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“Suzanna, I told you before, there’s no rhyme or reason for where he leaves his scarecrows. He doesn’t target people based on that, so get that idea right out of your head. I just can’t imagine anyone wanting to harm you, let alone kill you,” he replied.

“I don’t know what to think, but let me tell you, it felt very personal when that car kept hitting mine.”

“Speaking of cars, is yours in the shop? I noticed there was a different one in your driveway.”

She nodded. “Mine is at O’Brian’s Garage waiting for the insurance adjustor to check it out. But Jim Nichols, one of the mechanics there, told me he thought it would be totaled.”

“Then it sounds like you’re lucky that you walked away from it,” he said.

“I was incredibly lucky,” she agreed.

“When are you going back to work?”

“Tomorrow. I would have gone in today, but I had to deal with all the car issues, like having mine towed and arranging for the rental. I hated to get a substitute for the class. They already had a disruption in having to be in Boone’s class for a week.”

“You need to take care of you,” he replied in a chiding tone. “Suzanna, it’s obvious you’re very sore today from the wreck.”

“I am,” she admitted. “And I’m pretty exhausted. It was a very late night by the time I finally got home.”

“Then let me just get out of here so you can nap,” Seth replied. He stood and downed the last of his coffee in two quick swallows.

She flashed him a grateful smile and also got up from her chair. “Thank you for stopping by, Seth,” she said as they walked to the front door.

“The minute I heard that you’d been in a wreck I had to come by and see for myself that you were okay,” he replied. He turned back to face her. “Call me if you need anything…anything at all.”

“Thanks again, Seth,” she replied. “And I’ll see you Saturday for the birthday party.”

With that, he turned and headed back to his car. As he drove home, his thoughts were on the wreck she’d had. Surely it had truly been some sort of freak accident…a run-in with a drunk and not an attempted murder situation.

Suzanna was loved and respected in the small town, and he just couldn’t imagine anyone who would want her dead. Some drunk driver, he thought again. Even though he hadn’t been in town long, he’d already heard the rumors about some of the drunks.

From what he’d heard, Burt Ramsey was a handyman who liked his liquor and lived at the town motel. Carl Winters and Effron Thomas were two more men who were drunks and often drove their cars home from the bar no matter what condition they were in. Seth had overheard several men in the feed store talking about how if any of those men were on the road, then best beware and give them a wide berth.

He didn’t talk to Suzanna for the rest of the week, although he thought about her often. On Saturday morning, he got up extra early to start the preparations for the birthday party. He knew Sammy would be up early on this special day.

Not only did he have pizza being delivered later in the day, he had also rented a bouncy house for the kids to enjoy. It was already set up in the backyard, although Sammy hadn’t seen it yet. He’d made sure the bouncy house had arrived the night before, long after Sammy had fallen asleep.

He’d picked up the birthday cake the day before and now set it in the center of the decorated table. The cake was a masterpiece with different breeds of smiling dogs as decoration. Harper at the Sweet Tooth Bakery had absolutely nailed the cake for a little boy who loved dogs.

He hung streamers, blew up balloons and did everything he could to make it a great party atmosphere for his son. He wanted Sammy to enjoy his day, and he had a feeling Sammy would be a very happy little boy before the day was done.

Once Sammy woke up, he danced around the kitchen with excitement. Excitement of a different kind whirled around inside Seth. He was definitely looking forward to spending more time with Suzanna today. He missed the closeness they had momentarily shared while she’d been tutoring Sammy. It had been a long week without seeing or talking to her.

“Daddy, did you get me a birthday present?” Sammy asked, breaking into Seth’s thoughts of the beautiful blonde teacher.

“I did,” Seth replied. “It’s wrapped up and on the dining room table.”

Sammy couldn’t quite hide his disappointment. “I guess it doesn’t bark.”

“Sammy, I just want you to enjoy your party,” Seth replied.

“I will.” Sammy brightened. “I can’t wait to bounce with some of my friends in the bouncy house. It’s gonna be an awesome day no matter what.”

Love for his son buoyed up in his chest. “I love you, little man,” he said.

Sammy grinned at him. “I love you, big man,” he replied.

They ate breakfast, and Seth cleaned up the kitchen. It seemed like the rest of the morning flew by and before he knew it, it was party time.