A Dark Horse

by Cooper, Blayne

  Adele was the kind of woman Natalie could fall in love with, if she let herself. And she didn’t want to mess things up by moving too quickly. For now, at least, she resolved to put out of her mind any of the numerous roadblocks that lay ahead of them, but most especially the fact that they lived in different cities. “You’re sweet to let her have her way.”

  Appearing a little embarrassed for looking like a tenderhearted pushover, Adele shrugged and wiped the crumbs from her mouth with a napkin. “I don’t always give in. But after what she’s put up with these last couple of years, she’s earned a lot more than her choice of paint colors. Just don’t tell her I said so.”

  “It’ll be our secret.” Natalie finished her sandwich and rose to put her plate into the dishwasher. “Are we going to Shreveport to question Billy Hobson now?” she asked, trying to keep disappointment from coloring her words. The trip now meant no date tonight.

  Adele’s face fell. “We absolutely could.” She nibbled her top lip. “On the other hand, Hobson’s cousin said he wasn’t due back home from a hunting trip until tomorrow night sometime. I thought maybe we could leave first thing in the morning. That way we could still go out tonight and be at Hobson’s well before tomorrow night. It sucks, but bedtime or early mornings are the best time to catch someone at home.” Adele shoved her hands into the pockets of her jeans and focused on her shoes. “But if you’d rather—”

  “No!” Natalie said a little too quickly. She was sure she should feel guilty for not searching for Josh’s killer with every second of her time in New Orleans. But she still had her own life to lead. She was grateful to have a chance at all the things that Josh would miss, and was determined not to waste it by ending up hopelessly trapped in the past. “I don’t want to do anything other than go out with you tonight.”

  Natalie had never seen Adele so happy. The look on Adele’s face brought to mind the impressive, enthusiastic woman she’d met more than five years earlier.

  Adele’s smile was blinding. “Really?”

  Helplessly, Natalie nodded. “Really.” She admired the way the sunlight streamed in through the window and brought out the dozen or so shades of light brown and blond in Adele’s hair. “Just don’t let it go to your head.”

  Adele stepped over to Natalie and looked her square in the eyes. “Then I’d better make sure our date is a good one.”

  Natalie’s eyes zeroed in on Adele’s lips.

  “But, now we shop!”

  Natalie jumped, a little startled. “We pretty much cleaned out Amelia’s earlier this week. But I’m always game if there’s something else you need.”

  Adele looked at Natalie as if she’d grown a second head. “Not for clothes, silly. This is way more important than that. C’mon, Amelia’s going to meet us there. You can borrow a pair of my boots.”

  Scowling, Natalie allowed herself to be dragged out of the room by her wrist. She had several pairs of winter boots back home, and if she never wore them again, it would be too soon. “What do you mean boots?”

  “You’ll see.”

  Natalie suddenly remembered something. “Hey, since we’re going shopping anyway, can we stop by a Best Buy or something? I need to get a phone charging cable.”

  “You can borrow mine. I saw that we’re both Droid girls.”

  Natalie felt a tickle of dread deep in her belly. Until just that moment, she hadn’t thought of Josh’s phone since she grabbed it, and she hadn’t told Adele about it. She licked her lips nervously. “It’s not for my phone. It’s for Josh’s.”

  Adele stopped dead in her tracks. “Wh-what?”

  “I found it in Misty’s bedroom and I…well, I just took it. It was the last thing I ever gave Josh, and he loved it.” Natalie shrugged. “I didn’t want it ending up in the dump or auctioned off for nothing. But I can’t power it up. It’s an iPhone and my charger won’t work with it.”

  A crease appeared between Adele’s eyes. “And you didn’t trust me enough to tell me right away?”

  Natalie felt a sliver of pain in her chest. For Adele it always came down to trust. “No, no, no, Ella, it wasn’t like that at all. Trust had nothing to do with it. I was going to mention it, and then I just didn’t think of it again. That’s the only reason. I promise.”

  Adele nodded slowly and Natalie allowed herself to breathe again. “Do you think it could be important?” Natalie asked.

