Petunia’s florist shop was new in town, and next door to Benny’s Bookstore. Since the flower store had been opened recently the front window had become a focal point on the street, full of wonderful flowers and beautiful plants. Petunia Cooper took great pride in how colorful her new business was, Amanda had heard, and even though she had only met her once, she’d been impressed with how willing Petunia had been to be part of the merchants’ association and participate in town activities. It was always easy to spot her silver Lexus in the parking lot, because most of the other merchants drove vans or pickups. The store had obviously been going through quite an upgrade, and Roy Greeley had let her know that Petunia had only wanted the best of everything when she was installing cabinets and new flooring.
At first, Amanda didn’t see anyone in the small shop at all, even though the OPEN sign was clearly lit. She stood at the front counter for several awkward minutes before finally announcing herself.
“Hello!” she said in a friendly voice, and there was a stifled sniffle from the back room.
“I’ll be right there.” The voice was Petunia’s, but definitely not her usual cheery response. When she finally shuffled out of the back, her eyes were red-rimmed and puffy from crying, and she was holding a box of tissues in one hand.
“Oh, Amanda. It’s you,” she said, her voice quivering a bit. “I’m glad you came by. I wanted to talk to you.”
Alarmed by Petunia’s appearance and also by what she’d said, Amanda’s eyes went wide. “Are you okay? Can I help? What happened?”
Petunia set the box of tissues on the counter. “You’ve already done it. It was him, wasn’t it?”
“I…I’m not sure what you’re talking about, Petunia.” Actually, she was quite sure.
“You found Nelson’s hand.”
“I found…” Amanda paused, realizing that the news was definitely out now. “Petunia, I’m so sorry. Did you know Nelson King?”
From her sorrowful expression, the answer was instantly clear. “He was my…boyfriend–“Petunia gasped out, then began to sob. “He’s been missing and then you found him and now he’s gone and I don’t know what I’m going to do and…” her flood of words ending in strangled gasps.
Amanda came around the counter to hug the anguished girl, letting her cry for several minutes while she just held her.
Nelson King. Not the brightest bulb in the box.
Well, whatever he’d been, apparently women had liked him. Both Jennifer Peetman and Petunia had cared for him, and both had had to deal with the consequences of that.
Finally, Petunia pulled back and made a loud snuffling sound. “I’m so sorry,” she said, trying to keep her voice from shaking. “I’ve never broken down like that before. I guess I just needed a really good cry.”
Amanda nodded. “It’s okay. How about you close up shop for a bit and we can talk? It sounds like you could use a friend.”
Petunia give her a timid smile. “I’ll lock the door and turn off the lights.”
Upstairs, Petunia lived in a small one-bedroom apartment, mostly unchanged from when the building had been built in the 1940s. The tiny kitchen with wooden cabinets and a two-shelf bookcase was perfect for one person, and it didn’t take long to get a teakettle going and both of them sitting at the little table next to the sashed window.
“Had you known Nelson for long?” Amanda was torn between trying to make conversation and comfort Petunia, and wanting to know more about how Nelson King had wound up with only part of him making it back to Ravenwood Cove, attached to a big bundle of cash. The cash part hadn’t been disclosed in the newspaper, mercifully, or the influx of treasure-seekers, so different than the families that normally came as tourists, would’ve probably overrun the town.
“Just a month. I met him at a dance at the Grange Hall.” Petunia smiled a little. “He was a really good swing dancer. Most guys my age don’t know anything about stuff like that.”
“I see.” Amanda remembered that Jennifer had met him the same way, at a dance.
“He just seemed like such a good guy, always talking about his big plans for the future and what he wanted to do with his life.” She sniffled again, then got up and washed her hands before pulling out a pair of mugs. “I guess you just never know what’s going to happen in life, do you?”
