To Bedevil A Beauty (Southern Sanctuary - Book 5) (13 page)

Just
when had she fallen into the bad habit of biting her tongue?
 
Forcing a cheerful smile, even though she was
upset or horrified by the amount of money he’d spent on uncomfortable all
leather sofas or a sparkly necklace that if she had a choice, she’d never
wear.
 
Six months into their marriage her
personal mantra had become
don’t rock the
boat
.
 
She’d only realised in the
courtroom, as Robert was being sentenced how far down the rabbit hole she’d
allowed herself to fall.
 

Betraying
herself.
 
Burying herself in her work so
that she could avoid going home to that large overstuffed house that made her
feel uncomfortable and unwelcome.
 
Avoiding Robert, because if they did talk, she might upset him.
 
Then she’d have to spend hours cajoling him
and begging for his forgiveness. Otherwise he’d pout for days, sighing softly
every ten minutes or so and sending her hurt filled looks.
 

She’d
sworn to herself when her marriage had ended, never again.
 
She would never be untrue to herself like
that again.
 
If she wanted to be angry,
then by golly, she’d let it rip.
 
If she
wanted to express an opinion, even if it differed from the majority, then she’d
stand on a chair and shout it out loud.
 

Sighing,
for what felt like the umpteenth time, Berry flicked open the next folder in
the pile awaiting her attention.  Well, if nothing else this injury and
her enforced bed rest was allowing her to get on top of all her
paperwork.  Not to mention the major information dump Marion had shared
with her when she’d delivered the files this morning.  She hoped Maureen
wasn’t going to get in to trouble for leaking all the details of the on-going
investigation to her sister.  

An
investigation it seems that still couldn’t pinpoint a suspect, nor for that
matter, a motive for the shooting and the subsequent arson involving her car. 
Okay, so yes, she was the only common factor.  But that didn’t mean her
escape felon of an ex-husband was behind the attacks.  Thankfully Ramsey
wasn’t so caught up in his determination to blame Robert that he was ignoring
other channels of investigation.
 
Biting
back another sigh, Berry determinedly returned her attention to her pile of
paperwork.  She only lasted a few minutes before snatching up the
calculator once more to crunch the numbers again. 

Maybe
if she found a second job?

Chapter
Eleven

“What’s
this?”  Ramsey waved a piece of paper under Berry’s nose Friday morning as
she sat at the dining room table, nibbling on some toast.

“It’s
my schedule.”  She kept her eyes firmly focused on her breakfast. 

“For?” 
Ramsey sat across from her.

“My
life.”  She gulped down some coffee, determined not to look at him.

“You
expect to go to a party Saturday?”  Ramsey raked fingers through his wet,
fresh from the shower, hair.

“Not
a party, it’s just afternoon drinks. To celebrate my cousin Eli’s birthday.”

“Berry.” 

She
could almost hear him grinding his teeth.
 
Biting back a smile she finally looked up at him only to wish she
hadn’t.  Damn, the man looked fine in a uniform.  “Yes?”

“You
can’t go swanning about town.  Someone is trying to kill you.” 

“So
you say.”  She acknowledged politely.  She needed to stay calm, stay
in control. Doing so would keep Ramsey Hughes at a distance, just where she
wanted him to remain.

“So
says the glaring bandage on your arm.  Going to a party, being out in the
open… that’s madness.”  Ramsey studied the slim bandage exposed by the
short sleeve of her teal green silky dress.

“Take
a breath Chief.  That’s why I gave you the advanced notice.  I
thought maybe you’d like to weigh in on an appropriate venue.”

“Berry.” 
He practically growled out her name.

“Honestly. 
Are you not a morning person?  Not enough sleep maybe.
 
How late did you get home last night
anyway?  I’m trying to be reasonable and co-operative here, and you are
completely failing to meet me half-way.”

“Who
said I have to meet you half-way?  This is your life we are talking
about.”

“And
locking me up in this tower for the rest of it, is not a solution.”

“I’m
letting you go to work today.”

Berry
inhaled sharply, the polite, genial façade dropping from her face as colour
rushed to her cheeks and sparks danced in her eyes.  “Letting me? 
Letting me?”

Ramsey
fought the urge to kick himself. Damn, he needed to watch his wording in the
future.  But currently that was beside the point, couldn’t Berry see he
was only trying to protect her?  Though despite his blunder he preferred
the animation in her face that her anger bought forth rather than the carefully
blank shuttered looks she’d been giving him all morning.  He was also
appreciating the fact that due to her injuries she was unable to wear her hair
up in that excruciating tight looking bun she favoured.  Today she’d
pulled it back with a simple clip, dark curls spilling over one shoulder. 