  “I doubt it. But there’s only one way to find out.” With a slightly impatient sigh, Adele glanced at her watch. “We need to head out now if we’re going to make it on time. Georgia has an iPhone. We’ll grab her charger tonight and see.”

  “Okay.” Natalie could have kicked herself for bringing down Adele’s playful mood. “I really am sorry.”

  Adele smiled a little. “You don’t have to be sorry. Just start thinking a little more like Nancy Drew. Now, about those boots…”

  * * *

  “I can’t believe we’re doing this in this weather. This just seems wrong somehow. Like maybe even morally wrong.” It turned out Natalie hadn’t, thank God, needed boots. The ground was firm and dry. “No. Not morally wrong. Abnormal.”

  “What are you talking about?” Adele asked absently as she craned her neck in search of Amelia. “This is perfectly normal.”

  “It’s more than sixty degrees outside and we’re going to cut down a Christmas tree! I’m wearing a sleeveless sweater and you have on a short-sleeved blouse. We’re supposed to do this in long underwear and knee-deep snow.” Natalie pointed at a fat, white-bearded man. “And that Santa has on a Hawaiian print shirt, jeans and a giant alligator belt. At least he got the Santa hat right.”

  “That’s not Santa. That’s Gus. He owns the tree farm.”

  “It’s called Santa’s Village! He’s passing out mini candy canes and an elf is standing next to him!”

  “I’m telling you, that’s Gus.” Adele tilted her head toward the man in question. “I’ve been coming here my entire life, and I think I’d know if he was Santa. In fact, I have proof he’s not. I remember when his beard was partly black.” Adele’s gaze dropped significantly lower. “That’s Gus’s big brother, Rob. I think Rob prefers the term little person over elf.”

  Natalie looked askance at Adele, sure that she was teasing. Almost.

  “Amelia!” Adele spotted her sister, who was carrying a large canvas sack with her, and motioned her over to them. Three little blond girls, who looked to range in age from around six to ten, skipped along in tow.

  “Aunt Ella!” the girls shouted, all vying for a spot in their aunt’s arms. Adele bent down and set her cane on the ground before giving each child an enthusiastic bear hug and sloppy kiss on the cheek.

  “We didn’t think you were ever coming again, Aunt Ella,” the tallest girl said. She glanced around. “Where is Lo—?”

  “Ahem,” Amelia interrupted, looking a little concerned. She gave the girl a tiny poke. “Remember our talk?”

  But Adele met the words with a lopsided grin. “It’s okay.” She ruffled the now red-faced girl’s hair. “Logan is with his dad, but will be home on Christmas Day. I decided that I missed our tradition so badly that I couldn’t stay away.” Her voice went a little serious. “I’m sorry that I was gone for so long. But I’m back and I’m not going anywhere again.”

  The news was greeted with loud cheers and three little bodies jumping up and down as though they’d never heard anything better in their lives. Amelia’s and Adele’s eyes met and instantly filled with tears. At the sight, Natalie’s own vision began to blur.

  Adele saved the adults from getting too maudlin by making introductions.

  Natalie shook each girl’s hand politely, then promptly confused their names. They looked so similarly adorable: all with brown eyes a bit darker than Adele’s and varying shades of straight blond hair.

  The oldest and the tallest of the girls was Amelia’s. The other two belonged to Jackson, Adele and Amelia’s younger brother. Jackson was a single father. Amelia’s hus
band, Tony, had decided to take the day off from work, and send only the women to the tree farm this year for the Great Christmas Tree Challenge.

  While Adele was busy catching up to the kids, Natalie moved over to Amelia, who was watching Adele with misty eyes.

  “She looks happy, don’t you think?” Amelia asked softly, voice thick with emotion. “She’s crazy about her nieces. I think it hurt Adele even more than the kids when they stopped seeing each other regularly.”

  Natalie nodded, her heart melting a little at the sight of three little girls hanging on Adele’s every animated word. “She looks great.”

  Natalie dropped the volume of her voice to barely audible and, as expected, Amelia took a step closer. “I was hoping you could help me with something. I mean, you’ve already done so much, I know. The items in your shop are so beautiful. I’ll pay full price, of course. It’s the only place that I know to shop at the moment, though I’m sure there is a department store somewhere in New Orleans.”

