Slay Bells

by Hildie McQueen

  Gabriela wanted to laugh and covered it up with a cough. She pulled the napkin up to hide her smile. This was way too dramatic to miss. “Nope, I am not about to let my food get cold.” She emphasized her comment by taking a fry and popping it into her mouth.

  Jeremy on the other hand got to his feet. “What are you doing? I am not your boyfriend.”

  “And what was that between us last week?”

  “I was out of town last week,” Jeremy said, his jaw tense and eyes turning flat. Definitely the pissed off cop look.

  “Whatever, the week before that,” Cassandra spat.

  “I was out of town that week too. Convention in California for three weeks.”

  Cassandra seemed to lose steam. Gabriela assumed picturing a calendar while being pissed was hard. “I tell you what. Keep this up and we’re over.” She poked her index finger into the center of his chest. “I am not about to make a scene this time.” She turned dramatically, flinging her ponytail in Jeremy’s face, and marched to the front door.

  “I apologize.” Jeremy sat down and stared at his food. “I’m not sure what that was about.”

  Gabriela swallowed the bite of hamburger. “She’s letting me know you two have a thing. Obviously, she can’t break up with you because y’all are already broken up, so instead she threatens to withdraw from hooking up. Oh, and the server that seated us called her.”

  Jeremy stared at the ceiling. “This is embarrassing.”

  “You must be good in bed,” Gabriela replied.

  At this he turned into a total man and grinned. “Want to find out?”

  “Yes, but no. I live at your parents’ place and it would be very, very awkward.”

  “I have an apartment here in town.”

  The man was a genius. Why had she not remembered that he has his own place?

  The evening was quickly becoming more and more interesting. She could sneak to her cabin and no one would know any better. Her lips curved. Yes indeed, this was getting to be an amazing experience.

  To say dessert was heavenly would be an insult to Jeremy. He was not only built like a Roman god, but knew his way around a woman’s body like no other lover she’d ever had. By the time he collapsed on top of her, Gabriela had lost her mind. Her soul had left her body and returned at least five, times starting at the sight of Jeremy fully nude and the rock hard situation between his legs.

  “You okay?” he asked nuzzling her neck. “I’ll move as soon as I can.”

  She slid her hand down his back. “I am way more than okay.”

  “Gabriela. Wake up.” This was the first time a dream was so vivid. Gabriela dug her face deeper into the pillow and groaned. Ever so slowly she was waking up and that was not good. The longer she slept, the more she could stay in the make believe world where she and Jeremy had…

  “Oh shit!” She sat straight up and looked around the room. “What time is it?” Gabriela jumped from the bed, sprinted through the room gathering up her clothes and dashed to the bathroom. “Don’t tell me it’s past the crack ass of dawn when your family gets up.”

  Jeremy was on the opposite side of the door. “It’s only five. Plenty of time to get you past my parent’s and to the cabin without anyone seeing us. Take your time.”

  “Five o’clock,” she mumbled. Once again she wondered if Montana people ever slept in. “You could have just rolled me up in the blankets and dumped me in my bed. I didn’t plan to get up before nine.”

  When she walked out attempting to control her curls, Jeremy was fully dressed and damn if he didn’t look like a succulent morsel for it being five in the morning. “How can you look so good?” Gabriela said accepting a kiss from him while keeping her lips closed. “I’m sure I have morning breath,” she explained.

  “I want to write a series of articles leading up the festival,” Gabriela said speaking to her coworkers back in San Diego. The faces all turned to where she assumed her boss was seated.

  Genevieve’s face moved closer to the screen. “I hear you. Sounds like you have fodder for an entire novel, but will it be interesting to our readers?”

  “Our readers love adventures, I can spin it to be city versus country living.”

  There were murmurs as people discussed. “I can’t hear you.” Gabriela had to raise her voice.

  “I think it’s an amazing idea,” Mila said with a wide smile. “I for one want to know more about the hunky detective.”

  Mila’s face disappeared to be replaced by Genevieve. “Do you have pictures of the man?”

