She listened to the rest of the conversation between Ray and her client, Mrs. Nickerson who she was trying to talk into becoming a partner in the bakery.
After about an hour, Ray finally got her on board with the bakery and she was all smiles as they toasted each other.
“Man,” Ray said about ten minutes after she left. “I really thought she was going to turn me down.”
Shay was honest as she said, “I think she was, but your confidence and enthusiasm wore her down. Now, you have to prove to her that she did not make a mistake.”
“I will,” Ray said then looked over at Shay. “You are a good cook, Shay.”
“Thank you, Ray,” Shay said as she took a swallow of her tea. Her arm was starting to hurt her, but Cordial had her pills in his pocket.
“Do you think you would like to work with me in my bakery?” Ray asked.
Shay looked at her in surprise, “Ray, I am a chef not a pastry chef, that is your specialty.”
“True, but we can make it a outside café and bakery shop,” Ray suggested and she saw the light shine in Shay’s eyes at the possibilities then it dimmed.
“Ray, I may not be here much longer so I do not want to turn around give you my word on something that may never happen,” Shay said with a frown.
“Just think about it,” Ray advised, and then she changed the topic. They talked about different things after that from their favorite color to their favorite movie; Ray liked the movie “The Vow” where as Shay liked “The Wedding Date”. Shay was more into action films and movies where as Ray liked more comedies, and they both tried to stay away from horror films.
They were laughing when Cordial came to pick them up. Ray excused herself to go to the bathroom as Cordial sat down in the empty chair.
“Are you ladies okay?” Cordial asked after the server asked him what he liked to drink.
“I like your sister,” Shay said chuckling. “Cordial, can I have two of my pills please?”
He frowned as he dug the bottle out of his pocket, “Is your arm hurting you?”
Shay nodded her head as he dropped two pills in her hand and she swallowed them using her drink.
Cordial frowned as he noticed the tired look in her eyes, “Would you like to go back?”
Shay looked up at him and asked, “Are you finished your business?”
He hesitated and then said truthfully, “There was one more thing that I needed to do.”
Shay nodded her head, “Then we can go back after you are finished.”
He chuckled as he realized how stubborn she was, “You are stubborn.”
“Of course,” she said without conceit.
Ray came back to see her brother laughing and a smile playing around Shay’s mouth.
“Where are we heading to now?” Ray asked as they headed to the truck.
They were in the car when Cordial answered, “To see a man that was intimate with Charity.”
Shay and Ray gasped as they looked at him. Cordial stopped at a red light and looked towards Shay.
“I told you that we would found out why Charity was killed,” he said. “I think the best way is to talk to the men that she was intimate with besides me.” He reached under his seat where he placed the diary that morning and tossed it into Shay’s lap.
“I found this a couple days ago, “he explained. “In it, Charity listed most of the men that she had intimate relationships from the time she was 16.”
Ray looked at her brother, “Cord, are you okay with this?”
Cordial turned to her with a slight smile although she could see the anger in his eyes. “I was unfaithful, too, until I asked her to marry me.”
Shay heard it in his voice of how much Charity hurt him, which made her realize that she must have continued cheating after he proposed.
“May I?” she asked softly and she looked into Cordial’s steel-like eyes that caused a shiver to go down her back. He nodded his head, “It may be the only way for you to understand her.”
Shay did not mention that she probably understood Charity more than he thought, but she opened up the diary and began to read.
Shay was just getting into it when Cordial pulled into a driveway of a nice two-story house. Ray looked at the house in admiration as Shay said, “Wow.”
Cordial smiled as he opened the door hopping out before helping Shay out. Ray exited from the other door and they walked up to the front of the house. Cordial was about to knock when the front door opened to reveal a beautiful redhead in a suit and a briefcase.
“Hi,” she said chirpily.
“Hi, I was wondering if we could talk to Leroy Henderson,” Cordial asked.
“Honey,” the redhead shouted. “Leroy is my husband, and I really need to get to work. Sorry for rushing off. He is in the kitchen so just follow the smell of burnt toast.” With a wave at them, she hurried down the walkway to an Eclipse in the driveway.
They waved to her as she got in and backed out the drive then they walked into the house. They followed the smell of burnt toast to the kitchen to see a nice looking man with reddish-blonde hair standing at the stove cussing as a little girl sat in her sitter, “Daddy.”
He smiled ruefully at her, “Sorry, sweat pea.” Then he noticed them in the doorway and moved forward to shield his little girl.
“Hello,” he said with tension in his voice.
Cordial said quickly, “We met your wife as she was leaving and she said to come on back.”
He grimaced, “So that was why she called me.”
“Sorry,” he said. “It has been a hectic morning.”
“Daddy,” the little girl start to whine, “I want pancakes.” They watched as he flinched, “Honey…”
“What kind of pancakes would you like, sweetie?” Shay asked sliding her arm from her sling.
“Shay…” Cordial began and she just laid her hand on his arm before handing him the sling.
“Bluberi,” she murmured looking at them in surprise.
