“That’s a shame,” Emmy purred. “We were hoping you’d come out for the Halloween party.” She tilted her head. “I saw the cutest little peas in a pod costume that would be perfect for them.”
Skye had been taking in the exchange, trying to keep the pangs of jealousy at bay. Silently, she repeated the litany of why she shouldn’t be upset. Wally would never cheat. Emmy was dating Simon. And the gorgeous dancer flirted with everyone.
However, it was difficult to look at the beautiful woman and not compare herself. On most days, showering was a major accomplishment for Skye. Makeup and hair had been slipping lower and lower in her priorities. Taking one more peek at Emmy’s perfectly put together appearance, Skye immediately relocated a thorough beauty regime to the top of her to-do list. From now on, she was treating every evening with her husband as a date.
But that would have to wait until tomorrow. Right now, it was time to join the conversation. She moved closer to Wally, slipped her hand into his, and took a deep breath. Emmy was so close to them, Skye could smell the other woman’s peach-and-vanilla-scented perfume. Skye scowled. The dance instructor needed to back off.
Wally glanced at her with a smile, then frowned and leaned down to whisper, “Everything okay, sugar? Are you getting tired?”
Making an effort to erase any lingering self-doubt, Skye kissed his cheek. “I’m fine.” She turned to Emmy and said, “That does sound like a cute costume, but you’ll need to get in line behind my mother to outfit the twins for their first major holiday.”
“Hmm.” Emmy tapped her chin. “I always did like a challenge.”
“I wouldn’t mess with my mother.” Skye examined the tall, lithe woman, unable to tell if she was joking or not.
Emmy tossed her ponytail and looked at Wally with a speculative gleam in her eye. “I guess it would all come down to who was judging the entries.”
“Mom would make sure whoever was selecting the best costume was someone who couldn’t be swayed by flattery.” Skye kept her tone light. “Or any other type of coercion.”
“You never can tell what someone might fall for.” Emmy’s honeyed voice had a twist of acidic tartness. “If I would have known what was at stake earlier, I might have tried a little harder the last time I competed with a Denison.”
The low-grade agitation that had been humming through Skye’s chest amped up and sizzled just under her skin. Was Emmy talking about Wally? Was she implying that if she’d known he was rich as well as gorgeous, she would have tried to break up their engagement and nab him for herself?
Evidently Wally was thinking the same thing because before Skye could frame a reply, he dropped her hand and slid his arm around her waist. Tucking Skye into to his side, he pinned Emmy with a hard stare.
“What?” The dancer arched a feathery brow.
“The results would have been exactly the same.” Wally’s tone was unyielding.
“Are you sure?” Emmy pupils dilated and she waited a long beat before adding, “Anyway, I won’t give in as easily again.”
“On what?” Skye asked, trying to figure out what in the heck they were talking about because she thought the subject of their conversation was no longer Wally. “Or should I ask on whom?”
“Well, there is another handsome Boyd man available.” Emmy poked Wally’s arm again and her voice took on the satiny tone of jazz singer crooning a love song. “And he hasn’t put a ring on anyone’s finger.”
“Carson?” Skye’s mouth dropped open. “You’re talking about my father-in-law? But isn’t he dating the mother of your current boyfriend?”
This was beginning to sound like the Dooziers’ twisted family tree. The Dooziers, an inbred clan who ruled a section of riverside property through a combination of cunning and ruthlessness, were known to marry cousins and suspected of getting hitched to even closer relations.
“Simon and I aren’t exclusive.” Emmy’s sapphire-blue eyes gleamed and she wrinkled her cute, little turned-up nose. “According to him, he’s not ready to commit yet.” She straightened her spine. “If there’s one thing I learned living in Las Vegas, it’s that a girl has to hedge her bets.”
“But…” Skye gasped. She could usually read people pretty well, but something about Emmy nullified Skye’s psychologist abilities. Was the blond teasing or was her coldhearted approach to love for real?
“Hey.” Emmy shook her finger at Skye. “You don’t get to be so morally outraged.” She jerked her thumb at Wally. “You played him against Simon for long enough before deciding which guy was the better deal.”
