You Can Leave Your Hat On (Dressed to Kill #3)

Chapter 1

CHAPTER ONE

“ N o comment.” Maisey hung up the phone once again and sighed. “They just won’t stop.”

“At least it’s over. They’ll forget soon enough,” Aaron assured her.

“Doesn’t feel like it. Feels like it’s going to go on and on and on.”

He rose from the sofa, walked around behind it to massage her neck and shoulders, and Maisey sighed with relief. “No. They’ll forget. You did something good. If you’d done something bad, they’d never let you forget.”

“That much is true.”

“Want something to drink?” he asked as he walked away.

“Yeah. I’ll take one of those cooler things with vodka in it.”

“What flavor?”

“Berry.”

“Comin’ right up.” A minute later, he was back with an open bottle, which he handed to her. His other was occupied with a beer. “Here ya go. Drink up.”

“Thanks, babe.”

The house was quiet, and Maisey was relieved. Murielle was down for the night, the washer and dryer were humming along, and she could hear the water swishing in the dishwasher. They sat there for about ten minutes, neither speaking, until Aaron asked, “So, Derby week is coming up. You got any plans with the girls?”

“Yeah, actually, we do. There’s a Derby tea that Carly really wants to go to, and we thought it would be fun. You know, dresses, heels, hats, the whole thing.”

“Where is it?”

“It’s actually at the Greenbrier Club in Louisville.”

“Ooooo, fancy! Staying the night and all of that?”

“Yeah. Ross will have the weekend off, you’ll have Murielle, and Shaw can take care of the girls. If you or Ross need help, Candace and Maya are plenty old enough to pitch in. We’ll drive up the night before, stay at the hotel, have their continental breakfast, pack up, go to the tea, and be back that evening.”

“Sounds like a plan, and something that you three need to do to get away. Cherilyn’s got her hands full, and so does Carly, between work and the baby. And you’re juggling home and a child and work and…” He stopped for a second, then turned sideways on the sofa to look at her. “We haven’t talked about it in a while, but where do we stand on having a baby?”

Maisey shrugged. “I’m good with it. Just waiting for you to tell me when.”

“When. When already. I’m good with it too.”

“Okay. I’ll stop taking my pills as soon as I finish this round, and we’ll do the waiting and condoms until it’s time.”

“Sounds good to me.” Aaron reached for her hand and gripped it in his. “I love Murielle, but having a baby with you… I love you, Maisey. I hope I show you that with everything I say and do.”

“You do. I love you too. We have such a great life here, and I can only imagine how much better it’ll be with a baby of our own. I love Murielle too, but I’ll always be her ‘new’ mommy. Not that I want her to forget Bailey,” she was quick to add, “but to have one who calls me Mommy from the start? That will be awesome.”

“Okay. So I guess you need to get a checkup before all of that takes place, huh?”

“I just had one two months ago, and Dr.Powers said I’m fine.”

“Good. Wanna get in some quality practice?” Aaron asked, wagging his eyebrows up and down.

“Sure! Let’s go!”

An hour later, Aaron dropped to the mattress beside her and threw his arm across his eyes. “Lawd, girl, you wear me out in the best way possible.”

“Yeah? Same here, stud.” Maisey curled into his side and, as always, his arm wrapped around her. She loved lying there with him after they’d made love, listening to his even breathing and taking in the scent of his cologne. No matter what happened, she always felt safe in Aaron’s arms.

When the sun came up, Maisey was awake before the alarm went off, thinking about everything that would go on that day. In a couple of hours, everybody was up, dressed, and out the door, and Maisey sang along with the stereo in the car as she drove toward the office. She was almost there when her phone rang and she answered the familiar ringtone with, “Hey! Good morning!”

Her friend’s chipper voice sang back, “Same to you! You headed to work?”

“Yep. You hard at it?”

“Oh, yeah. Got Maya and Candace off to school and I just dropped Lara off at her school.” Lara attended a special needs school near Williamsburg, and Cherilyn dropped her off there every morning and picked her up every afternoon. “So I was wondering… Wanna go dress shopping tomorrow evening?”

