by Hebby Roman
His cell rang.
“Hey man.” It was Henry. When he called it meant something was up. It was never good.
“What are you up to?”
“I’m at the station. Got arrested for...”
“He’s a public nuisance,” Williams said, obviously taking the phone from Henry. “He was in the grocery store parking lot telling people not to buy oranges.”
“What’s wrong with that?” Jared asked.
“He was stabbing some and making a mess. Scared the crap out of my Aunt Betty.”
“What do you want me to do about it?”
“Nothing, I’m not sure why he called you.”
“Drop him off at the ranch, I’m going there for a couple days.”
“What’s for supper?” Henry called out.
“What is wrong with you?” His mother joined him in the kitchen where Jared was pouring coffee for himself and Carmen. “You’re acting jerky.”
“Jerky?”
She gave him a bland look. “If you are breaking up with her, I’m going to kill you.”
“Why is everyone assuming I’m breaking up?” He lowered his voice. “Don’t scream.” Digging in his pocket, he pulled out the diamond ring he’d had in there since picking Carmen up at the airport.
“Oh. My. God,” Natalie whispered, hands over her mouth. “When are you doing it?”
“Tonight.” Upon saying it, he couldn’t help but grin.
“Don’t act crazy, she’ll notice.”
“Notice what?” Henry stood at the doorway with a stack of plates.
“Ugh.” Jared walked out with the coffee.
An hour later, Jared realized he’d procrastinated long enough when his mother motioned to the doorway with her head.
“Let’s go out to the porch and watch the sun set,” he told Carmen who smiled in return.
The sun cooperated because once outside the bright colors on the horizon were breathtaking.
“Oh my goodness. That’s just too beautiful for words.” Carmen stretched out her arms as if trying to touch the colorful rays. “I can see the sunrise from my apartment, but it’s nothing like this.”
Jared took advantage of her distraction to dig out the ring and lower to one knee. It took a moment for Carmen to realize what happened. She looked down at him, then over to the group now gathered in the doorway. Her eyes then widened and she covered her mouth with both hands.
“Carmen Dias, I love you with all my heart. Will you marry me and make me the happiest man on earth?” The last words caught in his throat. Everything else he’d practiced saying exited his brain and he stared up at her wondering why she hesitated.
When she hugged him around the neck, he realized she’d said something, but he’d missed it over the thundering of his heart in his ears.
“Did you say yes?” he asked.
Teary eyes met his as Carmen nodded. “Yes, Jared. I will marry you.”
Everyone erupted into cheers and clapping while all he could do was hold the precious woman close, not wanting to ever let her go.
Back in his apartment a few hours later, they lay in bed, his arms around her as she admired the ring on her finger.
“It’s perfect. You made a good choice. It’s exactly what I would have chosen.”
“I’m glad you like it.” He kissed her temple. “I wouldn’t have minded if you wanted to exchange it.”
Her eyes widened. “No, it’s special that you thought of me when you bought this. I would never exchange it.”
“Not even for a bigger one?” Jared chuckled.
“Nope,” Carmen said adding several nods for emphasis. She lifted her face up to his. “My parents didn’t seem surprised at the news. You spoke to them, didn’t you?”
Jared had called and spoken to her father and mother several times. They had given him their blessing, which meant a great deal to Jared. “Yes. Your father’s main concern was whether he could come out here and spend summers at the ranch.”
Carmen was quiet for a beat. “So you’re assuming we’re going to live here?”
“Not at all.” Jared was quick to assure her. “I plan to come to Atlanta and apply at the police department there. I can’t demand you leave everything and come here.”
“How can you be so perfect? I love you so much. I want to marry you so bad.” Carmen lifted up and began planting kisses all over his face. Every inch of his chest filled with pride at her exclamations.
When she fell over him and kissed his throat and neck, emotions took over and he let out a sigh. No matter where he lived, it would be perfect as long as they were together.
Carmen looked down at him. “Let’s take it one step at a time. Come to Atlanta and spend a couple weeks. Let’s see how it feels to you. I can work from anywhere. I do miss Missoula and the ranch when I’m away.”
The next day, Carmen decided to go into town and get a manicure. She planned to plaster pictures of her engagement ring all over social media and send one to her boss. Mostly just to annoy her.
It was best if her nails were long and beautiful.
“Get long bright red square tipped nails. It will show off your ring better,” Mila assured her. “Ask them to add some bling to your ring finger.”
Carmen giggled. “I won’t be able to type.”
“Doesn’t matter. Get them cut down once you get back here.”
Her friend was so smart. It was a fabulous idea.
She found a salon and parked in front. Hopefully they’d take walk-ins. A tingle went through her as the sunlight hit her diamond and it sparkled.
A smile on her lips, she opened the door with the words Essence of Beauty etched on the glass.
“Good afternoon.” A short woman with a sleek bob cut smiled at her. “What can we do for you today?”
It was an elegantly serene place that smelled of flowers and lotions. “I’d like my nails done please.”