  “I have amazing shots of the beautiful cabin the family lives in as well as the surrounding land. The articles will definitely attract our city readers who wish to live vicariously through us.”

  After a few more questions her idea for a weekly series was approved. When the call ended, her phone rang immediately.

  “I’m so sorry for spilling about the hunky detective,” Mila said in a high whisper indicating she was somewhere in the office. “What do I say if she asks me?”

  “Tell her to call me. I don’t mind sharing the story of naked Henry,” Gabriela said with a chuckle. I won’t name Jeremy Hawkins.

  Gabriela spent most of that day at the cabin writing. Her introductory piece was about her first impressions upon arriving in Montana and at the ranch. Once that was complete, she planned to write one about the family. Of course, before arriving, the family had signed waivers allowing for her piece. However, now that it was changed to a weekly occurrence, she decided it would be best to inform Natalie and Rick.

  Several hours later she peered out the window and saw people going to their vehicles to leave for the day. Spending the day writing, she’d not considered how late it was.

  Picking up her cell, she called the main house and Natalie answered. “Hi there stranger,” Natalie greeted. “I was wondering if I’d hear from you today.”

  “I’ve been writing all day. Are you available in the morning for coffee and chatting?”

  There were voices in the background and she heard Natalie ask someone to check the oven. “Rick decided to bake something, then disappeared,” Natalie said laughing. “He loves those slice and bake cookies, but forgets they are only to be in the oven for a few minutes. You should come over and have some with us.”

  Gabriela pictured the kitchen wishing she was brave enough to face the family that evening. However, she wasn’t sure it was possible to face Jeremy in front of his family at the moment. Not a good thing to picture a man naked in front of his family.

  “I appreciate it, but I better finish writing what I’ve started.”

  “Of course. See you bright and early in the morning, be here for breakfast.”

  With a sigh, she went to the small kitchen, filled the kettle with water and placed it on the stove. Then she pulled out a jar of peanut butter and a jar of Hawkins jam.

  Just as she opened the silverware drawer to select a butter knife, there were three knocks on the front door.

  Through the window, she could see an outline of a man. She lifted to her toes and peered out the peep hole to see Jeremy wink.

  “I believe I owe you dinner,” He walked in with take out bags and a plate, which he motioned to with his head. “Mom sends cookies.”

  Her eyes went wide. “Does your Mom know you were bringing me dinner?”

  “Is that a problem?”

  “I suppose not. I just don’t want to give her a bad impression of me.”

  His chuckle accompanied by deep dimples made Gabriela’s stomach do funny things.

  “This was her idea. She’s playing matchmaker. Mom is convinced I need help finding the one.”

  “Me? Really?”

  “Why do you find it so hard to believe. You’re beautiful and single.”

  Gabriela didn’t point out the fact she was not white because obviously it didn’t matter to his family. She smiled at him. “I suppose we can play along.”

  The meal and cookies were as delicious as kissing Jeremy. Finally, he reluc
tantly went to the door. “Best not let Mom think she’s too successful. There won’t be living with her then.” He told her and pressed another lingering kiss to her lips.

  “I’m tempted to give her a very bad impression of me,” Gabriela pulled him close and nipped at his jaw. “Thank you for dinner.”

  When the door closed behind him, Gabriela blew out a breath. The hunky detective was definitely making her rethink her dislike of country living.

  She would be up for a while. Not only did she wish to interview Natalie in the morning, but also take shots of the festival progress.

  In addition to that, she hoped to find out how the investigation of the murder progressed.

  At the thought, she quickly locked the door and ensured all the windows were locked. She’d definitely be leaving the lights on all night.

  Shuffling outside the cabin woke Gabriela from a deep sleep. At first she wondered if it was a wild animal, but when it sounded more like someone tried the front door. She was immediately wide awake.

  Doing her best to keep her breathing under control, she slipped from the bed and went to the bedroom doorway. Listening intently, there was no doubt, someone was trying to come into the house.

