by Paty Jager
“I’m not sure about anything except the three sets of boot tracks and the necklace.” He drank the last of his tea. “Do you want dessert?”
“No. I’d rather get home. I can treat you to either ice cream or brownies I keep in the freezer for guests.” She stood, sliding her arms into the sleeves of her coat.
“If I get you home quickly, can I have both?” He was a sucker for home-baked goods.
Shandra laughed. “No hurry. You can have both.”
The drive back to Shandra’s ranch was uneventful and quiet. Ryan liked that they could sit in silence without it feeling awkward. He thought back to when he’d dated Lissa. She had to have conversation every minute. It was exhausting. At first he found it funny and laughed it off as part of what he liked about her. Later he found it annoying. When did I figure out we weren’t an ideal match? When he was overseas in the military. Hearing the other soldiers talk about their significant others, he’d realized he didn’t get as animated or excited to receive her letters. Not like he did to hear from his mom and sisters.
“What are you thinking on so hard over there?” Shandra’s voice asked in the darkness filling the vehicle.
“How I’m glad Conor and Lissa are getting married. I would have made a lousy husband to her.” That he was sure of.
“Why do you say that?” She shifted in the seat as much as the seat belt would allow.
He glanced over, catching a glimpse of her face from the lights of a passing car.
“I’m not the type to settle into a safe career. She’s insecure and needs the security of a husband twenty-four seven.”
“But your job is protecting people. She should understand that would take you away.”
Shandra’s comment warmed him. She understood his job. “She never understood my desire to join the military. When I got back, we were pretty much over. When I told her I was headed to a job as a policeman in Chicago, she told me to do whatever I wanted, we were through.”
“That’s cold!” Anger vibrated in Shandra’s voice.
He laughed. “Cold but the best thing that could have happened. She and I would have made each other miserable. I’m sure of it now.”
“Then you are going to the wedding tomorrow without any regrets?” She settled back against the seat, facing forward.
“Yes. The only regret is that we didn’t end it before I went overseas. Getting her short, cold letters when everyone else talked non-stop about their girlfriends and wives waiting for them hurt.”
Her hand rested on his arm. “We can’t change the past. Only use it to move forward.”
“I agree. And I’m grateful to you for being my guest at the wedding festivities over the weekend.” He placed his hand on top of hers and squeezed.
“I wouldn’t miss it. I have to see these sisters who give you fits.” She laughed as he pulled into her driveway.
“That’s my only fear.”
They laughed all the way up her bumpy drive.
The lights shone bright outside and inside the house.
“Wow, things are lit up.” He stopped the SUV and turned off the engine.
“Lil always turns the lights on when I’m coming home after dark. It’s such a nice welcome to see the house lit up.” Shandra slipped out of the vehicle and walked up the scattered pavers to the front porch.
A large dark object charged around the side of the studio.
Before Ryan could react, a wide, wet tongue licked his face as two big paws landed on his shoulders.
“Sheba you big goof. What are you doing licking me? You’re a guard dog. The least you could do is growl.” Ryan ruffled the big mutt’s ears.
She returned to all four legs and trotted into the house behind Shandra.
Ryan shook his head and retrieved a bag of extra clothes and toiletries he kept in the rig for overnight assignments.
Tomorrow they’d drive through the county seat, and he’d collect the clothes he needed for the weekend and his gift to the newlyweds—a vase by Shandra he’d purchased at the summer art event he had attended to gather information for the first murder he and Shandra solved together.
“You coming in? The cold wind is howling through here.” Shandra had taken her coat off and held a steaming mug in each hand.
“Coming.” He hustled through the door and closed it tight behind him.
“Where were your thoughts out there?” She asked, handing him a frothy cup of hot chocolate after he placed his bag in the guest room.
“I was thinking about how we met.”
She laughed, the husky laugh that had caught his attention several months ago. “Me in handcuffs and you sternly studying me.”
