A Murderous Misconception

by Lorraine Bartlett

  “But I don’t want to be with Erikka. I want to be with you.”

  Katie shook her head, taking a step back. “You made your choice the night—and I presume it was night…and probably after a bottle of wine—that you slept with Erikka.”

  “What do you mean?” Andy asked, sounding confused.

  “I mean we’re done.”

  “Katie!” Andy protested. “I made a mistake. I’m sorry. I’m human.”

  She went into the living room and sank onto the sofa. Her two cats, Mason and Della, realized something was wrong. Mason wound around her ankles, and Della hid under the chair and watched the couple furtively. Katie picked up Mason and buried her face in his soft fur.

  Andy sat beside her, his hands in his lap. “Babe, I love you.”

  “Not enough.” Her voice broke. “Not enough to avoid sleeping with Erikka. Not enough to even use protection.”

  “She said she was on the pill—I even saw them in her purse.”

  “And her explanation for the pregnancy?” Katie asked archly. “Was it a miracle?”

  “She said she missed a couple of doses.” He sighed. “Katie…Sunshine…what’s it going to take to make this right?”

  “I don’t think you can.” She placed Mason back onto the floor, stood, and strode into the bedroom.

  Andy followed her as far as the door. “I’m not in love with her—you have to know that.”

  Katie took her suitcase from the closet and placed it onto the bed. She opened the case and began tossing clothes in it.

  “What’re you doing?” Andy asked.

  “I can’t stay here.”

  “Your apartment isn’t ready yet. You can’t stay in an unfinished apartment.”

  Katie grabbed a tissue off the dresser and wiped her eyes. “I can’t stay here—under your roof…over your business—and watch your lover come and go every night.”

  “Don’t call her that.” Andy strode into the room and took Katie by the shoulders. “You’re my lover…my world. I can’t go on without you. Please, Katie, forgive me.”

  She looked up at him and saw the tears brimming in his eyes. “I want to.”

  He hugged her so tightly, she was almost afraid he was going to crush her. “We can get through anything. You know we can.”

  “I need some space…okay?” Katie gently pulled away from him. “I’m going…” Where? Where was she going? She knew she could stay with her pseudo big brother, lawyer Seth Landers, but that would take her away from Victoria Square, and she didn’t want that. Instead, she’d see if Nick and Don had a room available at Sassy Sally’s, their bed and breakfast across the Square. If not, Seth was her back-up, and if not…well, if not, she’d try to find a pet-friendly hotel. “I can’t be here right now. It hurts too much.”

  Chapter 2

  For someone so smart, Andy just didn’t get that Katie could be so upset. Finally, she just asked him to leave so that she could finish packing what she’d need to be away for the next few days. The door had hardly closed on his back when she reached for her phone and called Nick.

  “Hey, Katie, what’s up?”

  “I’m…um…wondering—”

  Hearing the panic in her voice, he ordered, “Spit it out.”

  “Do you have any vacancies?” she asked timidly.

  “What’s wrong?”

  Katie was quiet just a little too long.

  “Where are you?”

  “In my apartment over Angelo’s.”

  “Stay there. I’ll be right over.”

  When Nick arrived at the apartment five minutes later, he carried a thermos emblazoned with the Sassy Sally’s logo. He sat the thermos on the counter and enveloped Katie in a hug. “Do you want to talk here or in the living room?”

  “Living room,” she said. “What did you bring?”

  “Irish coffee, and given the way you sounded over the phone, it’s not too early in the day to sip it.” He took two mugs from her cabinet and carried them and the thermos into the living room. He shook up the mixture and then poured the creamy brown liquid into the mugs. “Drink up.”

  She tasted the coffee, surprised it was smoother than she’d anticipated. She took another drink as she closed her eyes and sank against the sofa cushions. “Andy cheated on me.”

  Nick’s mouth dropped open, and then he grabbed the mug from Katie and refilled it.

  “It wasn’t empty yet,” she pointed out.

  “No, well, drink up. You deserve it.”