  Amelia’s eyebrows rose as Natalie continued to struggle to express herself.

  “I need to hurry, and I can walk to your shop from the inn.” Then Natalie simply stopped speaking, and stared at Amelia expectantly.

  Amelia waited a long beat before saying, “If there was a question in there, I’m sorry, but I missed it.”

  Natalie groaned at herself and did her best to push aside her nervousness about the night to come. “I need a dress.” She really liked Adele and wanted to make the best possible impression. That meant showing a little leg and an effort.

  Amelia cracked a knowing smile. “A dress?”

  “For tonight,” Natalie clarified. “Yes.”

  Amelia shifted her focus to Adele and the girls, her eyes suddenly dancing with what looked a lot like mischief. “Oh, well, you could always just borrow one of Ella’s. I’m sure she wouldn’t mind sharing.”

  Natalie frowned and selected her words with extreme care. She didn’t know how Amelia would react to Adele going on a date with a woman, and she didn’t want to find out this way. Natalie’d sooner gnaw off her own hand than be the cause of any family strife just when Adele was trying to find her place in the world again.

  Only last night, she had awoken to Adele’s soul-shattering screams for the second time. Adele had dreamt someone was after Logan, and she was unable to get to him before he was taken from her for good. While Adele projected sure and steady in her waking hours, she was simply terrified in her sleep.

  The poor woman had been so drenched in cold sweat that she’d had to get up and take a shower in the middle of the night. Even so, this bout of bad dreams had been slightly better than the time before. Adele had recognized Natalie immediately and the gun never made an appearance.

  If the entire experience had been exhausting for her, Natalie could only imagine how Adele felt.

  “Borrowing something is a good idea, Amelia. Thanks. But I’d rather get a new dress.”

  “What’s the occasion, and where are you going?” Amelia turned her hands palm up. “You know, so I’ll know what type of dress we’re talking about.”

  Natalie felt herself start to panic. She could hardly say she didn’t know where she was going, but she still wanted to look devastatingly sexy.

  “I-I-I’m going out to dinner and the clothes I’ve purchased already are…well, they’re gorgeous.” She looked down at the black, sleeveless cashmere sweater she was wearing and even while anxious, nearly swooned. “But I didn’t pick any dresses. I was wondering if your shop was open today? With you here, I wasn’t sure.” That didn’t come close to answering Amelia’s question and she knew it.

  Amelia pursed her lips. “I see. And you want to look pretty?”

  No, I want to look hideous. “Umm…I want to look like I’m in a dress.”

  Amelia’s face was unreadable. “So Ella asked you out on a date? Or was it you that got up the nerve first?”

  Natalie went stock-still and her belly spasmed. “I-I’m going to dinner,” she repeated, knowing she sounded like a dullard, but determined not to divulge more. She licked her lips nervously, and felt a little light-headed. Abort! her mind screamed. “Now that I think about it, I can just wear what I have on.” She smiled an overly bright smile. “Never mind.” Before she could rejoin Adele, Amelia’s hand darted out and gently, but firmly, circled her wrist.

  “Stop, Natalie. Please.” Amelia chuckled. She kept her voice low. “I’m sorry. I was just teasing. You haven’t done anything wrong, so there’s no need for you to look like you’re going to be sick all over your shoes. Ella told me that she liked both men and women when we were teenagers. I’m not shocked, and it’s not a secret. In fact, I’m thrilled that…you asked her?” she guessed.

  Natalie closed her eyes and willed her wildly thumping heart to slow. She was torn between being touched that Amelia felt comfortable enough to include her in what seemed very much like familial teasing, and being angry enough to punch Amelia in the nose for worrying her. But Amelia’s apologetic grin seemed genuine, so she unclenched her fists. “Ella was the one who asked me.” Natalie’s expression went a little dreamy as she thought about it. “But I couldn’t have held out much longer.”

  “Wow.” Amelia hummed a little to herself, clearly impressed. “Go, Ella.” She gave Natalie a conspiratorial grin and began to gush. “You’ll look fabulous! I know just the dress to make her drool. I know what she likes. In fact, I can still picture that slutty, blue-eyed cheerleader that first turned her head when we were in high school.”

