Diamond Rings Are Deadly Things

by Rachelle J. Christensen

  The imported granite countertops had my complete attention.

  Luke cleared his throat. “I heard about what happened. Are you okay?”

  My head snapped up. “It already made the news?”

  He nodded and took a step forward. “I could tell it was the watered-down version, but it mentioned an attempted kidnapping and assault.”

  “I wish I could give you more details, but everything’s under investigation, so please don’t ask.”

  Luke nodded. “I can’t believe you’re working today.”

  I lifted my hand to touch the bruised cheek that I had covered generously with concealer and foundation. “My parents came up to help me. My mom has been a lifesaver.” I swallowed the nervous lump in my throat. “Thanks for the roses. They’re beautiful.”

  “I’m glad you liked them.” Luke gently traced two fingers along my cheek. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

  It was a struggle to keep from flinching, but when I saw the look in his eyes, any fear zipped out of my system, replaced with fireworks. “Yes, thank you.”

  “If you have a minute later, I’d love to talk.” His voice was low, and his smile looked inviting.

  “I’ll be here late, cleaning everything up.” Heading for the door, I struggled to ignore the curiosity welling up inside. He’d seemed embarrassed moments ago when Brock put him on the spot. What did he want to talk about now?

  Luke followed me out past the pool and grabbed my hand. “Adri, this is new territory for me. I’m trying not to think about you, but you keep popping up despite my best efforts.” He sighed and stepped closer. The breath of space between us was charged with electricity. “Think about it before you go too much further down that other road.”

  I scrunched my eyes in a question.

  His brow creased, but I could see a twinkle in his eye. “The road that leads to Dallas Reynolds. There’s something about him—I don’t think he’s the right guy for you.”

  “And how would you know anything about who is the right guy for me?” I tugged at my hand, but he held it, interlacing my fingers with his.

  “Because I want to see you, Adri. I want to get to know you. Will you think about it?”

  “I need to get back.” I couldn’t answer his question with my insides shaking like the creamed custard we were about to serve.

  He released my hand. I shelved my feelings. There simply wasn’t time to conquer the jungle of emotions Luke elicited.

  Natalie glowed with happiness the entire evening. I managed to stay focused, and Luke and Brock were gone the next time I made a run to the house. A double success.

  During the shower, my mom received a phone call from Wes. Jenna had been throwing up for more than twenty-four hours and couldn’t stop, so her doctor wanted her to stay overnight in the hospital. They were putting her on some stronger medication to combat the morning sickness and help her recover from severe dehydration.

  “You have to go,” I told her.

  “But I don’t want to leave you,” Mom said.

  “I know, but Lorea will help me, and you can come back, right?”

  Mom nodded and hugged me fiercely. “Please be careful.”

  She and Dad headed back to my house to grab their stuff so they could leave to take care of Bryn and help Wes with his work on the farm.

  Lorea and I cleaned up everything after Natalie’s bridal shower in record time. Dad returned to help us haul it all back to the shop before my parents headed back to Rupert.

  “Sweetie, are you sure you don’t want to come home with us?” Mom asked.

  “I can’t, Mom. I have so much going on this weekend, and I’m already behind. You go and take care of Jenna.”

  My dad hugged me. “I’ll be back soon to complete your honey-do list.”

  “Give Brynnie a kiss for me, and thanks for cleaning up my garage.” I kissed Dad’s cheek.

  Mom patted my arm. “I wish I could’ve met Dallas. Have fun tomorrow.”

  I didn’t tell her I was grateful there hadn’t been time to meet him, but I was. I knew Dallas probably wanted to meet my parents, but he wasn’t about to push the issue. A part of me wondered if he knew I didn’t want him to meet them.

  So much had happened so fast. Only a week ago I had sat across from Luke for Thursday specials at Smokehouse BBQ. Since then, Dallas had moved me down the relationship path at lightning speed. It was a path littered with uncertainties that I wasn’t sure I was ready to travel.