Just then a woman emerged from a back door, her heels clacking on the floor reminding her of her boss back in Atlanta. The woman smiled, and then upon seeing Carmen, her expression became more alarmed than welcoming.
It was then Carmen noticed her name tag. Janet Maloney. Janet was the dead man’s widow. She’d overheard the name while at the station.
Thankfully, she was saved from saying anything when the short woman guided her to a chair. “Someone will be right with you.” She handed her a circular disc with painted plastic nails. “Meanwhile, pick a color.”
Back ramrod stiff, Janet went to the reception desk and leaned forward so that her shoulder length blonde hair covered her face.
Blonde.
Carmen turned to look at the door. Janet Maloney was blonde, could she be the woman who’d been at the cabin when her husband had been killed? It could be she was the killer. What if the woman owned the salon and told everyone to go home so she could have privacy and kill her?
She was about to push away from the table when a young nail technician lowered across from her and grabbed her left hand. “Oh my goodness, your ring is beautiful. We’ll have to do something special.”
Then again, the woman couldn’t kill her as long as the manicurist remained. Carmen relaxed into the chair. “Thank you. I’m thinking bright red.”
They chatted about weddings and colors. Carmen was enjoying herself so much, she almost forgot about the possible killer.
“Are you the writer who is staying at Lucky Break?” Janet finally neared. “I hear you found my husband.”
Thankfully her nails were almost done, so if she had to make a break for it her pictures would still look nice.
“Yes. I’m so sorry for your loss,” Carmen said, forcing herself to look up.
Janet blinked, attempting to look contrite, but failing miserably when she sniffed and immediately checked her reflection in the large mirrors on the wall. “Thank you.”
A soft bell sounded and a woman walked in. She wore a bright orange puf
fy jacket, purple leggings tucked into boots and a thick lime green scarf was wound around her neck.
It was the old lady from the airport. Her sharp gaze moved across the room only stopping when seeing Carmen. She turned to Janet. “I see you’re already out of mourning. No surprise there.”
Janet’s eyes rounded, and she smoothed down the front of her blouse. It was a bit bright of a color for someone who’d just lost her husband, but then again, Carmen figured maybe people didn’t do the black thing anymore.
“I have to dress in a way that is flattering for my business,” Janet said guiding the woman to a chair. “You look very bright today.”
“Someone stole my clothes. Whoever it was traded them for these in my suitcase when I flew back from Orlando the day before yesterday.”
Janet looked out the window and scurried away to the back of the shop.
Another young technician approached the pedicure chair and greeted the old woman.
“Janet Maloney,” a familiar male voice called out, and everyone in the salon inhaled sharply.
Carmen tried to look, but it was impossible to see the doorway from where she was sitting unless the nail technician released her hand.
“What?” Janet peered out from a doorway in the back. Upon seeing whoever it was, she ducked back in and slammed the door.
Two men ran through the salon to where Janet was. One was Williams, the other Jared. Two uniformed officers followed behind them.
“Oh boy,” the nail technician muttered.
“What do you think is going on?” Carmen craned her neck to get a better look.
Williams knocked on the door. “Open the door Janet.”
“No,” came a muffled reply. “I won’t.”
“I’m going to have to open the door by force,” Jared said.
The door opened and a red-faced Janet emerged. Her eyes widened at seeing the other two officers. “What do you want?”
Williams pulled out a piece of paper. “Janet Maloney, you are under arrest for the murder of your husband Kevin Maloney.”
When Jared held up handcuffs and rounded her, Janet turned and waved her arms frantically. “You can’t do this. I didn’t do anything.”
She tried to go back into the room, but Jared moved to block her and slapped a cuff on her left wrist.
Moments later, a sobbing Janet was escorted through the shop.
“Okay all done,” the technician said with a smile. “The color is very flattering on you.”
“What?” Carmen held up her right hand. Sure enough her nails were done.
“Umm...aren’t you upset about what just happened?”
“Sure,” the technician replied. “She’ll be fine though.”
“I got it all on video,” the old woman from the airport said.
Jared went to the woman and held out his hand. “Let me see it.”
“You can’t delete it,” the woman said slowly holding out the phone. “I don’t want to have to sue you.”
“I won’t,” Jared said. His eyes widened when noticing Carmen was there.
“Oh boy,” Carmen said attempting to make herself smaller.
He neared. “Please tell me you didn’t speak to Janet Maloney about the case.”
“Umm...well, no not really. She did ask me if I was the one who found her husband, but that was it.”
“She also asked if you were a writer,” the nail technician added.
“Yes. That too.” Carmen gave the nail tech a warning look.
Jared shook his head and went back to the old woman. After a few moments, he handed her the cell phone. “What do you plan to do with the video?”
“Show it to my book club friends,” the old lady replied.
Jared walked Carmen outside. “You have a penchant for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.” He leaned forward and kissed her on the lips. “Can you stay out of trouble for the next few hours?”
“Of course,” Carmen said. “Do you think she’ll go to jail?”
“Probably,” he replied.
“What about the video? The lady might put it up on social media?”
