Poison Me

by Checketts, Cami

  Jake just stared at her for several seconds, then looked down at little Michael. The baby’s eyelids drooped, and the nipple fell out of his mouth. Jake lifted him to his shoulder again.

  “What?” Brinley said. “Don’t look at me like that.”

  “No. It’s just… I couldn’t see it like that.” He patted the small back, his palm almost as large as the baby’s upper body. “How do you always do that?”

  “What?” She glanced down and plucked at the blanket again.

  “Understand the other person’s point of view without ever once wondering if you aren’t the one who’s been wronged?”

  She shrugged. “I’m just a generous person.”

  Jake grunted. “Don’t hurt your arm patting yourself on the back.”

  “Don’t worry.” Brinley studied the baby in his arms. “It’s not something I’m proud of. I’m so generous I’ve let two men have a wonderful time with me and run without guilt or consequences.”

  Jake hugged the infant closer. “You can’t think like that. Where would we be without Trevor or baby Michael?”

  “You’re right.” She lovingly gazed at the baby before glancing at Jake. “So, are you mad at Grandma?”

  Jake took a deep breath before answering. “No, not mad. I just felt betrayed.” He exhaled. “But I guess you’re right—I also feel sad for her. She’s been hiding all of this, dealing with it alone, but I almost think it’ll be harder for her now. She didn’t want anyone to know.” He kissed the baby’s soft hair. “Just think about how fast this news is going to spread. I hope Grandma is okay.”

  “Is Michael with her?”

  “Yeah.”

  “She’ll be okay.” Brinley smiled. “Someday I’ll find a man who looks at me the way Michael looks at Grandma.”

  “Huh?” Jake said.

  “You know, like she’s prettier than a Picasso painting and worth more than a cruise ship. You should understand what I’m talking about.” Brinley smirked at him. “That’s the way you look at the new activities director.”

  Jake rocked the baby, ignoring the last part of her comment. “You’ll find that guy someday.”

  “What about you? Am I right about you and Chanel?”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Yes, you do, and you’d better not let your issues ruin your life like Grandma did.”

  Jake recoiled at the starkness of her words, but he knew she was right.

  Brinley held out her arms. “Now I’m all recovered from the shock and you’ve been hogging him long enough. Hand over my little love.”

  ***

  As Ruby and Michael neared the Palace’s back door, they were accosted by Ellie. “How could you do it?” she screeched, flinging a tissue at Ruby. The thin paper fluttered harmlessly to the ground. Ellie glared at it.

  “I’m sorry I lied to you,” Ruby began.

  Ellie planted her hands on her hips and tossed her head. “Whatever. Your best friend. Your stinking best friend for sixty—no, scratch that, I keep forgetting how old you’re getting. For seventy years. You have a secret this good and I’m not in on it.” Ellie stomped her size-6 foot. “See if I ever share my Ghirardellis with you again.”

  Ruby looked up at Michael. He winked and said, “I think I’ll leave you girls alone.”

  “Thanks a lot,” Ruby whispered.

  Ellie whirled on her. “I heard that.”

  Michael slipped away with a grin. Ruby watched him go, then focused on Ellie. “I’m sorry, El. The police asked me not to tell anybody, plus I knew if I let it slip just once I wouldn’t be able to keep up with all the secrets and lies I’d told. I almost convinced myself he was dead. I wish he was.”

  “I’ll bet you do. Then you could keep on lying to your best friend.”

  Ruby grabbed her arm. “Really, it wasn’t like that. I wished I could tell you. I needed someone to confide in so badly. It’s been awful carrying this burden alone, but at least it was better than being married to Don.” She shuddered. “That was a living purgatory.”

  Ellie narrowed her eyes, pulling her arm away. “You think I don’t know what you went through all those years? How many times did I beg you to leave the putz?”

  Ruby hung her head. “I stopped counting.”

  “A lot,” Ellie yelled. “Every day I asked you to file for divorce! I always knew you loved Michael. I always wanted you to be happy. So don’t give me your sob story. Do you honestly think making me feel bad for you is going to get you off the hook?”