“Yes! That’ll be so much fun! I’ve got to get something new.”

“Do you want to start at the Thrifty Wench or―”

“ Absolutely not !” Maisey shouted. “No more used clothes for me! Nope! All new from now on!”

“Okay, okay!” Cherilyn answered, laughing. “I get it!”

“You’re evil, you know that?” Maisey pretend-snarled.

“So I’ve been told! Okay, I’ll call Carly and we can make an evening of it.”

“Great! Looking forward to it. Thanks, hon. Shoot me the deets later.”

“Will do. Have a great day. Bye.”

“Bye.” Maisey smiled. An evening of shopping! How great would that be?

Pretty damn great.

“Ohhhh, that one is sooooo you!” Carly singsonged when Maisey came out of the dressing room.

“You think so?” She twirled in front of the full-length mirror in the ladies’ department, and the skirt of the white dress with red polka dots spun and billowed.

“Absolutely,” Cherilyn said with a nod. “It looks beautiful on you.”

“I like yours,” Maisey said and pointed to the garment bag Carly had hung up nearby.

“I love blue. I think it’s probably my best color. What about you, Cher?”

Cherilyn was prowling through racks. “I’m just not finding anything I really like.”

“Oh, come on. That red one you picked out was classy.”

“Yeah, but I don’t think it fit right. I need boobs,” Cherilyn muttered.

“You have boobs,” Carly pointed out.

Cherilyn sighed. “Okay, I need more boobs.”

“No. Trust me, you don’t. I have more boobs, and I’d like to give some away,” Carly groused.

“I’m with you. You can have some of mine,” Maisey offered.

“Wish that worked, but it doesn’t.” Cherilyn prowled through the racks. “I need…”

“You need this one!” Carly chirped and held up a dress.

Cherilyn’s eyebrows shot up. “The bodice is a corset!”

“Yeah, it’s a bustier bodice! You wanted more boobs, you got ’em!” Maisey added and pointed at the dress.

“Oh, lord. That would probably be a mistake,” Cherilyn said and rolled her eyes. “I’d never get out of the house. Shaw would corner me and carry me off to the bedroom.”

“You say that like it’s a bad thing,” Carly whispered.

“No. It’s just that we spend so much time in there now since we decided to…” And Cherilyn stopped.

Two pairs of eyes swiveled toward her. “Since you decided to what?” Maisey whispered.

She leaned in as though she was about to divulge the combination for the bank’s vault. “Since we decided to try to get pregnant.”

“Us too!” Maisey almost screamed. “Oh my god! That’s amazing! How great would that be? Us having kids at the same time? It would be amazing!”

“Yeah, and it’s not like Belle would be that much older by the time they were born. They’d all be instant friends,” Carly pointed out.

“Yes! Oh my god!” Cherilyn stared at the dress. “Maybe I should buy that.”

“Oh, now I definitely think you should,” Carly said and thrust it toward her. “Go try it on.”

“Okay.” They watched as the slight blond disappeared into the dressing room.

“Compared to her, I look like a Teletubby,” Carly murmured.

“No you don’t! You’re beautiful! Compared to her, I look like one of Snow White’s dwarfs.”

“No you don’t, Maisey. You’re gorgeous. And that dress… Wonder if you can find some shoes to match the belt?” Carly reached out and stroked a finger over the wide red patent leather. “Red patent shoes and a big red hat!”

“A fascinator,” Maisey said.

“No. An actual hat. Wide brim. Oh, god, you’ll look like a forties glamour girl! Maybe with some white flowers and a white hat band and―”

“No. None of that mess. Just a plain red hat band. That’s all. And a red patent leather purse.”

“Small bag. With a brass snap top,” Carly said, still looking at the dress.

“And red heels. Pumps. Not stilettos.”

“Why not stilettos?”

“Because I want to have fun, not die from falling off of my shoes,” Maisey insisted.

“Okay. But I’m wearing stilettos,” Carly informed her.

Maisey grinned. “Great. Nobody will see us for ogling that ass of yours. They’ll all be watching you swish past.”

“Doesn’t matter. I spend my weeks in black leather oxfords with my uniform. I wanna look like a woman.”