He laughed. “You have to admit, Blane was doing what he was supposed to do.”
“Except he lacked a crucial skill…listening.” She laughed and curled her legs under her on the couch.
Ryan settled on the other end. Glancing down, he noticed a very good likeness of the necklace they’d found in the forest. “What’s this?” He picked up the sketch colored with pencil.
“I can’t get the pendant out of my head. Even today when I was working on the vase it kept swirling into my thoughts. I think I’m going to incorporate the blue color into the colors of the newest vase.”
“This is nearly a dead ringer for the flower.” He studied it some more. “You did this from memory?”
“That and it was in a dream I had.” Her chin dipped, and her eyes stared into her hot chocolate. “This may seem silly but after a dream where Ella has shown herself, if I close my eyes, I can see the images of the dream clearly. That’s what I did in the forest yesterday. Closed my eyes and saw the whole scene.” She stared into his eyes. “Even the man’s back. He wore a light-weight jacket. Black. His pants were a dark green.” She closed her eyes. “He had on a stocking cap, hiding the color of his hair. The hat was black.”
Her lashes lifted. Pale golden eyes peered into his. “I would know this man from the back if I saw him.”
He didn’t doubt she would. “Maybe tomorrow morning we’ll have a suspect or two.”
Shandra rose from the couch. “I’ll get that brownie and ice cream I promised you.”
Ryan watched her pad out of the room on bare feet, Sheba walking behind flailing her fluffy black tail in the air.
He stared at the replica of the necklace. If they discovered the owner tomorrow while canvassing the jewelers in Coeur d’Alene, he could have a suspect in custody by Monday.
Chapter Twenty-two
Shandra walked into a jewelry store in front of Ryan. They’d started with a list of seven stores and three specialty jewelers. They’d hit all the specialty jewelers and had only three more on the list to visit.
“How may I help you?” The older woman glanced at their hands and smiled. “An engagement ring perhaps?”
“No, we’re not—” Ryan stumbled. He flashed his badge. “I’m with the Weippe County Sheriff. We are trying to locate the owner of this piece of jewelry. We believe it has been repaired recently.” He held out the photo of the pendant.
Shandra sidled up beside Ryan. It was fun watching him squirm. Nearly every store they’d entered the employees had insinuated the same remark as this woman blurted out.
“Yes. I remember we worked on this last year. Not worth a lot but it had sentimental value to the family.” She glanced up. “You sure I couldn’t interest you in an engagement ring?”
“No. But I’d like the name of the family who brought this in.” Ryan tapped the photo.
“Browse. I’ll look through my records.” She winked at Shandra. “Over there are the engagement rings.”
Shandra couldn’t stop the giggle tickling her throat.
“Care to browse the engagement rings?” Ryan asked, waving to the case the woman had indicated.
“No, thank you. I like my single status right now.” She wandered instead over to a case with a set of silver bangle bracelets.
The woman returned with a slip of paper. “Th
is is the family.”
Ryan glanced at the paper. His gaze leveled on the woman. “You’re positive?”
“Yes. I even have photos of the pendant missing the stone and the one we set.” The woman watched him. “Is there something wrong?”
“No. Nothing.”
Shandra could tell the name he was given puzzled Ryan. “Could I look at these please?” She pointed to the set of bangles shining in the fake lighting.
The woman grinned and hurried behind the glass case. She pulled out the bracelets.
They slid nicely over Shandra’s hand and clanked as she moved her hand around. “I’ll take these.” She took the price tag off and paid the woman.
Standing out on the street, she tapped Ryan’s arm. “Who does the pendant belong to?”
“Donna Clower.”
“A relation to the Fish and Game officer?” Shandra didn’t like the way her thoughts were heading. “Is that a daughter?”
“No, that’s Melvin Clower’s wife. She wasn’t the one wearing it in the photos.” Ryan opened the passenger door of his Tahoe.
Shandra climbed in. The daughter was fooling around with J.W. When and how did the Fish and Game officer find out?