  “You haven’t heard the whole thing.” She gave a mirthless bark of laughter. “Want to know how I found out? I saw Erikka with her sonogram photo on social media.”

  Clutching at his chest, Nick drained the contents of his mug.

  “What’re you doing?” Katie asked.

  “Girding my loins,” he said. “I’m going downstairs to kill Andy.”

  “You can’t. I need you here with me.”

  “Fine.” Nick stood and paced. “Then, I’m calling Don and telling him we’re having a spa day. We’re not that busy at the B&B today. He can handle it.”

  Nick was a sweetheart, but he could be a diva about getting his own way. Katie sometimes thought Don must be the most patient husband ever.

  “Don’t tell him about Erikka,” Katie said. “Not yet, anyway. I’m sure she’s busy spreading the news all over town, but I don’t want it to come from me.”

  “All right. But then you and I are having a spa day…on me. We’ll even get you a manicure with long, red acrylic nails.”

  Katie looked down at her short, unvarnished fingertips. She could use a manicure. “Long, red nails?”

  Nick positively grinned. “Yes, so you can scratch that cheater’s eyes out.”

  Katie left her packed bags in her apartment, along with Mason and Della, until after her spa treatments with Nick. Before heading out, she made sure the cats had ample food and water until she returned.

  As she and Nick reached the bottom of the stairs, Erikka got out of her car and strode toward Angelo’s. She was wearing tight jeans, a pale-yellow maternity top, and a navy and yellow scarf. She smiled and waved at Katie and Nick.

  “Oh, no, she didn’t,” Nick said.

  “Just ignore her.” Katie headed toward Artisans Alley and the salon within, but Erikka hurried over to intercept them and grabbed Katie by the arm.

  “I take it Andy told you about our baby,” she said and ran her hand over her belly.

  “Sweetie, are you sure you’re pregnant?” Nick asked. “That looks more like a few too many cinnamon buns than a baby bump to me.”

  Erikka huffed. “Goes to show what you know. Want to see the sonogram?”

  “I already have,” Katie said. “If you’ll excuse us, we have somewhere else to be.”

  “Katie, wait. I want you to know I never meant to hurt you,” Erikka said, her tone simpering.

  Katie turned her blazing eyes on Erikka. “You didn’t think sleeping with my boyfriend would hurt me?”

  “I…well…” Erikka said and giggled. “We couldn’t help ourselves.”

  “Yeah…Andy told me about the wine.”

  “Right. That’s what pushed us over the edge the first time.” Erikka looked at Katie from beneath her lowered lashes. “But that merely kindled the flame to where we could barely keep our hands off each other…even at work.”

  Katie’s jaw went slack for merely a moment before she regained control and walked away.

  “Long, red nails with sharp tips,” Nick muttered, as he caught up to her.

  “Do you think it’s true?” Katie hated hearing a tremor in her voice.

  “Absolutely not. I might’ve bought her little performance had she not added the part about Andy barely being able to keep his hands off her at work.” He scoffed. “Andy’s hair being on fire couldn’t distract him from his work.”

  “That’s true.” But Katie still wanted to know if Andy had drunk too much and had made a single mistake or if he’d been having a full-blown affa
ir with Erikka.

  Two hours, one pedicure, and a manicure later, and Katie was still seething. “I should’ve had a better comeback,” she grumbled, referring to her encounter with Erikka.

  “It’s all right. You’ll get another chance.” Nick held up Katie’s right hand. “And now you have these lethal weapons.”

  Katie stretched out her fingers and looked at the tomato-red talons the manicurist had affixed to her nails. The tips hadn’t been filed to a point, as Nick had suggested, but the appendages were still dangerous looking…and impractical. “How did I ever let you talk me into this?”

  “It wasn’t that difficult.” He grinned. “You were vulnerable and open to suggestion. How about we get some lunch? I’m ravenous.”

  Katie shook her head. “My stomach is still queasy. I’m going to go back to Artisans Alley to take care of a few things. I’ll be over to Sassy Sally’s as soon as I finish up.”

  “If you need Don or me to help with moving anything, just give us a call.” He kissed her cheek. “And don’t go scratching Erikka’s eyes out unless I’m there to watch.”