“I did not!” Skye gritted her teeth to stop herself from telling Emmy exactly what she thought of that type of woman.
“Of course you did.” Emmy crossed her arms. “Not that I blame you.”
Skye stepped away from Wally and toward the dancer, ready to slap her if she said another maddening word. “Simon may have continued to pursue me after we broke up, but I told him that I wasn’t interested. I did not ‘play’ him and Wally off one another.” She moved closer to the exasperating woman. “And the only ‘better deal’ I was looking for was a man who loved me the way I was, not the way he wanted me to be.”
“Darlin’.” Wally moved in front of Skye. “Emmy’s joshing you. She enjoys riling up people.” He looked hard at the dancer. “Right?”
“Sure.” Emmy’s lips twitched as she added, “But your father is seriously hot, and Bunny’s attention span is notoriously short.”
“Emmy.” Wally’s tone made it clear he’d had enough of the dancer’s mischief. “We’re here on official police business, so stop playing around.”
Emmy pouted. “Fine. Then what can I do for the Scumble River PD?”
“Actually, we’re looking for Bunny.” Skye glanced around. The redhead wasn’t in the line dancing or the ballroom class. “We saw Carson’s truck and thought she might be here with him.”
“They’re in the private studio with Olive.” Emmy tilted her head to the left.
“Thanks.” Wally put his arm around Skye. “We’ll let you get back to your lesson.”
“Sure.” Emmy started to walk away, then turned and winked. “But if you arrest Bunny, don’t forget to send your father my way.”
“Stick to Simon,” Skye advised. “Carson might be more of a handful than you realize.”
“Shh.” Wally hugged Skye. “Saying something like that will only encourage her,” he murmured.
“I don’t think she was kidding.” Skye fiddled with her wedding ring, wishing Simon would marry Emmy and they’d both move back to Las Vegas.
“Maybe so.” Wally’s expression clouded as if wondering who would be worse as a stepmother—Bunny or Emmy. Shaking his head, he said. “Let’s go find Dad.”
As they approached the door that Emmy had indicated, it burst open. Before Skye could react, Bunny and Carson bossa-novaed out of the room. They glided across the large room, knees bent and hips swaying. Then, with a flourish, Bunny wound an arm around Carson’s neck and gave him a passionate kiss.
“Dang it!” Wally stiffened and rubbed his eyes. “How do I ever unsee that?”
Bunny turned at the sound of Wally’s voice, then her gaze flicked to Skye. Her eyes widened and she tried to flee back into the private studio they’d been using. Carson started to follow her, but Wally was quicker.
“Going somewhere?” He blocked the door and crossed his arms. “We need to have a chat. Would you rather talk here or the police station?”
“Neither.” Bunny inched backward until she bumped into Carson. Bunny stepped sideways, glaring at Wally. “I don’t have to talk to you.”
“You really do.” Skye touched the older woman’s arm. “Please. I promise whatever you’re trying to avoid telling us is going to eventually come out.”
“You can’t know that.” Bunny’s nose twitched like the animal she was named for,
and she scowled at Skye.
“I can, because we’ve identified the body. And with or without your help, we’re going to find out why she was at the bowling alley when no one was supposed to be there.” Skye’s tone was firm but cajoling. “It would be better to get in front of whatever you’re trying to hide.”
“Paige must have broken in.” Bunny refused to meet Skye’s gaze.
“How did you know who it was?” Wally asked.
“I heard it around town?” Bunny’s answer came out more like a question.
“Uh-uh.” Skye shook her head. “The truth.”
“Sonny Boy will kill me,” Bunny moaned.
“It’ll be fine,” Skye assured her. It wasn’t as if Simon had any illusions about his mother.
Bunny threw herself into Carson’s arms and wailed, “It’s my fault Paige is dead.”
Chapter 10
Baby, Baby, Don’t Cry
Skye watched as Bunny sobbed on Carson’s shoulder. She wasn’t entirely convinced that the redhead was truly weeping due to her guilt over Paige’s death rather than her frustration at being trapped. A part of Skye even thought that it was all an act to keep from answering the questions Wally had for her. It was probably a little of both.
