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it,” Stella yelled after her.
    Mavis slammed her office door.

Chapter Six
    Mavis stayed at her trailer most of the next day cleaning up the mess. It almost appeared normal again after hours of scrubbing, scraping, uprighting, and sweeping. That was, except for the rips in her mattress and love seat. She didn’t own a lot of stuff, so the insurance company had said they should be able to process her claim fairly quickly. Although she wasn’t sure what time frame “fairly” encompassed.
    Six o’clock approached, and the time came to bite the bullet and head over to Weston’s. She rocked back and forth on the balls of her feet, thinking about having to face him again. Why hadn’t she asked Stella to do the inspection?
    She twirled a section of her hair around her finger. Because she wanted to see him again, that was why. What’s wrong with me? I want to be near him — feel his presence. His energy is like a magnet drawing me to him. But I can’t start something with this man, or any man. She chewed on her cuticle . Mom, if you’re somewhere out there listening, help me. Tell me what I’m supposed to do when what I want is in direct contradiction with what I know I can have.
    A shriek brought her nervous rocking to a halt. “Oh no… I’m so sorry, Moose. I didn’t see your tail.”
    The cat glared at her, settling down on the back of the love seat, flitting her tail back and forth. Mavis reached out to stroke Moose and met with a low growl. “I said I was sorry. Good heavens, Moose, I have some troubles of my own. For one, I can’t seem to get my feet to take me out that door.” Moose watched her every movement. “Fine, I’ll leave and give you time to get over the accident, and it was an accident.”
    She shook out a few treats from the bag on the end table, laid them in front of her, and was rewarded with a purr. “Flaky cat.” Mavis scratched Moose’s ears. “I am a professional and have a job to do. This is all business, and I can keep it platonic.”
    She rolled her neck in a circle and bounced on her toes, acting like she was preparing to go into a boxing ring. Moose hissed. “Too soon, huh?” Moose curled her tail around her body. “You have trust issues.” She would swear the cat’s eyes were telling her: ‘and you’re a coward’.
    Mavis blew out an unsteady breath. “Alright, feet, let’s go.”
    ****
    A nice beige, brick ranch-style house came into view. Mavis checked the address. This is it, and on a quiet cul-de-sac… well done, Detective . The rescue van bumped the curb and she slammed on the brakes. Whoops. Guess I should look where I’m going .
    Putting it in reverse, she straightened out and parked next to the curb, turning the key in the ignition to shut off the engine. Her head turned to study the place out of her window. Nice digs for a cop. She stepped out and leaned against her closed door . The large front yard was shaded with oak trees, maples, and dogwoods. She appreciated the simple but attractive landscaping and loved the hostas, azaleas, and liriope outlining the house. The lawn was perfectly manicured and edged around the driveway and sidewalk, and she imagined him on his hands and knees with a pair of scissors. A smile slid across her face at the thought. A privacy fence screened the back yard from her view. Great, a point in his favor — two considering the road is absent of traffic.
    Convincing her feet to move forward, she crossed the street and shuffled up the sidewalk. She stared, unmoving, at his front door for what felt like a millennium, before lifting her fist. Then she froze. Her stomach lurched. She swallowed and blew out a calming breath. Okay, Mavis, this is business. You can do it.
    She knocked on his door.
    He answered in a pair of low-slung, well-worn jeans, a blue T-shirt that made his eye color pop, and bare feet.