush is about to start. Talk to you boys later.”

  Bubba struggled to open the door in time for her exit. “Tizzy, you know we’re not boys, we’re men.”

  She looked up at him and grinned. “Oh Bubba, you’re all little boys at heart. Your toys only get bigger.” She sashayed out the door.

  Bubba took a deep breath. “Damn, I can watch her leave all day.”

  “Watch it, Bubba,” Dan said.

  Ridge caught the door before it closed and followed, calling after her. “Say, Miss, I’m sorry, but I didn’t catch your last name.”

  Tizzy stopped, turned to face him, and propped her hip against her car. “Donovan, but just call me Tizzy, everyone does. Is there something I can help you with?”

  “Oh, oh well, Miss Don . . . Tizzy, I was thinking we could return to the crime scene and go over exactly what you did and what you saw. I realize you’ve given your statement, but sometimes you should go back and retrace everything. You remember more, once you’re over the initial shock. I’m guessing you knew the deceased personally. Can you tell me anything about her which might be helpful? Did she have any enemies? Maybe somebody who disliked her?”

  “Oh, she had people who didn’t like her. That’s for sure.”

  “Could you give me a list?” He struggled to keep his eyes from drifting down her body and tried to ignore the acceleration of his pulse.

  “Sure. There’s a local phone book in your bedside table. That’s your list.”

  Damn, he couldn’t figure this woman out. “You’re saying nobody in town liked her? Does that include you? I understand she owned the bank, a fact which would make her a prominent citizen.”

  Tizzy opened her car door and stood behind it. The open window framed her chest, breaking his concentration momentarily.

  She brushed some fine strands of her long dark hair behind her ear. “Marlene Weston was not a nice person. She wanted to control everything in her life and this town, and she thought because she owned the bank, she could. And for the most part, she did. People tolerated her, envied her, even feared her, but take my word, you’ll be hard pressed to find someone who actually liked her.”

  Tizzy’s tone caused Ridge to press for more information. “You didn’t answer the other part of my question. Did you dislike her?”

  She sat down in the car, nervously slid her hands up and down the steering wheel, then folded them in her lap. She looked up at him. “Once upon a time, I hated her, but that’s in the past. Did I like her? No. Did I dislike her? No. Am I glad she’s dead? No. Am I sorry she’s dead? No. Truthfully, I didn’t care one way or the other about Marlene Weston. As for going back to the scene of the crime, I’m not sure the cemetery is the crime scene. But I’ll be happy to meet you there later this afternoon.”

  Ridge was more confused than ever. Maybe she didn’t realize she could be a suspect. Most witnesses, in his experience, were guarded. Especially if they disliked the victim. And regardless of what she said, she disliked Marlene Weston. “Why do you think that’s not where she was killed?”

  She started to answer, but broke into a laugh. “Oh my Lord! I almost said ‘Because she wouldn’t be caught dead in that cemetery.’ But she was!” Now with her head thrown back, she laughed so hard she gasped for breath. “I’m sorry, Trooper Cooper. I’m not laughing about Marlene being murdered. I’m laughing at the absurdity of it. Her being found in a cemetery she wouldn’t set foot in.”

  Then in a calmer voice, she spoke quietly. “Apparently, someone had a sick sense of humor.”

  Placing his hand above the door of her car, he lowered his head. “Why is that? What did she have against the cemetery?”

  Tizzy leaned back to get a better view of his face, reached for the key, and turned the engine. “I don’t have time to go into it right now. But I promise, this afternoon I’ll tell you the whole Marlene Weston story.”

  He leaned in closer. “So she has a story?”

  “Oh come on, Trooper Cooper. In a small town, everyone has a story.”

  Ridge stood upright. “Miss Donovan, you understand I’m not a state trooper, don’t you? I’m a Texas Ranger.”

  She tilted her head a little and took her bottom lip between her teeth. “Yeah, I know. I’ll see you about three o’clock in the cemetery, Trooper Cooper,” she said, eyes dancing up at him.

  Ridge stared after her as she drove away. An unsettling sensation slid across his skin. He reminded himself that evil isn’t always ugly.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Tizzy parked across the street from Sweet Thangs, adjusted her rearview mirror and grabbed a tube of lipstick from her purse. She rubbed her lips together, spreading the shade Boogie Nights to get full coverage.

  She took a deep breath and tried to shake off the memory of Marlene’s lifeless body. She wasn’t sure what emotion she was feeling. Marlene’
s being dead didn’t make her less of a bitch, but Tizzy had never wished her dead. Well, in a fleeting moment, but not seriously.

