Sweets Galore: The Sixth Samantha Sweet Mystery (The Samantha Sweet Mysteries) Page 8

  “Oh, I like that,” Lily said. “Informal shots are always more fun.”

  “Oh! Speaking of which—” Nina Rae reached into her purse. “We need pictures of the luncheon. Since Rayleen couldn’t be here.”

  Sam wasn’t sure how showing her sister pictures of an event she couldn’t attend was going to make her feel better about it. Just as Sam felt sure Rayleen would hear about the inheritance before anyone found out if it actually existed. She tamped down the thought and smiled when instructed. Luckily, their meals arrived just then and Sam turned the conversation to ask what everyone planned on doing for the afternoon.

  “Well, we visited most of the galleries yesterday,” said Lily. “And aside from one little place where Bessie found something she wanted to go back for . . . I’m not sure.”

  Sam told them about several interesting museums, including Kit Carson’s house and the home of the former governor where a dramatic escape had taken place during the Pueblo Revolt. That should keep them busy for an afternoon, but if they tired of history they could always visit the D.H. Lawrence House or the Mable Dodge Luhan place for a dose of culture. Willie seemed torn between revisiting the horses at the ranch or checking out the Carson house where the famous frontiersman once lived. At least Sam had dodged the idea that they might all come over and watch her try on her gown. She left half the food on her plate and skipped dessert and decided she was as ready as she would ever be.

  Outside the restaurant, she left Bessie with the others and, pointing them in the direction of the nearest museum, escaped. She still needed to get back to the bakery to put the flowers on her cake, slip by Kelly’s to try on the dress, and make a few calls about some of the details which she would never admit to her mother that she’d forgotten. It was already well after one o’clock and she had to be back at Zoë’s at five for a quick rehearsal, after which the family planned yet another restaurant meal—a welcome for Rayleen’s family and unofficial rehearsal dinner.

  As the van idled at a traffic light Sam debated how to allocate the time. Would it be worth a quick dash out to the house to call for help from the wooden box? She decided it would and turned on to Paseo del Pueblo Norte, hitting the speed dial number for Kelly on her phone. A quick reminder about tonight’s dinner.

  At the house she ignored the Lab and border collie as they dropped their toys at her feet and hoped for a game of fetch.

  “Sorry. In a minute.” She let herself inside and dashed up to the bedroom.

  The wood sent warmth through her arms and into her body as she held onto the box and closed her eyes to absorb it more fully. After a few moments she set it back down. This exercise was more to test whether the dress was going to fit than to give her hours of boundless energy. People would notice that.

  Back outside she tossed a ball for each dog, then got into her van and left. The morning replayed itself in her mind as she headed toward the center of town. Jake and his never-ending pleas for money. Why me, and why now? It occurred to her that there was something more going on in his life. He’d hinted at financial problems—gambling, maybe? Drugs? Woman problems with the terminally cute Evie? Surely Tustin Deor and his ilk could come up with the money for their new project without coming to average people like Sam—wasn’t that what venture capitalists did? If these guys were so well connected, they certainly had a lot of other ways to finance their show. She resolved to put the whole thing out of her mind. With any luck Jake would give up the quest and leave town.

  The little house was dim and quiet when she arrived, empty feeling without her personal possessions even though she’d left the furniture and nearly all the kitchen gear for Kelly. In her former bedroom she debated whether to call Rupert for assistance with the dress again. Bless him, he was agreeable as ever and said he could be there in ten minutes. She tossed her clothes on the bed and pulled on the body briefer she’d brought along. Stepped into the gown and adjusted the cap sleeves. When Rupert pulled the zipper, it slid effortlessly up. All the way. Without a hitch.

  “Girl, I think you’ve got it.” He asked her to turn around. “Oh my. This is absolutely fabulous. Take a look.”

  He turned her toward the full length mirror on the closet door. All at once Sam remembered why she’d chosen this dress. The champagne-colored fabric and the tiny pearls gave her skin a radiant glow, and the skirt just grazed the floor when she stepped into her shoes.

