Read The Sweet Taste of Murder: An Angel Lake Mystery Online
Authors: CeeCee James
“Oh, baby!” They stumbled into each other’s arms and held each other as tight as two people could. When they separated, he bent down and ran his hand along her belly. “Is he okay?”
“He’s fine, honey. We’re fine. What are you doing here?”
He looked around still dazed. “Painting those darn crosses. I heard voices….” His voice trailed away. Spotting Elise, he yelled, “You okay?”
“Could use a little help here.”
Frank hurried over and quickly tied Estelle up using Sylvia’s old bonds. “I called the police. They should be here soon.”
“How? I didn’t have any service?”
“CB radio in my truck. I’m old school, I guess.” He took Sylvia’s face in his hands and kissed her. “Baby, my life flashed before my eyes seeing you down there. I don’t care, I don’t care anymore. We’ve both made mistakes. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me and I can’t lose you. We’ve got to work this out. Life is too short. I know we can fix this.”
She kissed him back before wiping under her eyes. “I’ve barely been able to breathe knowing what I screwed up. I’m so sorry. I’ll do whatever it takes, honey.” They hugged again and their words dissolved into quiet murmurs. Finally, pulling away, Sylvia turned back to Elise, “You were right. That really was sweet.”
CHAPTER 30
T
hree days later, Elise panted hard as she entered her driveway. Her heart thumped inside her chest and her lungs were on fire, but she felt strong. Pulling up her sleeve, she glanced down at her Fitbit. A laugh erupted from her throat. YES! Three minutes faster than the last run. Her best time yet.
She headed up the porch steps and flopped into one of the wicker chairs. Her long legs stretched out in front of her feeling a mixture of both rubbery and powerful. She checked the time again and smiled. Never did she think she could do it, but here she was. Making her dreams come true.
And a confirmation in her email for the completed registration for the half-marathon proved it.
But, as usual, she was late. With a groan, she jumped back to her feet and stumbled into the house. Max gave his welcome meow from on top of the china cabinet.
“Get down from there.”
He yawned in response.
Too tired to care, Elise walked into her room, quickly chose a sundress off the hanger and hit the shower. Lavina was coming to pick her up in thirty minutes, and it was time to celebrate.
Out of the shower, she slipped into her sundress and dragged a comb through her wet hair.
A car turned into the driveway. Elise walked to the window to peek out. Not Lavina, but Brad’s black jeep.
She hurried outside to meet him. “Hey there.”
“How’s my favorite trouble maker?” His gaze took in her tan legs under the dress, and he smiled appreciatively.
“It’s a good day. On my run this morning I finally figured out why there were twenty-nine vases.”
“Oh yeah? Let’s hear it.”
“That’s how old Mr. Davis’s son would have been this year. And the flowers were for where he died.”
“You really are a detective.” Brad grinned, as he reached into his pocket to pull something out. It stuck for a second, and he frowned as he tried to extricate it.
“What’s that?” she asked.
“I have something for you.”
A squeal of tires heralded Lavina’s Camaro racing around the corner. They both turned to watch, one in disbelief and the other with a wry grin.
Lavina pulled in next to Brad with her blue silk scarf blowing and one hand in the air waving like a princess in a parade. “Halloo. The party can start now.”
Brad just shook his head. “No seatbelt? Speeding? That was like five driving violations right there.”
“Will I always be under your radar?” Lavina batted her eyes at him.
Color rose in his cheeks. “Not on my radar. No, not anymore.”
“So, what are you doing here?” Lavina asked before turning to Elise. “Is he invited to our girl’s night out?”
“He said he has something for me.” Elise pointed. “You know I’m all about the gifts.”
“Well, he better have a pretty impressive goody.” Lavina sniffed. “You practically accomplished the whole Angel Lake Police Department’s job for them. And saved my butt. So, let’s see it, Brad.”
Brad’s smile fell as he caught sight of Elise’s left hand. A diamond sparkled on her ring finger.
She caught him staring and rubbed at it subconsciously. “Yeah. Mark and I talked last night. He sent a package a week ago, and I only just now looked at it. Our old wedding album. We’re going to maybe… maybe try to give it one more go. I mean, if Sylvia and Frank can do it.” She half-heartedly grinned.
Brad winced and swallowed hard. “That’s great.” He shifted uneasily on his feet.
“I know. It’s weird. But, my parents were so heart broken when they found out I was divorcing Mark. His parent’s too. He says he’s changed. I feel like I owe it to everyone to try it one more time.”
“What about you? What do you owe yourself?” His eyes searched hers demanding an answer.
Sadness twisted her core. “We were married ten years, Brad.”
He nodded. “Yeah, okay. You have to do what you have to do. I just care about you. I don’t want you to get hurt again.”
Lavina sighed. “Well, I feel the same way, compadre. What is our girl thinking, I just do not know? And to leave Angel Lake and move back to that unrefined state.”
