1 Target of Death (15 page)

“I bet. You saved my life, Daniel. I owe
you one.”

“Dinner will be fine. I guess I shouldn’t
have gone out there, but when I received a message that you needed me and were
hurt, I had to go. I had no idea I was being lured out there. I never even
considered that Winston was the one who shot me with the arrow until I woke up
in that cabin. I prayed that you wouldn’t show up, but when Winston showed up
with you later, I was so scared that he’d kill you. It was so hard to feign
that I was passed out until I had an opportunity to jump Winston.”

“Yes, and right in the nick of time, too.”

He smiled and it didn’t occur to me until
later that Margarita and Dixie had left.

Inside Hidden Pass, it was standing room
only as Margarita threw a huge party, complete with Mardi Gras decorations
since Dixie and I wouldn’t make it back to Louisiana in time for the annual
celebration. In fact, we wouldn’t be back to Louisiana anytime soon since we
had decided to stay in Michigan to help Margarita run her restaurant, which had
now been revamped as a Cajun-style eatery.

I admired the yellow, green, and purple
curtains and beads lining the walls of the dining room in wonder. There were
also masks hanging on the walls. It almost made me homesick, but I knew it was right
to stay and help Margarita. It was the best use of my prize money that I could
think of.

Everyone cheered when it was announced that
jambalaya would be served soon. That was the main course. I kept it to myself
that I had made a King Cake for later.

I greeted Daniel with a kiss on his cheek
when he arrived. It was the furthest I was willing to go with him. We’d had a
few dinners, but we were taking it slow. I was amazed that I actually let my
guard down enough to ever consider dating again. It had
 
been a long time and I wasn’t ready to
jump into the pond just yet. He was still healing from his wounds, and the
worse part was that he wasn’t able to shoot his bow yet. We had agreed to
another re-match when we were both a hundred percent.

Word was that Nancy Briggs had been
relieved of her duties of running the chili cook-off, and she also was no
longer allowed to help organize, or have anything to do with, the archery
competition in the future, after she had attempted to fix the Tournament of
Trouble competition in Daniel Adams’s favor. In my mind though, I still
considered him the winner, one of the reasons I’m so determined to have a
rematch at some point. Since Nancy had been rigging the outcome of the chili cook-off
for years for Milton Pabis, he was banned for life from entering the cook-off.

I grabbed a cup of coffee and brought it to
Sheriff Price, who sat near the door. “Hello there, Sheriff. I was hoping you’d
stop by. I’d love to get a rundown about the case against Patsy McNalley and
Winston Hickey.”

Margarita, Daniel, and Dixie clamored over.
“Sit, please,” Sheriff Price said. “It makes me nervous with folks standing
over me.”

We sat and waited until the sheriff took a
few sips of his coffee, but Margarita couldn’t contain herself. “So, what
gives?”

Patsy and Winston are off to prison as we
speak. They both pleaded guilty, each blaming the other. They’ll be serving
life sentences for the murders of Clayton and Marilyn, and the attempted murder
of Daniel and Tammy.”

I let a breath out. “That’s sure good to
hear.”

“But what about the money?” Dixie asked.
“Did you find it at the Percy place?”

“I suspect that it was hidden in the shed
when it exploded.”

My shoulders dropped. “Aww, that’s sad news,
indeed.”

“Why is that?”

“I just hate the thought of burning money,
that’s all.”

Bud stumbled up and led Margarita away.
Those two had kept steady company of late and I was happy for the both of them.
It was a great feeling to be safe at last, and I longed for quieter times that
hopefully wouldn’t focus on another murder investigation. But if any criminals come
knocking in this town, they just better watch out for Louisiana Sassy.

Daniel and I joined Margarita and we opened
a bottle of wine from beneath the counter, pouring a glass for each of us. As I
clinked my glass with Margarita’s, a round of applause echoed round the room.
This wasn’t just a partnership, but a friendship that would endure for years to
come.

When independent writer
Madison Johns began writing at the age of forty-four, she never imagined she'd
have two books in her Agnes Barton Senior Sleuths mystery series make it onto
the USA Today Bestseller’s list. Sure, these books are Amazon bestsellers, but
USA Today?

Although sleep-deprived
from working third shift, she knew if she used what she had learned while
caring for senior citizens to good use, it would result in something quite
unique. The Agnes Barton Senior Sleuths mystery series has forever changed
Madison's life, with each of the books making it onto the Amazon bestseller's
list for cozy mystery and humor.

