When we arrived at the station, Tony led me into a cramped office. I had pulled the sweatshirt on and kept the blanket over my legs. A perpetual chill had descended over me, and I couldn’t seem to get warm. Tony explained that it was the aftereffects of too much stress on my system. Another police detective entered the room behind Tony.
“This is Detective Trevor Hamilton.” He indicated the man who stood several inches below Tony’s towering six-foot-three frame.
Detective Hamilton’s dark hair was receding, and his brown eyes looked kind. “I’m sorry about what you’ve been through. Let’s see if we can gather the info we need and get you home.”
Hamilton asked me to recount everything that happened that evening. He turned on a handheld digital recorder and interrupted my narrative every few minutes to ask questions. An hour later, my story was told. I felt completely wiped out.
Tony led me out to the front of the station. I heard my mom before I saw her. “Adri, I’ve been worried sick!”
She came around the corner and hugged me. “Are you okay?”
I struggled to maintain my composure. “I’m glad you’re here.”
My dad put his arm around me. “You have some ’splainin’ to do, young lady.”
Tony approached and greeted my dad. They spoke in low voices, and then Tony turned to me. “It’s okay to tell your parents what’s going on, but it can’t travel any further than that.”
“Them but not Dallas?”
Tony frowned. “Look, I know you like the guy, but I still need to check him out. It’s a bit of a coincidence that he happened along.”
I bristled. “Good thing for me he did.” Tony couldn’t suspect Dallas, not after he’d just saved me.
“It’s my job. I’m sure he’s fine.” He studied my face for a moment, and I reminded myself that Tony was a good cop.
I nodded. “Okay.”
Tony turned to go, but Mom grasped his hand. “Thank you,” she whispered.
Tony hugged my mom and met my eyes over her shoulder. “Call me if you think of anything else, Adri.”
I nodded and let my parents guide me out to the parking lot. It was almost eleven by the time Mom and Dad drove me to my vehicle with a police officer following us. Dad insisted on driving the Mountaineer and commanded me to stay put. I obeyed, and he followed us to my condo. When we pulled up, I jumped out and motioned for Dad to park in front of the garage.
“You’re still parking outside?” My dad jerked his thumb toward the garage. “Guess I know what I’ll be doing tomorrow.”
I opened my mouth to protest but thought better of it. Dad would need something to keep him busy, and I remembered the sturdy metal shelves I had purchased. “I bought some shelves that need to be put together and hung. That would help me clear some space to park.”
“We’ll worry about that later,” Mom said. “Let’s get you inside.” They followed me up the front steps and into the house. “And you don’t have to explain anything now. Go get cleaned up first.”
“Thanks, guys. Make yourselves at home.” I hurried to my bedroom and gasped when I paused in front of the large mirror hanging above my dresser. The right side of my face was swollen and scratched. Bits of mascara dotted my face, and my eyes were red and puffy.
I stripped down and jumped into the shower. Scrubbing at the places my attacker had touched, I wished that the remembered feel of his hands would go away. I wished that every trace of this night could wash down the drain like so many soap bubbles, but at least it was over.
The police had the diamonds, and they were contacting the FBI to continue the investigation into the shipping company that had brought in the wedding gowns. Walter Mayfield still couldn’t be reached. When I thought of him, a nervous jolt ran through me. Had Walter been in the middle of this, or was he a victim?
Tony hoped the man who had attacked me would talk, but what if he didn’t? I rinsed my hair and reminded myself that the diamonds were no longer in my possession and I didn’t have to worry. I dried off and put on some cozy pajamas. Even though it was June, the temperatures in Ketchum dropped considerably because we were nestled against the mountains. The chill that had settled over me since Dallas rescued me was finally starting to subside.
That thought reminded me that I needed to update Dallas. I sent him a text apologizing that I couldn’t share details yet. I ended by thanking him again for saving my life, and then I turned my phone off so if he responded, I wouldn’t be tempted to say something Tony had asked me not to.
