Martinez, Mary - Classic Murder: Mr. Romance (BookStrand Publishing Romance)

by Mary Martinez

  “I can tell that you are pleased with our accommodations. We’ll have dinner in about an hour. Is there anything you’d like to do until then?”

  “I have to tell you something about myself,” Nan said. Adam raised his eyebrow at her serious tone.

  “What is it?”

  “Well, I’ve read all about your weekends in the paper. I was extremely pleased and honored when you asked me to join you this weekend. However, I want to make myself perfectly clear, I do not sleep with men I hardly know. No matter how fancy the date, so if you’re expecting sex as repayment, as much as I want to go, I better get back off before we depart the station.” She’d said the words in a rush, as if she were afraid if she took a breath she wouldn’t have the nerve to finish. Adam wondered why she didn’t tell him this back at her apartment when he’d given her the chance to back out.

  “Nan, we aren’t going to do anything this trip that we both aren’t in agreement about. You can put any thoughts out of your head that I have designs on you. I hope we will have a wonderful trip, and as you noticed when you were looking around, we have separate sleeping compartments.”

  “Thank you. I figured you would be honorable, but then I’ve been wrong in my judgment of men a few times.”

  Adam laughed and took a sip of his drink. He’d been wrong about some of his dates more than a few times. A feeling of relief rippled through him that there wouldn’t be a repeat of his Napa date when Cynthia all but threw herself at him.

  The evening progressed in leisure. Nan talked non-stop about her grandfather who had been an engineer in his younger years. Finally, the porter arrived to set up for dinner and she took a break from talking to watch. Adam was glad for the distraction, which gave his ears a rest.

  Adam led Nan to the table and made a show of offering a seat, then taking one himself. The waiter poured a dollop of wine for Adam to taste. Following the example of the wine steward he had seen in Napa, he swirled the light amber liquid. Then he put the glass to his nose and slightly opened his mouth and took a deep breath. The smell of pears and maybe a little hickory, he decided. He nodded to accept the quality of wine. Katie had ordered an excellent vintage.

  Nan took her glass, sipped, and smiled at Adam. “This is just wonderful, Adam. Thank you for inviting me.”

  “I couldn’t have asked for more delightful company. Here, let’s try this duck.” Adam took a forkful from his plate, and then offered the tasty duck at her lips. She opened her mouth and took the offering.

  “Mm...” Nan closed her eyes as she savored the taste. “It just melts in your mouth.”

  “I don’t think I’ve ever had this,” Adams said, then turned to the waitress. “Miss, what is this yellow stuff that looks like spaghetti?”

  “It’s spaghetti squash, sir.”

  “Oh, well that’s an appropriate name.” Adam put a little on his plate, not sure if he would like the taste. Taking a tentative bite, he followed Nan’s example and closed his eyes. The buttery flavor melted on his tongue. It had other spices, but he couldn’t pinpoint what they were. If Janice had been there, he could have asked her. He forced himself not to let the thought ruin his dinner. He really wished she were with him. She had been so lively. How sad to think her life had been cut short. He just hoped the murders didn’t have anything to do with him. He didn’t know if he would be able to live with the deaths of two vibrant women hovering over him the rest of his life.

  “What are your thoughts? Isn’t the squash good?” Nan asked.

  “No, it’s fine. You should try some.”

  “Your expression didn’t exactly say appetizing.”

  “Oh, I was trying to figure out what the spice is I taste,” Adam lied.

  “I’m pretty good at that. Let me sample.” Nan picked up a little on her fork and put it in her mouth, apparently letting it melt onto her tongue. “Let’s see, butter, pepper, and I think I taste basil.”

  “You’re right, Miss,” the waitress confirmed.

  Nan turned a brilliant smile Adam’s way, and he thought how nice their trip would be if he could relax with her. If only he had any attraction for her at all. But all he could think of was Katie sitting home with Oscar and how he wished he were there instead.

  The porter turned on the stereo and strands of music filled the air. Adam enjoyed the rest of the meal in silence, savoring the delicious fare and listening to the sultry voice of Carly Simon.