Madison is a member of
Sisters In Crime. Madison is now able to do what she loves best and work from
home as a full-time writer. She has two children, a black lab, and a hilarious
Jackson Chameleon to keep her company while she churns out more Agnes Barton
stories with a few others brewing in the pot.

Agnes Barton Senior Sleuths Mystery series in
order:

Armed and Outrageous

Grannies, Guns and Ghosts

Senior Snoops

Trouble in Tawas

Treasure in Tawas

Agnes Barton/Kimberly Steele Cozy Mystery Series

Pretty, Hip & Dead

Romance books:

Pretty and Pregnant novella featuring Kimberly
Steele

Redneck Romance (Published by Tirgearr
Publishing)

http://madisonjohns.com

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Happily
ever after sounds good on paper, but it’s much harder to do with your brand new
husband’s ex-girlfriend, Clare Barnett, looking on
,
thought Kimberly Steele as she stood on the lawn of the church. She drummed her
pink fingertips against her expanded abdomen. She was six months pregnant with
her late boyfriend’s baby, and here was perfect Clare, with her flaxen blond
hair and china doll features, staring at Kimberly like it was Clare’s own
wedding instead of the other way around. It’s no wonder Jeremy Preston,
Kimberly’s new husband, had been drawn to Clare, and yet here he was now
trussed to a woman heavy with child. Sure, he professed his love and devotion
to Kimberly during their vows, but would it be enough to sustain him until
after the baby was born? Kimberly certainly hoped so, but she didn’t see a real
wedding night happening any time soon.

The backyard of the St Matthew’s church had
a gazebo set up with pink and blue streamers cascading downward. Long tables
were filled with a buffet, all the food made by church members. In the center
was an ice sculpture of a pregnant bride and slender groom.

Jeremy strode up, brushing a stray lock of
his dark hair from his rakishly handsome face. “What’s the matter?”

“Nothing, why?”

“Don’t worry about her, Kimberly. Clare
only showed up to cause trouble. I’ll throw her out if you like.”

Kimberly shook her head. “No, she’s the
spokesmodel for the Pretty and Pink perfume line. Corrine Campbell already told
me I’d be working alongside her at times.”

“Yes, I suppose. But you’re the spokesmodel
for the Pretty and Pregnant lotion line. I don’t see why you would ever be
working alongside each other.”

“Well, my handsome husband, Corrine is
running both lines. That’s why. I only hope that Clive Baxter stays involved.”

Jeremy’s eyes narrowed in annoyance. “Clive?”

Kimberly gave Jeremy’s arm a squeeze. “Look
who’s jealous now.”

As if on cue, Clive joined them. He had
changed clothes since the wedding ceremony. His muscular frame was squeezed
into a blue suit with a bright red tie. As the wind blew his blond hair, a few
sighs were heard from some of the female guests, or was that Mrs. Barry?

Kimberly stifled a giggle, almost not
hearing Clive say, “I hope you plan on keeping your maiden name, Kimberly. I
believe it’s a stipulation of the contract you signed.”

Jeremy eyed the man with irritation
mirrored in his eyes. “I suppose she’ll have to, but I don’t need to remind you
whose wife she is, do I?”

Clive laughed. “Of course not, my man.
She’s legally yours now, but I believe I would have been the better choice.” He
winked.

Kimberly smiled sweetly. “Thanks for that,
Clive.”

Clare cleared her throat. “You two make me
sick. She’s enormous. What kind of man would want to marry a woman that looks
like her?”

“I happen to think Kimberly is beautiful,”
Jeremy said.

“It’s not like you’re the father of her
baby. She probably doesn’t even know who is.”

Gasps could be heard and an angry Mrs.
Barry strode forward carrying a yapping Weenie. “Mind your business, young,
lady before Kimberly’s miniature dachshund hound is set loose on you,” Mrs.
Barry said. Weenie yapped for emphasis.

Clare raised her purse at the dog and
Kimberly yelled, “If you lay a hand on my dog, that will be the last of you.”

“Yes,” Clive agreed. “He’s under contract,
too, so you better get used to him. All three of you are doing a photo shoot
tomorrow.”

Kimberly gulped and Clare’s eye widened.

“I hope you don’t expect me to pose
alongside
her
,” Clare whined.

