“I can’t believe he did that. He hates me.” I thought back to our conversation in the jail. Mr. Deveraux had told me he felt guilty for being hateful. And I had to admit he wasn’t very hateful during our talk.

Joe squinted. “Why do you say he hates you? I thought the defense attorney disliked you.”

“They both do. But Mr. Deveraux hates me because I ran into him. Literally. Twice. He wasn’t happy either time.”

Furrowing his brow, Joe tucked a stray hair behind my ear. “He sure didn’t act like he hated you while pleadin’ your case.”

I couldn’t help wondering if we were talking about the same man. “Well, it was probably because he felt guilty. I went to see him yesterday after I called you. I was goin’ to tell him everything, hopin’ that he would believe me, but just as I was headed into his office, he was comin’ out and we ran into each other. He was in a foul mood to begin with, and I was the last straw. He let loose on me. Needless to say, I gave him a piece of my mind and left.”

Joe chuckled. “I would have liked to have seen that. And you’re correct. He’s an uptight guy. Must be from that fancy East Coast schooling.”

“When he came to visit me in jail, he told me he felt bad that he’d yelled at me. He asked me if I’d visited Frank’s house because of him, because he’d been so hateful, not giving me a chance to tell him what I’d come to say. Anyway, when he left the jail, he told me he was goin’ to get me out.”

“He did his part to get you out, and then some. I had to attest to your character, but Deveraux convinced the judge you had an over-heightened sense of justice.”

My eyes widened. “Oh, Lordy! You didn’t tell him about my visions, did you?”

He reached up and kissed me lightly. “No, Rose. It’s not my place to tell. While I wish you’d learn to trust people more, I understand why you don’t. I hope I can help you think differently.”

I doubted that day would ever come, but didn’t feel like tackling the subject at the moment. “So you’re really not mad at me?”

“I didn’t say that. I was too scared to be mad. Neely Kate needs to give better explanations of what’s goin’ on.”

I couldn’t believe she had called Joe. How had she gotten his number? I suspected Neely Kate knew exactly what she was doing with her cryptic message. “Violet really never called you?”

His voice hardened. “No.”

“What about Deanna? The attorney?”

“She showed up at the jail, but left after she realized Deveraux and I had it covered.”

I stroked his cheek with my fingertips. “I’m sorry about Violet. If it makes you feel any better, I don’t think it’s you. I think it’s where you live and the fact I might move to Little Rock with you.”

His grin lit up his face. “You told her you might move up to Little Rock?”

“No in so many words, but she’s pretty intuitive and probably figured out that I was considerin’ it.”

“So you’re considering it?”

“Yeah.” I placed a light kiss on his lips. “I love you, Joe, and I hate it when you’re gone. I’m lonely without you.”

Joe spent the rest of the night demonstrating how unlonely I’d be if he were around all the time.

The next morning, Joe stood in front of the stove making crepes while I cut up strawberries at the sink, sneaking glances at him. “I miss Muffy. I want to go get her from Violet.”

Joe’s shoulders tensed. “I don’t understand why you weren’t bringin’ her to Little Rock in the first place. You know I love that little dog.”

I shrugged with a sigh. “Violet convinced me it would give the two of us more time if we didn’t have to worry about taking care of Muffy.”

Joe narrowed his eyes, making it obvious he didn’t believe that explanation.

“What’s done is done. I miss my dog.”

He planted a kiss on my forehead. “I miss her too. Let’s go get her after breakfast. And then we can finish painting the back bedroom.”

With all the excitement of the last couple of days, I’d forgotten about the half-painted room. “You don’t have to help me paint, Joe. I can paint next week after you’re gone.”

He shook his head. “I like to paint, and I want to help you. Besides, it’s almost done. It won’t take long.”

I relented, only because he convinced me he really liked to paint. Plus it reminded me of him offering to give me a few pointers when I painted the living room after Momma’s murder. But it also reminded me that Violet had burst in and tried to ruin what I had with Joe then too, even if it had just been friendship at that point. Joe was the most wonderful thing that had ever happened to me. I wasn’t going to let her stand in the way of my happiness, and I sure wasn’t going to let her run Joe off.

I marched over to the phone.

Joe turned around, surprised. “What are you doin’?”

“I’m calling Violet and telling her I’m coming to get Muffy after breakfast.”

He raised his eyebrows and turned back to his skillet.

The phone rang four times before Mike picked up. “Hi, Rose.”

“Hey, Mike.” He caught me off guard. Mike hated to talk on the phone and never answered. Violet had to be spitting mad to convince Mike to pick up.

“I heard about your ordeal.”