Chapter 9
Shawn picked me up at straight-up six o’clock. I liked a guy who was punctual, so it earned him points in my book.
Not that I was keeping track of points. Obviously I wasn’t interested in a real relationship. This was a harmless flirtation, a distraction from real life. I kept telling myself that, hoping it would keep me from forgetting.
“You look great,” he said when he took in my black skirt and long-sleeved red blouse.
“Thank you. You look pretty terrific yourself.” He wore a sports jacket over a button-up shirt and a pair of tan chinos. I think this man would look good in rags.
His answer was to grin, and maneuver to help me into my leather jacket. What a gentleman. How did he get a sister like Analesa again? I felt a slight shiver of excitement when his fingers brushed my neck as he settled the coat on my shoulders, then slid his hands along my shoulders.
Shawn took me to the hotel for dinner. Not that there weren’t oodles of other places to eat, I thought, but the little restaurant was quaint, quiet and leaned toward romantic. This man was no socially inept teen, no matter what Analesa thought. I was going to enjoy that fact immensely.
We ordered and I glanced over as another couple was seated nearby. Tad and Analesa. “Looks like they decided to emerge from their room for a little while,” I noted. I hadn’t had a chance to ask her about the argument I’d overheard between herself and Valerie on Friday night. Of course, Millie told me what the argument had been about—assuming her information was accurate.
“Yeah. I thought they might. Analesa loves Tad, but she needs social interaction.” Shawn twisted his glass on the tabletop.
“Even on her honeymoon? I’d have thought Tad would be oodles of social interaction for her.”
Shawn laughed. “I think she’s still fuming that they had to cancel their trip. The police weren’t happy about them traveling to Florida for their honeymoon with the investigation still ongoing.”
I hadn’t thought about that. They’d told me not to go anywhere, but I didn’t expect the bride and groom to be stuck in town, too. Had they made everyone stay? “Is one of them a suspect?”
“I think at this point just about everyone is,” Shawn said. “Probably even me, and I have an in with the detective.”
“Well, that makes me feel a little better. I thought I was being picked on.” I took a sip from my water glass, letting my eyes linger on him. “Why would they think you killed her?”
Shawn leaned forward and lowered his voice. I followed suit, as if this was a deep dark secret. “I dated her for about ten minutes when I was eighteen. I must have a broken heart.”
He didn’t appear the least heartbroken. “The evil wench. What happened?”
“We went out, had some very nice goodnight kisses and I went home. She returned to college and a couple weeks later, I started dating Carla.”
It sounded about right for teenage romance, but oddly made me feel a little jealous. “Apparently your sister never heard about it. She seemed to think Valerie flirted with you Friday night, and that she’d chew you up and spit you out.”
He threw his head back for a laugh. “I grew immune to Valerie long ago. Still, she was fun for a little light banter at the rehearsal.” He took a sip of his drink. “Am I supposed to be a soft touch?”
“Tender-hearted was the way Millie described it.”
“Unbelievable.” He leaned forward in his chair again, took my hand on the tabletop and wiggled his brows. “I could be a soft touch for you, if you’re interested.”
I was glad the appetizers arrived then, as it took me a while to readjust my thinking. Was he serious, or a player? Perhaps he and Valerie had some common ground . . . the thought didn’t please me. “So what were you up to that night?”
“I played pool with some buddies—including the detective—early in the evening, and was tucked in bed long before midnight. My life is super exciting.” His smile was infectious, making me return the expression. Or maybe it was knowing he hadn’t been with her that evening, and wasn’t trying to fake an alibi. Wouldn’t the guilty person make sure they could claim something? Or was that only in movies?
We were digging into our food when Analesa seemed to notice us for the first time. She yanked on Tad’s sleeve, and they came over to speak with us. “What are the two of you doing here together?” she asked. When she looked at me, her gaze held accusation, as if she thought I was taking advantage of her baby brother.
“Looks like dinner to me, honey,” Tad soothed.
“Just two old friends, becoming reacquainted.” Shawn leaned back in his chair again and picked up his drink.
“I didn’t realize you were such good friends.” Analesa lifted her brows at him, crossing her arms over her chest. I couldn’t see her foot, but wondered if she was tapping it.
“Settle, sis. It’s a friendly meal. You don’t need to worry that she’s going to take advantage of me.” He popped a mushroom cap in his mouth.
I felt my cheeks flush, so I was glad for the dim lighting. “You never know. I already had you hauling around equipment for me today. I might make you help me move the new stuff in.”