“Play nice, Clare, or would you prefer me
to find another spokesmodel? I’m sure Mrs. Barry would love the job.”

Clare paled. “That’s a laugh. Mrs. Barry is
older than—”

“Watch yourself, young lady.” Mrs. Barry’s
hands flew to her hips. “I’d make the perfect model, but I’m too old to
entertain such foolish thoughts.”

Kimberly smiled. It was too bad because at
this point, she would much prefer posing with the senior Mrs. Barry than the
catty Clare. Of course, Weenie would be there for protection tomorrow, so all
might not be lost. She hated to admit that she’d love to derail Clare’s
modeling career, but that was only a momentary thought. What she really wanted
was to keep Clare far away from Jeremy.

Clive pulled out a camera and said, “Say
cheese, Mrs. Barry.”

Mrs. Barry smiled with the now squirming
Weenie in her arms. Once the picture was taken, she set Weenie down and the dog
ran straight for Clare with teeth bared. Clare was so startled that she backed
herself into Mrs. Peacock, who held her African Macaw. Talons were raised and
tangled into Clare’s up-do and she shrieked, “Get this damn bird off me.”

“Bitch,” said Birdie. “Bloody bitch!”

Red, green, and blue feathers flew as Mrs.
Peacock finally extracted the bird from Clare’s hair. “There, there,” Mrs.
Peacock consoled Birdie. “You can’t be clawing up every annoying person you
meet.”

Clare held a hand to her head. “That damn
bird almost killed me.”

“You don’t look dead. If Birdie had wanted
to hurt you, he’d have pecked your face to bits,” Mrs. Peacock insisted.

Mrs. Canary stuck up for her sister. “You
oughta watch out where you’re walking.”

 
Clare swung her arms. “It wasn’t me, it
was that damn dog.”

Mrs. Peacock adjusted the blue frock she
wore. “Such language. How do you expect to find a man talking like that?” Her
eyes locked with Clare and she repeated, “Yes, such language.”

“I can find a man just fine. Isn’t that
right, Jeremy,” Clare purred. “You ought not to teach your blasted bird how to
swear.”

“It wasn’t me. He watches too much
television, I’m afraid,” Mrs. Peacock said.

Everyone wandered over to where the food
was laid out and they formed a line behind Kimberly, who was famished. Kimberly
piled her plate with potato salad and baked beans, and baked chicken in
enormous portions. When Jeremy raised a brow she asked, “What? I’m hungry.”

“Me, too,” he said suggestively.

“You better wait some months before I’ll be
able to fulfill that type of request.”

He gave Kimberly’s waist a slight squeeze.
“You’re pregnant, not dead. And you’re my wife, now.”

“I know, but I’m huge.”

“And beautiful.”

The line moved along and Kimberly and
Jeremy sat at the head table, digging in. That was, until Clare sauntered over.

“I hope we can be friends, Kimberly. I’d
hate to be at odds if we’re to spend time together modeling.” Clare smiled
sweetly. “Try not thinking too much about Jeremy and me making love. It will
just drive you nuts.” Then she walked away.

Kimberly wanted to choke her ...
 
of all the uncalled for words to say to
a couple on their wedding day. Kimberly didn’t need a reminder; she knew what
Jeremy and Clare had shared. She just tried her best not to think about it too
hard.

Jeremy eyed Kimberly intently. “Don’t let
her spoil our wedding. Clare and I are old news. We’re married now and no nasty
words will change that.”

Kimberly tried to smile, really she did,
but she managed only a weak smile at best. It wasn’t going to be easy seeing
Clare on a regular basis. Sure, Kimberly knew Jeremy loved her, but she also
still had her doubts. Everything had moved so quickly that Kimberly realized
how little she knew about her new husband. She knew he was a lawyer, but who
was he
really
? They had not yet had
the time for a heart-to-heart. What if Jeremy felt trapped into marrying her?
If only he hadn’t lied about the marriage stipulation of the modeling contract.
What if that was the only reason he had married her?

Jeremy poked her in the ribs. “Stop it.”

“Stop what?” Kimberly asked.

“Stop worrying. You need to grow a thick
skin when it comes to Clare. Don’t give her any ammunition. We had a history,
but now I’m creating one with you and the baby.”

“And if I weren’t pregnant?”

“If you weren’t pregnant, you would be by
now.”

