Hardheaded Brunette

by Diane Bator

  Gilda gazed out as small white waves crested on Lake Erie's sandy shore. "Yeah. It is."

  They sat in silence for several seconds before Gilda finally swallowed her pride. "What happened between you and Kane? When I first met him, he said you two were good friends, yet you act like he's a virus you can't shake off."

  "A virus?" Razi met her gaze then frowned. "Sensei Mick did not tell you much about Kane before he and Mena arrived, did he?"

  She shook her head. "Actually, he didn't tell me anything at all. He was more worried about getting everything ready in time. Between the move and organizing the grand opening, we didn't really see each other much over the past month."

  His jaw tightened as he gave a small nod. "With all the chaos, I think it is amazing the personnel problem is all we have overlooked."

  "That's a pretty big oversight." The back of her neck prickled. Why would Razi leave the school when Mick was settling a dispute between Kane and Mena? Razi always watched Mick's back, no matter who was in the office. "Maybe I should go to the school and make sure everything gets done the way it should."

  "No," Razi flinched. "I think you should focus on healing."

  Gilda dropped her shoulders into a defeated hunch. "Please be honest with me, Razi. What's really going on? I know there are problems between you, Kane, and Mena. Mick seems stuck in the middle and won't say anything, especially to me."

  He bowed his head. "I should go now. Sensei Mick gave you the day off. Go home, and get ready for your date. You both need to relax. You are both very tense."

  Her face warmed at the thought. Maybe preparing for a romantic evening with Mick was just what she needed to forget about Kane, Mena, and Charlie.

  She hoped.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Kane strode up Gilda's front sidewalk later that afternoon, while she enjoyed a cup of tea on her front porch swing. Wearing dusty cowboy boots, snug blue jeans, and a black T-shirt stretched so tight across his chest it left little to her imagination, he touched the brim of his black felt cowboy hat and nodded. "Miss Wright."

  Mr. Wrong. The words sat on her lips unspoken as she swallowed hard. Since Gilda and Mick were now an item, Kane's presence had to be a mere test.

  "From samurai to cowboy in the span of a week. Who are you really?"

  "Just a sword-wielding, horse-riding, yoga-training son-of-a-gun." He grinned and gave a wink. "Mena says I'm one of the last true samurai."

  Gilda stifled a chuckle. "She thinks samurai warriors did yoga?"

  Kane eased next to her on the porch swing. "That wouldn't surprise me in the least. She's one of those New Age people who believes in past lives, lives on alfalfa sprouts and green shakes, and talks to rocks."

  "Mena talks to rocks?" She raised her eyebrows.

  "Little crystals on chains, love." He pulled out a round piece of turquoise strung on a gold chain from beneath the collar of his shirt. "Pendulums. She thinks it's her spirit guides telling her how to live her life. The only thing they haven't told her are winning lottery numbers or we'd be hitched by now. You'll have to check her shop out."

  "I thought she was your stalker ex-girlfriend." Gilda didn't have the heart to tell him she'd already popped in on Mena and got kicked out of the shop. "You sound awfully fond of her."

  He frowned. "It's complicated, love. Very, very complicated."

  She shifted to face him, mindful of the ache in her shoulder. "Well, I know you didn't come over to talk about your so-called stalker girlfriend. So, why are you here?"

  "I missed you." Kane flushed. "I know it's only been a few hours, but… I don't know why Mick gave you time off to recover. There are a billion things you could be doing around the school that don't require two hands."

  "Besides typing with one hand, name one."

  "Keeping the peace between me and Mena." Kane grimaced. "Mick can give all the lectures and counseling he wants, but Mena's still a nasty piece of work. I really wish she'd take a shine to you. She could learn a lot."

  "Ha! Good luck with that," she said. "Mena hates me. She's probably got a voodoo doll of me and is hard at work thinking of more ways to maim me."

  Kane chuckled. "She's probably got a whole set of dolls, love, one for each of us. That's probably why Thayer and Fabio were asking questions about her and Charlie."

  Gilda didn't bother to hide her surprise. "How well did Mena know Charlie?"

