A Deadly Bouquet by Janis Harrison

my own front porch. But curiosity has always been my downfall. I gave in as gracefully as an independent woman could.
    â€œThis better be good,” I said, plopping down. I put four feet of porch between us. “And for the record, I didn’t know there was a score to even.”
    Bailey, having gotten his way, relaxed and stretched his long legs out in front of him. He folded his arms across his chest. “Your mother’s name was Lillie McGinness. Your father is Albert. He left you and your mother when you were eight years old. It wasn’t until last Christmas that you renewed your relationship with him. You were brought up on a farm near a small town called Woodgrove. You never had children, but you were married for twenty-four years to Carl Solomon. He has a brother and a mother in Nashville, but you never see them. You own your own business—a flower shop. You have many friends, one of whom is the current sheriff of Spencer County. Sidney Hancock doesn’t miss a chance to belittle your talents for meddling, but I think he has a high regard for you.”
    He cocked an eyebrow at me. “Shall I go on?”
    Because of Bailey’s career, I didn’t question how he’d gotten this itemized account, but the why made me glare. “You forgot my weight and IQ.”
    Bailey chuckled. “I have it on good authority that I’d better not mention the former. As to the latter, I know from past experience that you’re damned smart.”
    â€œAm I supposed to be impressed that you’ve taken the time to look into my background? Don’t expect me to swoon from the attention. Frankly, it’s an invasion of my privacy, and I don’t like it.”
    â€œAh, but that’s where evening the score comes in. I know all these details about you. I’m ready to bring you up to speed on me.”
    To say I was interested was an understatement, but I played it cool. “I’m sure you’ve led a fabulous life.”
    Laughter rumbled in Bailey’s throat. “Subtlety is definitely your style. You’re a clever woman. I admire that.” His tone grew serious. “I’m too impatient to fool with some convoluted male/female flirtation. I’m laying it on the line. I’m attracted to you. I came specifically to River City with you in mind. We had the beginnings of something special in Branson, but my job called me away. That part of my life is finished now. I’m ready to begin another.”
    His words made my skin prickle with excitement. What was he proposing? My pulse raced. He was free. I was free. We were of an age to do as we wished, and yet my upbringing reared its fundamentally moralistic head.
    I couldn’t leap into bed with this … this stranger, no matter how handsome and intriguing he was. Besides, I had all those ugly stretch marks that crisscrossed my body like a road map. Before I disrobed, I had to make sure the man I was with wouldn’t take one look and run screaming from the room. My ego couldn’t take such a beating. Neither could my heart.
    But I was getting ahead of myself. Bailey had merely said he was attracted to me. “Just what are you suggesting?” I asked.
    â€œHow about a date? We can go to whatever restaurant you like. Or you can come to the cottage for dinner. I’m a good cook, though not too fancy. When my wife died, I had to learn my limitations the hard way.”
    â€œAnd this would be your first wife?”
    Bailey smiled. “My one and only wife. That line I fed you in Branson about having three spouses was part of the plan to get information from you.”
    â€œAs I remember, it didn’t work particularly well.”
    â€œDepends on how you view the outcome. I’m here, and so are you. Dinner tonight? Say six thirty?”
    He was rushing me. I wasn’t sure how to take this sudden bout of honesty. I was suspicious, and my guard was up. Maybe everything he