  “Would you like to dance before we have our dessert?” Adam stood and put his hand out, not giving her a chance to refuse.

  Without a word, she took his hand. He pulled her into his embrace and started to waltz around the confined cabin to the rhythm of the music. Nan’s head brushed the bottom of his chin. She had removed her shoes when they had been talking on the couch. With her hair softly brushing his chin, he could smell the flowery fragrance of her shampoo, feminine and light.

  “You’re a good dancer, but I bet you have a lot of practice.” Nan moved her head to rest on his shoulder.

  “I love to dance, but unfortunately I don’t get to practice as much as I’d like.”

  “Yeah right, you probably dance every weekend.”

  “Nope, but I’m dancing now. That’s what counts.” Adam didn’t want to talk. It reminded him that the desirable woman in his arms wasn’t the one he wanted. He had tried to enjoy her conversation and company. However, he hadn’t been able to form more than one or two sentences before she would interrupt with a story about herself. If he hadn’t decided he wasn’t going to have any more weekends before this trip, after spending time with her, he would have. He wished he knew of a way to cut their trip short.

  “This is just heavenly,” Nan breathed. Her hand rubbed his back in time to the rhythm of the music. But instead of soothing, the stroking irritated the hell out of him.

  “Yes, it is,” he lied. “Why don’t we sit down and finish our wine while we listen? Then we can have coffee and our dessert. I peeked at dessert. Whatever it is, it looks decadent.”

  They took their seats and sipped wine while they listened to the soft music. It was nice just to listen and not talk, but no sooner than the thought crossed his mind, Nan started asking questions.

  “What are we doing tomorrow?”

  “We’re going to breakfast in a nice restaurant in downtown Chicago, then we are going to do a little shopping until we need to catch our plane. We’ll be flying into Rapid City, South Dakota, and then on to Mount Rushmore.”

  “Oh great. I’ve always wanted to go see the monument. I just haven’t had time,” Nan said.

  “We’ll be there in the late afternoon. I thought we could have dinner at the Buffalo Dining Room at Mount Rushmore. I’ve heard the view in the evening is legendary. There will also be the lighting ceremony that is something the brochure said not to miss. Katie has booked us a suite at a bed and breakfast in Keystone. Then we’ll fly back the following morning. I know it’s a quick trip, but we’ll have a good time.” Katie had actually reserved the room for two nights so they could explore a full day on Saturday. Adam would be canceling the last night, hopefully without Nan finding out. He’d think of some excuse if she did.

  “Short and sweet. I’m sure I’ll love every minute.”

  * * * *

  Adam had pleaded exhaustion long before he was ready to retire. It seemed the only way to get Nan to shut up. He just hoped she wouldn’t drive him to distraction during their shopping outing.

  A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. “Hey sleepy head, the train stopped a while ago. Let’s go get breakfast, the shops are callin’ m’name.”

  Adam barely stopped himself from groaning aloud. He grabbed his pack, plastered a grin on his face, and opened the door.

  “Okay my lady, follow me. Your wish is my command.”

  The car Katie had ordered was waiting to take them to the restaurant. The rest of the day, the driver gave them a running history of downtown Chicago as they went from shop to shop. Adam was pleasantly surpris
ed that when Nan’s mind was on something other than herself, she could be good company. Time flew and before he knew, they had to end their shopping so they wouldn’t miss their plane. On the way to the airport, Adam thought about changing his mind to leave a day early. Once they were in the air, Nan started her self-absorbed monologue again, and Adam quickly squelched the thought. Luckily, he had brought work to help drown out her words.

  The landing was a bit bumpy and Adam wished Jamie had been flying his plane since he seemed to be able to land on a dime without a bump. Once through security, they found their bags. The limo driver was waiting to take them to the bed and breakfast in Keystone.

  Adam poured them some champagne from the chilled bottle waiting for them in the limo. He toasted to their adventure. Thank God Nan was engrossed in the passing scenery and the short thirty-minute drive to their bed and breakfast passed quickly.