  "That's complicated too." Kane took off his hat and ran a hand through his long damp hair. "As far as I know, she knows him through me. Sometimes when I went to train or meet with him, she tagged along. She actually liked the guy and, in some sick way, was thrilled to find out he was well connected and very generous. She also thought he was funny."

  "He seemed to like her."

  He hesitated. "Charlie thought she was an opportunistic gold digger and said I should watch my wallet and my back."

  Yet Charlie seemed glad to be stuck with her at the meet and greet.

  "Hm. Sounds right." Gilda sat back and tapped her fingers on the arm of the swing, her mind on Mena's shop. "Did she know Charlie didn't like her?"

  "I don't know." Kane sat back. "I never asked."

  Mick stood on the sidewalk in front of her house. "Is there something going on around here I should know about?"

  Kane sighed. "You wouldn't listen to me, so I thought I'd have a chat with Sherlock."

  "Totally innocent." Gilda held up her left hand.

  "As always." Mick's gaze seemed to be focused more on Kane than on Gilda.

  She nodded. "I thought you weren't coming over until after classes."

  "I was. I mean, I am. I just wanted to make sure you were okay."

  "She's great, mate. I guess I'd better be on my way before I start more trouble." Kane stood. "Thanks for listening, Gilda." He bowed his head and walked away.

  Mick dropped onto the swing, placing a possessive hand on Gilda's thigh. "He wasn't trying to pull anything on you, was he?"

  She laid her hand on his. "No, he was a perfect gentleman. He just wanted to talk about Mena and Charlie."

  "Oh boy. Do me a favor, babe. Let Thayer and Fabio do their jobs while you get better." He draped one arm along the swing behind her back. "How is your shoulder, by the way?"

  She frowned. "I hate that I'm supposed to rest and not do classes for a week. That already seems like an eternity."

  "Good thing you have a murder to try not to solve then," he said. "Getting in everyone's way will definitely keep you out of trouble."

  Gilda huffed. "I can still come to work, you know. It's my shoulder that's hurt, not my brain or my hands. I can still type, albeit one finger at a time."

  Mick leaned his head against hers. "I know. I just figured with all the growing pains between the instructors, you'd be safer healing outside of the school."

  "What growing pains?"

  "Kane. Mena. Razi. Individually, they're great people," he said. "Put them in a small room together and it's like mixing a scorpion, a tarantula, and a boa constrictor."

  Gilda chuckled, not sure from his description which person he deemed more deadly. "Having the old gang together again isn't as much fun as you'd hoped, huh?"

  "Nope." He rolled his eyes. "Definitely not like old times."

  She nestled into the curves of his body. "Did you still plan to pick up Thai later, or should I make chicken for our romantic dinner? At least our date tonight will give you an excuse to get away from the chaos."

  "Yeah." He rubbed his chin on the top of her head. "Don't forget I have classes to teach then a quick meeting later tonight. If I do make it over, it probably won't be until about nine thirty or ten. Maybe it's better if we watch a movie or something."

  "I like the or something part." Gilda kissed his mouth.

  Mick moaned. "Oh, great. Now I'll have to figure out how to cut the meeting short."

  "Who's it with? I could call and say I have an emergency."

  He nuzzled her ear. "Or we could use the time we have now. Classes don't
start for another hour. What do you think, Sherlock? Do you want to solve another mystery?"

  "You banned me from mystery solving, remember?" She took his hand and led him inside the house. "I do think I could use a good massage, though. Maybe you'll even get my shoulder to relax and get back to normal."

  "It's worth a try." Mick grinned.

  * * *

  Marion stopped by Gilda's house around six, long after Mick had gone to the school to teach classes. "Come on. Let's get you out of the house."

  "Mick asked me to stay out of trouble, so I don't want to go anywhere." Gilda sat on the couch and hugged a pillow with her good arm. "I just want to be alone and pout."

  "No, you don't." Her best friend laughed. "You want to be at the school taking orders from Mick and watching Kane swing swords half naked."

  She shrugged. "They don't need me. Mick has Mena looking after the front desk."

  "That twit?" Marion snorted. "Yikes, that means he needs you now more than ever. Trust me. Grab your purse. Let's go for dinner and maybe see a movie."

  "But Mick's coming over after he closes up and bringing Thai."