“Oh, you’ll look like a woman. We’ll have to carry fire extinguishers for any men and lesbians we see. They’ll spontaneously combust when they take a look at you in that dress, woman. Up in flames in zero point six seconds.”

Carly laughed. “You’re so funny.”

“I’m not being funny. You’re hot.”

“Well? Whaddya think?”

Maisey and Carly turned to find the voice and gasped. The dress Cherilyn was wearing did everything right, and she had beautiful cleavage to boot. “Wow. Somebody needs to get a hose. I’ll have to assign deputies to you to keep the guys off you,” Carly answered.

Maisey nodded. “That’s… You have to get it, Cher. It’s perfect.”

Cherilyn pivoted in the mirror and took in her image. “It does look great. I actually look like a woman and not some stick figure in an oversized sweatshirt and leggings.”

Carly patted her friend’s shoulder. “When you guys first met, you were emaciated, honey. You look healthy now. Your skin glows and your hair is shiny. Being with Shaw, being secure, has done wonders for you and you know it.”

“I do. He’s the best. I love him and he says he loves me, but I never expected to feel loved, and I do. It’s pretty amazing, really,” the slender woman said, her eyes misting over.

Maisey smoothed Cherilyn’s hair with a soft hand. “He adores you, Cher. Just like Ross adores Carly. His face lights up every time she walks into the room,” Maisey said with a soft smile.

“Nothing like the way Aaron looks at you. Anybody who watches him looking at you knows you’re his whole world,” Carly pointed out.

Maisey shook her head. “Not true. Murielle’s in there too.”

“Yeah, and that’s natural. But he worships the ground you walk on, Maise. He’d do anything for you,” Cherilyn announced.

Maisey’s heart was full, listening to her friends talk about the way Aaron loved her. And he did. There was never a moment when she doubted it. Even when he was angry or irritated with her, he was still clear that he was looking out for her and keeping her best interest in mind. She’d never had that before.

And it felt wonderful.

“Well? Did you get something nice?”

“I’m going to slip it on and let you tell me.” Maisey headed for the bedroom with the dress. She wondered what his reaction would be when she stepped out.

It only took a minute to find out. “Holy shit. What kind of return policy to they have for damaged items? Because I think I’m gonna rip that thing to shreds getting it off you.” Aaron’s face was lit up like the Fourth of July.

“Like it?”

“Like it? Honey, you have no idea how sexy that dress is on you. Crazy sexy. Amazingly sexy. Even barefoot.”

“Oh, I’m getting shoes to match this belt. And a bag, and a hat.”

“Yeah? What kind of hat?”

“Carly and Cherilyn said they think it should be a wide-brimmed one. I dunno. I’m going looking tomorrow between appointments.”

Aaron smiled and reached for her. The heat from his hands through the dress as they wrapped around her waist made her want to melt into him. “You’ll find something perfect. You’re a beautiful woman, Maisey, and every time I look at you, I can’t believe you’re mine.”

“Oh, I’m yours all right. I don’t have the energy to train another one,” she said and laughed as she ruffled his hair playfully.

“Hey, now! I was already pretty much trained when you got me. Have you ever had to squeal in the night because I left the toilet seat up?”

“Well, not that―”

“No. You have not. I put the toilet seat down. I wash my hands. I take out the trash without having to be asked. I grab the mail as I come in every afternoon. I unload the dishwasher. You have to admit, I’m not a bad catch,” he said with a chuckle.

“No. You’re not. I got lucky when I found you.”

“As I recall, I found you ,” he pointed out.

“Okay. I’ll give ya that one.” Maisey had already rested her forearms on his shoulders, and she threaded her fingers together behind his neck. “I love my life here with you and Murielle.”

“I love my life here with you and Murielle too. And hopefully a little Maisey or Aaron. Wouldn’t that be great? A little girl with your beautiful eyes?” Aaron kissed the tip of her nose and smiled.

“Or a little boy with your dazzling smile,” she breathed out and leaned in to find his lips.