  Thank you, she whispered. Was it the influence of the box? She didn’t care. The gown fit and she was happy for any little advantage to make it so. She twirled in front of the mirror and gave over to the relief and joy that flooded her. It was a major item, now off her checklist.

  As soon as Rupert left, she carefully hung up the dress and made sure the veil and shoes were nearby. Kelly would meet her here tomorrow to dress for the wedding. Her wedding. It was finally going to happen.

  She gave a deep sigh and suddenly felt tired. Relief from the whole week’s stress flowed through her and she sat on the edge of the bed. Her eyelids became heavy. Just for a minute, she told herself as she stretched out and let them close. Just one little minute . . .

  A persistent sound came through a dream about trying to find their gate at the airport. In the dream it was some kind of pager but when Sam’s eyes snapped open she realized it was her cell phone. She sat upright, her heart pounding. What was she doing here? Patting the bedspread she located the phone.

  “Darlin’ are you on the way?” Beau asked. “Everybody’s here.”

  Here? Oh my god, she thought. Zoë’s place. The rehearsal.

  “I’m nearly there,” she said.

  She leaped off the bed and grabbed up her pack, her heart pounding. In the mirror her face looked sleep-puffy and her hair stood up in disarray.

  “How did I go so totally out of it?” she said to the room.

  She ran her fingers through her hair and raced for the back door. Luckily, Zoë’s house was only a couple of minutes away. She steered into their long driveway and jerked to a stop. Beau, Zoë, Darryl, her parents and the minister were standing beside the vine-covered pergola where the ceremony would take place.

  “Sorry,” she said, breathing hard. “I was—”

  “It’s okay, darlin’.”

  Nina Rae gave her a don’t-be-irresponsible look. Her father merely looked as if he’d rather be watching a ball game on TV.

  The minister, a man Sam didn’t know aside from the fact that he’d officiated at Beau’s mother’s funeral earlier in the year, looked a little impatient. She sent him an apologetic look and took her spot where he indicated. She blinked her eyes and willed herself to focus.

  The whole run-through took about fifteen minutes and everyone seemed glad to be done as the sun set and the evening air began to chill.

  “Everything okay, darlin’?” Beau asked as they walked toward Zoë’s cozy kitchen where she’d announced there was hot cider.

  “I just crashed,” Sam told him. “I guess after all the pent-up stress, my body finally said you’re going to rest. Already I feel better. And . . . the dress fits!”

  He wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Good. And I’m glad you’re relaxing.” They held back as the others went inside. “Do you realize that by this time tomorrow we’ll be on our way to catch our flight, Mrs. Cardwell?”

  She turned toward him and let the kiss linger.

  “My mother’s probably staring out the window,” she murmured against his lips.

  “Want to give her a show?”

  “No!” She leaned back and looked into his ocean blue eyes. “Sneaking off would be more tempting, but we better stay sociable.”

  They linked hands and went inside.

  “Now what time are we meeting for dinner?” Nina Rae asked as soon as Sam stepped into the warm kitchen.

  “Soon. Have we heard from Rayleen’s group yet?”

  “They got in about an hour ago and your daddy said we would pick them up at their hotel, right Howard?”

  He nodded,
poking a slice of cheese into his mouth.

  Beau touched Sam’s elbow. “I need to stop by the office and make sure everyone’s got their assignments for the weekend,” he said. “Shall I come back by here to pick you up?”

  “I’ll just meet you up at Chez Monique. That way you don’t have to hurry.” Her parents had insisted on paying for dinner at the fanciest place in town, and this one with the somewhat pretentious French name fit the bill. Located on the side of the mountain overlooking town it was noted more for the prices and décor than for the quality of the food. “I can ride up there with Zoë and Darryl and we’ll come back for my van later. Mother and Daddy are picking up Rayleen and Joe Bob and the boys.”

  Sam helped Zoë neaten the kitchen after the others trekked out. “So far so good,” she said. “Mother isn’t driving you crazy is she?”

  “Other people’s mothers usually don’t. I think we’re only affected by the buttons our own mothers know how to push. Don’t worry.”

  Darryl was pulling on his jacket. In his teddy-bear way he was always a calming influence and Sam knew by watching them that her father had liked the big contractor right away. “You ladies almost ready?”