Pouring hot water into the cups, she brought them back to the table and set one in front of Amanda. “Tea’s in the caddy,” she said, gesturing to the small box on the table. “He was always laughing or drawing cartoons or telling jokes. I never knew such a happy guy.” Sitting down, she plopped a tea bag in her mug. “I still have scratchpads of his full of his doodles of Mickey Mouse. It was like he couldn’t stop himself. Do you know that he was going to take a trip to Mexico next week and he said he wanted to take me with him?” Her mouth began to quiver again as she tried to keep control of her emotions. “Maybe swing by Disneyland, too. I told him I couldn’t go, what with the new flower shop and all, but he kept asking me.”
Amanda was silent, remembering James’ statement that Nelson King had been picked up on suspicion of drug-smuggling out of Mexico. She couldn’t help whatever news was going to be printed about Nelson King’s life, but there didn’t seem to be any reason to tell the grieving young Petunia about his nefarious dealings.
Petunia sighed. “All I’ve got left of him is a paperback book he left at my place, and a couple clothes. I just moved to Ravenwood Cove. What am I supposed to do now? He was such a good guy.”
Amanda nodded in sympathy, thinking about how many people were disappointed in love. Bad men who had bad secrets. It was a terrible combination.
Chapter 11
It was like driving onto a movie set, it was so perfect. The horse ranch was laid out like a tidy, springtime quilt, each section with a purpose and its own color. White-ringed paddocks grouped next to the huge red barn, and just past the house Amanda could see a good-sized pond with ducks swimming on its surface. A small fenced area held chickens, and a shaggy black dog, all wagging tail and hanging-out tongue, had run to greet her the moment she’d driven through the main gate.
Amanda hadn’t minded that she’d had to drive all the way past the troubled town of Likely to get to James’ family farm, but it still felt good to put the weathered shacks and tarp-covered mobile homes of the tough little village behind her.
Her tires crunching on the gravel drive, Amanda hadn’t even made it to the house when a familiar head of dark hair popped out of the big red barn. James broke into an ear-to-ear grin and loped toward her, a pair of pliers still in his hand.
“You found it!” he said with a smile, skidding to a stop in front of her as she got out of the car to pet the dog. “I see you’ve met Herman. I’d hug you but I’ve been working in the horse stalls and I’m kinda gross.”
She smiled back. “How about a kiss instead?”
It was almost comical that the tall detective-turned-temporary-rancher kept his feet in one spot and leaned forward for a kiss. Apparently, he was determined not to have his sweaty t-shirt and dust-covered jeans get Amanda dirty, even though she’d dressed for work.
“I didn’t have any cowboy boots, but I was hoping to take you up on your offer to take me riding, if you have time.” She pulled a red-enameled Dutch oven out from the floorboards of her car. “I hope your family likes chili. I’ve got cornbread, too.”
James’ answering grin assured her that they did, and he carried the heavy dish for her as they walked toward the trim farmhouse, the pan of cornbread laid on top of the flat lid.
Amanda could tell that the house had probably had several additions since it was originally built, and that someone had recently given it a coat of butter-yellow paint, with freshly-painted white trim. The front porch was worn but wide, with welcoming chairs scattered under the broad eaves, and a view toward the farmyard and barns.
“Is he having a good day today?” Amanda asked, meaning James’ father.
James gave a small nod. “Pretty good.
He’s still doing a lot of sleeping, but the doctor says that’s normal. His speech is coming back a bit but he’s real frustrated that we can’t always understand what he’s saying when tries to talk to us.”
Amanda felt a pang of sympathy. “I’ll bet. You said he was a very active man, before the stroke.”
James put the heel of his boot against the boot jack nailed to the floor of the porch, and pried first one, then the other dirty cowboy boot off. Elbowing the screen door open for Amanda, he ushered her inside.
“He’s the hardest working guy you’d ever meet, and he’s a great dad, but I’ve got to tell ya, he’s a terrible patient. I think my Mom’s about ready to wring his neck.” He winked at Amanda and she couldn’t help but laugh, thinking that James might be exactly the same way if he was the patient. “She’s actually threatened to strap him to the bed to keep him resting. If I were a betting man, I’d put my money on her any day.”
