As she watched the limited light of the day slowly slide into dusk, a chill ran down her spine. She turned to grab her sweater from the back of the kitchen chair, when she, out of pure surprise, was abruptly compelled to stop when a sudden movement at the edge of the property, where the woods met the yard, caught her eye. What was that? Lizzie rubbed her tired eyes. She tried to focus on the area where she had seen the movement. As a baby deer emerged from behind a large tree, she let out a sigh of relief. Get a grip. Maybe I’ve been reading too many murder mysteries.
Her cell phone vibrated in her pocket, followed by the ring tone she’d set up for Tom, the theme from James Bond, 007. "Hello, Special Agent Owens."
"Hello Lizzie, sweetheart. I miss you already."
"I miss you too. Are you in DC?"
"Yes, I arrived a few minutes ago. Are Scott and Abby there with you?"
"They haven’t arrived yet. They should be here in about thirty minutes. The weather is terrible. We won’t be dining al fresco this evening."
"Yeah, I saw on the weather channel that you’ll be getting hit with forty mile an hour winds and rain, possibly even hail. Maybe Abby can stay at the house for the night rather than drive home in such bad weather."
"I’d suggest that to her, but Scott and she are driving together. Scott was going to pick Abby up at the shop."
"Well, if the weather gets that bad, Scott could stay also. He’s used to sleeping on sofas from when he’s on a case, so I’m sure he wouldn’t mind. He may even suggest it. Besides, I think he has a thing for Abby"
"Really? Did he tell you that?"
"Not in so many words. Just an observation, really. You know how perceptive I am."
Lizzie smiled at that, knowing Tom was most likely smiling too.
"Indeed I do."
"Listen, do me a favor and call me when Scott and Abby get there, okay?"
"Yes, I’ll do that. You worry about me too much, you know."
"I’m not worried, sweetheart, just madly in love with you and cautious. That’s my nature."
"I’ll call you as soon as Scott and Abby get here."
"Talk to you soon, sweetheart. Goodbye."
Lizzie slid the cell phone back in her pocket. Thunder was rumbling in the distance; a continuous low rumble that caused the floor to vibrate beneath her feet. She sat down at the kitchen table, waiting to see who or which would arrive first, her friends or the storm.