Ring Around the Rosy

by Roseanne Dowell

  Conversation during dinner was comfortable and relaxed. “Tell me about your family. I know you said your brothers were cops, too. What about your dad, your parents?” Susan asked.

  “We come from a long line of cops, from my great grandfather on down. My dad’s retired now, and my parents have been wintering in Florida for the past three years. They had only just arrived when Mom suffered her attack..” Dave relaxed.

  “They come to Florida in October, then come back home for Thanksgiving and Christmas.” Dave leaned back in his chair and looked at Susan. Never had he wanted anyone to meet his family. Hell, most of the girls he went out with wouldn’t want to. No ties, no commitments — that was his rule. No one objected. Not that Susan would, either. In fact, it surprised him that she agreed to come with him. She’d made it pretty clear her career came first.

  She had even put it ahead of her emotions when she saw her friends’ bodies. It amazed him how quickly she recovered from her shock, and the way her journalist side clicked in and took over.

  Dave finished his drink and continued. “In January, they come back to Florida and stay until April. Mom doesn’t like being away from her grandchildren too long, but Dad can’t handle the cold winters anymore. So they compromise. If it were up to Dad, they’d move down here permanently.”

  The waitress came with the check, and Dave set his credit card inside the folder. “You’ll get to meet Mike, Emily, and her kids tomorrow. Would you like to take a walk?” Dave said after he signed the receipt.

  * * *

  Susan couldn’t wait to meet Dave’s sister. Somehow, she knew they’d hit it off. Mr. and Mrs. Morgan had raised a warm, loving family. And from what she had seen so far, they all enjoyed teasing each other. A sense of humor was a definite necessity in this family. How would she fit in? Clare was the one with a sense of humor. Everyone accused Susan of being too sensitive, too serious.

  While they walked around the grounds of the motel, it amazed her that while the temperatures went down to the mid-thirties at home, the evening here was in the high sixties.

  At midnight, she decided to turn in. Dave kissed her goodnight. “Make sure you lock the chain. Don’t forget I’m right next door if you need anything.”

  Susan hated to let him go. What would he do if she knocked on his door?

  Lord, she had to put those thoughts out of her mind. She wasn’t ready to take that step with him. She crawled into bed and stretched. What a great evening, relaxed and comfortable. She really could get used to this lifestyle. She snuggled under the sheets, turned over and fell asleep.

  Bright sunshine and the ringing phone woke her the next morning. Forgetting where she was, she put the pillow over her ears to blot out the sound, and waited for her machine to answer. Laughing as memory returned, she lunged for the phone. It could only be Dave.

  “Hello.” The mood of the previous night returned.

  “Good morning, Starshine.” Dave’s voice sounded bright and teasing. “I know you’re not a morning person, but we have a long day, and I’d like to show you some of the sights while we’re here.”

  Susan slid out of bed as they spoke, never feeling more rested and ready to go. “What time is it, anyway?”

  “Early,” Dave said and laughed. “Come on — up and at ‘em. I’ll give you half an hour to get ready. That should be enough time, even for you.”

  Susan giggled and hung up the phone. She couldn’t wait to spend the day with him, to meet the rest of his family. After a quick call to her mother, just to check in, she hurried through her shower, and just finished her makeup when Dave knocked on the door.

  The beautiful, tropical day greeted her as they stepped into the already rising temperatures. She loved the palms and the moss draped oaks.

  Dave explained a little of the history of Fort Myers. “Known as the City of Palms, it’s the area’s oldest city. After we visit Mom, I thought maybe we’d take in the Edison-Ford winter estates, seventeen acres of riverfront land. I think you’ll like it.”

  Susan was raring to go. “Hard to believe it’s cold back home. No wonder people retire down here. They get the best of both worlds — summer in the North and winter in the warm South.” Susan could picture herself living like this when she got old. Of course, that was a long way off, and by then, who knew where she’d be. Probably still chasing ambulances and police cars.

