“Ha! The sheriff Bobby himself I’ll bet. I knew he would. He could not resist seeing what you looked like a dozen years later.”
"Oh, don't remind me of the years, Cami. Bobby looked darn good I must say, for a broken-hearted guy."
“I don’t think he was that broken-hearted, Abby, from what the grapevine says.”
“Good to know.”
“How are things going plan-wise?”
Abby puffed out a big sigh. “The contractors and the team will be here today. It will be hammers and all sorts of noise and confusion in my future for a bit.”
"Take it from me, get a sleep mask and earplugs. You'll thank me."
Abby laughed. "The earplugs might be a good idea."
“So, tell me more about Bobby’s visit.”
“Not much to tell. He was sweet, but you know Bobby, polite and nice. He gave me his card and put his private number on it. I’m going to invite him to dinner this Sunday.”
“Look at you, going for it, Abby!”
"Don't be ridiculous, Cami. It's just one dinner, and that may be all it ever is. He's likely not looking for a relationship at this point, and I'm certainly not a good candidate and for so many reasons."
“When love comes knocking sister…”
Abby snorted out a laugh. “Yeah, I remember the last time you said that. Wasn’t it when you snuck off with Darren McCabe in our senior year and was gone for two days. As I recall, your dad had the sheriffs in two counties on your trail.”
“Yes, I was grounded for two months, but Abby, what an adventure!”
"It's a miracle your parents don't have more gray hair than they do. My dad loved you but told me twice a day that you were a bad influence."
“I’m glad you didn’t listen, Abby. You were my only true friend. I hope that’s still true.”
"Oh, Cami, of course, it is. What's wrong? I know something is bothering you."
“We’ll talk at lunch, see you in a few hours, okay?”
Abby ended the call feeling uneasy. It was rare for Cami to be down about anything, or to ask for help for any reason. She was the poster-child for the independent woman, world traveler, risk taker, and up for any challenge.
Dad’s kitchen clock reminded her she had less than two hours to clean up her mess, and then shower and change. But first, she would send Bobby an invitation for dinner on Sunday. She stood pondering a text message versus a call, finally deciding on a text to appear more casual. Oh, the games men and women play.
Abby put on her favorite business suit, an ocean blue color, and paired it with a white silk blouse. Satisfied with her efforts, she twisted her hair into submission and put in a pearl comb that had been her mother's. She surveyed herself once again and decided she'd pass the test as a businesswoman who knew what she wanted. Now, to keep her suit clean until Teresa Moore arrived would be the only challenge.
The sound of Cami’s car radio announced her arrival as Abby put out the cinnamon rolls and poured two glasses of tea.
Abby watched her old friend get out of the car. Cami paused and took a deep breath before adjusting her long hair, today up in a high ponytail. She had on her signature jeans and tee-shirt and had traded her Texas boots for sneakers today. Abby opened the door and greeted her with a hug. “Come on in a eat about a dozen of these cinnamon buns so that I don’t.”
“Oh, no thanks, stop trying to feed me, but I’ll take the tea.” She reached for the tall glass Abby put before her and took a long drink. “Ah, good. You always did make good tea, as good as your mom’s I recall, Cami said.”
“Must be my Irish-British genes. I’ve done some cold-cuts and Sandy made a big salad and a lemon pie, so we’ll eat when you are ready. Just know that Teresa Moore will be here at 11:30, so we can chat a bit now, eat, or save it all for later after she is gone. I think she’ll be less than an hour.”
Cami put her elbows on the table and clasped her hands together. “I can wait—on all of it. So, fill me in on what you have in mind for her to do.”
Abby slid the folder across the table and studied Cami’s face as she read over the plan. She had on the minimum amount of makeup and not quite enough to conceal the dark circles under her eyes. Yes, something was up with her friend.
Cami closed the folder. “This is great, Abby. You did a good job with this. I guess your education and years as an insurance investigator taught you to state your case and not leave loop holes.”
