13. Jamison
Gisele was an excellent tour guide and a wealth of information. She pretty much knew every blade of grass, every flower planted in the park located centrally in the main street. The pride for her hometown was commendable, palpable. Her knowledge surprised me when it came to the history of the gold mine, the longest serving residents of Blessings, and she was very forth coming with the town gossip. Who hated who, who owed money to whom, and so on and so forth.
What I had discovered on our five-hour tour was Elle’s husband wasn’t terribly liked or missed by the locals. I deduced also that Elle had nothing to do with her husband going missing. More like he was hiding out because of another woman, drugs or both.
Gisele’s help with the lay out of the town and the people, saved me banging on doors and becoming public enemy number one. Like I said, she was a wealth of information, but it was more than using her for my fact-finding mission. I enjoyed her company. Honestly enjoyed hearing her talk. She was more than just a sexy as fuck woman with a face that could stop traffic and a body that would make a man weep and fall to his knees. She was the epitome of brains and beauty, and I was finding myself in uncharted territory.
Her ex wasn’t an issue, not for me. As far as I was concerned, he lost his chance with Gisele, the day he walked away from his pregnant sixteen-year-old girlfriend, not looking back even after Miracle’s birth. Hiding behind his wealthy parents in order to continue his greedy lifestyle.
My one concern was Miracle. Not the fact that she existed, but because in my thirty-three years, I had never once had to deal with a kid in a relationship before. My history with women was extensive as in a lot of one-night stands. No promises, no commitments, no hassles. My sexual partners had been okay with the rules and thankfully there had been no tears involved. Which is why my attraction to Gisele was perplexing to say the least.
One, she had a kid. One that didn’t speak but could hear.
Two, Gisele was an emotional woman. As was the rest of her family.
Three, her old man was a scary mother fucker.
Four, Gisele wasn’t a one-night kind of a woman and for the first time in my life, I wasn’t looking just for one night. Holding her hand and walking through Blessings had been fucking awesome. Nothing else had occurred, no kissing no flirting just … a sense of comfortability. Something I’d never gone out of my way to find or look for.
Or want.
Until maybe now.
Until Gisele.
She was also the first woman I’d met that had my dick leading my thoughts. Being a detective, I depended on my wits, on my gut. Gisele had me all twisted up. Her beauty was unmistakable. Blonde hair that fell to her back in soft waves. Plump lips that were naturally stained pink, blue eyes that said everything words couldn’t. Skin like porcelain without the help from a stitch of make-up and a vulnerability I was drawn to like a magnet.
Holding hands with her while walking around Blessings had been totally foreign to me. The women I was used to were more like the corporate types, or social climbers. The type that needed recognition. Gisele was as far from those women as a person could get. I admired her family values, her loyalty to her sisters. The respect she showed to her parents even though her mother was batshit crazy. The way she was with her daughter, impressed me more than I thought possible. Whether it was small town living or just her, I liked her. A lot.
Our last stop was the lolly shop/café. I couldn’t help the pang of disappointment that our day together was nearly over. Thanks to Gisele, I’d met everyone there was to meet in Blessings other than the farmers outside of town. Gisele wanted to take me to the campgrounds where the gold mine once operated, but I told her that Jock was the best person to show them around that area. I knew already that shafts were scattered all over a large area, some on the maps and some not. The thought of Gisele falling down one terrified me and not something I was prepared to risk. She balked at that, laughed at me actually, but I remained firm and refused to budge.
“I recommend the hot chocolate and pineapple muffins,” Gisele gushed as soon as we took a seat close to the front window.
“Hot chocolate? Ah, no, hell no,” I said, shaking my head. “And pineapple muffin? I can’t say I ever heard of them even existing.”
“They didn’t until I put the idea to the owner. Pineapple is kind of an obsession of mine, Miracle too. Trust me Jamison once you’ve experienced the sticky sweetness you won’t look back.” She sounded so sincere; I didn’t have the heart to say no to her.
“Okay I’ll have a muffin but just a good old fashioned black coffee for me. No fancy spices, no freaking foam.”
“Okay Detective, I’ll allow that,” Gisele laughed, signalling for the owner who was also the waitress as far as I could tell.
“Dani, can we have two pineapple muffins, one cinnamon latte, and one plain boring black coffee. Both large.” Gisele ordered, her eyes twinkling with mischief when she mentioned my preference of coffee.
“Absolutely sugar babe, I can do that, as soon as you introduce me to this fine specimen of hotness.” The owner, Dani, winked at Gisele but there was only humour and fun in her tone. Gisele must have known the woman well because I didn’t catch a hint of jealousy as the two women bantered with each other.
“Dani Bradley, meet Detective Jamison Jury. Jamison, this is Dani, owner of this fine establishment and my lifelong bestie.”
Holding out her hand to me for me to shake, I did exactly that. “Nice to meet you, Dani.”
“Likewise, Jamison. I heard the on the rumour mill you’re here to investigate the douche bag’s latest disappearing act.”
“I am, yes. Gisele has been showing me around Blessings, giving me low down on the locals who I should talk to about Jake.”
“I guess my hubby should be on your list,” Dani said without an ounce of worry.
“And that is why exactly?” already pulling my notepad from my jacket pocket.
“Because a week before the dickwad took off, my husband knocked him out cold in front of at least ten witnesses at the pub one night.”
Scribbling that down, I looked at Gisele looking for some sign of guilt for not mentioning that to me while on our tour but all she did was laugh.
“Ryan was totally justified in smashing Jake’s face in. It’s no secret that Ryan and Jake hate each other, have done for years. That doesn’t mean Ryan shoved him down a mine shaft. Although, I’m sure he thought about it more than once.” Again, Gisele laughed, and Dani joined in like their conversation wasn’t being held in front of an officer of the law and being written down.
“Ah ladies, may I remind you I’m investigating this disappearance.” I said deadpan, trying not to smile at their nonchalance of the topic of conversation. The people of Blessings really were a breath of fresh air for a cop from a city where violence was a day-to-day occurrence.
“Oh pfft,” Dani scoffed, “my hubby wouldn’t hurt a fly, or anyone for that matter. But Jake touched my arse when I walked past him at the pool table. Jake should have known better than to touch something that wasn’t his. End of subject. Now give me a minute and I’ll be back with your order in a jiff.” Giving me a wink and Gisele a pat on the head, Dani took her leave, stopping to talk to another customer on her way.
Not believing what I just heard, I looked at Gisele with delighted confusion.
“This town really is one of a kind,” I marvelled for the second time today.
“Detective, you haven’t seen anything yet.” She promised and I believed her.
“I think I like Blessings,” I announced not used to being so open with anyone, especially a woman.
“That’s a good thing, right?”
It was, yes, but I wasn’t ready to admit that out loud. Yet.