I found my parents in the kitchen. “I whipped up some homemade hot cocoa for you.” Mom handed me a steaming mug. “It would be better with cream, but I found a few marshmallows.”
I took a sip. “Thanks, Mom. You’re the best.”
My dad patted the chair next to him at my dinette table. “I’m ready for your story.”
As I pulled the chair out, I heard a muffled meow.
“Oh, Tux. I bet you’re hungry.” I set down my mug of cocoa and opened the patio door. Tux mewed again, and I picked up the kitten, holding his warm body close to me.
“I didn’t know you had a cat,” Dad said.
“Meet Tux.” I patted the kitten’s head. “He was hanging around my shop, so I brought him home.” I refilled his food dish and set the kitten outside to eat.
“He’s a cute little thing.” My mom sat next to my dad and watched Tux through the window.
I settled into my chair and wrapped my hands around the warm mug. “I’ll tell you my story if you promise not to tell me how foolish I’ve been.”
My dad chuckled.
“It all started when I offered to help Lorea with some alterations. She was behind on the bridesmaids’ dresses, so I told her I could pick out the hem of Natalie’s wedding gown.”
It was after two when we finally called it a night, and I could barely keep my eyes open. My parents had plenty more questions, but Mom told Dad he’d have to wait.
“She needs her strength for tomorrow.”
“Yeah, Natalie’s bridal shower starts at six. It’s a good thing it’s hers and not Sylvia’s, or you’d have to commit me right about now.” Natalie would be forgiving of the few last-minute items I hadn’t completed.
“I’ll help you. Don’t worry yourself into a frenzy.”
I hugged my mom and dad. “Thanks for being here.”
My parents crashed in my guest room on an air mattress, and thanks to sheer exhaustion, I slept until eight the next morning.
Chapter 22
Strike a Pose
Set up a photo booth at the reception for a lasting memory of your guests. Select fun props that coordinate with the wedding theme and encourage guests to choose a prop and strike a pose.
Courtesy of www.mashedpotatoesandcrafts.com.
The following afternoon Mom helped me load the Mountaineer with everything I needed to take to the shower. Natalie had selected a decorative box of chocolates and a handmade bag for each of her five bridesmaids. Brock had offered to pay for everything, but she nonetheless had used her own hard-earned money for the gifts. Although she wanted a simple wedding, she had requested several elegant touches. For Brock’s part, he tried to honor her wishes while pleasing his family and the public eye, so the wedding would be a bit larger than the original plan.
The florist, Melissa Catmull, stopped by at ten o’clock and brought in a gorgeous arrangement of roses. I quirked my eyebrow as I looked at it. The roses were stunning, pink with white marbling through the petals, but they weren’t the dinner-plate dahlias Natalie had ordered for today.
Melissa’s strappy red heels clicked as she approached me with a smile. “These are for you. Special delivery.” She indicated the white card tucked between the blossoms and then handed me the bouquet. “I’ll be right back to have you check the arrangement for this evening.”
My heart warmed as I reached for the card. Dallas was so thoughtful. He’d texted me several times that morning, checking to see if I was okay. I inhaled t
he strong scent that antique roses hold in rich abundance. The tissue paper crinkled as I pulled the card out of the tiny envelope. I scanned the note and sighed. It wasn’t from Dallas, and I didn’t like the way my heart flip-flopped with anticipation as I read the card.
Adri,
I’d better leave the watering to the professionals. Sorry about your shirt.
Please call me.
Luke
His phone number trailed after his signature, and a grin tugged at the corners of my mouth. Why was I even thinking of calling him?
Mom was in and out of the shop through the back entrance, loading the last of the supplies. I didn’t want her to see the note from Luke. I could only imagine the discussion she and Jenna had about me after I left Sunday.
“Those are beautiful. Who sent them?” Lorea came up behind me and snatched the card before I could hide it. She read it and then waved it in front of me. “What’s this all about?”
“Turns out ‘the hottie’ lives just around the corner from me.” I laughed when Lorea jumped up and down in place, waiting for more. “And Dallas was the agent who sold him his house.”