  Gabriela dashed back into the bedroom and peered out the window. There were tracks on the snow, leading to the front door. She could make out the outline of a person, who backed up and studied the cabin as if trying to assess if someone was inside.

  Whoever it was, wore a thick coat, a scarf pulled over their nose and ski cap. However, the body type was like that of the man who’d tried to snatch her camera.

  Having to use both hands because they shook so hard, she picked up her cell phone to call Jeremy.

  Just then barks sounded, and the person sprinted off. Shortly after, the Hawkins’ two dogs flashed past, followed by Jeremy on the snowmobile.

  Gabriela let out a breath and sat on the bed, too shaken to move. Something like this had never happened to her in the city.

  When in college, she’d had to report a guy who had tried to force himself on her. She’d reported him and for weeks, the guy had harassed and tried to intimidate her. Another time a friend had been mugged while they shopped together. It was horrible and scary, but that was the extent of her experience with crime. Now, personally being part of a crime investigation was terrifying.

  As expected, there were knocks on her front door a moment later and she shuffled to the front door peeking out before opening it.

  “You okay?” Jeremy asked as the dogs hurried past her and began to sniff. “The dogs heard someone sneaking around.”

  “Did you catch him? Whoever it was tried the doorknob, but didn’t seem too intent on breaking in.”

  “No, they had a car parked nearby. I got the make and model. It was Mark Rutledge. Called it in, waiting to hear if they pulled him over.”

  Gabriela motioned for him to come in and closed the door. “I suppose you’re going to tell me to move into the big house.”

  When he leaned closer and pressed a kiss to her lips, she couldn’t help relaxing against him. The man was an amazing kisser. “Up to you. This time Mark will be locked up longer.”

  “I’m packing.”

  Chapter Nine

  It was the first night of the five day Winter Festival. Many man-hours of work and preparation were about to pay off by the line of cars pulling into the parking areas.

  Gabriela, along with Natalie and Natalie’s sister Rita stood at the front porch of the main house watching the parking attendants guiding traffic.

  Soon the Hawkins’ along with Gabriela would climb onto a huge sleigh and be pulled by a team of enormous plow horses to the festival. The team of four horses pranced in place, seeming excited at wearing collars decorated with lights and huge bells. The harness was also lit up with lights and garland, as was the sleigh.

  Although it was not her event, tingles of excitement and goose bumps traveled up and down Gabriela’s arms and spine.

  “How can you be so calm? I’m about to pass out from excitement. People are going to flip out when they see how beautiful everything is,” Gabriela exclaimed.

  Natalie held a shaky hand out. “I’m not calm.”

  Unlike her sister, Rita was shorter with curly short hair. She drank from a thermos that Gabriela suspected wasn’t hot chocolate. “I bet they will buy out all the ornaments before the night is out. Those little Broken Creek post boxes are so cute. I put several aside for myself.”

  “I agree,” Gabriela said. She’d already purchased some for herself, her mother, her Nana, and Mila. Natalie had told her, she didn’t have to pay for them, but she’d insisted.

  “It’s time,” Rick came out of the house and helped them onto the sleigh. The short ride was something she’d never forget.

  An hour later, welcome speeches were completed. Rick and Natalie announced it would be their last year hosting the event, which sent the crowd into a tizzy. Finally, it was announced the festival would continue, but the new coordinators were yet to be finalized. The second announcement seemed to mollify the crowd somewhat.

  Even with the huge light displays, sleigh rides and crafts fair in full affect, the souvenir table was mobbed and as Rita predicted, every single ornament was sold within hours.

  “Goodness, I ordered five hundred of them. Now I won’t have any for the next week.” Natalie frowned. “I’ll order more and see if they can get them here before Christmas. I can always have any leftovers sold at local businesses.”

  Gabriela caught sight of Jeremy here and there. Throughout the night, both he and his father were constantly rushing around answering questions and helping with things.

  Later that night, Natalie invited Gabriela to go on a sleigh ride. Along with Jeremy’s sister, Molly, who Gabriela had met several times. Molly was a younger replica of Natalie. Pretty, witty and very pregnant.

