A clank sounded as Davis dropped his gun and put his hands up. Jarred dashed around the counter and gave the businessman his rights while he handcuffed him and took him outside to a waiting squad car.
“You okay?” Michael asked.
“Yeah.” Shock pouring through her as the reality of everything slammed into her. “W-What happened?”
“Before Davis arrived, I went out back to make sure he didn’t come in that way and surprise us.”
“I didn’t see you do that.”
“Hey, I have years of practice of sneaking past my parents to go out partying. You think I can’t walk right past a distracted young woman who’s watching the door like the bogeyman might burst through?”
“Guess you’re right.” She shrugged. “So what happened?”
“Wells had knocked Jarred out.” He stuffed his hands into his front pockets. “Figured both Davis and Wells had guns, I didn’t, so I got some water and revived Jarred. Told him what was happening and he figured Wells was the bigger danger. Both of them struggled. I got locked in the freezer for my trouble.”
Lily reached out to thank him and jerked her hand back, feeling his skin colder than the ice cream. “Oh my God, you’re freezing. We need to get you to the hospital or something.”
“I’m fine, Lil.”
A peace she couldn’t explain settled over her.
Jarred stomped in, shaking his arms from the snow that covered him. Rushing over, he nearly knocked Michael out of the way. His fingers were warm as he cupped her face. “Are you… Did he hurt you?”
“I’m fine.” Behind Jarred, Michael mouthed goodbye and left them alone.
Jarred hauled her into his arms. “I’m so sorry. I should’ve known Wells was in on it. I risked your life.”
She trembled. “This wasn’t how I thought it was going to happen,” she said against his shirt, his body warming her. Wells and Jarred were supposed to protect her. Run out and yell “freeze!” as soon as Davis showed probable cause. She could’ve died.
“No, it’s not. That guy would’ve killed you. Probably me too.” A rumble sounded in his throat that reminded her of the sound of the growling dog earlier, but that had to have been her imagination.
“What happened back there?” She stepped back to see his expression. “I didn’t hear anything, yet you and Michael both look like you fought quite a battle. Well, except for a dog.”
He gave her a cocky smile. “I think you were too distracted by adrenaline to hear us.”
“What about Davis?” she asked. “He didn’t even flinch.”
“Probably cause he figured Wells would win. He didn’t count on Michael being there to help. I was releasing him from the freezer when I heard the gunshot.” His hazel eyes darkened. “I should’ve left him there and come straight to help you.”
She entwined her fingers into his shirt as she leaned against him. The adrenaline that had kept her upright was vanishing and she didn’t think she could stand on her own. “Michael could’ve frozen to death if left in there too long. What if you hadn’t succeeded against Wells? What if he had shot you?” Michael’s skin had felt like ice, yet he appeared to be okay. Later she’d check on him. Shit, she could’ve died.
“I’m glad you’re all right.” He let out a breath and ran his thumb across her bottom lip.
She pushed aside all the fear and doubt that had boiled over inside her since her mom’s death. Somehow, she believed her mom’s spirit had helped her through this with Davis. That her mom would’ve wanted her to continue running the ice cream shop.
Now, she wanted to take a chance on finding her own happiness and trusting in love. Rising on her tiptoes, she kissed him. His lips were soft and warm and sending shivers through her entire body.
Chapter Fifteen
Halloween decorations bobbed and swayed along the street as Lily sat with Jarred in his Jeep as they drove to her mom’s funeral. Jarred drove with one hand, the other clasping hers. This had been hers and her mom’s favorite time of year. Dressing up, free candy, and lots of haunted house visits. The ache of her loss of her mom pressed against her chest. Halloween would never be the same. She would always remember her mom’s funeral. At first, she thought about postponing the service, but she needed to bury her mom and try to move on. Besides, her mom would have thought the idea cool to be buried on Halloween.