“It’s so shaky, I could barely make anything out,” Jared said. “Besides, Mrs. Houser won’t do anything other than share with her three friends at the tea house.”
“You know her then?”
“Yep and try to avoid her. She’s a mess, always up to something.” He lifted an eyebrow. “Reminds me of someone else I know.”
“Hmm,” Carmen replied, pretending to find the garbage cans across the street interesting.
Chapter Eleven
Carmen sat back from her desk in her Atlanta apartment and stared out the window. The view was so very different from Montana. Although city life energized her, since returning from Montana, it felt sterile and so impersonal. Goodness, was she becoming a country girl?
Earlier that day at a coffee shop with Mila, she’d gone on and on about the ranch and every detail of her last visit. Although she hated that her best friend had not been there for the engagement, Mila would be her maid of honor whenever they got married.
It was too soon to set a date. First the decision of where they’d live, get moved and then start planning the wedding. Whether Jared came to Atlanta or she moved to Montana was one of the hardest decisions they faced.
Not just her family, but also all her friends were in Georgia. Okay so her one friend, if she were to be honest. She’d never considered living anywhere else. She researched Missoula to find out the population of minorities in the area was around two hundred or so. In a town of about eight hundred thousand, that was a very small amount. However, she had to admit there were a few ethnic restaurants and she’d never felt out of place when out and about with Jared.
With a glass of wine in hand, she got up and went to the small balcony and peered down to the street below. How would Jared adjust to city life?
Besides the noise and faster lifestyle, there was the element of danger when it came to his job. Crime was much higher in Atlanta than it could possibly ever be in Missoula.
Her doorbell rang and she went to the monitor. Her stomach pitched at seeing her ex-boyfriend’s face. He smiled.
“Hi there, had a heck of a time finding you. Can we talk?”
Thankfully he could not see her. She hit a button ending the communication. How had he found her?
The bell rang again and she was grateful for the security of her building. People were not able to get to the elevators until allowed in. She raced to her cell phone to call the doorman’s area.
“Yes ma’am?”
“Don’t allow the man in the blue polo shirt in. I have a restraining order against him.”
She heard the guard speak to someone and there was a series of short comments back and forth.
“Miss Dias, he just went into the elevator. Must have slipped in with a resident. Don’t open your door. The police have been contacted and one of our guys is on his way up.”
So why exactly was she paying extra for security again? Carmen went to her bedroom and sat on the bed. It wasn’t as if the idiot could get in. But it helped to be away from the front door.
When knocks on the front door sounded, she practically jumped out of her skin and strange kind of giggle escaped. Moments later, her phone rang. It was the doorman. “He’s left. The police missed him by a few seconds.”
“Thanks. By the way, why did you let a non-resident in?”
“We thought he was with the couple. They were all talking and smiling.”
“Ugh.” Carmen hung up.
Her phone dinged and she slowly lifted it. It was her mother. “Come over for dinner.”
“So let me get this straight,” her mother said leaning forward from her chair on the back deck of their beautiful condo in the Buckhead area of Atlanta. “You’re having a hard time deciding between leaving your sterile apartment, lack of social life and a stalking ex for living in a beautiful
town, eventually settling on a spacious ranch with a handsome man?”
Carmen slunk down. “When you put it that way, it makes me sound like a dork.”
She chose to ignore her mother’s raised eyebrows. “Besides. I don’t want to leave you and Dad and Nana.”
“Your father already has plans to become a cowboy. Besides, we can get a place and spend summers up there. The one time I went to Billings, I couldn’t believe how beautiful it is up there.”
“When did you go to Billings?” Carmen straightened and frowned at her mother. “You never told me you’ve been to Montana.”
With a wave of dismissal, her mother huffed. “I’m sure I mentioned it. I went with your father for a medical convention. Nana and I had so much fun.”
“What?” This time Carmen scooted to the edge of the seat. “You’ve all been to Montana and never told me. And why wasn’t I invited? Did Juanito go to?” She asked, referring to her brother.
“No he was in Colorado or somewhere doing whatever it is your brother always does. We didn’t invite you because you were so wrapped up with that idiot Randolph and we didn’t want to chance he’d invite himself along.”
“I didn’t know you all disliked him so much.”
“We wanted you to come on the Alaskan cruise too but decided to tell you it was invitation only.”
Carmen fell backwards on the chair. “This is not a good day. I’m so glad Jared is coming tomorrow.” She lifted her hand to admire her engagement ring and her lips curved.
“Now he’s a good man. We like Jared. He’s normal.” Her mother stood. “Randolph, not so much. Want another glass of wine?”
* * *
Her ex hadn’t returned, nor had he tried to contact her. Perhaps the fact she’d not hesitated to call for help deterred him. Or it could be he was biding his time and coming up with another plan. The man was an idiot who’d become so obsessed with Carmen, he’d began to plan matching wardrobes. When he’d asked to go shopping together so they could find the same color outfits to attend a dinner party, she’d questioned his sexuality.
To say he’d had a fit would be a major understatement. He’d huffed and slumped onto the floor like a petulant child. Which made Carmen wonder even more if he was gay.