Trouble in the Tarot (30 page)

“Whatever,” Abby said, looking confused and sad and just plain worn out. “I’m going home to call Chuck.”

“No problem. I’ll send someone over later to get your statement, Mrs. Webb.”

“Thank you, Detective.” Her eyes met mine briefly. “And thanks for everything, Miss Meadows. I’m sorry you had to go through all that.”

“It’s okay, Abby.” I smiled at her. “Good luck with the baby and tell Chuck congratulations for me.”

“I will.” She waved and slowly made her way back to her trailer, cradling her stomach every step of the way.

Mitch and I were left alone for the first time. I looked at him as he stared at the woods. “Will wonders never cease?” I said in awe. “Does this mean that my two favorite fellows are finally friends?”

Mitch raised a brow as he looked back at me. “I wouldn’t go that far. Let’s just say we have a better understanding of one another, and a bit more tolerance.” He studied me with a hard look in his eyes. “What you did, on the other hand, I’m not tolerating well at all. You’re making me completely gray. I thought I told you to stay put.”

“You did.” I took a step toward him and bit my bottom lip.

“And you didn’t listen as usual,” he said with less bite to his voice as he watched me take another step.

“But I did call you.” I stopped before him and wrapped my arms around him, resting my cheek on his chest. “You didn’t answer as usual.”

“I was a little busy,” he said, wrapping his arms around
me and resting his chin on the top of my head as he talked. “Turns out Sam wasn’t the silent partner, but I can see you figured that out. He just happens to be profiting from being the only bakery in town these days. And he met with Quincy because he’s still looking to expand his business. He made the same offer to Quincy that he made to Bernadette, wanting to partner up and sell his baked goods in the park. Once he found out that Quincy had blackmailed Bernadette, he pulled out of the deal. I’m sure he’ll make an offer to buy BB’s from the bank now that Mimi has been arrested. Quincy’s been arrested as well for blackmail.”

“What’s going to happen to the Parks and Rec Program?”

“The town said they wanted someone who can bring new life into the park. Turns out Jo’s cousin Zoe, the party planner, is interested.”

“That’s great,” I said. “She’d be perfect. I’m sure she would plan all sorts of events in the park that would bring in more than enough money to keep it going.”

“I think so, too.” He smiled, and an awkward silence filled with tension fell between us.

“So, how did you end up here?” I asked curiously.

“Morty, if you can believe it.” Mitch chuckled. “That crazy cat showed up outside Sam’s Bakery window. I figured something was up, so I followed him. He kept appearing and then disappearing, as though leading me to something. When I lost sight of him, I called your house. Granny filled me in, and here I am.”

More policemen showed up, and Mitch stepped back
to look me in the eye. He pointed his finger at me. “Don’t move. I mean it this time.” Then he jogged off to give them instructions regarding Mimi. A minute later, he reappeared by my side.

“Wait, don’t you have to go with them?”

“I told them something really important came up.”

“What could be more important than bringing Mimi in?”

“Dessert.” He scooped me into his arms and headed for his car with long purposeful strides, adding, “Case closed.”

“But what about dinner?” I asked, already breathless as thrills of excitement zipped through me.

“Sometimes rules are meant to be broken, Tink. Like having dessert first.”

“Why, Detective Grumpy Pants, that’s very naughty of you.”

His heated gaze met mine. “You ain’t seen nothing yet.”

“I always did like a bad boy.”

“Then you’re gonna love me.” His head lowered and his lips touched mine. My heart flipped over in my chest, and I knew without a shadow of a doubt…

I already did.

Epilogue

“Well, ladies, Judge Navarra threw out all charges. The case has been dropped, and you are free to go,” Mom said as we sat on my front porch one week later on Sunday afternoon.

“Well, it’s about time. The first thing I’m going to do is get a pedicure and maybe a massage.” Fiona rubbed her bracelet-free ankle. “I owe you.”

“I know.” Vivian smiled.

“Thank you, Vivian. You did a wonderful job like you always do. I’m proud of you,” Granny Gert said.

Mom blinked. “Thank you, Mother. It was good seeing you again. Things haven’t been quite the same since you’ve been gone.”

“Of course they haven’t. She has no—” Dad started to boom.

“Donald,” Mom snapped, giving Dad a look that said,
I can yell at my mother all I want. You, not so much.

“Yes, dear,” Dad said in a much quieter voice.

“That’s my girl,” Granny said with a wink.

Mom rolled her eyes.

And I couldn’t help but laugh…a little.

“It’s so nice to have things back to normal again,” I said.

Now everyone needed to get the heck out of Dodge and take the drama with them. Four weeks of the Granny and Fiona Show was enough to drive anyone mad.

“I’ll drink to that.” Fiona raised her sweet tea with a kick in celebration.

“I’m sure you will,” Granny chimed in but with much less bite. “I have to say I’m actually going to miss you, Fi.”

“Right back at ya, Gertie.” Fiona smiled, then gave Harry a saucy grin. “But I have a vacation to take with a man I like to call Harry.”

“You do?” Harry asked in stunned surprise.

“I do now. Phillip was a stuffy man from my past who worked way too much to give me the attention I deserved. That’s why I always tried to make him jealous and think I still had feelings for Frank. Crazy fool could never see how much he had come to mean to me.”

Harry looked stunned and a bit hopeful.

Fiona hoisted her chin a notch. “But that’s all in the past. I’m ready to start fresh with the fun and exciting retired Harry standing before me now. Maybe he won’t
be so blind. Do you still have a ticket with my name on it?”

“Always,” he said and covered his heart with his hand. “And trust me when I say I’ve learned my lesson. My eyes are wide open now.”

“Good. It’s a start.” She nodded once and clinked her glass to his.