“I tried to give her some wiggle room since she is the expert, but I made it plain that I want families here and not a bunch of singles and beer swilling 20-somethings riding my horses. My target is couples, families, company employee weekends, that sort of thing.”
Cami picked up the folder, flipped to the last page and smiled as she read it. “Trail rides, cookouts, riding lessons for kids, roping contests, and even target practice. Sounds like the days of our lives doesn’t it?”
“Yes, I guess it does. We were pretty lucky all things considered. Maybe we didn’t live the sophisticated life I read about in books and longed for all those years ago, but we lived a great life. We just didn’t appreciate it.”
“Oh, Abby, does anyone? I mean—you can’t see things when you are in it, close up. You can only see things clearly in the rearview.”
“Yeah, and even then…”
The sound of a car interrupted her, and she put the papers back in the folder. “This must be her.” Abby got up and went to the door, but Cami remained seated sipping her tea.
Teresa Moore was as Evan had described, a willowy, blonde, model-like, and with long legs. She had on a red and white dress and matching red shoes with the highest heels Abby had ever seen. “Get a look at these shoes,” she whispered to Cami.
Abby opened the door and greeted her guest and tried not to look at her shoes. She did the introductions and handed Teresa her copy of the plan along with her questions. “This is my vision, but if I am going in the wrong direction marketing-wise, let me know. But I won’t compromise on my target audience.”
Teresa took the folder and started to read it. She glanced up a couple of times and smiled but said nothing until she reached the end of the last page. “I think this is clear and comprehensive, Abby. Let me leave you with a few ideas I had in general. You mull them over and I’ll tweak some things based on what you told me today and what’s in the file, and we’ll talk, say Monday at nine?”
“Sounds good. Shall I call you?” Abby asked.
“No, I like to do things in person. I’ll come out if that is okay with you. I will want to see the property in more detail, and I’m short on time today. If you have a firm timeline, we can set a roll-out date for the ads, fliers, commercials and get things started.”
“I might know more by Monday. Right now, we are in the early-June target range.”
“We don’t have much time, Abby. Can you be ready to commit after we talk on Monday.”
“Uh, yes, I can be, or should be able to commit. I have another meeting with the contractor tomorrow.”
Teresa flashed her brilliant smile, white teeth gleaming. “Good then, I’ll see you Monday. That gives you four days to harass your contractor and decide if you want to work with me.”
After Teresa left, Abby turned to Cami and made a face. “You hardly said a word.”
“Why would I? You had everything she needed, and she seemed to know what you wanted. It’s not my business.”
“I guess you’re right. She did seem to know her stuff, right?”
“Abby, please stop second guessing yourself.”
“Oh, shut up and let’s have lunch.”
Cami helped her clear the table and then she tossed the salad in silence. Abby brought out the sandwiches and glanced at Cami as she put them on the table. “If you toss that salad any longer, we’ll be eating shreds.”
“Sorry, my mind was elsewhere.”
“I could tell. Okay time to confess. What’s going on with you, Cami?”
“Abby, I’ve really me
ssed up this time.”
“You’re scaring me. How did you mess up?”
Cami sat at the table and huffed out a big sigh. “About six months ago, I took a detour to Honolulu on my way from Alaska to Los Angeles to finish a documentary.”
“Some detour.”
“It was a spur of the moment thing. I had three days before I had to show up in editing at the film studio. I was so tired and burned out. Alaska was rough and it was my first trip there and I was not all that prepared for how hard it would be. The weather had been bad, the living conditions not great because we were out in the wild a lot, and in tents. I was craving sun, and easy living.”
“Okay, so you’re in Honolulu and—”
“I met this guy, Sam, a really rich businessman, and wouldn’t you know, he is from Texas. We started talking at the pool the first night I was there. He was there on business. We just hit it off, and he stayed an extra two days just to spend time with me.”
“That’s sounds romantic. I’m guessing this does not have a happy ending?”