  Katie couldn’t help but grin. “Deal. But with my luck, I’m the one who’ll end up getting hurt by these claws.”

  “Nah, they’ll grow on you.”

  “I certainly hope not!” Katie cried. “Their growing is the last thing I need!”

  They parted and Katie decided to exit the building and walk to the back entrance to Artisans Alley to avoid prying eyes. Then she shut herself into her tiny office. She still needed to speak with Matt Brady, but she’d wait a while…and she’d call the studio before going in search of the photographer. No sense wasting a trip…and being the center of attention on a day when she wanted nothing more than to hide away from the pitying stares that were bound to be directed at her.

  She took the Alley’s checkbook out of her desk drawer, along with a folder filled with unpaid bills. Bill-paying was the only task Katie didn’t feel comfortable putting off until tomorrow. However, she hadn’t realized how one-inch long fingernails would impede her ability to grasp a pen. The task would take twice as long as it normally did.

  Katie decided that when she was finished at Artisans Alley, she’d go get a pint of decadent ice cream, pack up the car, and hide out at Sassy Sally’s for the rest of the day. She might even turn off her phone. She was tempted to go ahead and power down the device, but she was afraid one of her vendors, staff members, or contractor might need her.

  She fumbled with the envelope of the last bill in her stack. “Geez Louise! It’s like working with chopsticks attached to my hands!”

  Without warning, Andy opened the door to her office, stepped inside, and slammed the door behind him.

  Katie rose from behind the desk. “What do you think you’re doing? You’ve got some nerve barging in here like this!”

  “What have you been telling people?” he demanded.

  “Nothing. You think I’m proud of the fact that my boyfriend got another woman pregnant?”

  Andy stepped forward, immediately in her face. “Everybody on the Square has been giving me the stink eye today.”

  “Maybe you should’ve thought about that before you—”

  “And then Ray Davenport came into my store and all but challenged me to pistols at dawn,” Andy interrupted. “The old man seems to think it’s you who is pregnant and that I’ve kicked you out of your home.”

  Katie wasn’t sure she’d heard him correctly. “What?”

  “I love you, Katie, and I’d be thrilled if you were carrying my baby.” A look of comprehension spread over his face. “Wait…are you…?”

  “No,” Katie said quickly, sinking back onto her chair. “I probably have Rose to thank for this misunderstanding.” She explained that Rose saw her this morning immediately after Katie was sick.

  Andy came around the desk, knelt beside Katie’s chair, and gently took her hand. “You had morning sickness?”

  “No!” She blew out a breath and snatched her hand away. “When I saw Erikka’s social media post, it made me throw up. In fact, I still feel nauseous.”

  “I’m sorry, Sunshine. I’d give anything if I could take it back.”

  Katie looked at him—the earnest expression in his deep brown eyes, the sadness and regret—but she wasn’t ready to ask more questions or to hash the matter out. Her emotions were still too raw. “I’ll make sure Rose knows I’m not pregnant. And I’ll let her think I’m leaving the apartment for a few days because something’s broken.” Because something sure was broken. “You know, the water heater or…or something.”

  “Thank you,” Andy said. He rose, then bent to kiss the top of her head.

  Katie cringed, pulling away. Andy stood there for a long moment, but Katie refused to look at him. With a shaking hand, she managed to sign the check she’d been working on. She heard the door open and close as Andy left her office.

  Ten minutes later, Katie had all the bills ready to go in the mail. She picked up the phone’s receiver and hit the intercom button, asking Rose to come to her office for a moment. When Rose arrived, Katie could see by her sweet expression that the woman still seemed to be under the impression that Katie was trying in vain to keep a wonderful secret. Upon sitting at the chair at the side of Katie’s desk, however, her brow furrowed.

  “You look so pale, dear,” Rose said. “Aren’t you feeling any better?”

  “No, I’m not. And to make matters worse, I’m going to have to clear out of my apartment for a few days.”

  “Really? Why?”

  Katie shrugged, not wanting to lie to her friend but not ready to tell her the truth yet either. “It turns out, the apartment is part of what’s making me sick.”