The kiss he gave her did more than turn her on. It brought her a level of joy she’d never known before, and she wanted to keep that forever. Even when they were old and tired, she wanted to be right beside him, holding his hand and looking into his eyes, even if they were dim and weary. Being there with him was everything. Nothing else mattered when they were together.

Nothing.

“Do you have any idea how long it’s been since I’ve sat in a hotel bar?” Carly asked.

“I’ve never sat in a hotel bar,” Cherilyn clarified.

“It’s been a long, long time for me,” Maisey threw in. “I never liked them.”

“Yeah, but we’re here, no husbands, no kids, just relaxing and taking it easy. Okay, I’ve got my bag. You guys got yours?” Maisey and Cherilyn nodded. “Then here we go.” Carly held out the little box, and the other two women drew numbers out. “Oh, shit. I got my own. Put them back in,” Carly said, then shook the box. “Okay. Try again.” Maisey and Cherilyn pulled a scrap of paper apiece from the box, and Carly took the last one. “Not this time. Anybody else got their own?”

“Nope,” Cherilyn answered.

“Good. Who’s got one?” Carly asked.

Maisey held up her hand. “I do.”

“Here’s yours.” Carly handed her a bag with sparkles all over it.

“Then you must have two,” Cherilyn said and handed Carly the bag she’d brought in.

“And you’re three,” Maisey said and handed Cherilyn the bag she’d toted in with her.

Carly grinned. “Dig in, everybody!” They’d had a dollar value, and all three of them knew they’d gone way over it, but nobody cared. “Oh my god! Look at this!” From deep in the bag Carly took out a cut crystal jar of bath salts and a candle in the same kind of container. “Night blooming jasmine! Ooooo! Wait, there’s something else…” She pulled out a flat cellophane-wrapped card. “A mask! Avocado and lemon! It’ll feel soooo good! Whatcha got in yours, Maise?”

Maisey dug around in the tissue paper and pulled out a bottle. “Oh! Champagne bubble bath!” There was a small, flat box covered in gold foil next. “What is… Oh, god, truffles! I love truffles! And I never buy them for myself. And there’s a tiny little bottle of Prosecco! I’m gonna feel like a queen!” Maisey cooed. “Open yours, Cher!”

Maisey watched as Cherilyn prowled around in her bag. “Oh my god. Skin Drenchers! I’ve heard of this stuff!”

“Yeah, you rub it all over you and then get into a hot tub. It feels so good when you get out,” Maisey said. “I do it once a week and it’s fabulous. And I love the pomegranate scent.”

“And what else is… Masks for my face, hands, and feet! Cucumber and mint! And what is this… Oh my god, a satin kimono!”

“It’s just a generic one-size-fits-all, but I thought it would be fun and luxurious,” Maisey explained. She always thought she gave the worst gifts on the planet.

“Oh, god, I’m going to feel like a princess. Thank you, Maise!”

“You’re welcome. Yeah, thank you, Carly,” Maisey said.

“You’re welcome. And thank you, Cherilyn,” Carly said with a smile.

“You’re very welcome. Thank you both for including me in everything. I never really had girlfriends before. This is fun!”

“We’re the Three Amigas from now on, sisters,” Carly said and patted their hands.

Maisey frowned. “Don’t you wish your sister was here?”

“Yeah, but she’s not. She’s still got Mom and her friends back there. I was pretty much alone here until you guys came along, except for Ross’s mom and some of his cousins. And some of the deputies. But I think their wives would’ve had a problem with them having a girls’ night out with me.” Carly smiled. “I love you both and I love spending time with you.”

“Same for me,” Cherilyn added.

Maisey nodded. “Me too. And now, I’m going to finish my drink, go soak in my champagne bubble bath, drink my Prosecco, and eat my truffles.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Cherilyn said and lifted her glass. “To the Three Amigas. May we never get into more trouble than we can get out of.”

The three ladies clinked their glasses, downed their liquor, and headed to their rooms. They’d originally discussed getting a suite, but they decided they wanted their own separate rooms. No husbands, no kids, and no sharing a room or a bed. It sounded like heaven.