  Ruby dug the toe of her shoe into the grass, finally glancing up at her friend. “I wasn’t trying to do that.”

  “Well, you are doing that. I mean, look at you.” She poked Ruby in the chest with a manicured nail. “You look pathetic—your face is red, your eyes are swollen, and your skin’s like… waxy and disgusting.” Ellie grabbed the skin on Ruby’s cheek and twisted. “Why don’t you get a facial or something?”

  “Ouch.” She stepped an arm’s length away. “A facial?”

  “Yeah. You need to take better care of yourself, woman. You aren’t going to reverse the age process with all this stress floating around you.” Ellie folded her arms across her chest, studying Ruby. “Yes, I know just what you need. I’ll get you all fixed up. Let’s go to town, buy us a smoothie, and get makeovers.”

  Ruby tried not to smile. “I guess we could go into town, but I’ve got to visit Brinley before we do anything else. I hate to think of her hearing about Don and Michael from somebody else.” She puffed the air from her cheeks. “Also, you’ve got to help me figure out what I’m going to do about Don and Jake.”

  “Yeah, yeah, yeah. The whole world knows your secrets, and now you want to confide in me.”

  “I’ve always wanted to,” Ruby sputtered.

  Ellie held up a hand. “Enough. I get the regret. Okay, then, let’s go see Brinley and that pruney baby.” She snapped her fingers. “I know what I’ll do. I’ll call Rosamund. She’ll bring all her pedicure stuff and meet us at the hospital. The three of us can figure out your problems while Rosamund massages our tired feet. Then tomorrow we’ll go to her shop and do the facials.” Ellie leaned closer. “You really need to invest in some higher-quality product.”

  Ruby exhaled slowly. “So you aren’t mad?”

  Ellie rolled her eyes heavenward. “Lord, give me strength. Of course I’m mad, you lying sack of dog dung, but I’ve lost too many people I love to hold a grudge for long.” She shook a finger in Ruby’s face. “When we get to the other side and Marissa, Anne, and my loving husband are waiting, then I’ll take the time to be properly peeved at you, but for now—you’re all I’ve got.”

  Ellie linked her arm through Ruby’s and directed her toward the garages.

  Ruby released a breath. “Good to see you let a grudge go so quickly.”

  Ellie wrinkled her nose. “I’m a good friend, but I’m not a saint. You’re paying for the pedicures.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Ace nudged Willy and pointed out the front windshield of their rental car. A voluptuous woman and two elderly ladies strolled through the crosswalk toward the front doors of the hospital.

  Willy frowned. “What are you pointing at?”

  “The women.”

  “Guess your flavors of women have changed since Chanel. Who am I checking out, the old chicks or the whale?”

  “One of the older ones.” Ace rolled his eyes. “And I’m not checking any of them out—well, not like that. The tall, darker lady is Don’s wife. She looks just like the pictures I found in the newspapers at the library.”

  “You sure?”

  “Yes.”

  Willy leaned closer to the car window. “She’s pretty hot for an old chick.”

  Ace studied the stately woman closer. Willy was right—she was still pretty even with a few wrinkles. Once the women entered the hospital, Ace pressed on the gas pedal, nodding with satisfaction. “Obviously Don has more reasons than restocking funds to come
back to town.”

  Willy sloshed the Mountain Dew in his can, then slurped up the soda. “Doesn’t really matter to me as long as he shares the fundage.” He looked at the small, well-kept homes as Ace drove past.

  “It should matter to you. His wife’s a keeper. He probably still loves her. If we threaten her, Don will give us whatever we want.” Ace tightened his grip on the steering wheel. “He won’t be sharing the funds. He’ll be giving us everything.”

  Willy shared one of his rare creepy grins. “Threatening her will be fun.”

  Ace felt a bit sorry for Ruby Merrill.