  At the hospital, Susan wasn’t surprised to see Mr. Morgan already at his wife’s side. Susan didn’t like the way Mrs. Morgan looked — even paler than yesterday, if that was possible. She didn’t have a good feeling about this. Apparently, neither did Dave.

  “You don’t mind if we skip the sightseeing, do you?” he asked when they went out for a minute while the nurse straightened Mrs. Morgan sheets.

  Susan shook her head. Of course she didn’t mind. She’d feel horrible if something happened while they were gallivanting around Florida. That wasn’t the purpose of the visit. Dave needed to be with his mother. She followed him back into the room.

  “Aren’t you going to show Susan some of the sights?” Mrs. Morgan took Dave’s hand and held it.

  Dave brought his mother’s hand to his mouth and brushed his lips over it. “We thought we’d just visit with you.”

  “Nonsense, I’m fine. You go enjoy the day.”

  Dave shook his head.

  “Susan, talk some sense into this boy, will you?”

  “But we came to visit you, Mrs. Morgan,” Susan said.

  “That’s right,” Dave said.

  Mrs. Morgan shook her head. “I insist. Besides, I sleep most of the day, anyway, and your father is here.” She slapped his hand away. “Go on, now.” She shooed them away.

  Dave laughed. “Okay, okay. We’ll be back this afternoon.”

  “Good. Now go and have fun.”

  Dave leaned down and kissed his mother goodbye. “Want to walk out with us?” he asked his father.

  Mr. Morgan followed them out.

  “You have my cell phone number, right?”

  “Yes, I have it.”

  “You call me if there’s any change. I don’t like the way she looks.”

  “She’s just tired. She had a bad night.” Mr. Morgan’s lips held a smile, but concern filled his eyes.

  “We’ll be back in a couple of hours.” Dave hugged his father. “Don’t forget — anything. Any change whatsoever, you call me.”

  Mr. Morgan shook his head. “Go on. Listen to your mother and have a good time.”

  * * *

  Susan loved the furnishing and architecture of the rambling buildings at the Edison Estate. “I can imagine myself living in this era. I swear if I lived in a past life, it had to be the Victorian era. Of course, I was probably the mean old nanny, not the beautiful lady of the house wearing those fabulous, expensive dresses.”

  Dave laughed and kissed her nose. “You, the mean old nanny? Never.”

  She liked his playfulness. “Look at that!”

  “Ah, the inventive genius of Edison, evident throughout. That’s the electric chandelier called the electrolier.”

  Walking through the botanical gardens, which, Dave informed her, contained over a thousand varieties of plants imported from all over the world, gave Susan the feeling of returning to another century. Not that she was into gardens, but these offered an especially peaceful setting.

  “That Banyan tree is approximately four hundred feet wide. It was a gift from Harvey Firestone,” Dave said.

  Susan looked at the huge tree. “Strange way of growing.” Okay, so she wasn’t all that impressed with it. Trees did about as much for her as flowers. And flowers brought the memory of the roses too much to her mind.

  They left the tour and went back to the hospital. She looked forward to meeting Emily and Michael, knowing they’d be as friendly and warmhearted as Dave, Rudy, and their parents. At least, she hoped they would.

  Dave introduced them, and Susan immediately saw that Josh and Jake idolized their uncles. It was hard to
tell which one, if any, was their favorite. Of course, they all claimed to be.

  Emily was a photocopy of her mother, petite, with reddish-brown hair and gray-green eyes with the same sparkling gold flecks as the males in the family.

  Emily gave Dave the thumbs-up sign while she hugged Susan, which caused Susan’s cheeks to burn. What had Dave told his family about her? They all acted like things were serious between them. Granted, she was falling in love with Dave, but what about him? Still she wasn’t ready to settle down.

  Besides, they really didn’t know each other. They were only now getting acquainted during this trip. They had spent their time at home discussing the murders or making small talk to help take her mind off of it. Susan wasn’t stupid enough to think Dave couldn’t live without her.

  He only brought her to Florida because of his concern about the phone calls. Of course there was the physical attraction, and his touch and kisses sent sparks through her body. But he had never attempted to make love to her. She wondered why.