Ryan sat in the driver’s seat. “I thought he acted strange when I fished the family photo out of the pile of files on his desk. And when I brought up the daughter he told me I was too old for her.”
“He thought you were looking to date his daughter?” Shandra couldn’t imagine anyone thinking Ryan would be interested in a teenaged girl.
“Yes. I explained I had a woman I was dating.”
“Meaning me?” She raised an eyebrow. They were dating in a way. But she wasn’t ready to say they were a couple.
He smiled. “Yeah, you. I don’t spend my working and off time with anyone else.”
She knew he didn’t have time to date. A smile tipped her lips. He made time for her. She knew he wanted more than friendship and his allowing her time to get to know him and not compare him to her past failures wasn’t lost on her.
“What are you going to do with the information we found?” She knew he had an obligation to turn over the information, but she also knew he felt he had a vested interest in bringing in J.W.’s murderer.
“I’m going to put this information in the file and enjoy the rest of the weekend. I don’t believe anyone in the Clower family will go out and shoot anyone else this weekend. I’ll deal with it on Monday.” He put the vehicle in drive. “Where is the gallery you wanted to check out?”
Shandra gave him directions, and they spent the time until the rehearsal wandering through the galleries and talking with the owners. She was pleased to see Ryan had an eye for art and some insightful thoughts about each piece.
~*~
Ryan greeted his family with hugs and slaps on the back. He knew Lissa’s family from the years they’d dated. He was greeted warmly by them and so was Shandra. Watching his mother and Cathleen lead Shandra away from the gazebo where the vows would be said, while he had to pay attention to the order of events for the wedding, had his attention pulled in two directions.
“Ryan, are you even paying attention?” Conor asked.
“Huh? Yeah. I stand here and hand you the ring when the preacher asks for it.” Ryan was struck again at how calm Conor was for tying the knot tomorrow.
“I can see why you’re distracted. Your date is a looker.” Conor’s gaze traveled to the spot where Shandra and their mother and sister stood.
“Hey, you stole my first girlfriend, keep your grubby hands and eyes off this one.” Ryan said it jokingly, but he meant every word.
“I’m completely in love with Lissa. I don’t want your woman. I’m just admiring and saying you have a good eye.” Conor put a hand on his shoulder. “Here comes Lissa, at least look like your mind is on doing a good job.”
This was his first look at Lissa since they broke up six years ago. He felt nothing. He’d dreaded this moment, half afraid all the feelings and hurt he’d harbored for so long would rush out and strangle him. Watching her walk toward him, he felt nothing other than gratitude that she made his big brother so happy.
Ryan moved his gaze past the woman approaching and studied the three huddled under a tree. What was his mom and sister telling Shandra? Because from what he could see they were doing all the talking.
A slap on the back tore his gaze from under the tree where the women stood.
“Pay attention.” Conor glared at him and turned his gaze on his soon-to-be wife.
The preacher walked them through the ceremony, the bride and groom walked down the area marked off as the aisle. Ryan moved to the middle and stuck out his elbow to escort the maid of honor, Lissa’s sister, down the makeshift aisle behind the happy couple.
His mom and sister had moved on to capture Conor and Lissa. At the line depicting the last row of chairs, Ryan released the maid of honor and strode over to Shandra.
“What were mom and Cathleen talking to you about?” he asked. His gut squiggled just like when he was a kid and thought someone had tattled on him.
“We were discussing some final touches to the decorations. They thought since I was an artist I might be a natural at decorating.” She nodded toward the wedding entourage. “Shouldn’t you be over there in case they have more instructions?”
“I know what to do. This isn’t the first wedding I’ve been a best man at.” He had fond thoughts of his friend Langston’s wedding and not so fond thoughts of the wedding he’d attended as the best man while infiltrating the Cobra gang.
