Jason laughed. I told myself he was just being polite.
The moment he saw me, he jumped up from the couch and rushed over. “Dana, you okay?”
“I’ll live.” And so would Christian, according to the paramedics who’d treated him at the scene last night. News I was happy to hear. I didn’t want to be responsible for taking a life, even if he had killed two people.
Ashlee cleared her throat. “Well, guess I’ll go tidy the kitchen.”
My sister had never volunteered to clean in her life, but I appreciated the gesture. I smiled as she walked past, and she winked in return.
“You’re sure you’re all right?” Jason asked. “Christian didn’t hurt you, did he?”
I touched my sleeve, where the bandage still itched under the fabric. “Nothing serious.”
“I’m really glad to hear that.” He paused for a moment, clearly torn. “As long as you’re okay, you know I have to ask you about what happened. Feel up to it?”
Thinking about last night got my heart rate up and I paced a bit. “Sure, but there’s not much to tell. Christian offered to walk Ashlee and me out to the hot springs to retrieve my cell phone.” At the mention of the phone, I remembered Jason was the reason I’d gone out there, and I felt myself blush.
“And?” Jason prompted.
“When we got to the springs, I realized that Christian was dating both Tiffany and Sheila. That must have been what Tiffany meant when she’d said she’d enjoyed her stay, even with two murders and a failed attempt at a movie role. Not only that, but Christian lied about studying with a swami in India. Maxwell must have figured it out from his yoga book and confronted Christian.”
Jason pulled out his notebook. He probably slept with that pad under his pillow. “Exactly what he told the cops.”
I stopped pacing. “What else did he say?”
“Everything. Confessed to killing both Maxwell and Queenie. He’s wanted in four states back east for swindling rich women out of their fortunes. One of those women also died in a mysterious accident, and the police are checking to see if Christian helped her death along. Things were getting too hot for him so he moved out here.”
Four swindles and a possible murder? Yikes. “So he came to Blossom Valley under the guise of being a yoga expert to pick his next con victim,” I said. “You know, Ashlee mentioned hearing some gossip about Christian liking rich, older ladies, but I totally blew her off.” I should really pay more attention when my sister spoke.
“Maxwell apparently realized that Christian was a fraud, even figured out his real name and did some Googling. Once he found the newspaper articles and knew Christian’s story, Maxwell called him to his cabin after yoga class and threatened to tell the cops if Christian didn’t agree to help Maxwell write a screenplay about the cons. Christian killed him instead.”
“Shame on Maxwell for not going straight to the police. Christian mentioned that Maxwell wanted an Oscar. I guess his quest for fame overrode common sense.” I shook my head at such an idiotic move. If Maxwell had told the police about Christian at the start, he and Queenie would still be alive. “Did you say Christian isn’t even his real name?”
Jason tapped his pen on his notebook. “Right. His name’s Bruce Collins. That’s why he attacked you when you found his money clip.”
The big shove at the chicken coop. “What does his money clip have to do with the murders?”
“He claims it was a gift from his most recent victim. Engraved with his real name. He knew he’d dropped it somewhere by the animals and got there just as you picked it up.”
“But I never saw the engraving. And I wouldn’t have realized that Christian was really Bruce Collins.” I shivered. “Guess I should be thankful he didn’t decide to kill me right there with only the chickens for witnesses.”
“Apparently he never saw you as much of a threat. Until last night, that is.”
I pictured my plunge into the hot springs and shivered again. “What exactly did Queenie see that made him kill her?”
“She caught him in the woods, burying the bloody knife he used to kill Maxwell. She ran off before he could do anything about her, but then he heard you talking to Esther about the crazy honey lady. That’s when he found out she’d also been spying on him and Tiffany at the bench. He had to kill her before she exposed him.”
“So I helped get a woman killed.”
Jason placed a hand on my arm. “You can’t blame yourself. Christian did all the killing. He felt Queenie was too much of a threat, once she saw him hide the knife like that. And you know, he couldn’t steal Sheila’s fortune if she found out he was two-timing her with a young hottie.”