Cami speared a piece of lettuce. “We kept in touch, and he would fly into wherever I was going to be, even if it was just for a few hours to take me to dinner. He even flew all the way to Paris to spend one day with me. You can see how seductive this kind of attention is—was.”
“So, what happened?”
Cami looked down at her plate, stabbing at her food. “Two weeks ago, I picked up a magazine in the airport and there he was, in the magazine. A wonderful photo of him, successful businessman, private jet, 43 and his wife, Jill, 39 and his nine-year-old daughter, Caroline. I almost threw up. It was a story about their new house, one of many, but this one a renovated Victorian in New Hampshire. Seems his wife is an architect, lovely and talented.”
“I take it you had no idea he was married.”
“Of course not, Abby. I may have done some iffy things in my life, but I’ve never gotten involved with a married man.”
“Oh, Cami, I’m so sorry. Does he know you found out?”
“I sent him a text telling him how much I enjoyed the story after I took a couple of days to cool off. We were supposed to meet in San Francisco last weekend. I didn’t go, of course. He’s tried to call me several times, and two days ago he said he wanted to meet me to explain things.”
“What’s to explain?”
“Exactly. I didn’t reply. Then yesterday, this big package showed up at my parent’s house. I guess he found out I was there from my office. It was a painting I had admired. He said it was for my birthday.”
“Wow, he’s something. What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know, Abby. I was falling for him. But I didn’t know the real him, so I fell for the man I thought he was or that I wanted him to be. Or was it his looks and money, the combination I fell for? I never thought I was a shallow person, but maybe I am.”
“You are not shallow, Cami and don’t you even think that for one second. This thing has just thrown you off course. You’ll get back on track.”
“What should I do, Abby?”
“What do you want to do?”
“Go to bed and never get up, or if not that, move to another country under as assumed name so he can’t find me. He has this hold on me, this power over me. How can I love him and hate him at the same time, Abby?”
“Your heart is broken, honey. That’s all. You’ll get over him, over all this. I know you. You are the strongest person that I know.”
“I don’t feel so strong where he is concerned, Abby. That’s why I am home really. I’m hiding out. But even here, the one place I felt safe, he found me. He won’t take no for an answer, and I don’t know how long I can keep saying no.”
“Cami, you are smart enough to know this situation is a no-win. There is nothing but trouble and heartache down that road. You deserve better.”
“Maybe, I guess—but do I deserve better? I’ve led a selfish life, doing what I wanted, spending my money on myself, spending my time where I wanted, with little thought to anyone else.”
“That’s called being young, Cami. We are all like that at times. Now, you have a decision to make. Where do you see a relationship with this man going? How would your life change and could you live with that?”
“My head is spinning, Abby. I can’t seem to think straight. I close my eyes and I see that picture of him and his family. His family—the one he never mentioned in six months.”
“Maybe that tells you what you need to know, Cami.”
“I think I’ll get out of town for a few weeks. I’ve called my boss and told him I can’t do the Iceland trip. He wasn’t happy but he postponed it for three months. He couldn’t say too much since I have not had a real vacation in a long time. I asked for thirty days off.”
“What will you do for all that time?”
“I’m not sure yet, but I’ll be back for your big opening.”
“Cami, you promise?”
“Of course. I wouldn’t miss it for anything.”
Abby stood and hugged her. They both had tears in their eyes now, and it ended up being a solemn lunch.
Later, as Cami prepared to leave, she paused at the door and hugged Abby again. “I am so glad you were here. I feel better, Abby, I do. Thanks.”
“You really have no idea where you going to go?”
“Not sure, but the beach somewhere, I think. I’ll text you when I get to where that is. Love you.” Cami waved goodbye as she got into the car.
Abby had never in the 33 years they had known each other, which was their lifetimes, seen Cami this upset. She was mercurial but not about important things. She could be rash, but only about the trivial. This was big and the situation worried Abby because it had made her friend want to run and hide. Cami, the most outgoing, confident, head-on person she had ever known, was hiding from a guy because she didn’t have the strength to tell him no.