  Distraction, she told herself, pressing her fingers to her temples to stop the headache beginning behind her eyes. That’s what she needed to shut down her feelings: She’d throw herself into work. She’d bake. She’d tend bar. She’d schedule extra days at the bank, and volunteer an additional evening at the clinic.

  She glanced one last time in the rearview mirror, straightened her shoulders, got out of the car, and headed into Sweet Thangs. Ready to apologize, she rushed into the kitchen. Her mother Pattiecake McAlister, and her Aunt Sugarpie Monroe, though in their fifties, were as saucy and sassy as when they were in high school. They would scold her in a heartbeat.

  “I’m sorry I’m late. I stopped at the station to offer Annie Mae’s baby-sitting services to Dan until Mandy delivers.” She took a deep breath. “Lord, I still can’t believe Marlene’s dead, much less murdered.”

  Pattiecake lifted her brows. “After all this time, bank president Carl Weston is back on the market. Right now, every available woman in the county is lining up outside Carl’s house with a casserole.”

  “Mama, that’s terrible,” Tizzy scolded, but still thinking how much better off Carl was. “Oh, by the way, while I was at the station, I met the Ranger who’s investigating the murder.”

  Rayann Harrison, Tizzy’s best friend and employee of Sweet Thangs, flipped her long blonde hair back. “What’s he like, old and big-bellied?”

  Tizzy widened her eyes and smiled. “Nope. He‘s thirtyish, tall, with broad shoulders and dark hair.” She hesitated, took a breath and spoke slowly. “He’s got these piercing blue eyes.” She took another breath, buying herself some time while trying to sound uninterested. “And looks like his face would break if he smiled.”

  Rayann raised her hands in praise. “Oh my Lord! You kinda like him.”

  “I do not,” Tizzy protested, adding some conviction to the denial.

  “Oh yes you do. That’s the same look you get when you’re about to go to Neiman’s shoe sale and we all know how you love Neiman’s shoe sales. You definitely like him. Ladies, can I get an amen from the kitchen?”

  Pattiecake and Sugarpie sang out in unison. “Amen.”

  “So, he’s gorgeous with piercing eyes?” Rayann asked.

  Their enthusiasm for the prospect of a new man in her life caused Tizzy to smile. “I’d say more rugged than gorgeous.”

  Sugarpie paused from slicing coconut pie. “Is he single?” Her voice elevated. “Girl, don’t say you don’t know, because we’ve taught you better than that.”

  “He wasn’t wearing a ring, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s single.” Tizzy donned her apron and tied the strings, filled the pockets with an order pad and pencil, then grabbed a stack of menus and started placing them on tables.

  “I’m meeting him at the cemetery this afternoon to go over my statement,” she said, trying to make the announcement sound like a daily routine.

  Sugarpie laughed, raising her voice another octave. “Whoa! Murder and an afternoon rendezvous. Sure sounds promising.”

  “Okay, enough already,” Tizzy said. “I’m not looking for romance, and I certainly wasn’t looking for murder.”

  Sugarpie eyed her sister. “You may not be looking for romance, but you need to be. Doesn’t she, Pattiecake? Gracie’s almost four. She needs a daddy, and whether you admit it or not, you need a man. Girl, you’re missing some of the best sex years of your life. Lor-dee, I remember sex at twenty-eight. What I’d give for a couple of weeks of that again. Wouldn’t you, Pattiecake?”

  “Speak for yourself, Sugarpie. My sex life is just fine.”

  “Get real, sis-tah, so is mine. For my age. I’m just saying I wouldn’t mind a little time travel back to that age. You remember how it was?” She closed and opened her eyes slowly, and stared dreamily into space. She placed her palm flat against her throat and spoke in whispered gasps. “You thought about it all day . . . you couldn’t wait for him to get home . . . the minute he stepped in the door, you were tearing at each other’s clothes . . . he couldn’t get to you quick enough . . . Whew! Damn! I think I need a glass of sweet tea,” she said fanning her face with both hands.

  They all broke into laughter. “I think we all need a glass of sweet tea after that,” Pattiecake said. “Tizzy, Sugarpie’s right. Gracie does need a daddy and believe it or not, I agree you need a man, too.”

  Tizzy stuck her chin out. “Okay, Mama, don’t start with me. Gracie has plenty of positive daddy figures in her life without me husband huntin’.” Tizzy frowned as she picked up the coffee pot and filled it with water. “I should have said the Ranger was old and big-bellied. For all we know, he has two ex-wives and six kids.”

  “You’re right, Tizzy. But you need to keep an open mind.” Pattiecake wiped her hands and began placing pieces of Italian Cream Cheese Cake onto china desert plates. “At your age, every single man you meet should be a consideration. Besides, this murder concerns me. Marlene was found at Boone’s grave, for heaven’s sake. If you had a man around, I wouldn’t worry so much.”