Kimberly’s eyes widened. “A little
overconfident, aren’t you?”

“I just know when I want something, I go
after it.”

“I worked with you for six months before I
got pregnant, Mr. Overconfident. You didn’t want me then.”

He smiled. “Sure I did. I just didn’t think
it was the right time.”

“Oh, but it was the right time after Clive
offered me the modeling gig? I wonder if you were more worried that I’d end up
with Clive if you didn’t up your game.”

Jeremy drummed the table with his hands.
“You worry too much, and you’re playing right into Clare’s hands.” He motioned
across the lawn. “She knows she got to you and don’t think for a minute she’ll
let up now.”

Kimberly ungraciously got up and meandered
her way toward her parents, Bethany and Hal Steele. “What am I going to do,
Mother?” Kimberly cried. “I don’t know if I can put up with being around Clare
anymore. Jeremy and Clare used to be lovers and she’s going to constantly
remind me!”

Bethany smoothed her mauve dress down.
“Don’t worry. Jeremy loves you and no amount of sour grapes is going to change
that.”

Kimberly bit her fingernail. “I know, it’s
just that—”

Hal interrupted his daughter’s train of
thought. “Stop that, young lady. I didn’t get all trussed up in this black tux
just to see you get in an uproar about some woman who doesn’t even matter.”

Kimberly knew they were both right and she
had never seen her dad so dressed up. And to think he had forgone his Harley
Davidson shirts for the wedding. Kimberly wasn’t raised like Jeremy. Her
parent’s idea of a good time was a bike run. Sure, she had gone on a few trips
with her dad, but she was hardly a die-hard biker. Kimberly would rather walk
along the beach with Weenie. That was the only time she went out without her
high heels.

Jeremy’s mother, Frances Preston,
approached and smiled happily as she said, “I’m so happy for Jeremy and you. I
just know this marriage will last.”

“How’s that?”

“Because he loves you, dear. Jeremy has
never gotten serious about a girl before.”

“Would you have called him a serial dater?”

Frances shook her head. “I’m confused. You
are happy, aren’t you?”

“Yes, but I guess Jeremy and I need to get
to know each other better. I just realized I don’t know anything about him
except that he’s a lawyer.”

She smiled. “You have a lifetime to get
acquainted. Perhaps your hormones are causing you to question what you know for
sure.”

Kimberly rubbed her stomach. “Maybe you’re
right. I better get back to Jeremy before he—”

“Sends a search party,” Jeremy chimed in
stiffly. “You had me a little worried back there.”

Tears threatened to fall. “I know. This is
just so overwhelming for me. It’s a lot to take in.”

“Let’s not rush into anything. If you like,
you can sleep in the spare bedroom like we talked about before. It’s downstairs
and that way you won’t have to worry about tripping down the stairs.”

“I never said I wanted separate rooms,
Jeremy.”

He didn’t say a word as he walked away.

“Oh, my! I should just learn to shut my
mouth,” Kimberly cried.

“Don’t worry, Kimberly. I’m sure he didn’t
mean it the way it sounded. He knows this happened quick and he’s giving you
time to cope, is all. Be patient with each other. I’m certain it will all work
out,” Frances said.

Kimberly nodded as she made her way back to
her seat. Where was Jeremy?

***

Jeremy
Preston, have you lost your mind? Suggesting separate rooms! You idiot.
It’s
too late to unsay those words. With any luck, he could wiggle out of it later.
Kimberly was really rattled by Clare. Damn that woman. He’d choke Clare if it
weren’t against the law. She was trying her best to ruin their wedding day.
Well, he wouldn’t allow her to.

Jeremy cornered Clare by the punchbowl.
“What’s wrong with you, Clare? This is my wedding,” he reminded her.

“Don’t remind me. It should be our day, not
her day. You proposed to me not long ago, remember?”

“I only did that so you’d shut your mouth.”

“Well, it doesn’t matter anymore. Clive
gave me the modeling gig I wanted. Kimberly better buck up, though, or she’ll
never last in this business. Just wait until the press hears of her late date
wedding. They’ll be all over it.
New
spokesmodel marries in a hurry.
I can just see the headlines now.”

Jeremy grabbed Clare’s arm. “I won’t
tolerate you hurting Kimberly in any way. She’s the woman I love. She’s the
woman I married, not you. So you would do well to remember that.” He released
Clare and strutted away.