“Young actresses do it for you?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
Jason looked me in the eye. “I prefer marketing girls.”
I broke eye contact and wondered why my face felt so enflamed. Little young for a hot flash.
“Which reminds me,” Jason said. “I don’t know if Ashlee mentioned the film festival to you.”
I stepped forward. “Yes?”
“That’s out now.”
“Oh.” Well, he’d probably decided he didn’t want to date me anyway.
“With your mad dash through the woods and catching a killer, I’ve got to prepare another extra edition. It needs to be done tonight.” At least he’d come up with a plausible excuse. “But when my work’s done, I’d love to take you out. We could make a day of it, wine tasting, hot air ballooning.”
I felt like my feet were already off the ground. “Why, sir, are you trying to get me alone in a balloon basket?” I asked, complete with Southern drawl. Good grief, I was channeling Scarlett O’Hara.
He ignored my accent and took my hand. “When I heard you’d been in danger, I was almost out of my mind. I’m glad you’re okay.”
I leaned toward him, my eyelids starting to close.
The doorbell rang.
Oh, for crying out loud. I pulled my head back and Jason dropped my hand.
“Guess I’d better get that,” I said. I walked to the front door and yanked it open a little harder than necessary.
Esther and Gordon stood on the porch, Esther beaming in a floral dress and clutching a white purse. Gordon was dressed in his usual suit, making me wonder if he even owned a pair of jeans.
“Dana, thank goodness you’re all right. I was so worried,” Esther said.
“Yeah,” Gordon said. “Glad you weren’t killed or anything.” He stepped inside without waiting for an invitation, and I pushed the door a bit wider so Esther could walk in, too.
She caught sight of Jason, and the beam widened. “Oops, didn’t know you had company. I just wanted to stop by real quick and let you know the good news.”
“What good news?” I asked.
“The bank okayed the loan,” Esther said, clasping her hands together and raising them up in a victory gesture, purse swinging. “With Christian in jail, the loan officer felt the spa might be a success after all.”
“Even though Christian was an employee at the spa? That doesn’t worry them?” Surely that would have some negative impact to business.
“Apparently not,” Gordon said. “The police have their man. The guests can feel safe again. Once we line more up, of course.”
“Fantastic,” I said.
“And I should point out that having an employee of the farm catch the killer is great for advertising. What could be safer than staying at a place with its very own Nancy Drew?”
Guess he was talking about me. I’d have to buy a magnifying glass and find some friends named Bess and George.
Esther patted Gordon’s arm and he brushed at the fabric of his sleeve.
“We wouldn’t have gotten the loan without Gordon’s help,” she said. “I wasn’t feeling too good about how the meeting went yesterday, so once I heard what happened last night, I dragged Gordon down to the bank first thing this morning and had him go over the numbers with the officer. That made all the difference.”
> Gordon gave a dismissive wave, but he couldn’t quite keep the corners of his mouth from twitching upward. My God, was he about to smile?
“Enough about that,” he said, regaining his usual serious expression. “Dana, just make sure you’re at work tomorrow by nine. We have lots to do.”
Esther whipped her head around to look at Gordon. “Mercy me, aren’t you the slave driver.” She turned to me. “Monday morning is fine. You need extra rest after such a frightful experience.”
“Really, Esther, we don’t have time,” Gordon started, but Esther turned on him with a swift glare. He stopped, then shrugged. “You’re the boss.”
Glad he’d finally realized that. If I didn’t watch out, I might start to like Gordon.
Esther reached up and pinched his cheek. His face turned crimson while I choked back a laugh. “And you’re my right-hand man.” She walked toward the door, calling over her shoulder, “See you Monday.”
I watched as Gordon pulled the door closed behind them. The killer was in jail. And with the loan, my job was secure for a while. Not bad for a night’s work.
I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned around to look into Jason’s green, green eyes.
“I thought they’d never leave.” He leaned in and laid his lips on mine in a firm yet tender kiss.