  After my parents left, I drove home. It was almost nine-thirty, and I felt a sense of relief about the upcoming weekend. Natalie’s bridal shower had been a success, and I was ready to indulge in a well-deserved bowl of chocolate peanut butter ice cream. My nerves tensed as I approached the front door. A piece of paper rustled in the breeze. It was a full sheet attached to the door with a strip of masking tape.

  The oxygen turned heavy in my throat, and I struggled to breathe as I reached for the paper and ripped it off the door. It wasn’t note paper. I stared at the glossy eight-by-ten photo and felt fear snaking down my spine. The photo was of Luke standing next to me beside Brock’s pool, his hand covering mine. Someone had circled our hands with a black Sharpie marker and written an exclamation point next to the circle.

  Tears stung my eyes as I read the message printed across the bottom, also with the black Sharpie:

  Only a diamond ring will keep you safe.

  I let the picture fall to the ground as I scrambled for my cell phone. By the time Tony answered, I was in hysterics. I struggled to put into words what I had just discovered.

  “I’ll be right there,” Tony said. “Go wait out front.”

  The picture stared up at me menacingly with the fine hand penned beneath. My breath caught. “The handwriting is different.”

  “It’s okay, Adri,” Tony reassured me. “Are you outside?”

  I pulled my eyes from the message on the picture. “I never made it inside. It was taped to my front door.”

  “Good. Hamilton and I are on our way. Can you wait in your car?”

  “Yes.” I hurried to my Mountaineer, and once inside, double-checked the locks and slid down in the seat. I covered my face with my hands and took ragged breaths. My mind raced through scenarios. Was this somehow connected to Sylvia’s missing wedding gown? There must be more diamonds inside the dress, but I didn’t know where the dress was.

  I heard a tap at my window and screamed. Tony stepped back as I unlocked the door and pushed it open.

  “I’m sorry, Adri. I stood there for a couple seconds because I didn’t want to scare you, but you weren’t moving.”

  “That’s okay.” I looked past him to see Detective Hamilton climbing the steps toward the photo.

  Tony took my hand and helped me out of the vehicle. “You look a little pale. Why don’t you sit on the steps in the fresh air, and we’ll talk?”

  I held onto his arm as we walked the few feet toward my door. “I’d like to go in your house and check things out, if that’s okay.”

  I thrust my keys into his hand. “Definitely.”

  Tony helped me sit and then hurried inside, while Hamilton waited with me. He studied me. “Are you okay? Do you need anything?”

  “I’ll be fine—just need to breathe.” I gave him a weak smile.

  Hamilton patted my shoulder. “We’ll figure out who’s behind this. It’s good that you called us right away.”

  I nodded and leaned against the steps as I viewed the horizon. The last pinkish rays of light had retreated toward the mountains, replaced with pinpricks of glitter scattered across the sky. It was a beautiful night, and I was angry at the person who took the picture for ruining the evening.

  “All clear,” Tony said as he came back out.

  “There must be more diamonds somewhere, and they think Adri has them,” Hamilton said.

  I flinched. “But I thought that criminal told you everything.”

  Tony’s mouth was set in a grim line. “I thought he did. He said he
named everyone involved. He didn’t say anything about more diamonds.”

  “That scum was probably waiting for another package to get lifted out of here. Must be a boss man he hasn’t named yet.” Hamilton flipped open his notebook and scribbled for a moment before scrutinizing me. “No more secrets?”

  I saw Tony’s brow furrow in frustration as I opened my mouth to retort. Tony believed me, so I thought better and stepped down my defense. “I told you everything. I value my life, detective. I don’t want to be involved in this anymore.”

  Tony studied the picture for a moment. “So tell me a little more about this.”

  I glanced at Luke’s smile in the photo, and I could tell Tony was trying to piece together the situation, in light of the boyfriend he had met last night. “This is Brock Grafton’s pool. I was there for Natalie’s bridal shower. Luke was there hanging out with Brock.”

  “I thought you had a boyfriend. Why is Luke holding your hand?”

  I started to explain but then clamped my mouth shut as a realization came over me. “Wait a minute. This picture was taken at Brock’s house, on his private property.”