  Natalie blinked slowly.

  At the look on Natalie’s face, Amelia’s own words seemed to register. She clamped her hand over her mouth. “Oh, Christ,” she mumbled through her fingers, laughing a little. “Don’t tell Ella I said that. And no offense. I’m sure you’re not slutty. Well, I’m not sure, but I don’t have a real reason to suspect otherwise.”

  “Gee thanks,” Natalie said dryly, the only hint of the amusement she was feeling shining in her eyes.

  “I’m sure you don’t have blue—” Amelia glanced at Natalie’s face. “Whoops. Never mind.” She waved a hand at the trees around them, her cheeks pink with embarrassment. “Back to the tree hunt. I’ll bring the dress by the inn tonight and make sure Ella doesn’t see a thing. When she sees you in it, she’ll swoon.”

  “Thanks, Amelia.” Natalie’s tone was filled with genuine warmth and a hint of envy. It must be nice to have a sister.

  “The dress will only be the icing on the cake.”

  Natalie glowed at the compliment.

  “You should know, Natalie, that if you’re even a small part of what’s putting the smile on Ella’s face today, and I suspect you are, then that’s worth a hundred dresses to me. I think I’m the one who should be thanking you.”

  Natalie had no idea what to say to that, but luckily, Amelia didn’t seem to expect a response.

  Amelia inclined her head to the side as if something suddenly occurred to her. Her expression shifted from thoughtful to wicked. “If Ella wants to sleep with you, and for some reason you’re not into it, I’m willing to bribe you,” she whispered happily. “Seriously, whatever it takes.”

  “Amelia!” Natalie burst out laughing.

  Adele glanced up at Natalie and Amelia’s laughter, but Natalie just shook her head. There was absolutely nothing about her current conversation that she needed to share.

  Adele nodded in acknowledgment and refocused on her nieces, their chatter never slowing. “Ha!” Adele said to the littlest girl. “It’s too bad your daddy isn’t here for me to beat the pants off again this year. You make sure and tell him that he can sit home and drink all the beer he wants with Uncle Tony, knowing that I am the champion, okay?”

  The girl nodded dutifully.

  “Hey!” Indignant, Amelia protested. “You’re not the supreme champion yet.”

  “It’s only a matter of time. One hour, to be exact.”

  The sisters glared at each other, then burst into raucous gigg
les as they traded comments about tree hunts long since past.

  Natalie blinked a few times, astonished, but entranced. Adele wasn’t frugal with her laughter, but this time she actually giggled. This impish, open side of Adele wasn’t just new and lovely; it called to Natalie on an almost primal level.

  “Have you explained the rules to Natalie?” Amelia finally asked, adjusting the sack she was carrying, and pulling out a second tiny sack from her pocket. She handed the smaller of the sacks to the middle-sized child.

  “Not yet.” Adele turned and wound her arm around Natalie’s the way an especially dear friend might. Partway through the move, she caught herself and glanced shyly at Natalie for permission.

  Natalie hummed contentedly. Permission granted. She thrilled at the contact but tried not to show it. From the corner of her eye, Natalie noticed Amelia indulgently watching them.

  “The rules are simple. We have one hour to select the most magnificent tree on the planet. The children will be impartial judges, no matter who might have bought them ice cream on the way to the tree farm as a bribe.”

  Amelia’s gaze innocently tilted skyward.

  “And they will judge the winner. She, I mean, I, will be crowned best Christmas Tree Picker in the Universe. The loser, I mean, Amelia…” Amelia’s eyes turned to slits and the children giggled uncontrollably at Ella’s bravado, especially Amelia’s own daughter, who suddenly seemed thrilled by the prospect of her mother’s demise, “…will host the entire family for dinner on New Year’s Day,” Adele continued, eyes wide at the thought of what Natalie could only assume would be a daunting experience.

  Adele began ticking items off on her fingers. “That includes all the shopping, cleaning and cooking. And just so you know, I want pecan pies, not apple,” she reminded Amelia tartly.

  “Boo,” the girls hissed. Apparently nuts were unwelcome guests.

  “And, Amelia, no using a cleaning service to do the work for you. That was cheating!”