by Linda Berry
Sidney wasn’t surprised Katie knew. News circulated fast in a small town, and people moving in and out all day made the cafe a prime center for the transmission of gossip. “Are many people talking?”
She shrugged. “Mostly locals. No one knows any details, so rumors are flying. Was she really raped and murdered?”
“Murdered, yes. Raped, we don’t know.”
Katie visibly shivered. “Are you making headway with her case?”
“Working on it.”
“Poor Sammy. She came in all the time.”
“She ate here yesterday?”
Katie nodded.
“Who waited on her?”
“I did.”
“Do you remember who she ate with?”
“Of course. Matt Howard.”
Matt Howard. Again. His name just kept cropping up.
“How was the mood between them?”
Katie tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and half smiled. “They were having fun. Laughing. Seemed to be very taken with each other. Pecking each other on the lips in between bites. She was such a lovely girl. So friendly.” Her expression sobered, and she locked eyes with Sidney. “Is Matt a suspect?”
“No. These are routine questions. I’m trying to establish a timeline.”
“They were here for an hour. They left around 11:30.”
“Do you remember what she ordered?”
“Let’s see.” Katie put a finger to her lips, eyes narrowing. “She had ham and eggs. He had Pepper Jack Quiche.”
“Thanks, Katie. You’ve been very helpful.”
Katie corroborated Dr. Linthrope’s findings of Samantha’s stomach contents and the time of her last meal. The window was narrowing on the last hours of her life, and Matt Howard was one of the last people to see her alive.
Sidney noticed movement in her periphery, and Katie’s teenage daughter, Allison, stepped into view. The pretty teenager with a busty figure had been helping in the shop since she was knee high. Raindrops were spattered on the shoulders of her raincoat and glistened in the locks of her long red hair.
“Hi, Mom. Hi, Chief Becker.”
“Hi, Allison.”
“You’re late,” Katie said.
“Sorry, Mom.” Allison removed her wet raincoat and hung it on a coat rack. “Just moving slower these days.”
Sheathed in a tight knit dress, Allison was very pregnant. In the two months since Sidney had seen her, her abdomen had swollen considerably, and judging from the size and position, she was nearing her delivery date. Though the family wasn’t talking, most folks in town assumed the father was her high school boyfriend, Doug Ratcher, linebacker and small-town celebrity. No word of marriage in the works, but that was the family’s business, not Sidney’s.
“Better get to work, Allison,” Katie said. “We’re swamped.”
“Okay. Just want to say hi to Dad and Randy first.” Allison shot Sidney a peculiar look before waddling through the swinging door. She made a beeline for Randy, who lifted his head as she approached. He grinned his big, sexy cowboy grin that Selena found irresistible, and Sidney found repugnant.
“Should she be working?” Sidney said. “She looks ready to deliver.”
“She’s fine. Still a month away.” Katie’s face flushed with pleasure. “She’s carrying that child like a champ. Allison was built to have babies. And plenty of them.”
“Spoken like a proud grandma.”
“I am. It’s a boy.” She beamed. “Allison is only here a couple hours each night. Makes salads and desserts. Easy. Gives her something to do.”
A waitress barreled through the door, a platter in each hand. Behind her, Sidney spotted Allison and Randy wrapped in a body lock so tight, oxygen couldn’t fit between them. The door shut, and through the window Sidney watched Randy tilt the teen’s chin up. Sidney felt a jolt of surprise when he kissed her, open-mouthed, steamy. Christ. Her brother-in-law was cavorting with a teenager.
What Allison did next surprised Sidney more. She glanced back over her shoulder and met Sidney’s stare. A little triumphant smile curled her lips. Realization sunk in. The sensual display had been staged for Sidney’s benefit. Allison wanted Sidney to know Randy had a new woman in his life. She wanted Sidney to relay the message to Selena.
When Katie cleared her throat, Sidney pulled her attention away from the window and realized her expression still showed surprise. “What’s going on between those two?”