  How would she respond if he did? In this day and age, most couples engaged in casual sex, but she didn’t feel that way. She was bound and determined to wait for the “right” man to come along before she gave herself willingly. Dave might be that man, but for the time being, it didn’t bother her that he restrained from pushing her further than their few passionate kisses.

  The good news was Mrs. Morgan had improved by that afternoon, and surgery wasn’t necessary at this point. The doctors warned that it was inevitable, but they wanted her to get stronger first. The family, elated at the news, celebrated. They all wanted her home for the holidays, and couldn’t be happier. To their surprise, the doctor said she could leave the hospital the next day. She’d have to take it easy. build up her strength, and hopefully wait until she got home to have the surgery.

  “Since you’re coming home, I’m going to leave, and we’ll see you tomorrow. Right now, you need to rest.” Dave kissed his mother’s cheek. “I’m taking Susan to the beach. We’ll meet you guys later for dinner. Three Fisherman’s Seafood Restaurant, right?”

  After they left the hospital, Dave drove to the beach. “Want to walk?”

  “I’d love to.” Basking in the warm sun and sandy beach, she walked along barefoot. With her shoes in one hand and Dave holding the other, she wished this could last forever. She hated for it to end. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been this happy and content. It was like a different world here. All the problems ceased when they got off the plane. Well, all but Mrs. Morgan, and now that had worked out, too., Thank goodness she was allowed to go home. Susan loved this place, loved being with Dave. It was like being in a tropical paradise.

  “We have to go back Friday,” Dave said as if he read her mind. “We’ll spend tomorrow with Mom, and then it’s back to the mill.” He smiled, touched her cheek, and kissed her. “I’m glad you had a chance to meet my family. I’d like it if we spent some time with them up north.” It was more of a statement than a question.

  “I’d like that,” she said. “I like your family. They’re fun to be around.”

  He pulled her close to him, and they walked arm in arm. Her heart thumped so hard in her chest, she thought it would explode. The idea of getting to know Dave and his family better appealed to her. It was a shame they had to go back and face the world of horror filled crimes.

  * * *

  Even though Dave was off the case, he had been in touch with his precinct, and no murder had been committed while they were gone. No contact had been made. “Maybe you should stay gone,” Greenwood joked.

  “Wish I could.” Dave said. “What’s going on with the investigation?” He hated to ask, but he needed to know.

  “Almost done. So far, no problems. Should finish up tomorrow. Just waiting to interview Hill.”

  Right. Hill, the bastard that started this whole mess. What would he have to say? He’d never reveal his source about the bracelet. Not that it mattered. What he wanted to know was why Hill wrote all that shit about Susan. Jealousy more than likely. “Okay, thanks.” Dave hung up and got ready for dinner. No point telling Susan about that conversation — nothing new to report. Let her enjoy her last day here. He’d never seen her so relaxed and calm.

  Damn, Dave snapped his fingers. The roses, why didn’t he think of that before.

  He redialed his cell phone. “Greenwood, listen. Check out the florists around the area. See if someone has been buying up a lot of roses lately. One or two at a time, maybe a few more.”

  “Good idea. I’ll get somebody on it right away. Uh, Dave, you know you’re not supposed to be involved in this case.”

  Like they were going to keep him out of it. Not when it involved Susan, they weren’t. “Yeah, I know. Consider it a tip from a good citizen.”

  “Yeah, right, good citizen.” Greenwood laughed.

  “Okay, let me know what you find out.”

  * * *

  As Susan expected, dinner was lively and entertaining. The brothers, competing to outwit each other, kept her and Emily in stitches.

  “You have to order the Florida stone crab,” they told her. She took their advice and ordered it. The menu described it as the succulent meat to be pure ambrosia, the food of the gods. Susan didn’t know which gods the menu referred to, but she had to agree the meat was succulent.

  Dancing after dinner made for a late night, and sheer exhaustion forced the lively group to retire. Jake and Josh had stayed with Grandpa and begged to spend the night.