“That’s a crazy coincidence. So he knows your boyfriend, but he still asked you out?” Lorea narrowed her eyes. “You did tell him you were dating Dallas, didn’t you?”
“Yes, give me some credit.” I tipped a rose forward and sniffed. “He grilled me about Dallas—told me he could tell I wasn’t serious about him and that I should date other people.”
“Wow, he’s presumptuous.”
“Yeah, that too.”
Lorea waved the card at me again. “Just go out with him. I can tell you want to.”
I grabbed the card and tucked it under the vase of roses. “I even told Tony that Dallas is my boyfriend.”
“So, is that what your heart wants?”
Leave it to Lorea to get straight to the point. I sighed. “I don’t know. When he saved me—it was incredible. I felt so much love from him. I’ve never had someone be so attentive before. I like it.”
“But you’re not sure about him.”
“We haven’t known each other very long. At first he was painfully shy, but he got over that pretty fast, and now he’s totally into me. He’s a great kisser, but sometimes he seems too intense.” I thought about it and swallowed. “He almost killed that guy with his bare hands.”
“So I heard. I’d be kissing him too.”
“I didn’t think he was capable of something like that. He was so angry.”
“You worry too much. Of course he’d be angry. The guy was going to kill you . . . or something.”
I cringed, thinking of that man’s hot hands on my chest.
“Either way, you have to call Luke.” Lorea touched one of the velvety rose petals. “I don’t think it would hurt anything to meet him for lunch. He already knows about Dallas. It’s not like you’re sneaking around. Maybe it will help you decide what to do.”
“Please don’t mention any of this to my mom.”
“If you promise to call him.”
With a huff, I moved the roses to my planning desk. “Okay, if I have time.”
“Make time.” Lorea returned to the back of the shop.
Dallas called me twenty minutes later. “I need to see you.”
“I can’t today. It’s Natalie’s bridal shower, remember? My parents are here to help me, and they might be staying the night again. We won’t be home until later.”
“I’d be happy to help.”
“I appreciate that, Dallas. I really do, but I still feel kind of frazzled, and I can’t have any distractions.” Darn, that came out wrong. “What I mean is, if you’re there, I’ll want to be with you instead of running around like a madwoman.”
Dallas chuckled. “I think I understand what you’re trying to say.”
“Forgive me. But at least I have an idea how to make it up to you.”
“You don’t owe me anything. You’ve told me again and again how busy this time of year is for you, and I keep pushing you.”
Nothing like a guilt trip. Sheesh, he was good. “I’m glad. You’ve helped me a lot. And I do owe you—a trip to the hot springs. I wonder, are you available Thursday?”
“I’m available whenever you have an opening.”
“Okay, let me get this shower over with, and then we can plan.”
“Tomorrow sounds great, but I still need to see you, just to make sure you’re okay. Can I stop by the shop for a minute?”
It was a good thing we were on the phone so he couldn’t see the pained expression on my face. I glanced at the back where Mom was helping Lorea sort through tablecloths and candles for the evening. I wasn’t ready to introduce Dallas yet—too many implications. “I’m leaving in half an hour to run some errands. I can make time for a quick lunch.”
“That’d be wonderful. I’m in Hailey showing some property. Do you want me to grab a sandwich on my way into town and meet you somewhere?”
“Sounds perfect. Let’s stop at the park just off First Street.”
I ended the call and hurried back to check off the last of the table decorations. It took some ingenuity, but I told my mom I needed to run a few errands while she finished up with Lorea. An hour later, I met Dallas at the park and ate my sandwich like a ravenous beast.
“I never get to stop for a decent lunch break, so thank you. I need energy today.”
Dallas put his arm around me and pulled me toward him. “Thank you. I guess persistence pays off.” He kissed my cheek. I leaned my head against his shoulder.