  Tizzy emptied coffee into the filter and flipped the switch. “Good Lord, Mama. I don’t think her murder has anything to do with me. Besides, the Ranger’s staying right next door, and that’s almost as good as having a man in the house. He’s just a scream away,” she teased.

  Rayann stuck her head into the kitchen. “Heads up, ladies. I think we’re gonna get to see for ourselves how the Ranger looks, because here he comes with Dwayne and Dan.”

  Tizzy positioned herself behind the counter, and folded napkins. Pretending to be unconcerned, she nervously studied her mom and Sugarpie from the corner of her eye. They made a beeline from the kitchen to the table where Ridge and Bubba were seated.

  Pattiecake stuck out her hand. “Hi, welcome to Sweet Thangs. I’m Pattiecake McAlister and this is my sister, Sugarpie Monroe.”

  “I’m her younger sister,” Sugarpie teased.

  “Yeah, yeah, you’re younger and you grew up and I grew out,” Pattiecake huffed.

  “It’s nice to meet both of you,” he said. “I appreciate the box of muffins you sent to Browning House.”

  Sugarpie glanced over her shoulder and smiled. “You need to thank Tizzy for those.”

  Tizzy caught Sugarpie’s eye, then called out to Dan. “Hey, Dan, come here a minute.”

  Dan waved her off as he spoke into his cell phone in a sweet tone. “Okay, baby. Okay, baby. Yes, baby. Okay, okay. I’ll be right home. I love you.” He walked to the table where Ridge and Bubba were seated. “I’m gonna have to run to the house a minute. It seems my four-year-old evil villain has been trying to kill my three-year-old island princess all morning, and apparently her magic wand is not powerful enough to stop him. Given Mandy’s delicate condition, she’s had all she can take.”

  He walked down to where Tizzy stood. “What’s up?”

  Tizzy lowered her voice. “Whattaya think about the Ranger?”

  “Yeah, I wanted to talk to you about him,” he said. “Privately.”

  Dan followed her into the supply closet and closed the door behind them. “Listen, a word of caution. Today, when you meet Cooper at the cemetery, be careful what you say. I’m not saying lie to him. Answer his questions. Just don’t say more than you need to.”

  His words of warning caused the hair on Tizzy’s arms start to rise. “What do you mean? Does he think I had something to do with this? That’s crazy. Why would I kill Marlene?”

  He placed his hand on her shoulder, trying to reassure her. “All I’m saying is, don’t answer questions that aren’t asked. Rangers are arrogant sons-of-bitches, so be careful. Besides, he’s a Yankee and there’s no way he thinks we’re anything but a bunch of hicks from the sticks. He already knows you and Marlene had a history from your conversation this morning. That alone gives him reason to consider you a possible suspect. Do you understand?”
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  Tizzy’s eyes misted a little. “Yes.”

  He wrapped his arms around her in a warm hug. “It’ll be okay. Now, I’m gonna hafta take you up on your offer. I’m gonna get the kids and take ’em to your house for Annie Mae to keep.” He reached for the door, then paused. “Do you want me to come to the cemetery?”

  “I don’t want him to think I have anything to hide, but now I’m worried. I never thought for a minute I would be a suspect. Maybe you should come.”

  He kissed her on the cheek. “I’ll meet you at the cemetery.”

  When Tizzy returned to the front counter, Rayann nudged her. “Here, deliver this order to Dwayne and the Ranger. I’m gonna watch to see if I pick up on anything.” She nudged her again. “Go on now, and strut a little bit. Give ’em something to think about, as if your Texas Ta Tas weren’t already enough.”

  Tizzy nudged back and spoke through clenched teeth. “All right, already, I’m going.” When she approached the table, she heard Bubba explaining.

  “Dan’s tough as nails when it comes to the law. But when it comes to Mandy, he’s like butter.”

  Tizzy set the plates down. “One of these days, Bubba, you’re gonna find a woman who melts you like butter.” She glanced over her shoulder toward Rayann.

  He jutted out his chin. “Maybe I’ve already found her. Have you thought about that?”

  Tizzy rested the palms of her hands on the table and leaned forward. “I’m talking about a real woman, not one off www.hotcrotches.com,” she said. “You boys enjoy your sweet thangs.” She swept off before Bubba could get a word out.

  He shook his head in disgust. “Damn woman! She knows those boobs drive me crazy.”

  “I noticed a child’s seat in her car this morning, but no wedding ring. So I guess she’s divorced?” Ridge asked.

  Bubba shook his head. “Naw. Widowed. Her husband Boone got killed in Iraq. He’d only been there three weeks.”