Chapter Twenty-Nine
Arden walked into Riley’s Hardware and straight into Joe’s arms.
“Thank you. I’ll treasure it all my life. Thank you.”
“It was Gideon’s to give.”
“It was yours to give first. That means so much. I love you, Joe. Not just because you’re his grandfather, but because you’re you.”
“I love you, sweet girl, not just because Gideon does, but because you’re you.”
“If I say any more, I’m going to embarrass myself and start crying right in the middle of the store.” She breathed deep, drew back. “July seventeenth.”
“That sounds like a fine day for a wedding.”
“At home, maybe a little fancy, but not formal. One fancy I want, and don’t ask me why, is an arbor. I want us to take our vows under an arbor. If I can get one in by planting time, I can plant a flowering vine. Then all the springs and summers to come, we can look at it, remember our wedding day.”
“I’m going to build you an arbor.” He nodded as he considered. “One that’ll last.”
“Really?”
“I like the idea of you and Gideon taking your vows under something I made for you.”
“Oh, that makes it so much more special. Thank you! I have to get out of here before I do start crying. And I still have to get to the grocery store.”
He took her hand, studied the ring on it. Then lifted it and kissed it.
“Well, that did it,” she said as the tears spilled. “Come on, Zorro.”
She dashed out, swiping at tears.
He saw her. Saw her rushing out of some store, with a dog.
She had a goddamn dog, a good-sized goddamn dog, and that complicated things.
But good to know, as he’d been on his way to the house she lived in, where she fucked around with that brainless yahoo in a pickup truck.
He could always put a bullet in the dog’s head.
He caught the light, watching in the rearview as she walked to her car, put the dog in the back.
He’d need to turn around, since her car faced in the opposite direction. He fumed, cursed until the light changed.
He made the left, pulled into a driveway, seethed as he waited for a break in traffic to back out again.
He barely made the light, and saw—because it was meant—her just pulling out.
His heart drummed, drummed, drummed as he followed. One car between them, he thought, made it perfect.
She drove to the far end of town, made a turn, then another into a supermarket parking lot.
He drove past her, circled, found a spot where he could watch her.
She put the windows down about an inch before she got out. The dog watched her go, then must’ve lain down, as his head disappeared.
Dustin reached under the front seat to run his fingers over the gun before he pulled it out, holstered it on his belt.
“Take a nice nap, doggie. You’ll take a longer one soon.”
Gideon started at the first of Riverbend’s two B&Bs. He didn’t see Dubecki choosing the small and charming, but he needed to eliminate the possibility.
He’d already had his officers do a sweep of all hotels, the B&Bs, the motels outside of town, but this time he felt the need to do another himself.
The innkeeper, fortyish, sunny blond hair in a bouncing ponytail, and as friendly as a Lab puppy, offered him coffee and a slice of deep-dish apple pie.
“Thanks. Appreciate it, but this won’t take long.”
He showed her Dubecki’s photo.
“Yes, Officer Betts brought that in. It’s posted in my office. We don’t have anyone like that in residence.”
“He may have changed his hair, the color, the length. Maybe try to see him with some facial hair.”
“Well, we don’t have any singles—men or women. All our guests are couples or friend groups. That’s most usual.”
“Any single bookings for the rest of the week, into next?”
“I don’t think so, but let me check. The idea that someone wanted for murder might stay here, it’s unnerving, Chief Riley.”
When she checked—no singles—he did his best to reassure her, then moved on.
After striking out at the next B&B with its offer of coffee and chocolate chip cookies, he started on hotels.
That took longer, with no offer of refreshments. As he headed for the last, on the far end of town, he contacted the station.
“Hawk, pass that list of Airbnbs and owners to Harley. I want him to run another check on Dubecki.”
“Can do.”
“I’ve got a few more stops. I should be back inside an hour.”
“Take your time, Chief. Got a nice, quiet day going.”
Gideon actually winced. “Sergeant, that’s like saying This is my last bank robbery before I retire to Martinique. You’re just asking for it.”
“Hey, I have a black cat and I walk under ladders.”
“Asking for it. I’m heading into the North Western Hotel.”
“Fancy. Got a date?”
“Maybe later. After I check in at the station, I’ll be hitting the motels out on Route 99, and out to I-5 if this craps out like all the rest. He has to sleep sometime and somewhere.”
“I can send someone to check the motels, Chief.”
“I’ve got it. Get Harley started.”
Because the buzzing wasn’t easing off, Gideon thought.
Arden ran into Tessa in Produce, and showed off her ring.
“Wow, suits you. So does he. And the ring’s got that heirloom look.”