Maisey soaked until her skin was shriveled and the water was getting cool, then got out, dried off, put on her pajamas, and threw out the empty truffle box and Prosecco bottle. She crawled into bed but once she was there, she picked up her phone and shot off a short message.

Having fun but I miss you. Love you.

She got one back almost immediately.

I miss you too. Love you, beautiful.

Maisey turned off the light by the bed and curled up under the covers. The next day would be so much fun.

But in that moment, she longed for Aaron’s arms and their big bed. Nowhere was as comfortable as that.

They had bagels, a waffle maker, cereal of all kinds, and omelets made to order, so Maisey had them do a western omelet for her, and she carried it and a bagel back to her room. The little coffee maker on her countertop was more than adequate, and she drank her coffee and ate her food at her little table and chairs in the room while she watched the morning news. As soon as it was over, she showered, put on her makeup, and got dressed. They’d agreed to meet downstairs because Carly said she had a surprise for them, and she was ridiculously excited.

Cherilyn was already there when she stepped into the lobby, so Maisey sat down in one of the chairs there and they both waited.

There was no way of knowing who’d let out the long, low whistle, and they both turned toward the elevators. One look told them who the whistle was for. Carly swished and swayed toward them, her electric blue stilettos tapping the marble tiles, and her blue dress hugged every curve. Not only that, but her blond hair was a sweep of long curls, elegant and chic, and even for a straight female, it was hard not to gasp. Damn, she was gorgeous. “Good morning, ladies!” she singsonged as she stepped up to Cherilyn and Maisey.

“Holy hell, you’re a head-turner!” Maisey whispered.

“Of course, there’s gotta be a Neanderthal who whistles,” Carly groused.

Cherilyn snickered. “I think he was just wheezing out his last breath because you knocked him dead.”

“You two are looking pretty drop-dead gorgeous yourselves.” Carly plopped down in a chair by Maisey. “So I told you I have a surprise.”

Cherilyn perked up. “Yeah?”

“Ever been to a horse farm?”

“No,” Maisey whispered in excitement. She’d always wanted to see one and had never been able to.

“Well, I got us an invitation to a farm out on Midway Road. It’s beautiful. Wanna go?”

“Of course! Lead the way!” Cherilyn cried out. Maisey was almost hyperventilating. A horse farm! Carly had no idea how special the idea was to Maisey. She was so excited that she could barely stand it.

They stepped out of Cherilyn’s van and stood in the courtyard of the big house. To Maisey, it was more like a palace or a castle. The front door opened and a very ordinary-looking woman appeared in a pair of jeans, muck boots, and a tee. “Hi! You must be Carly and company! Any McEvers is a friend of mine. I’m LyraMcCutcheon.” She extended a hand, which Carly took first.

“Thank you so much for letting us look around! When my mother-in-law said she knew your family, I couldn’t believe it. I’ve always wanted to see one of these farms. This is my friend, Cherilyn,” Carly said and swept a hand toward the blond, “and my friend Maisey,” she said, indicating the smaller brunette. The women both shook hands with Lyra, and Maisey’s face hurt from smiling.

“Come this way. So welcome to Angel Acres Farms! We’ve got somebody new for you to meet. Just got here yesterday.” They followed Lyra toward a smaller barn near the house, and when they arrived, she slid one of the huge doors open and strolled down the concourse. Of course, smaller was relevant. The barn was enormous, but not nearly as huge as the others across the pastures. Lyra stopped at a stall door. “This is Winged Peace. She has a new little one. His name is Winged Fury.”

From deep in the stall, a large mare appeared, and she stuck her head out the open half of the door and nickered. Lyra rubbed her nose. “Good girl. Where’s your boy?” Maisey could hear a rustling sound, and in a few seconds, he appeared beside his mother, a little wary of the visitors.

“Oh my god, he’s adorable,” Maisey whispered.

“He is. And he’s our farm’s next great hope. Remember Pickle Thief, the horse that won the Derby and Belmont a few years ago?” All three women nodded. “Pickle is his daddy. We’re hoping that with Peace’s bloodlines thrown in, he’ll be a winner.”

“I bet he will!” Cherilyn said with a smile.