Elise turned between them, trying to lighten the mood. “Just look at your faces! I feel like I’m leaving a couple puppies at the pound. I’ll be back for a visit. I promise. Anyway, you still have Mr. G to comfort you.”
Lavina smiled and looked at her nails.
“You ever plan on telling me who he is?” Elise asked.
Brad cleared his voice. “Who are you talking about? Lavina’s boyfriend?”
Elise arched an eyebrow in his direction. “Oh, you better not know, and keep me still in the dark.”
“I don’t know, but I have my suspicions.”
Lavina smoothly laughed before putting one manicured nail over her lips. “I’ll never tell.”
“Brad! You know! I can tell you know! And you’re just going to tease me with that secret forever, aren’t you?” Elise reached over to grab his arm but froze half-way there. She let it drop.
Brad watched the movement with a sad smile. “Secret’s safe with me. Anyway, I just came by to see how you were doing.”
“What? Did you come all the way here just for that? Wasn’t there anything else?” Elise watched him earnestly, her cheeks still feeling flushed from her morning jog.
He looked down at his hand and seemed to remember. “Oh yeah, I wanted to give you these. We. A gift from the police department as a thank you. Maybe you and Lavina can go.” He handed over two tickets.
Elise took the tickets and read the name. “The Lion King? Lavina, it’s for next weekend. How fun! Tell them all thank you for me!”
Lavina made appropriate noises, but her eyes were soft with sympathy as she contemplated Brad. “Well, it was nice seeing you again, Brad. Elise, darlin’, I’ll wait for you in the house. I have to use the little girl’s room,” Lavina sauntered indoors with hips swinging.
Brad glanced at Elise again, and his mouth moved like he wanted to say something more. He cleared his throat and ran his hand along the back of his neck. “Yeah, that was it. Anyway, I’ve got to get going. I’m helping the church set up their rummage sale and barbecue.”
Elise didn’t want him to go. “Need extra hands?”
He backed away at her offer and shook his head. “No. Not this time. Sounds like I’ll be crawling around in someone’s basement pulling out some unwanted crap to sell.”
“Okay. Take care then, Brad.” As he walked away, she was surprised by the sharp pain in her heart.
He half-heartedly raised his hand before slamming the car door. He backed out onto the road and beeped his horn as he drove away.
Elise watched him go. As she turned back to the house she paused and took a long look.
Just a single story, with wide, chunky shutters and a fat porch that stuck out like the front of a boot. This was the place where she’d finally grown into her own.
She was going to miss this.
With a sigh, she shut the screen door softly behind her. Max immediately hopped down from the buffet to curl around her ankles.
“Come here, boo,” she whispered and scooped up the orange fuzz ball. “You aren’t going anywhere. Mark’s just going to have to learn to like cats.” Cuddling him close, she wandered into the kitchen.
Her phone buzzed on the counter. She glanced at it a second, and her eyebrow flickered at the sight of Mark’s picture on the screen. Ignoring the call, she kissed the cat on the head and carried him over to the window seat.
On the right side of the picture window hung a painting. Mrs. Campbell had insisted Elise take it the last time she was there.
Nearly all of the canvas was a serene blue. A painting of her own precious Angel Lake.
Her home.
Elise slumped into the seat and buried her face in the cat’s fur. What was she doing?
Max purred deeply in her lap, his eyes closing to tiny slits. She stroked around his ears and he rubbed his cheek against her fingers. She thought about who she was when she’d only had herself to rely on.
She knew what she needed to do.
Like a switch flipping, she stood up feeling the sadness drop away. She hurried into the kitchen and reached for the phone to dial Mark.
He answered on the first ring. “Where were you? I’m just about ready to head your way.”
“Mark, I have to tell you something. I’ve grown and changed a lot since I’ve been back at Angel Lake. I like who I’ve become.”
He exhaled deeply into the phone, sounding impatient. “Elise, I don’t have time for this. If I don’t get moving now I’ll hit rush hour.”
“You don’t need to worry about traffic. You need to listen. I have a cat now. I run. I was even my own hero when no one else could be.” Each sentence made her feel stronger. “I’m not the same woman I was when I left.” She thought about it a second longer. “Or maybe I am. Maybe, I’ve finally climbed out of the box where I’ve kept myself trapped my whole life trying to please everyone else.”
“Elise, Are you drunk? What’s with the philosophical speech?”
“I’m telling you it’s already too late.”
“Elise? Our parents? My job…?”
“Sign the divorce papers, Mark. Go find Stephanie. It’s time for the both of us to move on.”
She hung up with a satisfied smile, cutting off the cuss words and threats on the other end. She stood and stretched, finally feeling free.
“Darlin',” Lavina yelled from the bathroom. “I always knew underneath the wallflower and cat lady exterior was a woman of steel. I’m just so darn proud of you!” She popped her head out, curls blazing. “Now, you haven’t forgotten about our cruise coming up next month, have you? Because I can feel it in my bones that we’re going to have quite the adventure.”
ALSO BY CEECEE JAMES
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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