Dallas was charming, and we had some great chemistry, so what was my problem with commitment? The bouquet of roses Luke sent came to mind, and I felt my cheeks grow warm with a twinge of guilt. He was not my type—a divorce attorney who was full of himself. But my initial impression of him had been revised, especially after he’d confessed the truth about his dislike of marriage. I truly didn’t believe he’d told me that to reel me in, but it had had that effect on me, nonetheless. I smiled when I recalled the quick gardening lesson I’d given him.
“What are you thinking about?”
I jerked my head upright. “Oh, nothing.”
“Must be something good, with a smile like that.”
“Just a daydream.” I knew my smile didn’t hide the nerves playing around the edges of my mouth, but Dallas just smiled back and dipped his head. He kissed me, and his lips lingered on mine for a moment before he broke contact.
I crinkled my sandwich wrapper. “Not the best ingredient for the world’s greatest kiss, but thanks.”
Dallas chuckled. “I love you, Adri.”
I choked. There were those words again. The ones I was so not ready to say. Dallas patted my back as I coughed. When I settled down, I took a big gulp of water. “Sorry, lettuce down the wrong pipe.” I hugged him and then murmured, “I need to go. But I’ll see you tomorrow afternoon.”
Dallas kissed my forehead. “Can’t wait.”
Every one of the eight tables in Brock’s backyard was decorated with a cream linen tablecloth. On top of that was sheer pink lace, and then the centerpieces added a touch of Natalie to the decorations. A round candle about six inches high sat in a hand-thrown pottery bowl. The bowl was half filled with water and lined with smooth river rocks. The candles flickered gently in the breeze that wasn’t strong enough to cool my glistening forehead. I always got overheated at events, running back and forth triple-checking things, but as I stopped to admire the setup, I had to admit it was perfect.
The tables had been placed among Brock’s wildflower and antique rose gardens. I admired the beautiful setting as I went on a hunt for a lighter. I’d used up the last of my matches relighting the candles.
My heels clicked against the stone pathway winding around the pool and up to the back entrance to the house. Natalie had said Brock kept a few torch lighters in a drawer beside the fridge. I pulled open one of the French doors, ready to make a beeline for the kitchen, and froze.
Brock and Luke turned toward me mid-laugh with glasses in their hands.
“What are you doing here?” Suddenly I remembered something that answered my own question. Luke must have been the lawyer friend Natalie mentioned who drew up the prenuptial agreement. I recalled how upset Natalie was when she first told Lorea, but then the lawyer had explained to her how it could protect both her and Brock from the high-profile life Brock led. She had signed the agreement a couple weeks ago.
“Don’t worry. We’ll be leaving soon.” Brock tilted his head toward Luke. “This is Luke Stetson, my lawyer.”
“One of them,” Luke interrupted with a smirk. “And I know Adri.”
“That’s right.” Brock snapped his fingers. “She’s the wedding planner you were asking me about. Remind me how you two met—something about fried pickles?” Luke’s eyes widened, and I caught the warning look he gave Brock. Unfortunately, the intended recipient didn’t seem to notice.
Luke’s tanned skin couldn’t hide the pink on the tips of his ears. Brock laughed and slapped him on the back. “Dude, you’ve got it bad. What are you waiting for?” He continued, as if completely oblivious to the mortification he was inflicting on Luke. “You know, Natalie and I have been wanting to go on a double date with Luke, but we can’t ever get him to commit. You should come, Adri.”
My throat tensed. My voice box felt like a locked chest, and someone had just thrown away the key. Luke’s expression was pained, and I gave a subtle shake of my head and moved toward the kitchen. “I’m in a hurry,” I squeaked and dashed into the other room.
What were the chances I would see Luke here? I pawed through the drawers looking for a lighter and then stopped with a groan. Grabbing a paper towel, I soaked it in cold water and then wrung it out, lightly dabbing my hair line. I turned around and yelped when Luke sauntered into the kitchen.
“I’m sorry.” He held up his hands. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”
I fumbled with the paper towel. “Just startled. I’m a little frazzled today.”
“Sorry about Brock. He’s pretty gung ho about love lately, if you haven’t noticed.”
Diamond Rings Are Deadly Things Page 22