  “Oh.” Rose’s face fell. “So, you’re not…?”

  “No, I’m not. Anyway, Andy needs to…to make some repairs before he even thinks about renting the place to someone else. I’ll be moving to my new place in a week or so anyway.”

  Rose smiled. “That’s right! I’m looking forward to seeing it.”

  “And I’m looking forward to showing it to you,” Katie said. “But, for now, I’m going to go get Mason and Della, head over to Sassy Sally’s, and lie down for a while.” She held the bills out toward Rose. “Would you please put these with the outgoing mail?”

  “Of course. You concentrate on feeling better, dear.”

  “Thank you, Rose.”

  Depression weighed heavy on her soul, but Katie knew what she was doing was the right thing. It was just too bad she had to rely on the kindness of friends instead of being able to take care of herself. It left her with a bitter tang.

  After hitting the grocery store, Nick and Don helped Katie move her meager suitcases and Mason, and Della into their room at Sassy Sally’s. The cats were cautiously inspecting their luxurious new, albeit smaller, surroundings while Katie lounged on the bed, plastic spoon in hand, plowing through a pint of salted caramel and chocolate chunk ice cream.

  A tap sounded at the door. Guessing it was probably Nick, Katie called, “Come on in!”

  Instead of Nick, Ray Davenport ambled into the room carrying a bouquet of yellow roses and white lilies.

  Katie abruptly sat up and nearly dropped her spoon. “Um…hi, Ray. What’re you doing here?”

  The man’s Adam’s apple bobbed, and he cleared his throat. “I don’t….” He shut the door, came closer, and carefully lowered himself onto the foot of the bed. “I realize I’m past my prime, Katie…and likely not your ideal choice as a partner to raise a child.”

  She started to speak, but Ray interrupted. “Hush. Let me get this out there.”

  Katie placed the ice cream carton on the nightstand and motioned for the man to continue.

  “I care about you, I consider myself to be a pretty good father, and I’m prepared to do everything I can to help you and your child.”

  Irked at him for telling her to hush, she decided to have some fun at Ray’s expense. “Both of them?”

  H
is bushy eyebrows shot up. “B-both?”

  She nodded.

  “They’re…you’re having twins?”

  “No. They’re adopted.” Katie looked at Mason, who’d jumped onto the bed to investigate Ray. “Aren’t you, baby?”

  Ray uttered a growl of frustration. “You know I’m talking about your unborn child.”

  “Mason and Della are my only children, at least, for the foreseeable future.”

  “You’re not pregnant?” he asked, sounding confused.

  “Nope.”

  He flung the bouquet onto the bed. “Damn it, woman! Why didn’t you tell me that before I sat here and made a fool of myself?”

  She held up her hands in mock surrender. “You told me to hush. I complied. But thank you for the flowers and the offer. I might take you up on it sometime. These two can be such a handful.”

  “Oh, sure. Ha-ha. Have a big laugh at the expense of the guy who was trying to do something honorable after your boyfriend kicked you to the curb.” He stood and whirled toward the door.

  Katie scrambled off the bed and grabbed Ray’s arm. “Andy did not kick me to the curb! I left because I found out—”

  Ray turned. “You found out what?”

  Katie lowered her eyes. “I’m not the one who’s pregnant.”

  Being a detective, Ray had no trouble putting two and two together. He muttered a string of expletives.

  “And I wasn’t making fun of you, Ray.” She raised her eyes to his. “I—”

  He didn’t let her finish. He cupped her face in his hands and lowered his mouth to hers. Katie’s lips parted in surprise, but then the kiss deepened. Ray’s hands moved to her back as she slid her arms around his neck.

  Finally, Katie took a step back. They stared at one another for long seconds and something in Katie’s gut twisted once again. “I…I can’t.”

  Ray leaned forward, gently kissed her forehead, then turned and left the room, closing the door behind him.

  Katie let out a pent-up breath and sank onto the bed. With trembling hands, she retrieved her now-soupy ice cream.

  What the hell just happened?