  Grandpa, like the rest of the family, spoiled the boys, and agreed. “You young people go out and have a good time,” he said.

  Before they went back to the motel, Dave arranged to meet the family for breakfast. Susan retired to her room more satisfied than she thought she had a right to be. The evening had been fun. She was in love with Dave’s family as well as him. No point trying to deny it. She’d only be fooling herself.

  Their warm acceptance of her was something she had never experienced before. Of course, she had never seriously dated anyone before. Sleep came easy when she got into bed.

  Morning came early, and the ringing phone once again woke her. Stretching lazily, smiling, eager to meet the day, she jumped out of bed and into the shower.

  Half-hour, Dave had said, and true to his words, half-hour later, he knocked on her door ready for the day. Her heart caught in her throat at the sight of him — handsome as ever in his snug shorts and knit shirt that hugged the muscles of his chest.

  For two cents, she’d throw caution to the wind and invite him in for a quick romp. Never, in all her life, had a man turned her on just by looking at him. Sure, she’d been physically attracted to men before, but never had her body quivered, never had just looking at a man caused the sensation deep inside, never had she experienced the intense heat between her legs before. Already, her face burned from the thought. She looked away, afraid her eyes would betray her thoughts. It was bad enough her hands trembled and her legs threatened to collapse.

  Fortunately, Dave took her arm and led her to his car.

  After they picked up Jake, Josh, and Grandpa, they met the others for breakfast. It was another easy, fun-filled meal. Jake and Josh joined in the playful banter, dishing out as much as they took.

  Mr. Morgan left shortly after to pick up his wife from the hospital while the others planned a dinner for them.

  “Emily, you and Susan shop while we go back and clean the house and change the sheets,” Dave said.

  Susan noticed how he took charge, and no one challenged him.

  When they came back from the grocery store, it amazed Susan how everyone chipped in, ready to do his or her share. Not that they didn’t bicker about it. Seemed everyone wanted to do what the other brother was doing. Dave handed out the jobs, but Susan noticed Mike and Rudy switched. Rudy vacuumed while Mike washed the kitchen floors. Dave changed the sheets and did the laundry.

  If she hadn’t seen it with her own eyes, she would never have pictured these ma
sculine men vacuuming and doing dishes.

  Emily assured her they had been raised doing chores, and the boys were as well equipped to clean as she was. “Mom wasn’t a women’s libber,” she said. “Her theory was everyone made the mess, everyone was darn well going to clean it up, and Dad backed her up.”

  Mrs. Morgan couldn’t hide her pride when she came home to a sparkling-clean house. Windows had been washed, floors scrubbed, and laundry done. Fish was ready for the grill, salad prepared, and potatoes baking.

  With a kiss for each of her children and grandchildren and an equally hardy kiss and hug for Susan, tears welled in the old woman’s eyes as she took in the cheerful faces.

  It didn’t take long before chaos and commotion took over the serene mood, and things went back to normal. Susan loved watching the scene around her. No one allowed Mrs. Morgan to do anything, and each child vied to wait on her, outdoing the other with offers of drinks, pillows for her back, footstool, and anything else they could think of.

  Mrs. Morgan laughed at all the attention, and soon began giving orders as if they were small children, admonishing their playful punches and competition. Susan wished the day could last forever.

  All too soon, the evening ended. “Sorry to break this up,” Dave said. “But we have an early flight.” After they kissed everyone goodbye, Rudy drove them back to the hotel.

  “I’ll pick you up at six in the morning.”

  Susan packed her bags, leaving out only the bare essentials she needed to get ready for the trip home. Dave kissed her at the door and lingered a moment before he said goodnight. Susan had an overwhelming urge to pull him into her room. Somehow, she managed to resist.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Pussy cat, pussy cat where have you been?

  He slammed down the phone. Where did she go? He hadn’t seen her in days. It wasn’t like her to just take off. He hoped she wasn’t sick or in the hospital, but he’d have heard about that. No, she went off someplace. Probably with that damn detective.