Picture Perfect Murder (Ryli Sinclair 1) (15 page)

Mom and I finished the two pans of fruit crisp around seven.
I stayed a while longer to help with dishes, which put me at my house around
seven-thirty. Still plenty of time to freshen up before Garrett arrived.

Shifting the warm plate of fruit crisp into my left hand, I
unlocked the front door of my house. Miss Molly greeted me warmly, weaving in
and out of my legs as I walked to the table. It was all I could do to not trip
over her.

“Silly girl!” I said, putting the food down on the table.

Miss Molly immediately jumped on the chair and stretched out
her long, black body over the top of the table, sniffing the air.

“Get down,” I admonished as I gently pushed her down, glad I
remembered to leave the foil on the plate. Miss Molly was constantly trying to
nibble on human food.

I rushed down the hallway and started primping procedures. I
plugged in my curling iron and took my hair out of my ponytail holder, shaking
out the small bend in my hair from the rubber band. I then took out my sad
looking makeup bag from the bathroom drawer. I always remember too late that I
mean to start adding more to my arsenal of makeup. It never happens.

I decided to add some dark plum liner to the outside of my
upper lid, then added a little mascara. I had just finished refreshing my curls
when I heard Miss Molly meowing. She was like a dog sometimes. She was good
about letting me know when someone was coming to the front door.

I quickly shut off my iron and straightened my gray and
white tunic, trying to press out any wrinkles. I took a deep breath, looked out
my peephole, then quickly opened the door.

Tonight Garrett was wearing his more casual police chief
uniform, just his dark blue dress shirt and tie. While my sex drive and stomach
did rapid somersaults, my brain was smart enough to know he must have been
doing something somewhat official where he wanted the uniform seen, but didn’t
want to intimidate too much. Was he questioning a suspect? It took every effort
I had not to ask. And believe me, it was a lot of effort.

He didn’t say anything, just held up the grocery bag
containing ice cream, then pulled me to him for a kiss. Of course I went
willingly…I’m kinda a hussy that way. I’m not sure how long we stood there
kissing, but soon I felt myself shivering. Believe it or not it wasn’t from
what Garrett was doing to me. The bag of ice cream was pressed against my back,
and even through my sweater I could feel the cold.

“Rough day?” I asked, laughing at his idea of a hello.

Grinning sheepishly at me, Garrett released me and stepped
back. “You have no idea. I really needed this tonight…even for just a few
minutes.”

I smiled back at him, then took the bag of ice cream and
started toward the kitchen, stopping at the table to pick up the fruit crisp.
Juggling both desserts I walked over to the counter bar and set them there. I
got out the small bowls and ice cream scooper.

“Do you want me to heat up the crisp?” I asked. “It’s not
that warm anymore.”

“Nope, it’s fine.”

I proceeded to delve out the dessert, trying not to drool as
he loosened his tie and took off his gun belt, setting it on the table. I
finished scooping the ice cream then handed his portion to him. Garrett took a
large bite. I could tell by the way his eyes got a little wider that he really
liked it.

“You made this?” he asked incredulously.

I narrowed my eyes at him. He was not supposed to be
surprised that I could accomplish such a feat. I was about to give him a piece
of my mind when he corrected himself, “Let me rephrase that. It’s really good,
Sin. Once again you’ve made a lovely dessert.”

I burst out laughing. I couldn’t help it. When he let his
guard down, he was a funny guy. It scared me how much I liked that about him.

He took another bite then set his dessert on the counter.
Suddenly feeling the shift in the air, I finished swallowing my ice cream crisp
combo. He took the dessert from me, set it on the counter next to his bowl, and
led me over to the couch.

Sitting down he pulled me along with him. I ended up
straddling him like I had in the car the other night. Something tells me when
it came time to finally having sex, I would once again find myself in this
position.

Sliding his rough hands under my sweater, he nibbled and
kissed the side of my neck. Sighing, I leaned in as much as I could, pressing
myself against him. I felt his hands slide around my rib cage and land on my
stomach as he pressed his lips to mine.

I reached out and grasped the side of his face, his day-old
beard scratching my palms. I could hear myself making what sounded like cooing
sounds…my way of encouraging him to keep going.

Garrett leaned back. “Truth is, I just wanted to stop by
tonight to see you,” he said. “I didn’t really have a reason. However, I don’t
have a lot of time before I have to get back to the office. I just wanted to
make sure you’re doing okay.”

Disappointment flooded me. I wasn’t sure how much longer I
could take the whole cat-and-mouse game we seemed to be playing.

I scooted back on his legs, right next to his knees, and paused.
The power I felt when he finally looked up at me was intense. It was the first
time I’d ever felt like I was in control of anything when it came to us…and this
tentative relationship we have. The fleeting look of vulnerability I saw in his
eyes not only turned me on, but it gave me the courage to lean in and kiss him
with everything I had.

I’m not sure when the balance shifted, but I suddenly felt
myself flying through the air, landing on my back on the couch.

“Playing dirty there, Sin,” he growled as he leaned over and
covered my body with his.

I was so turned on I heard music playing in my head.

Wait, I really do hear music.

Opening one eye I felt Garrett stiffen above me. Evidently he’d
heard it too.

“What the fuck?” I cried in frustration.

Chuckling, Garrett kissed my neck one last time before
easing off me and reaching into his pocket. I stuck my tongue out at him as I
waited for him to answer his phone. When he didn’t, I sat up a little more,
trying to peer over his shoulder.

“Alarm,” he said when he noticed me. “I knew I’d better set
it so I wouldn’t be late getting back. I really do have some work I need to
finish up.”

Biting the inside of my cheek so I wouldn’t ask any questions,
I nodded my head and began to sit up all the way.