“The church is past the gate in the back.” Lily swallowed, and her voice sounded hollow. Finally, her mom would be laid to rest. They’d captured her killer. Well, both of them. As far as she was concerned, Wells was just a guilty as Davis. He’d tried to cover up his business partner’s mistake. Deputy Wells had given Davis too much credit, signing as a witness to several business transactions with the lure of a percentage of the proceeds for each one. Lily knew cops didn’t make much money, but she wanted to believe they were all honest. Wells was so involved in making money that he’d let his conscience slip.
Her hands knotted in her black lace dress. No sign or word from her aunts. Even spreading out the search didn't reveal where they were. There'd been no reports of planes crashing or boats sinking, so she didn't think they were at the bottom of the ocean. She struggled between worrying about them being abducted to them simply being drunk and passed out.
Jarred pulled into an empty spot in the parking lot. “Ready to do this?”
“No, but I have to. Need to.” She exited the Jeep and Jarred walked beside her.
Inside the church, her mom’s white coffin was lined with flowers. At the edge of the back pew, Lily froze. How was she going to get through this day? The rest of her life? No more could she share secrets with her mom. Tell her interesting things she discovered, or people she met. Damn, her mom had never met Jarred even. A sob tore from her throat and her knees wobbled.
“Take a breath, it’s okay. We have time before the funeral starts. You don’t have to rush this.”
“I know.” She squeezed his hand. But it was time she said goodbye. Nothing would bring her mother back or change the past, no matter how hard she wished she could. Using his presence as strength, she slowly stepped forward. The distance between her and her mom’s coffin felt like miles. She lifted her chin and forced her feet to move faster. When they reached the platform, Jarred released her hand.
She turned to him, questions on her lips.
“I’m right here if you need me, but I think this should be your time alone with her.”
Nodding, she faced the coffin. He was right. This would be the last time she was alone with her mom and could see her body. After this, she’d have to visit her gravesite, but it would only be dirt and grass and a tombstone she’d see. Agony slammed into her and she took a faltering step forward.
Her mom lay in the casket, her makeup done to hide the grayness of her skin. Dark hair curled around her mom’s face. She looked peaceful against the silk pillow.
“Mom,” Lily croaked out. “I miss you so much already. I-I wish more than anything that you were still here with me. That I’d told you about the dream. Maybe you’d have believed it was a premonition and taken precautions.” Her breath hitched. “I’m so sorry, Mom. I should’ve trusted you… told you what was happening. Maybe together we could have stopped this.” Rawness scraped her insides, leaving her burning inside. She let her tears flow until she hiccupped. Not turning around to see if Jarred or anyone else had entered the church, she cried until she took a shuddering breath and the tension in her chest lessening some.
She wiped away her tears. “I’m continuing the shop, Mom. It was your dream, but it’s become mine now. I’m still going to nursing school, but I’m cutting back my hours. Your tragedy has taught me to value life… to value time before it's gone forever. Tomorrow’s Halloween. Don’t go scaring too many kids now that you’re a ghost, okay?”
Lily bent down and kissed her mom’s forehead, and whispered, “I love you, mom.”
***
Lily was glad Jarred had brought her early to the funeral. It gave her th
e opportunity to say goodbye to her mom and compose herself before everyone arrived. Amanda walked over and gave Lily a hug. Each cried and hugged more, Lily pulling away first.
“Guess it was good that Jarred told me to come early.” Amanda wiped her tears with the back of her hand.
“Yeah, he's pretty cool.” Jarred was in the back of the church talking with the pall bearers including Michael.
Her ex caught her staring and winked. She laughed and Jarred smiled, his eyes meeting hers and the intensity of both empathy and compassion took her breath away. If her mom were alive, she'd love the idea of Michael and Jarred being part of her pall bearers. Mr. Griffin was another. The other three were regular customers and friends of her mom: an older man and his teenage son, and a teacher of Lily's from tenth grade.
Soon the church filled with friends and customers and even a few people Lily had never seen before. Her mom's old boss and the rest of the wait staff showed up.
“We closed our restaurant so all of us could come.” The man said, smelling of grease and cooked meat.