However, it was clear that Carson believed his ladylove’s distress was genuine remorse. He dug his handkerchief from his pocket and gave it to her. Then, as he rubbed soothing circles on her back and murmured reassuring words in her ear, he glared at his son. Wally, evidently unaffected by his father’s censure, leaned a hip against the wall and waited.
When Bunny’s crying finally subsided into the occasional sniffle, Skye and Wally shared a glance. He tipped his head at the embracing couple and Skye nodded her understanding. She moved toward Bunny and Carson and gently drew Bunny from Carson’s arms. Taking the hanky, she stroked it over the older woman’s cheeks and under her eyes.
“There.” Skye dabbed one more time. “That’s better. Nothing worse than mascara smudges.” Giving Bunny a quick hug, she stepped back and said, “Now let’s all go somewhere private and talk.”
“But I’m starving.” Bunny’s period of mourning for Paige was evidently over and she turned to Carson and pouted. “You promised to take me somewhere nice for an early dinner after we finished our lesson.”
Skye linked her elbow with the older woman’s arm. “Let’s get this over with, then Dad can feed you. Where were you all thinking of going?”
In order to keep the redhead distracted, as she led a reluctant Bunny toward the front door, Skye continued to chatter away. They were only a couple of feet from the exit when Skye’s stomach let out a loud growl, then two more in quick succession.
Wally and Carson were right behind them, and Carson stopped Skye with a hand on her arm and asked, “When did you eat last, sugar?”
“I had a big breakfast after we fed the twins this morning.”
Skye tried to keep moving toward the door, but Carson’s grip tightened and he said, “It’s close to four o’clock. You mean you haven’t had a square meal in eight hours?”
“Square meals just make you round,” Skye muttered under her breath.
Wally moved in front of Skye and questioned, “Why didn’t you have lunch?”
“I was busy with the babies, then Mom stopped by and I just didn’t get to it.” Skye freed her arm from Carson’s grasp, adding, “A lot of the time when I was working in the schools, I didn’t have a chance to eat lunch.” She shrugged. “And it’s not as if I can’t afford to lose a few pounds. The baby weight isn’t—”
“Don’t.” Wally took her hand and drew her away from Carson and Bunny. Lowering his voice, he said, “No more worrying about that. You are beautiful no matter what your dress size is and your doctor said you aren’t supposed to try to lose weight until after your next checkup. She said it will come off naturally while you breastfeed.”
“Dr. J can’t know that for sure,” Skye whispered, wishing her hormones would get back to normal so she would stop feeling so insecure. “And Mom brought over her lasagna, which has about a billion calories. I was saving up.”
“Do you promise not to do that anymore?” Wally asked. When she nodded, he kissed the top of her head and murmured, “Do you think your mom would be willing to watch the twins for a while longer?”
“Since she doesn’t have to work, Mom would be happy if she had them all night.” Skye smiled. “And I pumped enough milk for their next two feedings.”
“Perfect.” Wally turned to Carson and asked, “Where were you planning to go for supper?”
“That Italian restaurant in Clay Center,” Carson answered. “I heard the tornado damage was repaired and it’s open for business.”
“Great. Skye and I love Pesto’s food.” Wally put his arm around Skye’s shoulders and walked toward the door. “How about Bunny tells us what she knows about Paige and her presence at the bowling alley over a plate of pasta?”
“Works for us.” Carson held out his elbow for Bunny and the couple followed Skye and Wally outside. “Shall we meet you over there?”
Wally lowered his chin and stared at his father. “You promise that you won’t let Bunny talk you into helping her escape?”
“You have my word as a Texan.” Carson put his hand over his heart. Then, his eyes twinkling, he said, “Or we could all ride together in my truck.”
“Sounds like a plan.” Wally helped Skye into the back seat of his father’s pickup.