Before Katie could comment, Allison came back through the door tying an apron over her bulbous belly, a snarky look on her face. The sweet girl Sidney had watched grow up was displaying terrible judgment. Messing around with an older, married man, and taunting Sidney, the police chief, who could cause her a world of grief in so many ways. Must be hormones out of whack. Sidney would have relished taking the girl aside and laying a harsh lecture on her, but that was her mother’s job, and Katie was taking Allison’s behavior in stride.
“Take over this counter for me, Allison, so I can take a break. Follow me, Chief. We need to talk.”
Sidney rounded the counter and followed Katie’s wide derriere into a kitchen filled with pastry racks, huge pots and pans, and myriad food smells. Chopping vegetables, his knife a blur, Randy kept his head down. They turned down a narrow hallway and entered a break room furnished with a coffee nook and small Formica table.
“Have a seat, Chief,” Katie said. “Coffee?”
“No, thanks.” Impatient to get the conversation over with, Sidney sank into a chair.
Katie sat across from her and got straight to the point. “You looked shocked when you saw Allison and Randy kissing.”
“I was.”
Katie looked flustered. “Selena didn’t tell you?”
“Tell me what? That Randy’s seducing your daughter?”
Katie flinched. “That sounds sordid.”
“Sordid describes it pretty well.”
“They’re in a relationship.”
Sidney paused. “I don’t want to go all morality police on you, Katie, but he’s a married man. Allison’s just a kid. What, sixteen?”
“Eighteen. A grown woman. Fully capable of handling Randy.” She swallowed. “I thought Selena knew. He and Allison are living together in our guesthouse.”
Another surprise. “That was fast. He’s only been back two months.”
She tilted up her chin. “They’ve been dating for nine months. He stayed with her when he came to town between rodeo gigs.”
“Nine months?” Sidney sat motionless, processing. “You’re not going to tell me Randy’s the baby’s father, are you?”
“That’s exactly what I’m telling you.”
The air left Sidney’s lungs. Allison, who Katie said was built to have babies, was about to present Randy with the one thing Selena was unable to give him. The news would devastate her.
Katie crossed her arms and looked defensive. “Randy told us he and Selena are getting divorced.”
“He’s never mentioned divorce. Trust me.” Sidney exhaled, long and slow, calming herself. “Selena hoped they’d get back together.”
Katie’s expression softened, and her blue eyes darkened with sympathy. “I’m sorry for Selena. I really am. But it’s been a year. When was the last time she even saw Randy?”
Sidney sighed. “Weeks ago. He stopped by to pick up some belongings.”
“The fact that he doesn’t spend time with her should have told her it’s over.”
The goodbye kiss he gave her told her otherwise. “Randy should have come clean about Allison months ago. He owed Selena that much. They were together eleven years.”
Katie frowned, a confused expression on her face. “I agree. He should have told her. He hasn’t been completely honest with you, or us.”
Honesty was never Randy’s strong suit.
“Well, I guess I understand why he didn’t tell Selena,” Katie said, casting her eyes downward, perhaps casting around for a reasonable explanation. “He didn’t want to hurt her.”
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Or he’s being his usual callous self.
“Well, Randy’s part of our family, now. For better or worse.”
For worse.
“He’s doing our baking every night. Helps Gus with dinner. A hard worker. And smart. He’s taking over some of the management responsibilities so that I can cut back on my hours.” She gave Sidney a direct stare. “Once the divorce is final, we’re going to plan a wedding. Maybe in the spring. Selena needs to know. Randy and Allison have kept a low profile, but they want to come out of hiding. Go out in public together.”
“When are the papers being served?”
“Good question.”
The two women looked at each other, probably thinking the same thing. Something was keeping Randy from making the final move. Probably a glimmer of realization in his Neanderthal brain that he still loved Selena. But he slept with Allison and got her pregnant. He was going to be a father. That decision would dictate his actions for the rest of his life.