“Thank you.” Lily patted his hand. “Mom would be happily surprised.”
He nodded, tears filling his eyes. “We took up a donation. It’s not much, but everyone chipped in.” He handed her a stuffed envelope.
It didn't matter how much it was, the fact that they’d done it at all made her chest tighten. “Thank you. I really appreciate this.” As soon as she could do so without a wall of sorrow crashing down on her, she'd have a meal at the restaurant where her mom used to work and leave a huge tip for everyone.
“The minister wants to start, is that okay with you?”
“Sure.” She took a deep breath. This had it be done, no matter how much she wished she wasn't here and that her mom was home or watching the shop. “He can go ahead with the memorial service.”
Jarred squeezed her shoulder. “I'll be right back.” He whispered something to the minister, then came back to her and sat on the pew beside her.
His presence was comforting. Amanda was on her other side, then Michael. Her aunts should be here with her.
The preacher's sermon faded as Lily stared at her mother laying in the coffin. Weeks ago, she'd never have guessed that her mom would be dead and would never get to talk to her again. Tears burned her eyes, and she didn't know if she’d ever be able to think of her mom without the pressing sorrow weighing on top of her chest.
Too soon, everyone was shuffling towards her and giving her a hug, muttering their condolences. She just wanted this day over. Her face was frozen with a small smile as she greeted each person. Amanda stood beside her, since Lily's aunts were not here. Even though her dad wouldn't be here, since he’d died in jail when Lily was a toddler, she’d believed someone from her dad's side of the family would come. Glancing around the church, she didn't notice anyone out of the ordinary. All here were customers, ex-coworkers, and friends.
Why did she think her dad's side of the family would show? No one had ever contacted her before. No Christmas or birthday cards, no phone calls. Nothing.
“Everyone is heading to the gravesite,” Amanda touched her elbow, “ready to go?”
“What? I mean yes, let's go.” She swallowed past her raw throat.
Jarred, Michael, and the other men hefted her mom's closed casket and carried it out to the hearse. Some women from the restaurant picked up the flowers and wreaths to bring to the grave. Lily followed Amanda out to her car, her body numb.
They rode in silence and trailed after the black hearse. At least her mom's killer had been discovered. Both he and Wells were in jail without bond. A court would decide their fate, but Lily was certain they'd get punished, as the cooling dread that had plagued her since her mother's death had eased.
At the gravesite, Lily trudged forward to the awning. Jarred gave her a small smile and that provided strength for her to keep going to the front, where he stood with the other pallbearers, the casket behind them.
Lily took the white roses from Amanda and approached the coffin. “I love you, Mom. I'll never forget the sacrifices you made for me. Go in peace.” She let the roses fall onto the casket, then stepped aside for others to say their last goodbyes.
A light rain began to drizzle. Some of the attendees hugged Lily before they left. The crowd thinned.
“Are you ready to go?” Jarred asked, placing his arm around her lower back. “The staff is going to lower her all the way down now.”
“Give me a few minutes.”
“Take as much time as you need.”
She nodded, not trusting her voice. In silence, she watched the workers lowering her mom’s coffin into the earth. The gears creaking sent a shiver through her. As they shoveled dirt, sealing her mom’s body, the finality of life struck her. No one had any guarantees, and she vowed to live her life and take chances. To enjoy everything she could. She met Jarred at the end of the graveyard. Well, live her life without any more weird dreams or visions.
Chapter Sixteen
Lily brushed her bangs out of her eyes as she scooped the last of the chocolate ice cream for a toddler and packed it into a cone. The little boy smiled, showing only a few teeth, and she guessed he’d be wearing most of the dessert.
Even though the funeral had been only yesterday, it only felt right to open the store as soon as possible and keep her mom’s legacy alive. Plus, Lily needed to stay busy. Her cell rang. She wiped off her hands and dashed to the register to answer it. She balanced the phone against her ear with a shoulder and gave the dad and toddler their change.