The front room was clean and comfortable, with deep sofas and a sturdy coffee table. Good for a house full of men, Amanda thought, following James to the kitchen. He pulled a hot pad out of a drawer and set the pot down on it.
“Thanks for bringing the food. Mom’s been doing so much for Dad and I’ve been so busy with the horses we’ve been eating kind of simple.”
“I’ve missed you this week.” Her blunt statement seemed to take James by surprise. His dark eyebrows went up a bit, his mouth curling in a slight smile of satisfaction.
“I missed you, too, lady.” He gave her another quick kiss, his broad hand on her shoulder. Pulling away a bit, he looked into her eyes. “Guess we’d better get out of the kitchen. I’m probably stinking up the place,” he said, heading back toward the front door.
The barn was surprisingly tidy and large, the tall upper loft full of baled straw and lines of horse stalls underneath. A wide aisle opened in the middle to a metal gate, leading to the full-sized arena. Thick sawdust covered the floor, and a lone rider was putting a brown mare through her paces with quiet commands and silent cues.
“Well, what do you think?” James asked, his face full of pride. “My grandfather built this barn sixty years ago, and it’s still as solid as the day he completed it.”
“I can’t believe you grew up here. It looks like some sort of movie set.” Amanda gestured toward the outside pasture. “It’s like you had the perfect childhood.”
James snorted. “Far from perfect. You try being third in a line of four brothers and having a sister who gets coddled ‘cause she’s the only girl. My Mom caught me whacking Derek with a boat oar, once. I hit him right in the head. Let’s just say that there were things that happened after Mom caught me that made me realize I shouldn’t do it ever again,” he added, looking completely unrepentant. Amanda laughed, picturing his mother grabbing James’ collar and marching him inside the house while he protested his coming punishment.
“Sounds like you deserved what you got. You know, I’ve met all the rest of your family, but you keep saying you have three brothers. I’ve met Derek and Ethan, but you never talk about the other one. What’s his name?”
A shadow passed over James’ face. He paused, as if considering. “Gable. He’s the oldest.”
“He doesn’t live around here?” Amanda was trying to decipher the look James’ face, normally so friendly and open, but it was unreadable.
“I’ll tell you about him some other time.” Seemingly realizing she was watching him, he perked up and led her down through the barn, explaining the various sections as they walked.
Going by a stall with the top half of the door swung open, a tall gray gelding poked his head out, his intelligent eyes fixed on them. James stopped to stroke the horse’s silky neck. “This is Aramis. He’s been mine since I was thirteen.” The horse, seeming to understand his words, nuzzled his shoulder and chest, making James laugh and playfully push him away. “He’s looking for treats,” he explained. “He thinks I should always have one in this pocket, but he’s already had two today, so he’s going to have to wait.”
James paused beside a wooden ramp leading upwards. “It’d be nice to have some time alone with you. Want to see the hayloft?” he asked, grinning wickedly. Amanda took a deep breath.
“Sure.” For some reason, her heartbeat quickened just at the thought of walking up the ramp with him. Too many jokes about rolls in the hay and what could happen in a hayloft, but she trusted James, and held his hand as he led her upstairs.
It wasn’t what she expected, either the space upstairs or their time alone. James walked to a quiet corner, surrounded by stacked bales of straw and with a thick covering of straw on the wooden floor. He crouched down with his back against the bales and gently pulled Amanda’s hand until she was sitting in front of him, his arms warm around her. Sighing, she leaned back against the solid length of his body, feeling totally safe. She hadn’t felt at peace like that for a long, long time.
They stayed like that for a while, just cuddling together in silence. Finally, James kissed her hair just above her ear and murmured, “Thanks for coming to visit me. I don’t know when I’ll be back at work and it means a lot to me that you came all the way out here to see me.”
She chuckled. “Well, we’re dating, remember? Isn’t that what people do when they’re dating?” Amanda shifted a bit. “I’m getting a lot of questions about when you’re going to be back, and what’s going on with the murder investigation.”