An added bonus to staying. Blossom Valley suddenly had a lot more to offer.
Besides, I had to make sure Wilbur didn’t become someone’s Christmas ham.
Tips from the O’Connell Organic Farm and Spa
Esther and I wish you could join us for a visit here in Blossom Valley. Until then, I’ve selected a few tips to share from the spa’s daily blogs.
Growing Arugula Arugula typically grows best in cooler environments. The soil must be fertile, have proper drainage, and be loose enough to allow air circulation. Arugula prefers full sun, but the taste of the leaves turns bitter when hot weather arrives. The outer leaves can be harvested from each plant on a continual basis until the season is over. The trick is to keep Wilbur and all his pig friends out!
Making Your Own Lemonade Making homemade lemonade is easy peasy. Use five or six lemons to squeeze out one cup of lemon juice into a pitcher. Stir in one cup of sugar and five to six cups of water, depending on how strong you want the flavor. Chill the mixture. When serving, garnish the drink with a mint sprig or lemon slice. Pucker up!
Eating Well for Hair Health A poor diet can affect the quality of your hair. Dry hair may indicate too little vitamin A or healthy fats, while limp hair marks a deficiency in vitamin B6. If your hair looks sad, stock up on salmon, nuts, eggs, and oatmeal—all popular foods here at the spa—to see if your hair can regain its bounce and shine. You might become a star in your own shampoo commercial.
All about Wheatgrass Juice Zennia Patrakio, our very own spa chef, swears by the benefits of wheatgrass juice. A mere two ounces has the same amount of vitamins and minerals as three pounds of vegetables! The juice also improves digestion and boosts your immune system. If the taste of straight wheatgrass is too strong, add a twist of citrus or mix it with other juices or smoothies for the same benefits.
Getting More Fiber and Vitamins The much-maligned Brussels sprout is a powerhouse of fiber, vitamin C, and disease-fighting compounds. To make the sprouts taste better, sauté with a generous pat of butter and sprinkle with salt and Parmesan cheese. Then, pinch your nose shut and eat away. Bon appétit!
Eating More Bananas Available year round and completely portable in their own peel, bananas are an excellent source of potassium, fiber, and vitamins B6 and C. We always have bananas available for the guests here at the spa. For a nutritious breakfast, Zennia likes to top whole-wheat toast with natural peanut butter and banana slices, make a yogurt parfait with layers of vanilla yogurt, sliced bananas, and granola, or whip up a banana and strawberry smoothie. Don’t be surprised if you see her swinging from the trees!
Making a Daisy Chain To make a daisy chain, gather twenty-five daisies from a nearby field or your own planter, if you happen to grow your own. With your fingernail, create a slit in the middle of each stem. Pry apart one slit and insert the stem of another daisy until the head is resting on the slit opening. Repeat this step for the rest of the daisies. For the last slit, pull the head of the first daisy through to complete the circle. You can wear the chain as a crown or necklace.
Gathering Chicken Eggs The O’Connell Farm and Spa offers fresh eggs from chickens on-site, and we encourage anyone with a yard to start their own coops. Collect chicken eggs at least once a day, twice if possible. Gather the eggs from any empty nests first. Be sure to wear gloves in case eggs are broken or the chicken has messed its nest, though this is unusual. If a chicken is still sitting in the box, encourage the chicken to leave the nest by producing loud noises, then grab the egg.
Treating Poison Oak Any time you’re walking along trails or out in the woods, beware of poison oak. Oil from the plant actually causes the rash. If you’ve been exposed, clean the area with rubbing alcohol and rinse with cold, not hot, water. While scratching the rash does not spread the poison oak, it can leave you susceptible to infection. Apply calamine lotion when the itching is unbearable, but keep the area dry and open to air often to speed healing—and to show off your impressive rash to your friends.
Please turn the page for an exciting sneak peek of
Staci McLaughlin’s
next Blossom Valley Mystery
coming soon from Kensington Publishing!