  "Oh, please." Marion groaned. "You'd pass on hanging out with me to sit and wait for your boyfriend? My guess is he won't be able to make it anyway since he had Fabio and Thayer in his office."

  "I guess that's not much of a surprise." Gilda rubbed the back of her neck. "I'm sorry. It's been a long day."

  "All the more reason you and I should get out of here for a while."

  Too tired to argue, Gilda texted Mick to let him know her plans. She changed clothes then grabbed her purse and followed Marion, not surprised when Mick didn't reply right away. They strolled along the beach and into The Cove Restaurant, the same cozy place they used to haunt every Friday for brunch before all the chaos of renovations at the new school.

  "Don't we need reservations here for dinner?" Gilda asked.

  "Only during the summer."

  She winced. "But the place is packed. We'll never get in."

  "Gilda!" Henry strode toward them and flashed a huge smile as he caught her in a hug. "Please tell me you're coming to try the new fall menu tonight."

  "Yeah. We don't have a reservation, but—"

  "No problem." One of Mick's karate students for the past three years, Henry gave an enthusiastic wave for them to follow. "The new Cornish hen is absolutely delish. We also have a white chocolate cheesecake that's divine. I have a table for two—right this way."

  Marion nudged Gilda's arm. "I love being best friends with a local celebrity."

  "What's with all this local celebrity stuff?" she asked. "Kane said the same thing earlier."

  Henry pulled out her chair. "Lady, everyone knows you solved a series of murders and helped lock up the killer. You deserve a little pampering. Let me start you each off with a glass of wine on the house. Then I'll recite the list of specials this evening."

  "Okay." Gilda stared after him until a familiar figure out on the patio caught her eye.

  Kane, his blond hair tousled by the breeze, sat near the railing at a table overlooking Lake Erie. Cripes, the man was handsome even when scowling. She couldn't see who he was eating dinner with, but he didn't seem happy.

  Gilda leaned a little to her left for a better view.

  "This is our house wine made for us across the lake in the Niagara region of Canada." Henry stepped in front of her, interrupting her thoughts. As he rattled off the list of specials, half Gilda's attention remained on Kane.

  Marion tented her fingers and smiled. "I'll have the steak, medium-rare. Gilda?"

  "What?" She twitched.

  "What do you want to eat?" Marion asked. "The over-priced mini chicken, the steak, or the lobster with crab stuffing?"

  Gilda looked from Marion to their waiter, with no idea what they were talking about.

  Henry smiled. "Overwhelming choice, isn't it? Tell you what. Let me pick for you. You're not allergic to anything, are you?"

  "Allergic?" She glanced back toward Kane, able to see him in a thin gap between Henry and the doorway across the room. "No."

  "Good, then I'll return with your appetizers in a few minutes. Enjoy your drinks." Henry turned and walked toward another table.

  Gilda frowned. "What appetizers?"

  Marion shrugged. "Must be another perk of being a celebrity. What are you looking at anyway? Must be a good-looking dish over there. You're all but drooling."

  "Kane's here with someone."

  "That hunk's here?" Marion half stood. "Where?"

  Gilda's face burned as people stared. "Sit down. He's out on the patio near the railing."

  "We should go say hi."

  "No, we shouldn't." She grabbed Marion's hand. "He's here for dinner with someone and he doesn't seem very happy."

  "Who's he here with?"

  Gilda shrugged. "I can't tell. The wall's in the way."

  Marion averted her eyes then leaned back and smiled. "If you'll excuse me, I'm going to the ladies' room. Since I have to walk past the door anyway, I'll see who he's dining with and tell you later."

  "Good idea." Gilda sat back, grateful she no longer had to strain her neck or her aching shoulder to keep an eye on him.

  While Marion took off on her mission, Gilda sipped her wine. She was about to take a second mouthful when Kane burst through the French doors and headed straight toward her table. Their gazes locked for a few heart-stopping seconds. Rather than pause to say hello, he flared his nostrils then stormed straight past her and out the front door.

  Seconds later, Mena sauntered into the restaurant from the patio. Her steps faltered as her eyes grew wide. "Gilda. What are you doing here? Are you here with Mick?"

  "Um. Hi." Gilda toyed with her napkin. If Mena was at the restaurant with Kane, who was watching the front desk at the school? "Mick gave me the night off, so Marion and I decided to come out for dinner and maybe take in a movie."