After gathering her belongings, Fiona and Harry said their good-byes and left my house.

“On that note, Viv, we’d better get home. You know how Sylvia doesn’t like us to overstay our welcome.” Dad stood.

“Dad, it’s not like we won’t see each other soon.” I fibbed, thinking a nice long break was what I needed right now.

“Oh, darling, don’t worry. We’ll be back in a couple months.” Mom joined him by the door.

“You will?” I asked, dread filling me at what I was about to hear.

“Of course, silly. Didn’t know you? Your lovely friend Jo invited us to the wedding.” Mom gave me a sly look that said,
Winning
.

“Now there’s a woman who has a good head on her shoulders,” Dad boomed.

And we’re back.

“Great,” I replied and hugged them both before they headed off to the airport in a taxi.

Just wait until I saw Jo again. I would never be able to cut loose and enjoy myself with them watching my every move. What did it matter anyway? I wasn’t even sure
I had a date since Mitch was busier than ever at work and was once again putting that before me…us. Even Zoe had agreed, if a bit reluctantly, to be Sean’s date. He still had a lot of ground to cover with her, but we would work on that. Once again, I was the loner. I sighed.

Story of my life.

“Well, I’m exhausted. I’m going to go take me a little nap,” Granny said. “Come on, Mortypoo. I need a snuggle buddy.”

Morty shook his whole body, but the biggest bow tie she’d made for him yet stood firmly in place. He gave me a pitiful look.

“At least the booties are gone,” I said in consolation.

He just hissed and then trotted after Granny.

I stood up and started to head inside when a voice spoke from behind me.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

I pressed my lips together and closed my eyes before turning around slowly. Mitch stood on the porch before me, wearing a pair of basketball shorts and a damp T-shirt as though he’d just come from a run.

He looked great, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t still angry with him.

“You show up now?” I asked.

We’d had the most amazing night of our lives the previous Sunday, staying up together and talking about everything. Our hopes, our fears, our dreams. But never once did we talk about us. I wasn’t even sure I
knew what
we
were. We’d skirted around the issue for so long. Skipped the dating part and went right to dessert. And then we were right back to usual Monday morning: something always coming up to keep us from spending time together.

I was beginning to think my biggest fear was coming true. We really were only good together when there was drama happening around us.

“I don’t know what to say,” he said, shifting from foot to foot, not quite meeting my eyes.

“Don’t bother. It’s obvious you only wanted dessert. Now we’re back to the same old routine. We’re done. We’re over. Case closed. There’s really nothing left to say.” I turned around and put my hand on the door. “I want more; you obviously don’t.”

Strong arms wrapped around me from behind and pulled me tight against a wide sculpted chest as though they didn’t plan on ever letting me go. His deep voice whispered low in my ear, “I definitely want more, and there’s everything left to say. Please don’t tell me we’re over.”

I closed my eyes and pressed my trembling lips together. “I can’t keep doing this, Mitch. It hurts too much. I don’t even know what you want from me.”

“Dammit!” He let go of me and stepped away.

I was afraid to turn around. Afraid to see his face. Afraid he would confirm everything that had been running through my head all week. But I did turn around, because I had to see him one last time before I ended it.
Ended us. I faced him and looked into his tortured eyes, then opened my mouth to put him out of his misery.

His lips swooped down over mine before I could say a word. He pulled me in close until my body was pressed against his, and he poured out so many emotions in that one endless kiss. When he finally broke away, he tipped his forehead down until it rested against mine.

“I’ve been through so much, lost so many people I cared about, I swore I would never let this happen. Being with you scares the hell out of me. I tried to rationalize that I’m too busy at work to have a
real
relationship. I tried to stop thinking about you. I tried to ignore you. I tried to run you out of my system. You’re right. I didn’t want you. I didn’t want any of this.”

I pulled away from him. “Wh-what are you saying?”

“That fate doesn’t give a damn about anything I want.” He cradled my face in his big hands and kissed me so tenderly on the lips, tears rolled down my cheeks. “But it sure as hell knows what I need. I need you, Sunshine Meadows. So much it hurts.”

“What does that mean?”

His eyes searched mine and softened, unguarded and pouring out everything he was feeling. I sucked in a breath as I saw it plain as day before he said the words that would change my life forever.

“I love you, Sunny. Will you marry me?”

For the first time in my life I was speechless. And then I began to really cry.

“Is that good or bad?” he asked, looking terrified of what I might say.

“I just wanted you to ask me out on another date.” I started laughing through my tears. “I think you’re more afraid I’ll actually say yes.”

“Skipping to the end and doing things backward seems to be our thing. I’m not gonna lie. I don’t know the first thing about being a husband. I just know I can’t live without you.”

“Well, then. I think it’s time we did something about that, don’t you?”

He narrowed his eyes. “Like what?”

“Move in together.”

“Here?” he asked, looking around warily.

“Your apartment is way too small.”

“But you haven’t even said yes.”

“And I’m not going to…yet. You’ve still got some making up to do, mister. And I still want to be courted. Not to mention there’s another man in my life who has to give his blessing first.”

“Well, hell, why don’t I move a mountain for you while I’m at it,” Mitch grumbled, and then blew out a breath. “You don’t make things easy, Tink.”

“What fun would that be, Grumpy Pants?” I stood on my toes and kissed him.

His face softened with love. “Fine. You win.”

“Come on. Let’s go check out your new living quarters.”

“I’d say I thought you’d never ask. Problem is I was afraid you actually would.”

“You big scaredy cat.” I laughed and took his hand, pulling him after me, feeling hope for the first time in
a long time. But Mitch was right. It would definitely take a miracle to get Morty to agree to let him stay. Good thing pulling off miracles just happened to be my specialty.

And I had a plan….

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