  * * * *

  The dining room was true to the rumors Adam had heard—the view was spectacular. October didn’t seem to be a busy time for tourism at the Rushmore monument, so they had the room almost to themselves. They had picked a table closest to the window for the best view.

  “Menu looks good.” Adam read over the entrees. “I read that the buffalo stew is recommended and for dessert, their world-famous strawberry pie. I’m going to have that, what would you like?”

  The waitress waited patiently while Nan finished reading over her menu. “I think I’m going to have the same. To hell with carbs. I’m on vacation.”

  The waitress smiled at Nan’s words, then informed them she’d be back in a moment with their beverages. Once the waitress was gone, the two turned and gazed out the window. It was dusk out, and the lights weren’t on yet, but the view was still spectacular.

  “Are we going to have time to eat before the lighting ceremony?” Nan asked.

  “Yes, we have plenty of time. It’s held in the amphitheater at eight nightly. In the summer it’s a little later.”

  Nan looked at her watch. “It’s only about six, we’ll be able to take our time eating, and then maybe we can look through the museum first.”

  “That sounds like a plan,” Adam agreed.

  The Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center and Museum was all he had hoped for. There was a variety of exhibits and information about the history.

  “Oh, Adam, listen to this,” Nan said, then started to read directly from the exhibit. “The sculptor Gutzon Borglum said these words to describe the length of time his famous work, Mount Rushmore, will endure, ‘until the wind and the rain alone shall wear them away.’ Oh and listen to this—the mountain itself was originally named after Charles E. Rushmore, a New York lawyer investigating mining claims in the Black Hills in 1885.”

  Adam let her recital drone on until he heard her say, “The presidents were selected on the basis of what each symbolized. Do you know why? Don’t look—I want to see if you know your history.”

  “Well, let’s see, George Washington, because he was the first president?”

  “No. Washington represented the struggle for independence.”

  “I don’t remember any of this, why don’t you tell me the rest?”

  “Nope, try the other three, let’s see how close you come,” Nan insisted.

  “Thomas Jefferson.” Adam paused to think. He remembered reading something about this in the brochure Katie had forwarded to his computer. If Nan wasn’t putting him on the spot, he’d probably be able to tell all four. “Has something to do with government and people.”

  “Close. It says here, Thomas Jefferson was for the idea of government by the people. Try Abraham Lincoln now.”

  “You’re not going to let me off the hook, are you?” Adam chuckled. “Let’s see. Lincoln probably had to do with freedom, correct?”

  “Nope. Lincoln was for his ideas on equality and the permanent union of the states. Okay the last one. Let’s see if you can at least tell me this one.”

  “Theodore Roosevelt. Mm...” Adam scratched his head and tried to remember. “Something to do with the new century of America in world affairs. Or I hope, anyway.”

  “Man, you got one! Theodore Roosevelt for the twentieth-century role of America in world affairs,” Nan read from the exhibit.

  He glanced at his watch. “Almost time for the lighting ceremony. We better go. I believe there’s a ten-minute talk followed by a twenty-minute film and then the slow illumination of the monument. I don’t want to miss the ritual.” Adam took her hand and pulled her away from the glass that protected the document she’d been reading.

  They barely made it in time to watch the beginning. Both stood listening to the explanation, and then the lights slowly brightened, illuminating the monument. The faces appeared to come to life. Adam stood rooted to the spot by the spectacle. When the film was finished, they made their way to the bed and breakfast to settle in for the night.

  * * * *

  Adam jumped when the jingle from his wake-up call came through. He had been dreaming in jumbled images of the heads of the four presidents chasing him. He was glad to be awake. He quickly showered and tossed the few things he had removed back in his bag. Promptly at nine in the morning, the driver arrived to take them to the airport. Unfortunately, Nan hadn’t set a wake-up call so by the time they arrived they had missed their flight and had to arrange a new one.