“Tell him to get moving with those papers. I’ll break the news to Selena.” Sidney said her goodbye and left the café through the back door. She felt sickened, but she also felt relief. They were finally done with Randy. He’d been living a double life right under her sister’s nose, and Selena never caught a whiff of his deceit. In time, her sister would recognize this terrible episode in her life was a blessing—gift wrapped and tied with a big red bow. The Carters were now assuming responsibility for Randy and his conniving ways. His silky-smooth charm had won them over, but the sheen would wear off. His true nature would seep out of hiding and stain their lives for the worse.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
“HI, OFFICER WYATT,” Ann said warmly when Granger and Selena entered the house with the big basket of apples. “Thank you for coming.”
Bailey limped to the door, wagging his tail and sniffing Granger with interest.
“Call me Granger,” he said, affectionately petting the dog.
“You did see someone out there, Ann,” Selena said, pulling off her cap and shaking her hair free. “Noah. He stands out there and smokes.”
Ann looked relieved. “I’m not going crazy after all.”
“No, you’re not.”
Granger followed Selena across the living room and hoisted the laundry-sized basket onto the kitchen counter. “This is from Miko. He just dropped it off.”
“Miko?” Ann could not have looked more surprised if he had said the Easter Bunny bounded over.
“There’s a card,” Selena said.
The three gathered around the basket as though a baby had been delivered. Granger recognized Granny Smith, Gala, and Fuji apples, but the other varieties stumped him. The two women started exclaiming as though the basket was laden with gems.
“A Pink Pearl!” Selena held a medium-sized, conical shaped, yellow-green apple on the palm of her hand like a trophy.
All smiles, Ann picked out a lopsided russet apple. “Here’s a Hudson's Golden Gem!”
“What’s so special about them?” Granger asked, removing his wet jacket and hanging it on the back of a barstool.
“I’ll show you.” Ann washed the two different types of apples and sliced them into quarter pieces on a cutting board. They all helped themselves to a sample.
The flesh inside the Pink Pearl was bright purple-red. Granger took a bite and a sweet-tart flavor filled his mouth. “That’s different. And tasty.”
“Try the Golden Gem,” Selena said.
This apple had an intensely sweet, nutty flavor, and was juicy and crisp, similar to a pear. “Really good. Never been to an apple-tasting before.”
“Wait ’til you see what we make with them.” Selena’s eyes sparkled. “These Granny Smith apples will make a great molasses-upside-down cake.”
“I’ll make down home, honest apple pie,” Ann said. “Using several varieties in a pie makes the flavor richer.” She opened the envelope from Miko, unfolded the notepaper inside, and moved her lips silently as she read. She smiled, and color appeared on her pale cheeks.
Granger and Selena shared a glance. This token from the stranger next door meant something special to Ann.
“I’m going to bake him the best apple pie he’s ever eaten.” Ann put the note down and sprang into motion, crisscrossing the room, pulling out bowls, a rolling pin, flour, sugar, moving to some internal compulsion.
“Let me get you dinner,” Selena said sweetly to Granger. She removed her damp jacket and blended into Ann’s choreography, pulling items from the fridge, pantry, and cabinets.
Settled on the barstool, Granger watched the organized chaos with amusement, obviously rehearsed many times, for neither bumped into the other. A cold beer appeared in front of him with a plate of warm cheddar cheese scones and pats of butter, followed by a bowl of creamy potato soup. Suddenly he was starving. The soup was delicious. “What kind of business do you two have?” he asked between bites.
“We make organic products, right out there in the barn.” Selena straddled the stool next to his and sipped a Corona from the bottle. “Scented candles and flavored honeys and vinegars.”
“What got you started?” He brushed crumbs off his trousers.
“We met at the farmers market seven years ago. I was selling homemade scented candles and soaps.” She glanced at Ann, who was vigorously rolling out pie dough on the counter. “Ann was selling flavored honey, vinegars, herbs, and flowers. We started talking and realized if we combined our labor and ideas, we could double our output and increase our product line. Long story short, after a lot of experimentation, we now have fourteen products we sell on-line, in gift shops, and grocery stores. I also teach five yoga classes a week.”
“So, for fun, you work some more.”
“Yoga isn’t work. It’s pleasure. And it helps pay the bills.”