Shay nodded her head and then looking at the man who she assumed was Leroy asked, “May I?”
He nodded his head and watched as she walked to his refrigerator to see if they had the needed ingredients. She frowned slightly, “Sweetie, would chocolate chip pancakes do?”
The little girl’s eyes lit up and Shay laughed as she took that for a yes.
She started making the pancakes as Cordial started talking to Leroy.
“You are Leroy Henderson,” Cordial asked drawing his attention away from Shay.
“Yes, do I know you?” Leroy asked.
Cordial hesitated for a second, “No, but I believe you knew my fiancée Charity McCloud.” He watched as Leroy’s face paled before his eyes widened and swung around to Shay.
“I though she looked familiar, but Charity did not how to cook,” Leroy said softly.
Cordial clenched his fist before he asked him, “When was the last time you saw Charity?”
Leroy looked at him then he sighed, “Probably a month before she was murdered. She came here to see me after I called her to let her know that I was cutting off ties with her. I had just met Lindsey, you see, and she was very hesitant to get involved with me because she saw me as a player. I knew that if I kept seeing Charity then I might lose her so I broke it off.” Then he paled as he remembered whom he was talking to, “I am sorry for my…”
Cordial just shook his head, “Do not worry about it. Did Charity ever say anything to you about being stalked or getting any threatening letters?”
Leroy frowned as he thought back, “No, although I got the impression a couple of times when we were together that I was not the one she were thinking of.”
They both looked up when Shay said, “Breakfast.” They could smell the pancakes and both mouths watered.
She gave his daughter a plate with a pancake cut up and the others she put on a plate on the counter. She grabbed a few more plates putting them on the counter with the syrup so the others could serve themselves. She started clea
ning up the dishes that she used to make the pancakes.
“I know I already told you this, but you are an awesome cook,” Ray said as she ate her pancake and Shay just smiled.
“More please,” the little girl said holding out her plate. Shay smiled as she took the plate and cut up another pancake for her.
“These are really good,” Leroy said in amazement. His wife was a great cook so he knew that this woman was even better.
“It is just pancakes. Any one can make them,” Shay said honestly, as she cleaned up the dirty dishes besides the plates.
Cordial frowned but decided not to push the issue right now with Shay, “Leroy, are you sure you do not remember anything else? Maybe Charity said something that made you curious or suspicious?”
Leroy just shook his head, “Charity and I only met for one thing, and we rarely talked unless we were setting up meeting places and times.”
Cordial flinched at his words, and he grimaced, “Sorry.”
Cordial nodded his head as they finished their pancakes.
“Thank you,” Leroy said walking them to the door about an hour later.
Shay frowned, “Are you sure that you do not want me to finish cleaning up?”
Leroy laughed, “The only thing left is the plates so I think I can handle that.”
The little girl was lying on her daddy’s shoulder and she yawned before saying, “tank you.”
Shay smiled saying softly, “You are welcome, little one.”
They waved goodbye before they climbed into the truck. Shay grimaced slightly as Cordial slid next to her and he handed her the sling.
She smiled at him slightly as she put it back on.
“Shay, are you okay?” Ray asked looking at her pale complexion.
“I am fine, Ray, just a little sore,” Shay said to her.
“Would you like another pill?” Cordial asked and Shay shook her head before turning to Ray, and changing the subject.
They made it back to Pine Valley a little after lunch, and Shay yawned as they pulled into the doctor’s driveway.
“Shay,” Ray said biting her lip and Shay blinked tired eyes at her.
“Can you help me tomorrow? I wanted to visit different restaurants to see what I would like at the wedding,” Ray asked hesitantly.
Shay giggled as she said, “Ray, I would be glad to help you. What time tomorrow?”
Ray released a breath and she smiled, “Can I just call you?”
“Sure,” Shay said and she leaned against Cordial to pull her cell out of her pocket. “Here put your number in my phone and take my number down that way you can just call my phone.” Ray smiled as she put her number in Shay’s phone then called her cell with the phone so that her cell would have the number.
“Thank you,” Ray said. Shay just shrugged saying, “No problem.”
“Come on, Shay,” Cordial said. “Let’s get you to bed.”
Shay giggled at his choice of words, and Cordial just laughed as he helped her out of the truck.
He walked with her up to the porch where Pauline opened the door.
Cordial turned Shay towards him then he leaned down and kissed her softly on her lips.
“I will talk to you later,” he said. “I will let you finish reading the book.”
Shay nodded her head as Pauline helped her into the house, and Cordial gave her lingering look before he turned back to his truck and Ray. He looked back at the house one last time before he climbed into the truck with a smile on his face.
“What is the smile for?” Ray said teasingly.
“I wondered if Shay realized she called me Cordial instead of O’Ryan,” he said seriously, and Ray just stared at him in astonishment. It may not mean much to her, but Cordial loved the fact that Shay called him by his first name. The smile stayed on his mouth the rest of the day.