“You
know it’s not just me that needs to be co-ordinated Berry.  My men are not
at your beck and call just because you want to go to a party.  The
logistics of providing protection for you could potentially be nightmarish.”

“Hah,
potentially… exactly.  That’s why I gave you the schedule.  That’s
why I asked for your input on the location.  If you don’t like where it’s
currently going to be held then the girls have all said they would happily
re-locate to a more secure -
Chief
approved
- venue.”

“Chief
approved, huh?  I think I could get used to that.”

Berry
rolled her eyes.  “Well don’t.  Your input in my life will end the
moment the lunatic who took a pot shot at me and torched my car is caught.”

“We’ll
see.”  Ramsey smiled her way. 

Berry
fought hard the urge to return his smile.  She’d warned him about flirting
with her, could the man not understand simple instruction?  “There’ll be
no ‘we’ll see’.  Once this is over I’m back to Tally’s place,
house-sitting and getting on with my life. You’ll soon be a faint distant
memory.”

“I
don’t know about that.  You are the local magistrate.  I am the Chief
of Police.  I should imagine our paths will continue to cross. 
Especially if members of your family carry on with their lead footed ways on
the road.”

“Maybe
I’ll just raise the speed limit.”  What was she saying?

Ramsey
laughed.  “Now why would you go to such an extreme?”  He leant across
the table, making his presence felt.  “Unless I’m getting to you.”

“You
are not getting to me!  Quit it with the looming would you.  And I’ve
warned you about the flirting.  Go practise your lascivious ways on some
poor simple country girl and leave me alone.”  She frowned as Ramsey
laughed loudly. 

That’s
twice now she’d accused him of flirting and not only was she right, Berry
Malone still wasn’t running for the hills.  Damn, he liked this feisty woman. 
“You know until you, I don’t think I’ve ever been accused of being a flirt.”

“It
must be all this sea air.”  Berry commented drily.  “Whatever the
cause, you need to lock it down.”

“Yeah,
right.”

Berry’s
eyes narrowed at his casual dismissal.
 
The
man appeared to be oblivious to just how serious she was.  “I could always
pass a few new laws banning flirtatious ways.”

“In
this town?  You’d be hauling in your own grandparents for kissing in
public by sun up.  This town is one touchy feely place.”

“Again,
it must be the sea air.  Now, where were we?  Oh yes, you were about
to say you’d check out the location for the party and let me know sooner…
rather than later, if it is suitable.”

Ramsey
blinked.  “I’m reasonably sure that isn’t what was just agree here. 
In fact, I’m pretty sure I stated categorically that you will not be attending
any parties this weekend.”

Berry
huffed out an exasperated sigh.  “Do not try and throw your macho weight
around here Hotshot.  If you are not willing to compromise on the small
stuff, then you and I are going to have a problem.”

“Yeah?” 
Ramsey couldn’t help the smile of amusement that tugged at the corner of his
lips.  “And just how would you solve a problem like that?”

“Simple.” 
Berry beamed a confident, superior smile his way.  “I will call my
mother…”

“You’d
run to your mother?”

Berry
quirked an eyebrow in his direction.  “You didn’t let me finish.  My
mother would then call my grandmother, who would call her sisters, who would
call…”

“I’m
not scared of your family Berry.  They’re a little on the nutty side, but
what can they do to me?”

Berry
shook her head in pitying amusement, finishing her coffee she pushed her plate
away.  “You’ll be calling me by lunchtime… morning tea, if the cousins get
involved.”  She got to her feet.  “I need to get to work.”

“I’ll
help Gideon escort you.”  Ramsey rose to his feet also.  “Do you have
a jacket?  The sun’s out but it’s still a little cool out there.”

Berry
gestured at a breezy little short black opera jacket she’d found in her
wardrobe. Perfect for throwing over her shoulders and not annoying her injured
arm.  She frowned as Ramsey scooped it up, moving to stand only inches
away from her as he swung it over her shoulders.

“What
are you doing?”  Goddess, why did her voice sound so husky?

“Helping
you with your jacket.”  Ramsey grinned down at her, fastening the large
button that held the short cape jacket together.

Berry
gave him a frown, before abruptly swivelling on her teal green mary-jane
stiletto pumps and heading for the door and the promise of distance from the
all too compelling, all too overwhelming Ramsey Hughes. “Hands to self,
Hotshot.” 

“Now
what would be the fun in that?”  Ramsey bought up the rear, enjoying the
view of Berry stalking away from him in that silky dress that clung to soft
curves and oh God… shoot him now, were those stockings with a seam up the
back?   He wanted to throttle her, and at the same time grab her and
carry her into the nearest bedroom but he was pretty darn sure Berry Malone wasn’t
teasing him deliberately… but knowing her now like he did, he guessed she’d
think that was a side benefit. 