“It was his grandmother’s. Colleen, Joe’s wife.”
“Aw. Man, that’s so sweet. I’m really happy for you. Now, watch out for Jamie. He’s a major wedding freak.”
“I got that, as well as a series of texts on area bridal shops and more.”
“The thing is, you can’t go wrong with him steering you.”
As they talked, Arden selected fresh lettuce.
“How much of that rabbit food do you eat?”
“I like a variety.”
Tessa held up a bag of salad mix. “Here’s a variety.”
“Nothing wrong with that. But.” Arden added romaine to her basket. “Hard to make a sandwich with it all chopped to pieces.”
“A couple slices of American cheese between two slices of bread, butter up the outside, fry it. Sandwich.”
Arden sent her a pitying look. “Sister goddess, that’s just sad.”
“It kind of is. Okay, we’re both here. What’s your grilled cheese sandwich?”
“There are many, but for the basic? Any bread will do, but sourdough’s the best. Then, mozzarella, for the stretch, pepper jack for the bite, and cheddar for the smooth.
Butter that bread inside and out. You can elevate that basic with ribbons of basil, or some ham, some bacon, a nice thin slice of tomato—I recommend Roma.
Either way, any way, don’t use a press. Skillet, medium heat. ”
“You take sandwiches seriously.”
“Oh, yes. Yes, I do.”
“And you’ve made me hungry. Looks like we’re having Arden’s Grilled Cheese tonight.”
“You’ll thank me,” Arden replied, and watched Tessa head for the cheese section.
As Arden walked through the store, she checked off her list, and thought how much more satisfying it was to shop for two instead of just herself.
She drank Pepsi, but the man stood firm on Coke, so buy both. They shared an affection for Oreos. Since he could bake bread, pick up yeast and more flour. Since she wanted to have Joe over for dinner—maybe a Sunday dinner—she debated mains.
Pot roast, what man didn’t go for pot roast? She checked her phone for Jen’s recipe, picked up what she needed.
She checked out, then started to steer her cart toward the exit when her phone signaled.
Another text from Jamie, she thought, and amused, opened it. He’d sent her a picture of a model wearing a wedding dress with a lacy corset-style bodice and flowing miles of skirt.
She paused to text back.
It’s gorgeous. But I thought, for a backyard wedding, I should go simple. Maybe street length.
Her phone rang before she got to the exit.
“Simple? Street length? You crush me. You’re a queen! And don’t say ‘backyard.’ On the grounds. Girl, if a woman can’t be a queen on her wedding day, when?”
She remembered the dream she’d had, dancing with Gideon, the billowy skirt.
“Well…”
“Sweetie, whatever you decide will be perfect. And you won’t order online—I have a few more, just for ideas.
You’ll want the experience of a bridal shop, trying on gowns.
Champagne! Please invite me or I’ll weep rivers.
Don’t let me browbeat you into something you don’t want, but you’re tall, willowy—and that hair! You can carry a gown like this.”
She pushed the cart outside, stopped again. “I actually had a dream about a dress with a skirt like this.”
“See! Simple’s for third weddings at the courthouse. But no veil. You’re not a slave, are you?”
She laughed, slowly pushing her cart to the car. “No, I am not.”
“A tiara, or a crown of flowers. Gorgeous shoes. And since you’re marrying that tall hunk of man, you can wear heels if you want to.
Listen to me. I’m browbeating and interrupting your work.
I need to come down when you’re done. I’m making a wedding binder for you.
Don’t hate me. I can’t help myself. And honestly, you’ll find it useful. ”
“Jamie, would you consider coordinating my wedding?”
He let out what could only be described as a squeal. “Yes! You’ll stop me if I go too far. But I won’t. It’ll be a struggle, but I won’t. Text when you’re done for the day, and I’ll come down, we’ll talk about all this. And I can do some more sketches—focus on face and hair.”
“I’m actually about to load my car. I’m at the supermarket, so already done with work for the day. I should be home … by four,” she said when she checked the time.
“Give me a few minutes more to put the groceries away.”
“I’ll help you with that. I’ll watch for your car, and Isis and I will come to you. Think about your colors, my most beautiful bride.”
“I should, shouldn’t I? I’ll think on the way home. See you soon.”
Dustin watched her come out, finally! And just like a woman, with a phone at her ear. She wouldn’t have to worry about phones once he took her home.
He frowned when he considered the cart of bagged groceries.
He realized he couldn’t trust her to do the shopping once he got her home, so he’d have to handle that. Annoying, as food—shopping, preparing, serving—should all be her job.
But, no, he could hardly trust her there. In time, when she’d learned her lesson, but that could take months.