  That got Hamilton’s attention. “That’s right. It’s a gated property—fenced, with surveillance.”

  “So the person who took this picture was at the party or found his way around Brock’s security system,” Tony said.

  “But it was a bridal shower—all women—except for Luke and Brock. They were in the house, but they left shortly after things got started.”

  “How many in attendance?” Hamilton asked.

  “Thirty-six.” I knew the exact number of attendees because they had been asked to RSVP. “Forty-two were invited.”

  Tony stood. “We’ll have to go over there and check things out in the morning.”

  “I’m sure Brock will be happy to help you,” I said.

  “I’m not sure what this means, but I don’t think you should stay here tonight,” Hamilton said before Tony could comment. “Do you have somewhere else you could stay? Maybe your boyfriend’s?”

  My face reddened, and I shook my head. “I could stay with Lorea.”

  “Good. I’ll follow you over.” Tony seemed relieved with my answer. I almost asked him what was up before I thought better of it.

  “Let me make a call while I grab my things.” When I called Lorea and told her what had happened, she said to get myself over to her house. It took me only a few minutes to stuff a bag with overnight necessities and the clothes I planned on wearing up to the springs the next day. The freezer called to me as I passed through the kitchen—I still needed some ice cream. I gave it a longing look filled with chocolate peanut butter desire and then grabbed the carton out of the freezer. I ignored Tony’s smile as I stuffed it in a sack and headed out the front door.

  “Will you call me as soon as you find anything? And please don’t tell Wes about this yet?” I asked Tony as he followed me to the car.

  He gave my upper arm a squeeze. “I won’t say anything. Please be careful and call me if you notice anything strange.”

  “We’ll have someone posted here and at your friend’s house tonight,” Hamilton said.

  I called Dallas on my way over. “I’m staying at Lorea’s tonight, so I may have a bit of a late start in the morning.” My voice wobbled, even though I tried to keep it steady.

  “What’s wrong?” Dallas sounded worried. That helped me relax a bit, for some strange reason.

  “Someone left a picture of me on my front door with a cryptic message. The police are investigating.” I left out the information of who else was in the picture with me, still not ready to mention his name.

  “The police? Wow, you must be on good terms with that detective.”

  “Tony is a friend of my family’s.”

  “I thought you said everyone relating to the assault was in custody,” Dallas said.

  “That’s what we thought, but now the police aren’t sure.”

  “Adri, I can come over to your house and stay with you.”

  “I know. But the police recommended I stay somewhere else.”

  “Would you rather come to my place? Space is at a premium, but I’d love to have your company.”

  A tingle of longing spread across my shoulders as I considered Dallas’s offer. I trusted him to keep me safe, but I hadn’t been able to get past my mixed-up feelings. “Thanks, but I think we both know what would happen if I did that, and I’m not quite ready—”

  Dallas coughed. “I respect you, Adri. I understand. But if you change your mind, I promise to be on my best behavior.”

  I laughed. “You’re tempting me.”

  “That’s the idea.” He chuckled. “Tell me what I can say to get you to change your mind. You already know I love you.”

  I sighed. Those words were enough to keep me on the path to Lorea’s house. They were scary words—ones I wasn’t ready to reciprocate. Every time he said them, I felt his disappointment at my inability to respond. “I know. Thanks for understanding.”

  “Okay.” I heard melancholy filling Dallas’s voice, but then he buckled down and continued in a chipper voice. “I’ll be counting the hours until I see you tomorrow.”

  “Talk to you later.” I tucked my cell phone into my purse, resisting the urge to bang my head against the steering wheel. My life was an anomaly. I had a boyfriend spouting off his undying love for me every chance he got, and I had a love-hate relationship with Luke, who wanted to spend time with me as long as I understood there was no future. When I thought about it in those terms, it was a no-brainer, but then Luke flashed through my subconscious with the cute dimple in his chin. I remembered how charming he’d been on the day we first met, and I couldn’t ignore the attraction I felt when he approached me at Brock’s house.

  I shuddered when I thought of the photo. What did it mean?