  Mena glanced at the front door as she flashed a smile. "That sounds nice. You're lucky to have a friend like her. I hear she's always got your back, even if she is a bit psycho."

  "Marion's a great friend." She cringed. "I was surprised to see you and Kane here. I thought you were covering the front desk while I was gone."

  "Apparently, I wasn't paying attention to what Mick told me and crashed the computer." Mena seemed to squirm. "Kane dragged me out before Mick had a meltdown."

  "You crashed my computer?" Gilda gasped. "What on earth were you doing? All you had to do was answer the phone and talk to people when they come in."

  "I've got to go. Enjoy your dinner." Mena backed away. She crossed the restaurant and grabbed the maître d', giving him stern instructions.

  Gilda's stomach churned. Had Mick ordered Kane and Mena to go out for dinner that night and work things out, or was something going on that Kane and Mena were smack dab in the middle of? Gilda was willing to bet they were both involved in something she really didn't want to hear about. Charlie's murder sprang to mind.

  "Kane's here with Mena," Marion whispered once she returned to the table.

  "Yeah, I know." Gilda sat back and wiped her clammy hands on her napkin. "They just left."

  "They left already? Dang." Marion took a gulp of her wine.

  "I don't understand," Gilda said. "Do those two love or hate each other? Every time they're around each other, they fight like siblings, yet they're always hanging out together. I don't get it."

  "Love's a weird and wonderful thing."

  Henry appeared with stuffed mushroom caps and escargots. "Ladies, I have the pleasure of letting you know someone has performed a random act of kindness and paid for your meals. Not only your appetizers and entrees, but dessert and coffee as well."

  Gilda's jaw dropped. "Really?"

  "Oh, wow. That's so nice." Marion glanced around the room. "Who did that?"

  He smiled. "I'm not at liberty to say. All I know is I'm here to serve you an amazing meal. You ladies are to relax and enjoy your evening."

>   Gilda scratched her head. Was that the reason Mena had pulled the maître d' aside? Considering she wasn't exactly one of Gilda's biggest fans, she must be up to something.

  Marion raised her wineglass and smiled. "Cheers to our mysterious benefactor."

  "Yeah." She raised her glass. What would their evening out cost her in the long run? "Cheers."

  Two hours later, stuffed with good food and tingly from wine and Irish coffee, Gilda and Marion stumbled down Main Street toward Gilda's house. They gushed about the flavors and textures and how they probably wouldn't be able to eat again for days.

  "My favorite was the cheesecake." Marion sighed. "I love chocolate. Not that tonight helped with the whole diet and exercise plan, but it was so worth the guilt tomorrow."

  Gilda laughed. "You have to treat yourself once in a while, right? Let's call this our treat for the next three months and go for a long walk in the morning."

  "Deal."

  Despite the alcohol in her system, Gilda zeroed in on a figure in dark pants and a hoodie striding toward them. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end as she leaned closer to Marion, hoping there really was strength in numbers. "You want to come over for coffee?"

  "If I eat or drink anything else, I'll burst," Marion said. "I could stop by tomorrow before work. I'll walk you home, though, if you're worried."

  The dark figure walked straight toward Gilda and bumped into her right side, sending shooting pain through her shoulder. She gasped and fought the urge to yell, deciding not to provoke him. Whoever he was, it might have just been a stupid accident.

  "Well, that was rude." Marion turned around. "You want me to straighten him out?"

  "What if he has a knife?"

  She huffed. "Then I'd wrestle it away and stick it up his—"

  "Marion!" Gilda grabbed her friend's arm and sucked in a sharp breath at the pain. She was sure the amount of wine Marion had consumed had given her far more bravado than she actually had. "Self-defense is also about knowing when to get out of a situation rather than make it worse. Let's just call it a dumb accident. We had a nice dinner. Let's leave it at that."

  Arm in arm, more out of fear than friendship, Gilda let them into her house and flicked on the lights. The chair was overturned in the middle of the living room amid torn pillows, scattered books, and broken knickknacks. Whoever had searched her house this time was serious. They had sliced open cushions and smashed dishes all over the kitchen floor.