Chapter 17
Two days later in the evening, Cordial walked up the front steps of Mark’s porch and he rung the bell. He had been so busy for the last two days that he could only call her to see how she was doing. Ray called him last night after he got home. She had been so excited for her and Shay had spent the day together checking out restaurants to cater her wedding. He remembered what Ray had said.
“Cord, I had so much fun today with Shay,” Ray had said.
“You did,” he had asked as he grabbed a beer from his refrigerator.
“Yeah,” Ray had giggled as she explained about her day. The last thing she said, “Shay offered to cater the wedding herself if she was still here when the wedding took place, but she said that it would better if I kept looking just in case.”
He remembered how he had frozen when he heard that she might still be here for Ray’s wedding. They had talked a little more before she had said goodnight for he heard Todd come in a few minutes before she hung up. He chuckled as he waited for the door to be answered, which it was presently by Mark.
“Hi, Cord,” Mark said with a smile as he opened the door wider to allow him to enter.
“Hi Mark, how are you doing?” Cordial said walking into the hallway and waiting as Mark closed the door.
“I am doing well. How about yourself?” Mark said leading the way to the backyard.
“I cannot complain,” Cordial remarked as they walked out the back door. “How is Shay doing?”
Mark sighed, “Her arm is doing better but she is still not sleeping at night. She was talking about going back to work although Nettie and Mrs. Lovegood told her to take another week.”
Cordial frowned slightly at his words before he smiled as he saw Shay sitting at the patio table with Pauline.
“Hello, Cord,” Pauline said and Shay turned in her seat to give him a smile.
“Hello, Pauline, Shay,” he said walking over to them with Mark.
They made small talk for a little bit until Mark cleared his throat and they looked at him.
“Shay we love having you here with us,” Mark began and Shay frowned.
“No, we are not kicking you out. It is just that…”Mark started.
Pauline continued, “We had signed up for a cruise a few months back but we were put on the waiting list. We just found out the other day that we were in line for a cabin. We really do not want to leave you here alone when you are being threatened.” They both frowned at Shay who said instantly, “Go. You signed up for this cruise before all this went down. You deserve to have some fun. Besides, I have not had any letters since the shooting so I assuming that maybe they are done threatening me.” She did not believe that for a moment, and she figured whoever it was, they were just buying their time. “I will see if I can go back to Nettie’s…”
She trailed off as she saw the look on their face. “Nettie has closed her bed and breakfast for a few days. She is going to see her daughter who is about to have a baby. She probably would have left the bed and breakfast open but her assistant had an emergency in her family and she had no occupants at the moment.”
“Okay,” Shay said frowning as she started thinking about what she could do.
“You can stay with me,” Cordial offered suddenly. All eyes turned to him, and he saw the look of astonishment in those eyes.
“You need some place to stay,” he said. “I would like to know that you are safe so my place is the safest place. Besides, we could use the time to finish reading and talking to other people.” Shay was astonished but what he said made sense so she nodded her head before turning back to Mark and Pauline.
“When are you two leaving?” she asked them.
Again, they grimaced as Mark muttered, “Tomorrow morning.”
Shay eyes widened before she started laughing. Cordial took that as a sign.
“Well, how about you have dinner with me tonight, Shay,” he stated. “You can start staying at my place tonight so that way you won’t have to wake up early tomorrow to see them off.”
Shay looked at him again in shock before turning to Mark and Pauline.
“That would actually work for us,�
� Mark said. “We need to leave around five in the morning and I rather you not wake up just so you can wake up Cord to come get you.”
Shay nodded her head as she said, “Okay, let me go pack my bag.”
She was up the stairs before Mark turned to Cordial. He said honestly, “Cordial, I hope that you like Shay for who she is and not because she looks like Charity.”
Cordial looked at him with a steady look, “I know who she is, Mark. Believe me; I understand more than you think.”
It was the last thing he said before Shay came back downstairs and they said goodbye to Pauline and Mark before heading out.
“Have a good time,” Shay called out before she climbed into his truck. They waved as he backed out and he headed to his home. He swallowed for Shay would be the first woman that he took to his home, and for some reason, he wanted her to like it.
Cordial headed for the grocery store first and when he pulled into a parking space, Shay looked at him with a question in her eyes.
“I was going to take you out to eat, but I thought it would be better if we made dinner at my house so we could go over the diary,” he explained before getting out.
“Okay,” Shay said after she got out and started walking next to him into the store. “What are we thinking about for dinner?”
Cordial frowned, “I was thinking steaks on the grill, but I am not sure about a side dish.”
Shay sighed, “Well, we could go with a salad.”
Cordial grimaced and she laughed before saying, “I can make a potato salad or we can have baked potatoes.”
Cordial thought about it as they headed to the meats picking out at least three packs of steaks, “I like the idea of potato salad. How about we buy a pie for dessert?”
Shay nodded her head, “Or I can make a chocolate cake if you would like?”
Cordial stopped and looked at her, “Can you really make a chocolate cake?”
A Ghost of the Past Page 9