Once they were settled, Skye leaned over to Wally and whispered, “I’m surprised you didn’t insist on interviewing Bunny at the station. Going out to eat with a suspect is a little unorthodox.”
“If she were truly a suspect and not just a witness that might be true.” Wally took Skye’s hand and brushed his lips against her knuckles. “But more importantly, I wanted to make sure you had a decent meal.” He traced a finger down her jaw. “I vowed when we got married that I wouldn’t put my job ahead of you. And the babies just reinforce that decision. I’m trying to delegate more.”
“You’re the best husband.” Skye leaned over and kissed his cheek. “I knew I loved you, but every single day you remind me why.”
A pair of headlights sliced through the growing darkness, then after the car sped away, the truck was once again the only vehicle on the road. While everyone seemed lost in his or her own thoughts, Skye dug her phone from her purse and called her mother to check on the twins.
Once May assured her that the babies were fine, Skye told her mother that she and Wally would be gone two or three more hours. May was thrilled to have additional time with her grandchildren, and after thanking her mom, Skye put away the cell and relaxed.
Between the soft music coming from the radio, another song with baby in the lyrics, and the motion of the truck, Skye’s lids fluttered closed, and the next thing she knew, Wally was gently kissing her forehead.
“We’re here,” Wally said softly. “Are you ready to have a great dinner and an interesting conversation?”
Skye nodded and they all exited the truck and walked inside Pesto. It was a small restaurant set between a real estate agent and podiatrist office in a strip mall at the edge of Clay Center, Scumble River’s nearest neighbor.
The atmosphere was casual and the hostess was dressed in jeans and a T-shirt. She quickly seated them in a corner booth and asked what they wanted to drink. Wally and Carson requested iced teas with lemon and Skye went with her usual Caffeine Free Diet Coke with lime, but Bunny ordered a glass of cabernet.
Although no one commented, Bunny giggled. “A meal without wine is called breakfast.”
While they waited for their drinks, they scanned the menus. Once Skye decided on her entrée, she looked around the newly repaired restaurant. It was bright and cheerful with a wall of windows facing the street. The decor was modern but welcoming, and the air smelled of oregano, garlic,
and melting mozzarella. Her stomach growled again.
When the server returned with their drinks, Wally said, “Let’s start with an appetizer tray. That way we can get our talk over with before we have dinner.”
Everyone nodded and he ordered breaded mushrooms, bruschetta, and stuffed potato skins. Skye forced herself not to think about the calories and focused on the here and now. A yummy dinner with her handsome husband without worrying about the babies waking up was a real luxury and she was determined to enjoy it.
Even if they were sharing the meal with her father-in-law and his girlfriend, it still felt a little like a date. There were crisp white linen napkins on a pristine tablecloth, soft music in the background, and dim lights. Once she managed to make Bunny tell them what she knew about Paige, Wally and Skye could relax and enjoy this rare treat.
With that in mind, she looked at Bunny and said, “Let’s start with why Paige was in the bowling alley after closing time.”
“Do you promise not to tell Sonny Boy?” Bunny fidgeted in her chair, refusing to meet Skye’s stare.
“I won’t tell him, but in all probability he will eventually find out.” Skye tilted her head and quirked her lips. “You do know that Simon realizes you aren’t an angel, right?”
“Yeah.” Bunny’s cheeks turned pink. “But I was kind of hoping to earn that halo someday.”
“I’m sure you’ll get your wings eventually.” Carson winked.
When Wally choked on the sip of water he’d just taken, Skye thumped his back.
“So.” Skye paused as the server put a basket of warm bread on the table, then poured olive oil in a small saucer, adding pepper and grated Parmesan on top. After the waitress walked away, Skye looked at Bunny and asked, “What was the deal with Paige?”
“She was bored.” Bunny tore off a piece of the loaf. “And lonely.”
“I can understand that. Scumble River didn’t have a lot of entertainment options before the tornado, and from the brief glance I got of Paige, she didn’t seem the type to attend a high school volleyball game or go fishing in the park out by the dam.” Skye broke off her own slice. “How long had she been in town?”
Die Me a River Page 10
