Page 15 of Set My Soul Ablaze

“It’s just so crazy, you know? The fire chief told me during his initial inspection the fire patterns show a gas accelerant was used. It makes little sense.”

Joylei’s features softened as she reached out to hold my hand. “Now, I’m going to hold your hand when I say this . . .”

I giggled. “Uh-oh. What are you about to say?”

“Have you checked the security footage yet?”

“I’m waiting for the company to send me the files.”

She nodded. “Something in my spirit is saying Juda is involved somehow.”

My eyebrows knitted together. “Joylei, please don’t play with me right now.”

“I’m not. You texted me a couple days before the fire saying he pulled up to your job and caused a scene. You put up more cameras because you were afraid of what he could do . . . let’s not act clueless, Mali.”

My face hardened as I stood up from the bed. “I think it would be best if you leave.”

“No. You don’t get to push me away right now. I get you don’t want to believe that the man you’ve spent the last nine years with would do something like this, but he’s always been a walking red flag.”

“We’ll see what the insurance company finds when they’re done with the investigation. Until then, I will not think about Juda anymore.”

“That’s fair. I’ll drop it for now.”

“Thank you.”

I opted to sit at the vanity instead of going back to the bed. I spun around in the chair and let out a deep breath.

“Well, what do you have on your agenda today?” Joylei quizzed.

I shrugged. “Nothing, really. Probably bed rot and scroll social media and take a couple of naps.”

“Okay, so let’s change that. Do you want to go to the mall for a little retail therapy? Maybe visit the fire station and ask for a tour?”

My ears perked up at the suggestion. “Hold on . . . I don’t mind visiting the fire station. I heard they enjoy treats and stuff.”

“What do you have in mind?”

“I think I want to bake them some cookies. Wait, I could make a pan of Cajun pasta, fried chicken wings, and garlic bread.”

“Damn, you want me to help taste test?”

A genuine laugh came from deep in my gut, which made me smile. “I’ll let you taste test the meal if you join me on the grocery store trip.”

“Deal.”

Although I settled on animal grooming, cooking was my second passion. I would have opened a restaurant if Papa hadn’t invested in the grooming business. Honestly, I wouldn’t mind revamping a restaurant in the future to have a second stream of income under my belt.

“Let me freshen up and we can head out.”

I grabbed an outfit out of the closet. Then I exited the bedroom and headed toward the guest bathroom. On my way down the hall, Mama came out of the main bedroom.

“Hey, my baby.”

“Hey, Mama.”

“What are you up to?”

“I’m going to the grocery store with Joy. I’m planning to cook for the firefighters who came to the house, to show my gratitude for what they did.”