Chapter Two
It was Saturday and still no text from Cami. Abby called Cami’s mom and was told Cami had gone to Los Angeles for a couple of days and then planned to take some time off. Abby wondered where Cami really was. She tried to put it out of her mind, reminding herself that Cami was resourceful, strong, and a world traveler. If anyone could get lost for a bit and be okay, it would be her.
Later, after a late lunch, Abby made the cake for the dessert for her dinner with Bobby on Sunday. She washed and peeled the vegetables and got out her pots and pans. She wanted everything ready for tomorrow morning since the roast would take some time, and she didn’t trust her skills. She stood back and looked at it all hoping she had not taken on more than she could handle. After a light early dinner, she vowed the rest of the evening would be devoted to beauty: nails, facial, the works. She would dazzle Bobby Johns with her cooking skills and her beauty. The thought made her laugh.
As the evening wore on, Abby was glad the other PR person had canceled. She was tired and ready for a bit of pampering. She spent the rest of her evening getting ready for Sunday and wondering why she felt sixteen again as she tried on various outfits. In the end, she decided on simple, black slacks and a peach silk blouse. She vowed to do something with her hair instead of her usual ponytail but wasn’t sure what that would be. She went to bed wishing she had paid more attention to women’s fashion magazines.
Sunday arrived sunny but a little cool for spring in Texas hill country. Abby opened all the curtains in the house, happy for the quiet that greeted her as she walked through to the kitchen. No hammers, saws and equipment today. Danny and Leon would take care of the horses and cattle and then they would go their own way. By the time she had the roast in the oven, and finished her second cup of coffee, she was ready to shower and get dressed. She kept a close eye on the clock to make sure she allowed enough time and realized was pushing it a bit now. Too much daydreaming. She rinsed her cup, peeked at the roast and ran for the shower.
Abby had just toweled herself off when she heard her phone ringing from the bedroom. It had rolled to voic
email by the time she got it, and she was excited to hear a message from Cami saying she was in San Diego for a few days visiting a work colleague and then planned to take the following week as vacation time and maybe go to Santa Fe. She ended by telling Abby not to worry and that she would call her from Santa Fe. Relieved, she decided not to call her back yet. She wanted to see if she could find out something about the guy that had broken her friend’s heart first. It was then she realized she didn’t even know his last name. From what she could see from Cami’s actions, she was not bouncing back from this any time soon it seemed.
By the time Bobby arrived Abby had begun to get nervous. What if they ran out of things to talk about? Most everything, including doubts, went out of her head when she saw him get out of the car. She stood inside and watched him through the glass door as he approached. He stopped and looked around for a minute before coming to the door. “Hi, it’s me. You called for a sheriff?”
“Hey, you, and yes, I did call for the sheriff. Oh, did you get a look at all the work going on as you drove in?”
“I could see some, but I’d like to go look closer after dinner, if that’s okay with you.”
“Great, I’d like your opinion on things anyway. You know ranches, horses, cattle, and the good, bad and the ugly of it all. Come on in and have a seat. The roast is cooling, and we can eat in a few minutes. Hope you’re hungry.”
“It certainly smells good.”
“I think I did okay with this menu. It’s one of the few things I can usually get right. I got out of practice cooking when we lived in San Antonio. I was on the run, doing a lot of traveling, eating in restaurants mostly. Ken cooked more at home than I did, out of desperation. Here, Sandy does most of it, but I miss it sometimes.” Abby knew she was talking too much but couldn’t seem to stop herself.
Bobby’s green eyes so locked on her every move made her a little self-conscious.
“Relax, Abby, I’m sure it will be great.”
“It’s taking some adjusting to get back to the ranching life. How has it been for you, getting back to the hill country and ranching communities after being in the big city?”
Murder at the Dude Ranch Page 2