“So let’s go on down to one of the bigger barns. Glad to see you all have on decent shoes,” Lyra said, looking down at their athletic shoes.

“Yeah, thought we’d better change out of our heels to come here,” Maisey said with a grin.

“Good call. It’ll help that we’re going to take the cart.” The woman stopped at a large six-seater golf cart-type vehicle. “Climb on and watch your head.”

They bounced down the walkways toward the big barns, and Maisey was in heaven. The rolling green hills, the gentle breeze, and the trees rustling all spoke to her. It was so peaceful there that she couldn’t imagine any pain or strife ever touching that land, and yet she knew horses had died there, gotten hurt there, cattle and buffalo had probably grazed there, and even sheep might’ve called it home. They stopped in the concourse of an enormous barn. “We have fifteen horses in this barn.”

“How many do you have on the whole farm?” Carly asked.

“About a hundred. This is one of the biggest farms in the region. We have a lot of horses here. This is Asher’s Delight,” Lyra said as she walked up to a stall. “He loves having his face scratched, and I have treats for him.” As soon as the woman pulled the bag of treats from her pocket, Maisey held out her hand. She wanted to feed him and feel those velvety lips on her palm. The minute he took the treat, Maisey scratched his blaze and, to everyone’s surprise, he pressed his face into her shoulder. “He likes you,” Lyra said with a gentle smile.

“I like him too. He’s a good boy.”

“He is. He’s one of our old studs, and he’s very well-behaved. Looks like you made a new friend.”

“I hope so.” Maisey wanted to cry. She’d always dreamed of being that close to one of the big beasts, but she’d never known anyone who had a horse. She’d been a city kid, even though she lived in a small town, and she loved the idea of her kids being able to experience farm life.

After an hour and a half, they headed back to the house, then climbed back into the van to go to the tea. Maisey was on a cloud. It had been the best morning ever. The restaurant was packed, but they had a reservation, so they headed straight on in.

But on the way to their seat, Maisey’s hat kept clipping people’s faces and knocking off other people’s hats. “I’m sorry.” “Excuse me.” “Oh, I’m so terribly sorry.” “Pardon me.” “I’m sorry.” By the time they got to the table, she’d uttered those phrases a dozen times.

They’d no more than placed their drink orders when she stood. Carly gazed up at her. “Where are you going?”

“I saw a coat and hat rack out in the foyer. I’m going to put my hat on it. Damn thing’s bugging me. Be right back.” It took her a hot minute to get back to the foyer because the place was so packed, but when she did, she hung her hat on a peg. Apparently several other women had the same idea, because there were at least five more hanging there.

Lunch was wonderful. They served traditional English tea cakes and finger sandwiches, along with a choice of several different hot teas. A guitarist and flutist played and sang traditional British and Scottish tunes, and it was all very grand. Everything in the place was dark, highly-polished wood and brass, and it felt for all the world like an old Scottish pub, but with floral china on the tables. Before their meal was over, they ordered a bottle of Prosecco and enjoyed it. It had been a very, very long time since Maisey had such fun, and she was overwhelmed with gratitude for her friends and the way they included her in everything.

“Oh my god, this is delicious,” Cherilyn mumbled with a full mouth as she took a bite of her dessert.

“British sticky toffee pudding. One of the most delicious things on earth,” Carly agreed with a smile. “I love it. Ross’s mom makes it from time to time. I can’t tell you how often I dream of this stuff. I have to learn to make it.”

“Oooo, I want the recipe!” Maisey exclaimed after she swallowed the bite she’d been chewing. “It’s incredible.”

“You learn to make it, you teach me. I’m no cook, but I’d make this,” Cherilyn told her.

Maisey nodded. “I know, right? It’s so amazing.”

They finished their dessert, paid the tab, and headed out. Just as she was climbing into the van, Cherilyn asked Maisey, “Where’s your hat?”

“Oh! I almost forgot it! Thanks!” Not wanting to keep her friends waiting, Maisey was very nearly running as she headed back into the building, and she grabbed the hat from the rack, then ran back out. When she was buckled into her seat, Cherilyn took off for the hotel so they could collect their cars.