Damn,
that peach coloured silky robe outfit from their first meeting and now the
image of her wearing stockings… and not much else.  Bloody hell, he was never
going to sleep again, let alone in the room next to hers.

Thankfully
his day couldn’t get much worse.

*                        
*                     
*

It
was just after two in the afternoon.  Berry was in her office, reading
through a wad of official documents.  Her intercom buzzed and Marion’s
voice sounded loud and clear.

“Chief
Hughes is on line one Your Honour.”

“Thanks
Marion.”  Berry picked up the phone, surprised to find herself smiling as
she did so.  “Well, you held out a lot longer that I gave you credit for.
Well done.”

There
was silence on the other end for a moment, except for what Berry thought
sounded like Ramsey’s teeth grinding together.

“You
can have the party at the new bar, Five Alarm.  Spread the word and spread
it fast.”

Berry
laughed.  “You sound a little upset.  Everything okay?”

“You…” 
Ramsey sputtered to a halt.  “Your family…”  More silence.

Berry
couldn’t help but laugh again.  “I did warn you.  What did they
do?  Are you okay?”

“Your
family are diabolical.”  Ramsey finally ground out.

“What
happened?  Are you hurt?”  Berry gripped the phone tight, tension
suddenly coiled in her gut.
 
Her family
weren’t known for inflicting unnecessary damage but still, they could get a
little… feisty.

“No
bloodshed, but I don’t think my shirt can be saved.”

“What
happened to your shirt?”

“Lipstick
stains… lots and lots of lipstick stains.”  Ramsey groused.

“Excuse
me?  Lipstick stains?”  Berry was on the edge of her seat intrigued.

“Everywhere
I went this morning a female relative of yours would burst into tears and throw
themselves at me, bewailing the news of your inability to attend Eli’s party
because of your sudden relapse.  Once I assured them you were safe, back
at work even and that we were keeping a close eye on you… then the kissing
would start… and the compliments.”  Disgust dripped from every word Ramsey
uttered.

“Compliments?” 
Berry couldn’t keep the scepticism out of her voice.

“That
I’m such a good boy… dependable, big and so strong.
 
That just having me here made them feel safer. 
I’m serious Berry, they were everywhere I went this morning. My office, at the
coffee shop, the seniors’ walking group accosted me in the street, though I’m
not sure if lapping the square waiting to ambush me on the way out of the
police station can be deemed walking.  Let’s see, where else, oh, the
hairdressers…”

“You
got your hair cut?”

“No,
I did not.  I was dragged in there by some woman claiming to be your third
cousin twice removed and then set upon by a gang of ladies.  It took me
over ten minutes to extract myself from their clutches.”

“A
gang?”  Berry enquired dubiously.

“More
than three ladies at a time constitutes a gang, trust me, I’m an expert on
these matters after the day I’ve had.  The last straw was the firehouse.”

“My
female relatives managed to ambush you at the fire station?”  Berry was
biting the inside of her cheek so she wouldn’t laugh again, Ramsey sounded so
disgruntled.

“I
needed to speak to the arson expert about your car and who should be there
selling raffle tickets?  Five of your relatives!  Don’t ask me their
names, it’s all just a blur of tears, the smell of perfume, lipstick smears and
a pocket full of lottery tickets to win a lawnmower.”

“You
don’t have a lawn.”  Berry pointed out politely.

“You
think I don’t know that?  There was just no way of saying no to those
ladies, they were…”

“Tenacious?” 
Berry asked, trying to be helpful.

“The
way a battering ram is tenacious?  Sure.  Anyway, you need to put the
word out right now that I’ve caved.  You get what you want.”

“What
we want
, remember?”  Berry
couldn’t help but needle.  “I get to go to the party and you get to pick
the location.”

“Berry! 
Just make the calls.”

“No
need.  It was done the moment you picked up the phone.  Don’t you know
by now how scary fast the grapevine can be around here?”

“Scary
is right.”

“Hmm,
so the new place, Five Alarm, huh?  I suppose the location is convenient,
right next to your apartment building. Though I’m not sure the girls are going
to be all that happy with your choice.”

“You’re
kidding.”  Ramsey sounded exasperated. “It’s a nice place, great view of
the beach, excellent food, it’s a damn good venue for a party.”

“Still…” 
Berry ruminated on all the points Ramsey made, wondering if they would be enough
to convince her female friends and relatives to lift the ban on Five
Alarm.