  ***

  Dusk approached. Chanel knew she shouldn’t be out by herself, but her legs still pounded away from the retirement center and deeper into the canyon. If running couldn’t work out the kinks in her mind, nothing could. She wanted to run the other direction, race into Preston and pound on Jake’s front door. She increased her pace. She wouldn’t be the one who initiated contact.

  The sky grew darker. A car approached from behind. Chanel moved to the side of the road to give the vehicle plenty of room. It thundered in her direction, and she turned around to glare at the driver. There was no reason to drive that fast on a narrow canyon road. Bright headlights bore down on her. She gasped. The car was going to hit her.

  Chanel jumped down the embankment, almost falling into the shallow river. The car’s tires spun as it turned around sharply, flipping gravel at her. She cried out in pain, shielding her face from the rocks.

  “Go back to Vegas,” a female voice yelled from the car. “Jake will never want you.”

  Chanel scrambled back up the embankment. The car gunned away from her, heading down the canyon. She ran after the vehicle, even though she knew she couldn’t catch it. The woman in the car might be right. Jake may never love Chanel, but she refused to be intimidated. Especially by someone who wouldn’t show her face.

  ***

  Ruby relaxed into her recliner. Trevor had finally succumbed to sleep. Of course he wasn’t in the Spider-Man sleeping bag she had purchased for the occasion. No, his cute little body was sprawled horizontally across her bed. She should lie down by him, but she dreaded the thought of sharing the bed with a squirming toddler.

  The glare from the lamp bothered her, even with her eyes closed, but she couldn’t muster the energy to turn the light off. She thought of seeing Don, then trying to soothe Jake, Ellie, and Brinley¾what a horrible and hard day. The corners of Ruby’s lips tugged upward. Brinley had taken the news remarkably well, the baby was gorgeous, and Ruby could still feel Michael’s arms around her—what an amazing and wonderful day.

  A soft tap came on the apartment door.

  “Come in,” she called. “It’s open.”

  Tracy, the home-health nurse, scurried through the door and shut it behind her.

  Ruby sat upright. Even though the police didn’t agree, this was she and Ellie’s prime suspect, right here in her apartment. Ruby felt like she might hyperventilate. “Can I… help you with something?”

  The blonde grinned. “No. I’m going to help you.”

  Ruby squinted at to the plastic cup in Tracy’s hands. “What are you talking about? I didn’t call for a nurse.” She tried to sound brave, but the lump in her throat betrayed her fear.

  Tracy gave her a sympathetic look. “I saw what happened today. I know how you must feel—hurt and alone. I told you this drink will make you feel better.”

  Ruby flattened herself against the chair. “No, I’m fine. Thank you for coming to check on me, though.” She kicked the leg rest closed and lumbered to her feet. “Let me walk you out.”

  Tracy looked at her beseechingly. “I really want to help.”

  The door swung open, hitting Tracy. She spun and her momentum reversed the door’s direction. Michael was charging into the room. The door smacked him on the forehead, knocking him against the wall.

  “Michael,” Ruby screamed.

  Crumpling to the carpet, he didn’t make a sound. Ruby yelled loud enough to wake the neighbors.

  “I’m sorry. It was an accident.” Tracy gripped her cup of potion and scurried around Michael’s body.

  Ruby rushed to him. He moaned and lifted his head. Blood trickled from his forehead, and his eyes were dilated as he looked at her.

  She lifted his head onto her lap. “Michael, oh, darling, be okay. Please be okay. I’ll never forgive myself.”

  His only answer was to groan and lean against her.

  “Michael, please talk to me. Are you all right? Oh, please, I need you.”

  He focused on her face. “The things I do for you, woman.”

  Ruby laughed and cried. “You’re okay.”

  He grimaced. “No, I’m not. But I will be after you give me some honey.”

  She leaned closer, certain he wasn’t mentally stable. She’d better call for an ambulance in case he had a concussion. “Honey?” she said. “What do you mean, love? You’re not diabetic.”

  Michael reached a hand around her head and brought her mouth down to his. “Honey,” he said, kissing her.

  Ruby giggled. “I think you’re going to be fine.”

  “Grandma Ruby?” A small voice squeaked from the bedroom.