  Her parents’ Towncar was already in the crowded hillside lot and Darryl pulled their Subaru in beside it. The vestibule of the alpine-styled building was empty and a maître ’d led the way through the main dining room to a side room that had been set up specifically for their party.

  “Oh my lord, Sammy!” Rayleen’s voice rang out above all others. “Look at our bride!”

  She had no clue how much she sounded like their mother, Sam decided. In the five years since they’d last seen each other it was amazing how much Rayleen had begun to look like her too. No doubt that was the very same shade of Clairol.

  Rayleen rushed forward with a big show of hugs and kisses.

  “So, where is that handsome man of yours?”

  “He’ll be along any minute. A few last details at the office.”

  “This place—it’s gorgeous! I bet ya’ll eat here all the time. I know I would.”

  Joe Bob, the football jock from high school who had rapidly gone round in the middle, stepped forward and pulled Sam into a smothering hug.

  “You look good, Sammy. A few extra pounds really fills out a woman like you,” he said.

  She backed out of the embrace and stared at his gut. Ignore it, she thought. Just remember how well that dress fit this afternoon.

  He caught her stare. “Yeah, well. I sure don’t get out to the gym like I should,” he said. “Hey, how ’bout those Cowboys this season? Great start for them, huh?”

  “Joe Bob, don’t bring up football,” Rayleen said. “You know it’s a big old sore spot with the boys right now.” She gave a glance toward the two teens who sprawled in chairs at the table with glum expressions and earbuds. She looked apologetically at the group. “They’re not happy about missing Friday night football at home, that’s all.”

  Buster and Lily showed up just then, along with Willie and Lester, so the little circle of cousins was complete. Exclamations for Lub and Chub reminded Sam exactly why she’d never once considered moving back to her hometown. If you weren’t enchanted by football or cotton crops, or thrilled by semi-annual trips to Dallas to shop for clothes at Neiman-Marcus, you absolutely didn’t fit in with her mother’s crowd. Sam put on a bright smile and gave a little wave toward her nephews.

  “Everyone, let’s take our seats,” Nina Rae announced. She began directing. “Let’s have our bride and groom right there, in the middle of that long section, so everyone can visit with them.”

  Sam resisted expressing a preference and sat where she was told.

  “Where is Beau anyway, Samantha?”

  “He’ll be along.” She glanced at the doorway. His quick stop did seem to be taking longer than expected.

  Kelly appeared and her eyes widened a tad. Sam motioned her inside.

  “I know, the crowd’s a little intimidating,” she whispered in Kelly’s ear as her daughter took the seat on her right.

  “Have I ever seen them all in one place at one time?”

  “It’s been years, probably.”

  “Even when I spent time at Gramma’s in the summer, I don’t remember all these.”

  Sam went into the short version of which ones now lived in Oklahoma, and which in what parts of Texas. “And of course Willie moved to Colorado, gosh, about the time I came to Taos.”

  Chairs scraped and when a waiter appeared with small plates of bread and tiny bowls of oil for dipping, a rush of muscular arms reached out from all sides. Sam leaned back in her chair, intent upon ignoring the calories so her dress would zip again tomorrow. A young man dressed in black began taking orders for drinks and Sam sensed that the air in the room had changed. She glanced up to see Beau at the doorway. Something was wrong.

  He made eye contact and tilted his head toward the exit. As Sam stood he mouthed, “Kelly too.”

  She touched Kelly’s arm to get her attention away from Rayleen who was going on about how cute Kelly’s hair would be in a different style.

  She met Rayleen’s gaze. “We’ll just be half a second. Kel?”

  Beyond the door Beau waited. “Let’s step outside for a minute,” he said, his eyes sweeping the half-full dining room.

  “You have me a little worried,” Sam told him as the brisk air hit her.

  He took a deep breath. “At the office just now, there were a bunch of calls over the scanner. I put in a call to Taos PD to see what was up, whether I needed to send my men. It’s a fatality over at the La Fonda. I hate to say it so bluntly but, it’s Jake Calendar.”