“Thank you, come again.” She winked to the young boy. “Hello?” she said into the phone.
“You sound busy.” Jarred’s voice sent a delighted shiver through her.
“Just the usual after Halloween rush.” She leaned against the counter. “Kids gorge on candy, and then want something sweet like ice cream.”
“I can think of something more delicious.” Purring undertones zipped through her like luscious dark chocolate with a delicious strawberry center.
“Oh?” She twisted the straw on her drink. “What do you have in mind, Deputy?”
“Well, since I’m sure you’re not in the mood for ice cream, there’s a new Chinese place that opened last week.” He paused and the rustling of papers crinkled. “It’s been packed, so the crowd might not be too bad for lunch. You interested?”
“Maybe.” She bit her lip. This morning the shop had been pretty steady. Some people had missed the funeral and stopped by for ice cream and condolences. Though she was grateful, she wished she could just continue on with her normal life. Well, as normal as could be without her mom and with her aunts still missing. “It’ll cost you, though. I’ll lose business - so how are you going to compensate me?” She kept her tone light and teasing.
“A back and foot massage?”
“Tempting.” He had strong hands with strong fingers, and she could imagine how good they’d feel working out her tense muscles. “But I was thinking something more monetary… like a free meal.” She took a sip of her watered-down iced tea. Her gaze shifted to the glass case she’d left open after serving the ice cream cone. Drat. The drums would be sweaty without the cool air sealed off. Like leaving a freezer door open. She dashed over to close it when she saw the chocolate drum had melting ice cream running down the sides. Leftover remnants streaked its sides. Right then, a vision exploded before her eyes. People lined up as Lily served ice cream shakes alongside her aunts.
Why hadn’t she thought of that before?
“Lily… Lily?” Jarred’s voice on the other end fractured the vision as he raised his voice. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing. I’m fine. Just had an epiphany.” She shook her head to clear the last fragments of the vision. Damn, she’d thought the dream and visions before were just a fluke. Like her connection with her mom had opened up some psychic channel in her and now that her mom’s killer was apprehended and the funeral over, she wouldn’t have any more of them. What was happeni
ng to her? “I gotta go. My idea for shakes and malts makes me want to go buy a blender.” Her voice was shaky, but she didn’t want to have him asking too many questions. If he knew she’d had weird dreams and visions of her mom’s death, he’d think she was insane.
She wasn’t supposed to be having visions or dreams that came true. Did she need to get an MRI done? Maybe she had a brain tumor or something. What the hell was happening to her?
Get a grip, Lil. Probably just an overactive imagination. She dashed to the computer in the back storage room. After searching for half an hour, in between waiting on customers, she found no evidence of visions or dreams with brain tumors. Still, she wanted to get a physical and a brain scan, just in case. Next, she searched online for two industrial blenders and ordered both to be shipped to the store.
The door chimed, and she quick-stepped back to the counter. Camie stood in the doorway, her face pale.
“How can I help you?” Lily kept her voice calm even though she really wanted to throw the old hag out of the store.
“Sorry.” She swallowed and glanced around nervously. “I wanted to say sorry for your mom.”
A punch of sorrow hit Lily’s gut, but she kept her face neutral, or at least she hoped it appeared that way. “Thank you.” Now get out of my store.
“Listen, my daughter’s birthday is coming up, and she’s insistent on having a huge ice cream cake. I tried to find one online for her, but she’s throwing a fit saying she won’t eat any except… yours.”
Like mother, like daughter; both Barnes women were spoiled and wanted their way no matter what. Lily really wanted to throw the woman out. But if her mom’s ghost hovered nearby, she’d be disappointed in Lily’s actions.
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea.” The thought of not having to deal with Camie Barnes was too appealing to give in.
“Please,” Camie begged, cross the shop to stand in front of Lily. “I can’t trust anyone else and the party will be ruined. Everyone knows what happened with your mom and they hate me for making a scene at my party for it.” She reached out and placed her hand on Lily’s. “This is my way of making amends.”
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