“Come on, it looks like everyone is getting ready to head to dinner.” Ryan had to let his time in Chicago become a foggy memory. It was the only way he could get on with his life. He’d betrayed the gang. Something none of them would forget any time soon. His only consolation was the fact they would never learn his real name. The head of the gang task force had made sure even the cops who knew he was a mole didn’t know his real name. He’d told the chief the only way he’d go undercover was with a different name and identity to keep his family safe.
Fingers snapped in front of his face. “Earth to Ryan. Where were you?” Shandra slid her arm around his. “You keep telling me this wedding doesn’t bother you, but you’ve been wandering off in your mind a lot this weekend.”
“Sorry. Lots of memories that aren’t pleasant filter in.” He smiled and vowed to only think of the present.
“Unpleasant memories of your family or the ex?”
While her intuitiveness intrigued him it wasn’t pleasant to have it used on him. “Mostly the ex.” He wasn’t ready, and may never be ready, to tell her about Chicago.
“She seems pleasant the little I’ve seen of her.” Shandra stopped when the rest of the group entered the dining room of the country club where the wedding was being held.
Ryan watched her study the room. A large table was set up close to the door. The wedding party were taking seats.
“What’s the matter?” Ryan grasped her forearms, making her face him.
She sighed. “Your mother and sister didn’t pry, but their comments definitely made me feel like they were trying to find out exactly how intimate we are.” She stared into his eyes. “Please don’t try to be overly affectionate or do things for me you wouldn’t normally. We aren’t teenagers or for that matter young lovers. Just treat me like you have been.”
Ryan studied her. Some man in her past had hurt her. He’d already come to that conclusion, but he now realized she’d been used as an ornament or trophy by the man as well.
“You think because my brother is getting married I’ll need to prove I have a woman too?”
She half nodded.
“I wouldn’t want to endanger our friendship by being that kind of person.” He linked their arms. “Come on. We’re friends enjoying being part of the wedding party.”
He escorted her to their seats at the table. Before his mom could do the introductions, he set the record straight. “Everyone, this is my
friend Shandra Higheagle. Would you each tell her your name and your connection to the bride and groom.”
Shandra gave him a brief grin then concentrated on the other guests.
Ryan hadn’t thought about checking out Shandra’s past. The more he learned about her past relationships, he had a need to see how badly a man had hurt her. He didn’t think she’d put up with physical abuse, but she gave indications there had been some kind of hold over her.
Chapter Twenty-three
Sunday afternoon, Shandra sat at a table in front of the country club private dining room. She’d tried to squeeze out of getting special treatment, but the attendants’ guests were each given a place at the head table. Ryan sat near the middle next to his brother with her sandwiched between Ryan and one of Conor’s friends and groomsman, Sherman Johnson. It turned out he was half Palouse. His mother was from the tribe, his father Caucasian.
“The Greers have always had Indian friends but I never thought one would have an Indian girlfriend.” Sherman had a way of talking that made her lean closer, hoping the words would come out a little bit louder and faster.
“I’m not his girlfriend. I’m his friend.” This was the first time she’d had to defend her friend status. The men who hit on her before the meal disappeared the minute Ryan walked her direction.
“Sure, you aren’t. That’s why he’s given every man who looks at you a glare.” The man’s slow dialogue dug in more than if he said the words with emphasis.
“He…” she really couldn’t refute that claim. He had been acting like a jealous boyfriend. But it had also kept the other men a safe distance from her. Which is all she wanted. She wasn’t here to make merry. She was supporting a friend.
“Ahhh, see you can’t say different.” Sherman leaned a little closer.
“Shandra, I have someone I want you to meet.” Ryan pulled her chair back.
Thankful to get away from Sherman, she stood and grasped the hand Ryan extended to her. She knew holding hands would get the tongues wagging but it felt right to walk with him this way. Being by his side, holding his hand, having him kiss her. They had all become second nature and felt right. After Carl, she hadn’t planned to get involved with another man, ever. But the man holding her hand and leading her toward his family’s table was making her see a future that wasn’t so lonely.