  “Adam, I’m so sorry. Last night was such a wonderful experience I think I floated back to our rooms. I just went through my nightly ritual in a daze and didn’t even think to set the alarm or anything.”

  “That’s okay. We have plenty of time for lunch before the plane leaves. Why don’t we take a taxi into Rapid City?” Adam suggested. The driver that had brought them to the airport had already left.

  “I’m just so sorry. I know you wanted to get home, and now you’ll be delayed.”

  “No problem, really. I’ve brought some of my work with me and I’m sure I can get something done on the plane.” Adam wasn’t too happy about the delay, but since he’d originally planned to stay until the next day, he didn’t have anything pressing. He had just given Nan that impression. Adam couldn’t get his mind off Katie. He really wanted to get home so he could call to see how she and Oscar were doing. Man, here you are with a gorgeous female and you’re thinking of another woman and her mangy dog.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Katie sneezed and then she blew her nose. “Oscar, why does this always happen? I had a plan to clean this place from top to bottom. And I get the flu or a cold or something.”

  Oscar just looked at her with his big dog eyes, and then plopped his head down on her lap. They were both sitting on the sofa, a blanket covering Katie from shoulder to toe. She pulled the blanket closer around her neck trying to get warm. She’d either been too hot or too cold the entire day, but never comfortable. She had started to sneeze the day before as she left the office. She thought the dust had tickled her nose, because Mrs. Oakman had come into her office to clean. But her ailments just continued to get worse as the evening progressed.

  When she woke, she was still determined to keep to her agenda to clean before hanging her Halloween decorations. However, she had to stop every so often to rest—she just didn’t have the energy. As a result, she had only done a spit and shine job before decorating for her favorite holiday.

  The festive atmosphere of the apartment did nothing to alleviate her symptoms. She couldn’t stop sneezing or coughing, and her head felt ready to explode.

  “Oscar, do you think you’re smart enough to go make me some toast or something?” Katie asked.

  Oscar lifted and cocked his head to one side as if contemplating her question. Then she could swear she heard him sigh as he placed his head back on her lap. She didn’t have the energy to go herself, so she reached for the remote, turned the television, and started the DVD player.

  “I guess we’ll watch The Quiet Man. That’s a cute romantic movie. Maybe the flick will make us feel better. What do you think, Oscar?” Oscar didn’
t even lift his head in reply this time, but she heard his soft snore. “Great, now I’m putting the dog to sleep. Could my life get any more boring?”

  The jingle of the telephone startled Katie. Her jump awoke the dog, who stood up and gave her a glare as he jumped off the couch to go find somewhere else to sleep. Katie paused the movie and reached for the phone.

  “Hello?” Her voice sounded as rough as sandpaper. There was a pause before anyone said anything. Then she was surprised to hear Adam’s voice.

  “You okay?”

  “No, I have this miserable cold. Are you having fun?” She listened while he told her he’d cut his weekend short again and was already home.

  “This is becoming a regular habit for you.” Katie smiled when she heard him laugh in response.

  “If it’s all right, I’ll come over and bring something to eat. It sounds like you need something healing. And I’ll walk Oscar—besides, I sort of miss him.”

  “You must have read my mind because I’m starving and Oscar won’t go fix me anything to eat.” Katie hung up the phone and called to Oscar, letting him know that they were going to have company.

  She wished she had the energy to get up and take a shower, but Adam was just going to have to see her the way she was. “This will test his attraction to me. He’s never seen me this bad, even with the awful glasses I got rid of.” Katie, think—he doesn’t have any attraction to you without those glasses. She sighed at the truth of her thoughts. She had hoped when she had gone back to her old self, he would finally notice her. But other than coming to see her a couple of times, nothing had changed.

  * * * *

  “Brady, do you know any place where we can get some good old fashioned chicken soup?” Adam asked as he disconnected the call with Katie.

  “Yes, I do. Doesn’t sound very romantic, though.”

  “I know, but Katie sounds like she is miserable with the flu. My mom always gave me chicken soup. I thought I’d pick some up for her.”