  Sam felt her mind cloud over. Glancing at Kelly, she saw similar shock.

  “He’s dead?” Kelly said in a tiny voice.

  Chapter 9

  Sam had to clear her throat before words would come out. “What happened, Beau? He was healthy as a horse. Wasn’t he?”

  “The investigation falls to the municipal authorities, not my department. We’re county. So I don’t know many details. At this point they’re only saying that they’re treating it as a suspicious death.”

  “Well, I would think so,” Sam said. She glanced toward Kelly whose face was very pale in the evening light. “When will you know?”

  “That’s just it, darlin’. I have no authority to go in there. And you know how Pete Sanchez feels about me. Sometimes his guys are cooperative, sometimes I get the feeling they are under orders not to be.”

  A year ago, when Beau’s previous boss lost his job for covering up a crime after having an illicit affair, Beau had won the sheriff’s position by default. The sheriff’s cousin, Pete, the current police chief, somehow deemed it Beau’s fault and now seemed determined to throw roadblocks up every time their paths crossed.

  “About all I can do is have some of my guys keep their ears open, see what we can learn that way.”

  Sam turned to Kelly. “Honey, I’m sorry. Even though he—”

  Kelly blinked hard, twice. “I barely knew him but still . . . It’s hard to imagine this.” Her voice was small and shaky.

  “I know. I know.” A chill passed through Sam. “Is there something we should be doing, Beau?”

  Beau shook his head. “I can’t think of anything, really.”

  Sam’s head swam. Jake had mentioned some wives. Didn’t say anything about children. It could be that Kelly was his next of kin. She’d tuned Jake out the minute he began asking for money and had never given him much chance to talk about anything else.

  Memories crashed over her like waves in a storm—Jake’s infectious smile and flirtatious eyes, their warm nights together, the decision to leave him behind and make her own life with her baby. Regrets: never telling him about Kelly, being short tempered with him in the past few days, perhaps not taking his request for the money seriously enough. They’d gone different directions, made separate lives for themselves. She knew a life with Jake would not have been a peaceful one; hi
s displays of temper in recent days proved that. But still, she felt the loss of him, knowing he was now gone from this world.

  Kelly walked ahead, Beau took Sam’s hand—back into the restaurant, beside the tables of strangers. In their private dining room she could tell that Joe Bob was on his second beer and her father was nearing the bottom of his bourbon glass.

  “Sorry for the delay,” she said, mustering as strong a smile as she could.

  Her mother sent her a funny look and Sam knew she was in for a round of questions later.

  Beau deftly changed the subject and soon had the men telling hunting stories. She pressed Kelly’s hand under the table and both of them tried to act as if everything were normal. Eventually the long dinner was over and she used the excuse that she had a lot of details to tend to so that she and Beau could go home alone. He made another call to his office but didn’t learn anything new about Jake’s death, and she found that between the upsetting news and the fact that she’d napped all afternoon she couldn’t sleep until well after midnight.

  * * *

  Saturday morning. Her wedding day. Sam woke with Beau’s arm around her, snug and content within the walls of their home. She looked at her left hand, half hoping that the wedding had already happened, wishing they could leave their normal world behind and start the honeymoon right now. But her third finger wore only the garnet ring he’d given her for their engagement and she knew their gold bands were still in her jewelry box, waiting for the afternoon ceremony.

  Beau moaned and nuzzled close to her neck. She smiled. Life would be this, every day from now on.

  “I gotta get the chores done early,” he murmured, kissing her ear and rolling over.

  And life would be this, she reminded herself. She had her own set of chores to do, although today the little jobs would be joyful ones. Sweet’s Sweets, to finish her cake; Zoë’s place, to deliver and set it up; Kelly’s house to gather her clothing; and back to Zoë’s to help with any last details and put on her dress. Beau had his own checklist, first to review the ranch duties with the neighbor’s son who would look after the place while they were gone, then to pick up his Western-cut tuxedo and be at Zoë’s on time. She sat on the edge of the bed and surveyed the little stack of items, including her underwear and jewelry, that she needed to take with her. She gathered the things and put them into a tote bag.