  They settled into cushy seats and were given thick blankets to cover up with. As the horses pulled the sleigh along the path, there was a chill in the air that added to the magic of the bells ringing, the thousands of lights strung overhead and the soft Christmas music that floated from hidden speakers.

  “I am going to miss you being with us,” Natalie said to Gabriela. “I can’t wait to read the articles you’ll write about us.”

  Just a few more days and she’d be back in California. The festival ended the day before Christmas, and she’d leave on the day after Christmas.

  All together she’d be there just over two weeks and so much had occurred. Now she wanted to kick herself. She and Jeremy had spent a few more evenings at his apartment. Although no one commented on it, Gabriela was pretty sure everyone suspected.

  “So what’s going to happen between you and my brother?” Molly asked. Gabriela’s eyes went full on “deer in the headlights”.

  Natalie chuckled. “I was about to ask the same thing.”

  “Ummm…well, we are not.” Gabriela gave up, not quite sure what to say. Taking a deep breath, she tried again. “We haven’t discussed it. I’ve grown to care for him a great deal. However, I do live a bit far.” Gabriela sighed. “I think he likes me too.”

  “Like?” Molly almost screamed the word. “The boy is gaga over you.”

  “Let them decide.” Natalie patted her daughter’s hand. “I’m sure they’ll work something out.” Jeremy’s mom gave Gabriela a one eyebrow raised look. The meaning was either “do something” or “don’t make Molly upset.”

  Gabriela cleared her throat and looked around wishing Jeremy would materialize and help her. Of course, he didn’t. “I will talk to him. I think we can work something out, but it has all happened so fast. Y’all know men don’t like the “where do we stand” talk too soon.”

  Molly sniffed. “I like you. You’re the first woman who’s made my brother look so happy. His job is so stressful and da-dangerous.”

  If Molly started crying, Gabriela would join her. Not because she was under any distress, but whenever someone cried, it made
her cry. She made a horrible babysitter. Most babies didn’t like for someone to cry with them, it made them cry harder and louder.

  “There now sweetie. I’m sure Gabriela and Jeremy will make plans to continue to see each other. Gabriela can fly up on weekends.”

  Gabriela blinked. What the hell was happening?

  When they returned to the main area, Natalie leaned closer as Molly’s husband came to help her down. “You don’t have to fly back every weekend. I was just trying to keep Molly from crying.”

  Jeremy walked up and gave her a side hug. “Enjoying yourself? Where have you been hiding?”

  As much as she wanted to cling to him and pull the man closer, it was hard to when Natalie watched on with a wide grin.

  Gabriela took a step away. “Went with your mother and sister on a sleigh ride. This entire thing is amazing. I understand why people are so disappointed in it being your family’s last year doing it.”

  He met her gaze for a long moment and boy was it hard to keep from kissing him. “Mom and Dad asked Molly and I if we want to continue it. I’m not sure I can do all of this alone. Molly is too busy with the kids and all.”

  “I can understand. It is a huge job.” A sleigh neared, a couple stood up and everyone clapped.

  “An engagement,” Jeremy said, his gaze on the couple. “They look a bit young.”

  “Or maybe you’re just old,” Gabriela joked, elbowing him in the ribs.

  “Nah, that’s not it,” he replied with a chuckle and then to her shock, he kissed her lightly on the lips. “I better scoot, looks like Henry is waving me over.”

  Molly and Natalie continued watching with wide smiles.

  “Oh boy.” Gabriela ducked her head and hurried into the huge crafts show area.

  By the end of the evening, Gabriela was too tired to even think. She grabbed a sandwich from one of the vendors along with chips and hitched a ride on a sleigh back to the house. The night had only gotten better, each hour that passed brought laughter, warm smiles and so many memories.

  Once inside the bedroom in the family house, she opened her laptop and video called Mila. Her friend answered on the third tone wearing a facial mask. “Hey, long time no talk.”