1
A gust of dry, warm air swept onto the porch step and swirled around my sandals, tickling my toes and sending a shiver up my calves as I tilted my head for a goodnight kiss.
A shriek sounded from inside the house, followed by a bang. I jerked my head toward the front door, recognizing the sound as coming from my sister, Ashlee. I turned back to Jason, noticing how his reddish gold goatee glinted in the porch light.
“Everything okay in there?” he asked me.
No way was I letting Ashlee’s latest emotional meltdown interrupt my big kiss with Jason. Who knew when our next date might be?
“Nothing we need to worry about.”
Jason reached over and tucked an errant chunk of blond hair behind my ear, sending a ripple of excitement down my back. “Sorry your bowling score wasn’t any higher tonight, Dana,” he said.
I felt my face heat up and hoped it didn’t show in the dim light. “The strobe light blinded me. I couldn’t see the pins.”
“Must have had your eyes closed to score a seventy-four.”
“Hardee har har.” I just hoped he didn’t print my score in the local paper. As the lead reporter for Blossom Valley’s only paper, he sometimes had to get creative to fill the space. “I’ll wear sunglasses next time. Be prepared to quiver in your bowling shoes when I approach the lane with my mighty ball.”
Jason moved closer, his ironed Ralph Lauren dress shirt almost brushing the front of my lacy sweetheart top. “You’ve got me quivering right now.”
A smile played across my lips as my hand found Jason’s, his long slender fingers intertwining with mine. “Where were we again?” I closed my eyes and leaned in.
Another bang, this one followed by an undecipherable shout from my sister. The moment evaporated faster than a slushie on a hot summer sidewalk. Whatever Ashlee was mad about tonight, it sounded like a doozy.
I dropped Jason’s hand and dug my keys out of the pocket of my jeans. “Guess I’d better go in.”
“Sounds like someone needs help.” Jason half turned toward the door, obviously torn between going in with me and escaping while he could.
“Only a licensed therapist can provide the help that Ashlee needs.” I stuck the key in the lock. “Thanks for a great night.”
“I’ll call you, arrange that bowling rematch.” He offered me a wink and a smile with that promise, then stepped off the porch.
I shot a quick glance at his butt before I entered the house. The front hall was silent, save for the ever-pres
ent ticking of the grandfather clock. I checked my teeth in the hall mirror and noticed I had spinach lodged over a canine. Great. Maybe Jason had missed that.
A ripping sound off to my left reached my ears, followed by muttering. I walked toward the living room and stopped at the entrance.
Glossy photos were strewn across the tan carpet, most torn in half. Ashlee sat cross-legged in the middle of the wreckage, her normally brushed and styled blond hair, three shades lighter than mine, hanging down from an untidy bun, tear tracks evident on her flushed cheeks.
“Ashlee, what’s wrong?” I asked, pretty sure her crisis involved a man. Ashlee went through boyfriends faster than world champion competitive eater Joey Chestnut went through a plate of Nathan’s hot dogs.
She lifted her head at my voice, her clenched fist squeezing two halves of a photo. “Oh, Dana. Bobby Joe is such a pig. He’s been cheating on me!”
I raised my eyebrows. Ashlee and Bobby Joe had been dating since they’d met at the cricket-chirping contest back in May. Though I knew their relationship wasn’t long-term, I’d assumed it would at least survive through the upcoming Fourth of July weekend. Nobody likes to watch fireworks alone.
“Are you sure? Did Bobby Joe tell you he cheated?”
Ashlee sniffed, her face a portrait of wounded pride. “He told me. Right after I found the evidence, the big coward.”
My mind flashed to lace underwear stuffed in the glove box of his truck. Or maybe a bra tangled around a wrench in the oversized toolbox he carried in the truck bed. “What evidence?”
“Text messages.” Spittle flew from her mouth along with the words.
I screwed up one side of my mouth, not hiding my doubt. “That’s your big evidence? Text messages?”
Going Organic Can Kill You (Blossom Valley Mysteries) Page 26