“Be sure and get all your stuff,” Cherilyn reminded Carly and Maisey, so Maisey started gathering stuff up. She had a few things that Lyra had given her from the farm―a small trophy that all the visitors received, a printed invitation back with a number to call to schedule, a small bottle of merlot with the farm’s label on it, and a scarf with their racing colors. She was really excited about getting to wear the scarf at some point. Then there was the gift bag the restaurant had given all the women who’d attended―sampler bags of tea, a packet of scone mix, a charm to commemorate the event, and a small booklet with the history of the pub. And it had the recipe for the sticky toffee pudding on the back! But altogether, it was a lot to carry.

“Damn hat,” she mumbled as she tried to pick everything up. It was too much, so she plopped the hat down on her head. At least she wouldn’t have to carry that.

Blackness dropped, a darkness so deep that it was terrifying. Out in the distance, she could see a little bit of light, but very little. A voice was saying something, and then she heard one inside her head: “Oh, god, please, no! I don’t know where he is! I swear, I don’t!” More of another voice, and then the one in her head spoke again. “I swear, if I knew, I’d tell you!” More of the unintelligible voice before the one in her head said, “It won’t. He doesn’t love me anymore, so if you think this will get him here, you’re wrong! Please! Please don’t! I…” The sensation of falling was so acute that Maisey could feel every muscle in her body tense.

The next instant, she was lying on the pavement, staring up at the sky, with Cherilyn on one side of her and Carly on the other. “Maisey? Maisey! Are you okay? Hey, Maisey, honey, are you all right?” Carly was yelling, as though Maisey were deaf.

“You don’t have to scream. I can hear you,” Maisey whispered, groggy. She lay there for a minute before she managed to say, “Oh, no.”

“Oh no what? Are you sick and didn’t tell us?” Cherilyn barked.

“No. It’s happening again.” How, she wasn’t sure, but it was.

“What’s happening?” Carly asked.

“I saw… somebody. And something. But I don’t understand. I bought this hat new. It shouldn’t…” When she’d struggled to sitting, she picked up the hat, and her heart fell into her shoes. “Oh, shit.”

“What?” Cherilyn demanded.

“This isn’t my hat. I picked up somebody else’s hat. It’s not mine. See? It’s got a really, really narrow ribbon for a band. Mine had a wide grosgrain ribbon. Shit, shit, shit. This is somebody else’s hat, and somebody died while they were wearing it.”

Carly planted her hands on her hips and rolled her eyes. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“I wish I were.” Maisey struggled to stand, so Cherilyn and Carly helped her. On her feet, she looked around and reminded herself that she was in Lexington. “Damn it. I have no way of knowing whose hat this is. No way. I’m not even from here. What the hell do I do?”

Carly shrugged. “Go back and see if you can swap it? Maybe find the person who had it?”

“No! They might be the killer.”

Cherilyn’s eyes went wide. “So you’re saying this one belonged to somebody who was killed too?”

“’Fraid so,” Maisey said with a nod.

“How does this keep happening to you?” Carly asked. “It’s not like you want it to.”

“I told Aaron last time, these things are seeking me out. I’m not seeking them out. I wish they’d quit. I bought the coat. I accepted the boots as a gift, so it’s not about things that I buy. And I didn’t even get this hat as a gift. I accidentally picked it up. This thing was looking for me . Don’t you see?”

“I don’t know that I believe all that stuff, but it sure looks that way,” Carly said.

“Me too. I think somehow, something or someone knows you’ll fight to find the truth, and it homes in on you and won’t let go. That’s why it keeps happening,” Cherilyn said in agreement.

“Great. Now I’ve got quite the souvenir to take home to Aaron. He’s gonna be super unhappy.” Maisey brushed the dust off the back of her dress and sighed. “Oh, well. I’m heading home. See you guys soon.”

“Yep. You too, honey. Aren’t you going into the hotel restroom to change before you get on the road?” Carly asked.

“Nah. I’ll just drive on.” Maisey didn’t care about changing clothes, or anything else, for that matter. All she wanted to do was drive home, break the bad news to Aaron, and take her lumps.

And then she’d have to get busy trying to find a killer.