AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Deb, make Victoria Montana an admin on your business accounts, please.” Wiz lifted her tablet. “I’ll check the comments and block the trolls.” Her lips lifted in a tiny smile. “Then I’ll troll them back.”
“You have social media accounts?” Deb was astounded the extremely private woman would have accounts, let alone post anything.
Wiz swiped at her tablet, and showed them a profile picture of a horse. “Only for research. We don’t accept personal friend requests or post anything but generic pictures of Montana life, like horses, cows and saddles.”
Deb brought up her business manager app and accepted Wiz’s request for access. “Done.” She clicked on one of Wiz’s profiles. “Wiz, you have more than three hundred thousand followers on Instagram!”
She shrugged. “Pretty pictures of Montana plus lots of fake followers. Our account is set to automatically follow back and block certain kinds of comments. I don’t post anything but the pictures and hashtags, and I never respond to comments or direct messages. But I’ll repost your video and see what kind of traction we get.”
“Wow. Thanks. That’s a wonderful offer.” Deb couldn’t get luckier.
“Just like you said. If we hide in the dark, they win.” Wiz rose and walked to the door. “And there’s enough evil in the world. I’ll do my part to bring the light.” The door shut behind her.
Erin leaned her shoulder against Deb’s. “She’s made huge progress, but still has trouble showing her emotions.”
Deb put an arm around Erin. “Don’t we all? And speaking of that, thanks so much for putting together the fund raiser. I’m so lucky to have you as a friend.”
Erin hugged her back. “Nah, I’m the lucky one. Besides, you’re right. If we work together, we can drive these people away.” She let go and stood. “Despite my desire for a girl’s day, you have a cake to bake, and I have a business to run. Ryan’s holding down the coffee shop with a little help from some heavily armed friends, but I need to get back.” She opened the door. “Hang in there.” The door closed with a thump.
Erin was right. Deb would love to stay on the couch, but she had an enormous cake to bake and decorate. And if she didn’t have all the ingredients, someone one would have to go get them, so the sooner she took inventory, the better. She got up, washed her coffee mug, and grabbed her already-packed bag. Funny how quickly she’d adapted to the “ready to run” lifestyle. She checked her cell phone for messages then left the guest house, almost jogging to Wiz’s mansion.
In the kitchen, she immersed herself in work, her tension releasing the longer she worked with flour, sugar and eggs, the scent of vanilla calming her. After putting the layers into Wiz’s double ovens, she pulled up her Instagram account and gasped. Her followers had doubled, and people were sharing her video like crazy, the numbers rolling up as she watched.
The door to the second floor opened, letting Tom and Wiz out. “Deb, have you seen the response?”
She shook her head. “I can’t believe it. These are crazy numbers.”
Tom grinned. “The fundraiser is even better, and we have graphic artists offering more designs.”
“It’s stunning.” Deb put a hand over her heart. “I can’t thank you both enough.”
“Just keep me in cupcakes, and I’m a happy man.” Tom put an arm around Wiz, leading her toward the front door. “I’ll be back this evening. Let me know if you need anything.”
“Be careful.” Wiz reached up to Tom.
Deb looked away. She didn’t need to see the happy couple kissing; jealousy wasn’t pretty. She’d plan a return to her bakery instead. Staying at Wiz and Tom’s wasn’t a long-term solution.
The back door opened, and Michael strode inside with his backpack and weapons. He passed her without a glance. “Hey Tom, can you give me a ride down the hill? Nic’s coming to pick me up, and there’s no sense in him coming up here if I can meet him at the highway.”
Tom let Wiz go. “Sure. What’s up?”
“Nic’s been working a big job by himself and the timeline is getting tight. He needs help, whether he’s willing to admit it or not. Deb is safe here, so there’s no reason to stay, right?” He held the big black rifle out to Wiz. “Thanks for this. Really saved our bacon.”
Wiz raised her hands and stepped back. “Keep it and the nine-mil. You might need them. You’re a target, too.”
Michael slung the rifle over his shoulder and walked to the front door. “When Deb insists on going back to her bakery, let me know. I’ll help out however I can.”
Tom quirked a brow at him. “She’s right there, tell her yourself.”
Michael spun. “Sorry, didn’t see you. Let me know.” He entered the mudroom, letting the door shut.
Tom shrugged, kissed Wiz and followed him. Wiz did something on her tablet, then joined Deb in the kitchen. “I’m not always great at interpreting people, but that was weird, right?”
Deb nodded. “Yeah. Very strange.” Even for a guy who ran hot and cold, that was odd.
“Tom will get it out of him. He’s good with people.” Wiz paged through her tablet. “Interesting. Sam says the FBI came to visit her about your video. Now they’re visiting other main street businesses while wearing suits that just scream ‘junior FBI’ and handing out cards like Halloween candy.”
“Not Trevor Mills, I hope?” Sam didn’t need her jerk of an ex showing up after ghosting her so badly. He’d come back a couple of times, and stayed just long enough to reel Sam in and then leave her heartbroken again. It’d had been a few years since his last visit, but never would be too soon.