  “Oh, Trevor.” Ruby lunged to her feet. Michael’s head slid from her lap and thudded against the floor. “Oh, Michael.” She changed directions and hurried back to him. “Did I hurt you?”

  Michael struggled to his feet. “The things I do for you, woman.”

  She threw her hands in the air, torn between Trevor and Michael. “I’m sorry to be such a pain.”

  He captured her waist between his large hands, turning her so she could see his grin and his mouth descending towards hers. “Luckily there are some benefits.”

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Jake walked through the front doors of the retirement center. It was early, but he wanted to check on Grandma Ruby. The police had found Tracy the night before, but she’d claimed she was only trying to help Ruby by bringing her herbal drinks. Tracy also said she was trying to get on Ruby’s good side so Jake would want to date her. The police had found no poison in Tracy’s apartment and had to release her.

  Jake shook his head in frustration. Then he heard someone say his name. He stopped before he ran Chanel over. He breathed in the airy scent of her antiperspirant and the outdoors. She looked amazing in a tank top and running shorts. If only… No, right now wasn’t the time. “Hi, Chanel. Been running?”

  She nodded.

  Jake massaged the back of his neck with one hand. “How was it?”

  She studied him with soulful eyes. “Long.”

  Somehow he knew she wasn’t talking about the run. He didn’t know what to say.

  Chanel glanced away and murmured, “How’s Ruby?”

  “You heard?”

  Chanel gestured with her hand around the large room. “The whole place heard. At least a dozen people tried to whisper it in my ear.”

  “I’m sure they did.” Why was his personal life always on display?

  Chanel bit her bottom lip, then said, “How are you doing, Jake?”

  “I’m fine.”

  “But I’m sure all of this has been hard on you.” She stared into his eyes until he blinked and moved his attention to her mouth.

  “That’s life,” he said with a shrug. “Well, I’d better go check on my grandma.”

  Chanel reached out and touched his arm. “Please wait a minute.”

  He looked at her fingertips. Her touch felt wonderful. But she pulled her hand away before Jake could tell her that.

  “I’m sorry you’ve been through so many hard things.” She tilted her head, and her dark ponytail fell across her neck.

  Jake longed to run his fingers through the length of her hair and then touch her smooth neck. He lifted his gaze to her toffee-colored eyes. “Haven’t we all.”

  Chanel winced. “I guess so. Anyway, I wanted to apologize. You need someone right now and I wish,” she shook her head, �
�well, I wish it could be me.”

  Jake blinked. I wish it could be me. Basically, that meant she thought it couldn’t be her or she didn’t want it to be her. He groaned inwardly. Why couldn’t it be her? Didn’t she want to see if something could happen between them?

  She was still talking. “I shouldn’t have been so awkward the other night.”

  He inhaled slowly. “Not a big deal.”

  Chanel started to reach out to him, then pulled her hand back and twisted a lock of her dark hair. “I didn’t respond the way I wanted to.”

  Jake studied her well-defined calf muscles. “Not your fault. I shouldn’t have gotten so serious.”

  She grinned. “That would’ve been nice.”

  “If I would’ve known I was going to ruin your night,” he said, “I never would’ve started the conversation.”

  Chanel stared at him. “You didn’t ruin my night, I just…”

  “Couldn’t hack my confession?” How had he expected her to take the news of his first love’s death?

  She frowned. “No. That wasn’t it. I didn’t know how to…”

  Jake couldn’t look at her as the pain rushed in. He stared across the huge commons room to the back windows and the gardens beyond. “It’s fine, Chanel. I shouldn’t have said anything. We could’ve gone on with our shallow conversation and had a pleasant night.” He focused on her exotic eyes, wishing he could stop his tongue. “Wasn’t it you who said that conversation doesn’t go well with steak?” He laughed shortly. “I hope your next boyfriend can keep things light.”

  She glared at him, rubbing at her birthmark.

  Jake jammed his hand through his hair, feeling like a weasel, but unable to back down. “I’m sorry.”