Granger wanted to know if anyone was helping Selena pay those bills. She wore a wedding ring on her right hand. What did that mean? Was she widowed? Divorced?
Selena’s warm gaze met his and she gave him a radiant smile. His insides tingled.
“What about you, Granger? What do you do when you’re not working?” Ann asked.
He wiped his mouth with his napkin. “Seems I’m always working, too. My parents are getting older. Dad’s got Parkinson’s. It’s gotten worse the last few years. When I got out of the Marine Corps, I moved into the bunkhouse at home so I could help out. My brother and I keep the ranch going, for now, until they decide it’s time to sell.”
“Sorry to hear about your dad,” Selena said softly. “Your parents are lucky to have you and your brother.”
“You are a good son,” Ann added emphatically.
Blushing, he waved away their compliments. “That’s what families do. Support each other. Good times and bad.”
The two women looked at him like he walked on water. His chest swelled a little. Being in the company of two attractive women was a pleasant change from his usual routine; slouched on the couch in his sweats, eating a frozen dinner while watching ESPN.
“You always work nights?” Selena asked.
He nodded. “Your sister and I volunteered for the night shift so Darnell and Amanda could be home with their families. Darnell has two toddlers. Amanda has a three-year-old.”
“Noble of you both. Kids are a handful. It’s hard, though, to meet people when you work nights. I’ve told Sidney to rotate shifts so she can have a social life. She’s not getting any younger.”
“Me neither. I’m twenty-nine. Always thought I’d be married by now.”
“You want kids?” Ann asked.
“Yes, ma’am. I love kids. My parents married for life. Going on thirty-five years. I expect to do the same.”
Again, the two women gave him admiring glances. He appreciated the attention, but heck, he wasn’t special. Just doing what normal people do.
“You grew up on the ranch?” Selena asked.
“Born and raised. Just a few miles down the highway. Wrangling cattle. We also have chick
ens, goats, four dogs, and five cats.”
“A regular menagerie,” Selena said. “I love animals. I have four cats. Bet you’ve got some nice horses, too.”
He grinned. “That we do. Six quarter horses, a couple paints, two palominos, a Morgan.”
Selena smiled. “I love to ride.”
“Spent half my life in the saddle. Use to team rope with my brother in high school rodeo.”
Both women stared at him like he was dense as wood. Realization set in. He cleared his throat. “Would you like to come out and ride sometime? We have great trails leading off the property down to the lake.”
Selena grinned. “I’d love to.”
“Don’t know when, though. We’re putting in long hours at work right now.”
“Guess you won’t have time to cook.”
“No problem. Freezer’s stocked. TV dinners.”
“Ugh.” She gave him an exaggerated expression of sympathy, bottom lip jutting out. “Since you’ve volunteered to stop by every night, the least we can do is feed you. What do you like to eat?”
“Everything.”
“Chicken stew and buttermilk biscuits tomorrow?”
“Sounds great. Look forward to it.” Granger found it hard to tug his attention away from her expressive green eyes, and he felt color creep into his cheeks. When he was attracted to a woman, he had no defense. His emotions were transparent. Growing up, his mom knew right off when he was lying, while his poker-faced brother got away with everything. “Well, that was a delicious dinner, Ladies. I better be shoving off. Chores are waiting.”
He shrugged into his jacket and Selena walked him to the door. The sound of rain pelting the earth pulled his attention out into the world again, to his responsibilities. As he crossed the porch, he glanced back at her tall, willowy frame in the doorway. She gave a little wave, the warmth of the house behind her, the lure of home-cooked food inviting him to come again. He walked to his truck wondering how Selena could possibly be single. If he had a woman like her, he’d bend over backwards to give her everything she wanted. He’d treat her like a queen.
Something made him glance toward the opening in the trees. No one there. Granger did a rudimentary check of the whole area, skimming the tree line further east to an area where the shadows seemed especially dark. There the figure of a man stood. In less time than it took to blink, he disappeared. Christ. Had someone been there, or was he, too, imagining ghosts?