Standing quickly, Garrett straightened his shirt. He then
retrieved his gun belt from off the table and fastened it. Biting my lip, I
realized I really enjoyed watching him dress and wouldn’t mind doing it a lot
more.

Oh,
boy…I could be in deep trouble.

Once everything was smoothed back into place, Garrett strode
back to the couch and helped me up. Running his hands through my tousled hair
he asked, “What time are you going to the memorial service tomorrow?”

Urging my brain to formulate an answer, I tried to subdue
the emotions I was feeling. I remembered the service started at two. “I’m meeting
Mom at the church around one-thirty since I have to stay later and help clean
up. No sense in her waiting around for me. The clean up committee and the
cooking committee have designated parking spaces so we don’t have to walk a
long way with food. So I don’t need to be there early like most people if they
want a parking spot. If I have to stand through the service, so be it.”

Turning serious, Garrett ran his thumb over my bottom lip.
“Please tell me you’re gonna be careful. I don’t want anything happening to
you.”

I tried, unsuccessfully, to clamp down on the rush of anger
I felt. Between him and my mother, I’m surprised they thought me capable of
breathing on my own.

“Don’t look at me that way. I just worry about you. I’m not
too proud to admit I probably worry more than I should. You seem to have worked
your way under my skin, Sin.”

I felt a huge, dopey grin split my face. Standing on my
tiptoes, I gave him a quick kiss. “I’ll be careful, promise!”

And I almost meant it, too.

“Uh huh,” he said, narrowing his eyes at me.

I hugged myself as I watched him jog back to his vehicle. I
couldn’t help the grin that spread over my face when he waved goodbye. Bending
down to scoop up Miss Molly, I knew things had officially shifted in the
relationship.

I woke up feeling on top of the world. Well, to be honest, I
woke up sexually frustrated…but on top of the world knowing Garrett was
interested in me.

Hopping in the Falcon, I sped down the road toward Mom’s
house, calling Paige on my cell and telling her to get her ass to Mom’s. I was
surprised when she said she was already there.

I realized for the first time since getting behind the wheel
of the Falcon, that I actually felt like I belonged here. Like I could tackle
whatever came my way because I was a smart, strong woman. The ride to Mom’s
house seemed even shorter today…I’d have preferred to just keep on driving the
Falcon wherever she led me.

Closing the car door on the Falcon, I reverently brushed my
fingers over the dark purple flames that were embedded in the bright aqua
color. Yep, today I felt like I owned this car instead of it owning me. Amazing
what a little heavy petting could do for a woman’s perspective on life!

I opened my mom’s front door and called out a greeting.

“In the kitchen,” came the joint called back.

Hoping my bounce didn’t give too much away, I practically
ran into the kitchen. Paige was bent over a Bride magazine, scribbling notes in
the pages, while Mom was checking off items on a list.

I laughed at them. “Paige, you just got engaged. What’re you
doing already looking at books?”

Paige and Mom shared a chuckle, and then Paige gave me her
best I-pity-your-stupidity smiles and closed the book. “Well, next spring or
summer will come fast. I’m actually a little behind where I should be according
to the checklist your mom is doing.”

Six to eight months sounded like a long time away, but what
did I know…obviously nothing after hearing them talk.

“Ryli Jo Sinclair, what have you been up to?” my mom asked.
“You look positively radiant this morning,” she narrowed teasing eyes my way.

Unable to contain my excitement, I said, “Garrett came by
real quick last night, and as he was getting ready to go back to work…he
admitted he had feelings for me!”

Paige slapped her hand down on the table. “I knew it! What
exactly did he say?”

I filled them both in on what had transpired, keeping it PG-rated
since Mom was in the room. Once I finished Mom said, “I’m happy for you, dear.
I really like Garrett. I think he’s just the guy who can balance you.”

Hmmm…what
exactly did that mean?

To be honest, I didn’t know what Mom would think about the
age difference. We’d never really talked about it. A part of me was afraid
she’d think he was too old for me and tell me I should try to find someone my
own age. But after that little snarky comment I guess I needn’t worry.

We spent the rest of the morning eating homemade blueberry
muffins and looking at bridal magazines. I have to admit, I was really getting
into the whole wedding thing and found myself getting excited for April or
whenever to get here. Of course, I’m not gonna lie, I was looking forward to
the bachelorette party more than anything!

“Do I need to pick up Aunt Shirley for the memorial service today?”
I asked my mom as I gathered up the dishes and piled them in the sink.

“No, I’m going to pick her up so you needn’t worry about
that,” Mom said.

I was happy to hear that little bit of news. It was going on
eleven o’clock, and I still had to take a shower and get ready for the memorial
service. The morning seemed to have flown by looking at bridal magazines.

“She called and said she’d like to get there in plenty of
time to get a good seat. I hope you don’t mind me picking her up instead of
you?” Mom said.

I knew a good seat for Aunt Shirley would be toward the back
of the church so she could survey people without them knowing it. Made perfect
sense. Also made perfect sense she didn’t want to rely on me to get her
somewhere early.

“No problem. I’ll see you at the church,” I said as I kissed
her goodbye.

Paige and I walked out together. I knew she was dying to
chat but couldn’t do it in front of Mom. “I’m going to watch where your aunt
sits and then sit on the opposite side of the church one pew behind or in
front, wherever I can find. This way we can see each other and the people at
the same time.”

Had they been practicing hand signals? I was just glad they
were finally getting along. If covert operations brought about a truce between
the two, I was ecstatic.

“Try and save me a spot if you can. If you can’t, I’ll tell
myself that standing at the back of the church will be the best vantage point
of them all.”

Paige laughed and hugged me goodbye, promising to save me a
seat no matter what.