James quickly corrected her. “It’s actually not a murder investigation; it’s an investigation for death under suspicious circumstances. There isn’t any hard evidence that Nelson King didn’t just drown offshore while he was clutching a bundle of hoarded money. We can’t officially tie the money to drug smuggling or find a cause of death.” He sighed. “Listen to me, talking about ‘we’. I’m only getting info from friends on the force, not because of anything I’m investigating on my own. Right now I’m not part of ‘we’ at all.”
“And you hate it.” Amanda turned a bit so she could see his face. James looked almost sheepish.
“Maybe.”
“You like being in the action.” It was a statement, and James let out a deep breath.
“Lady, you’ve got that right. Also, even if we put our fingers on the cause of death doesn’t mean it wasn’t murder. We think Nelson King was running drugs for some pretty bad characters. We just can’t prove it, and while I’m here I can’t do anything about it.”
Amanda reached up to kiss him. “You’re doing the right thing, helping out your dad this way.”
“Well, family comes first, before anything else,” James said adamantly.
Amanda thought back to the men she’d known, the father who had left when she was small, the footloose boyfriends in her past, and the man she’d left in LA after he’d cheated on her.
“Not all guys think like that,” Amanda said.
James’ face was deadly serious. “Then that’s their problem. I can only worry about my own behavior. Besides,” he continued, his tone lightening, “now that I’ve got some time I’ve been able to lure the band out here for practice later this week. I’ve got a couple of Irish reels I’ve been wanting to memorize and now I have time to practice at night.”
Amanda smiled, remembering their first dance together, when she’s been surprised to find the tall detective grinning as he played fiddle for a local Celtic band. “I’ll have to come to the next concert,” she said, and James put a gentle finger under her chin. “Of course, you will. Girlfriends always come to hear us play.”
The word ‘girlfriend’ rang in her ears. There it was.
“Are you sure?” The question came out sounding more serious than she’d intended but James seemed to understand.
“Very.”
Chapter 12
Sometimes, you just need a night out with the girls, even if it is only to go see an old movie. Amanda thanked the theater manager for her ticket and leaned against the nearby counter, waiting.
The lobby of the Liberty The
ater was warm and smelled of hot butter and fresh popcorn. Amanda was grateful for the heat and the fact that she didn’t have to wait outside. A night wind had blown in cold and fierce, a last gasp of winter before spring took over, and Lisa and Meg were both late. The refurbished movie theater was packed full of Ravenwood Cove townspeople, there for the social gathering as much as to see the weekly classic movie, Creature from the Black Lagoon. Watching the crowd, she could see families grouped together like a flock of ducks, dewy-eyed teens who fumbled with their money when they paid for their dates and who wouldn’t remember much of the movie, and many of the folks that Amanda knew from the merchant’s association. Several of the married couples held hands as they walked by her, and she felt a pang.
James was busy with his family, and he was staying up with a mare in labor. He’d insisted she have a good time, telling her that he’d call as soon as he could, but she still would’ve liked to have him with her, holding hands and sharing her popcorn.
Finally, Lisa and Meg showed up, accompanied by an unexpected guest. Mrs. Granger was bundled up for the weather, an extra hot pink scarf wrapped around the top of her coat so that only her bird-like eyes and cotton-candy hair peeked out from the top of it. Meg looked frustrated, but helped her grandmother unwrap the long scarf and pull off her puffy coat.
The old lady grinned at Amanda as she pushed her walker toward her. “I saw this movie when it came out in the theaters the FIRST time,” she said triumphantly, as if she should win an award.
Amanda walked along with the old lady, keeping pace with her walker. “I didn’t think I’d see you at a monster movie,” she said.
Mrs. Granger handed her money to Meg so she could buy tickets, and looked surprised. “Why not? I told you I’m a screamer. I love to be scared.”
Meg interrupted. “No screaming, okay? You’re gonna get us kicked out again.”
A deep sigh. “Fine, but next time I just won’t sit with you.”
Sea, Sky & Skeleton Page 6