  Chapter 23

  Ice Cube Bliss

  Add an elegant touch to sparkling water or any bridal party beverage with these flavored ice cubes. Combine a small amount of lemon juice, several lemon slices, and water and then freeze in ice cube trays. You can also freeze fresh blueberries, mint leaves, or raspberries in ice cubes.

  Courtesy of www.mashedpotatoesandcrafts.com.

  My headlights illuminated the window of Lorea’s front room. Lorea would know what to do. She always had the best answers, and tonight I was ready for her no-nonsense attitude. Tony made sure I was safely inside her house and flashed his lights as he drove away.

  “Adri, you’re like a magnet for danger lately!” Lorea hugged me and led me into her cozy living room. “Let me get you a drink of water.”

  I heard her rummaging around in the kitchen, and she returned carrying a glass of water with something floating in it. Before I took a sip, I recognized the tiny green leaves frozen in the ice cubes. “Thanks. These are great.”

  “I know,” Lorea said. “Natalie gave me a tray of those ice cubes from her bridal shower. I love the ones with the blueberries frozen inside, but they were all gone, so you get mint.”

  The ice clinked in my glass as I drank, and I felt a tiny bit of the tension easing out of my body as I savored the faint taste of peppermint.

  “Okay, spill.”

  “First, I need some ice cream.” I grabbed a spoon and plopped down on the couch with my carton.

  Lorea grabbed an ice cream scoop and a bowl and handed it to me. “You’ll just have to talk with your mouth full, ’cause I need details.”

  While I scooped ice cream into the bowl, I explained about the picture. I didn’t leave out the part about Luke.

  “Wait a minute. Luke? He was at the bridal shower, and he held your hand? I didn’t see him there. You gotta spill all the details, chickee.”

  “It was nothing. I ran into Brock’s house to get a lighter, and Luke was there hanging out with him. Apparently, Luke had mentioned me to Brock, and you know Brock—he doesn’t beat around the bush. He wanted Luke and me to go on a double date with him and Natalie. I was
embarrassed, and so was Luke, but not enough to reject Brock’s invitation.”

  “He asked you out again?”

  My shoulders slumped. “If he wasn’t so hot, maybe I’d have the nerve to slap him, but half the time I want to kiss him.”

  “Ene, zodue zara?” Lorea put her head in her hands. “Yes, you are crazy.”

  “I’m not, really. I’m just confused. You know me. I’ve had a hard time dating since . . .”

  Lorea touched my shoulder. “I’m not trying to be mean. This is tough, but I think you need to look in the mirror and quit trying to please everyone else. What does Adri want?”

  I slouched farther down on her sofa. “I don’t know.”

  “I know Dallas is a nice guy, but you have to admit that if Luke is looking that good, you must not be completely satisfied.”

  “If it had been up to me, I wouldn’t have gone on a second date with Dallas. He was all nerves and awkwardness. Then it was like he drank some magic elixir and became this guy who persistently goes after the girl he wants. He’s always been sweet, but now he seems to have come into a power of his own. It’s kind of nice having someone want me like that, and I can tell he cares about me.”

  Lorea nodded. “He has done a great job of overcoming his shyness to woo you. But how long are you willing to stick around?”

  Licking the back of my spoon, I gave Lorea a conspiratorial look. “He’s not afraid to be affectionate anymore. He’s a really great kisser.”

  “So you’ve mentioned.” She raised one eyebrow.

  “And it’s been a long time since I’ve been close enough to anyone to make out.”

  “That’s debatable. You were close enough to Luke.”

  “Lorea!” I reached over and pushed her off her perch on the arm of the sofa.

  Lorea laughed and stood up. “Okay, here’s the deal. Dallas gets one more date. If you can’t honestly say that you feel an inkling of love or commitment for him, then you have to let him loose.”

  I wrinkled my nose. “That doesn’t sound fun.”

  “That’s probably because you don’t even need to go on another date. You know the answer. What about Luke?”

  “He’s so irritating, such a know-it-all, a . . .” I struggled to find the word I wanted.