His dimple reappeared. “Let me know when. I’ll be there if I’m still in town. Here, try this. It’s really good.” He lifted another stuffed mushroom cap to my lips.
I ate it from his fingers, which was surprisingly intimate and disconcerting. He was right, though, it was extremely tasty. The flirting made me nervous, even more than normal because I could feel Analesa’s irate eyes on me. What was her deal? I turned to look at her. “So, I hear your honeymoon plans were changed.”
“Yeah.” She put her hands on her hips. “The detective told us we can’t leave town for a while. I mean, seriously, it’s our honeymoon. Isn’t it bad enough our wedding was pushed back? What’s wrong with him? And why hasn’t he caught the killer yet? The incompetence is unbelievable.”
Right, because it had been a full thirty hours and there wasn’t a single, clear motive for Valerie’s murder. “What does he have on you? I mean, I thought only suspects would be asked to stay. Neither of you could have a reason.”
Analesa waved her hand. “He’s all upset about my argument with Valerie on Friday night. I said, you can’t expect me not to watch out for my own family, can you? He’s like, family is a good reason to take drastic measures.” She lowered her voice to imitate the detective’s. “I’ve never even hit someone before, and he thinks I killed her because she acted indecorous?”
“Lay off of Tingey, he’s doing his job.” Shawn’s voice was calm but there was a definite edge of irritation in his eyes.
I turned to Tad, who looked mighty uncomfortable at the moment. Was it the topic of conversation, or did he have something to hide? “And you—are you stuck here by default, or did he say something silly about you too?” I asked.
“Him?” Analesa laughed as if the suggestion were ludicrous. “My Tad is clean as a whistle. He doesn’t even speed.” She snuck an arm through his and looked up at him, admiration all but glowing off her. “He’s going to be a senator someday, maybe even president.” The look was sickening. I supposed it was appropriate for their honeymoon, and counted myself lucky if it was the worst display of public affection I saw from them.
Tad chuckled lightly—nervously—I thought—at Analesa’s words. “I’m no saint, sweetheart. Perhaps we ought to return to our seats. They’ll be bringing dinner soon, and I’m sure we’re interfering with Shawn’s date.”
Though Analesa looked as though she might not mind interfering in her brother’s love life, I was glad when they left, if only because her gaze on me was accusing.
I turned to Shawn and realized he still held my hand. “Do you suppose I’m taking advantage of you, me being the older woman?” After all, he was probably the tender age of twenty-nine.
His brows lifted and his voice turned husky. “Do you want to take advantage of me?”
I met his teasing eyes. “Is it taking advantage if I invite you back to my apartment for chocolate cheesecake? I’m tweaking a recipe and could use a second opinion.”
“For one of your sweets? I have the feeling I’d always be up for that.”
“It’s only dessert,” I warned him when his grin turned almost feral. “That’s all you’re getting out of me.”
He lifted his glass and took a sip, not looking away the whole time. “We’ll see.”
The chocolate cheesecake was a hit, as I knew it would be. I decided the slight hint of nutmeg in the batter was exactly what it needed.
“So do you always offer your dates dessert?” Shawn asked as he lifted his coffee mug after finishing off his slice.
“Not always. I had this handy. And you were around.” I felt relaxed and happy. It had been a great evening, fun, flirty, with no pressure. I felt a tingle of excitement when he gave me a look over the top of his coffee cup that said he thought my mouth might taste as good as the dessert.
I was considering letting him kiss me—which I hardly ever allowed on a first date, but hey, sometimes you had to live dangerously. The question was how much of this reckless attitude came from leftover hurt. Was it all about the rebound relationship? I didn’t think that Shawn was a naïve fool or anything, but he didn’t deserve to be taken advantage of, either.
“Lucky me,” he said. “If I took you out again, would you be willing to make dessert again?”
“I might, if things went well.” And if I could find the time. I had far too much to do this week, and tracking down a killer was only part of my load. “Are you saying you want to go out again?”
“Definitely.”
We lingered for a while longer before he rose, claiming he needed to get out of my way before I grew tired of his company. I doubted that would be likely.
At the door he turned to me. “What are you doing tomorrow?”
“Painting my kitchen downstairs. If you decide you’re bored, feel free to come help.” I really hoped he would. He brightened my mood and made me forget the darker pockets of my life.
He leaned in, tipping my head up toward him with his hand on my cheek. “I might.”
Tingles zoomed through me as he carried out a slow, careful assault on my senses with his kisses. When he left, I felt a bit lightheaded, and couldn’t help but hope we managed another date before he returned to his post in Nogales.