A round of applause met their announcement. Cat nodded. “Great job. Now rinse and repeat. Keep writing, keep sending out, and keep getting better. Determination is just as important in this business as talent. You can have a great story, but if it only stays on your computer’s hard drive, you aren’t going to ever sell.”

  “Or if you give up after the first rejection.” Jordon stood and went to get more food. “I think I have close to thirty so far. At least that was the count for my first story. I’m hoping this new one will have a better result with the agents.”

  Cat stayed with the group until people started to leave to get one more writing session in. They were heading to the library for the morning, and then they were going out for one more group lunch. Collin stayed behind and waited for the room to empty.

  “I wanted to tell you how much I appreciated everything this week. I am so glad I got to meet Shauna, especially after losing Kevin. It still feels weird, calling him my dad, but at least Shauna can tell me what kind of man he was and if I’m anything like him. I’m sad I never really got to know him.” Collin paused at the door. “My mom tells me things about him, but I can’t really trust a lot of things she says. She isn’t feeling the best anymore. I try to help, but she’s kind of lost in the past.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that.” Cat studied the young man. “But you know, it’s not your responsibility to make her happy. She needs to make her own life.”

  Collin didn’t look convinced. “I’m all she has. I guess I’ll just have to make it work.”

  Cat felt bad that Collin’s life was being held back by his mother’s inability to get past losing Kevin, which had been years ago. She was glad that she finally knew the story behind Michael. If she’d continued to wonder, would she have turned out like Collin’s mom? Someone lost in the past?

  Seth and Shauna were still in the kitchen. She took her cup and put it into the sink. She grabbed a soda.

  “Did you eat? Do you want me to make you a couple of eggs?” Shauna stood and walked toward the stove.

  “I’m fine. Collin’s a good kid.” She sat at the table. “Everyone took off and went to the library. I don’t think we’ll see them again until we leave for the restaurant.”

  Seth watched her. “Are you okay?”

  “What? Because of Michael?” Cat shook her head. “He made his decision when he didn’t trust me enough to deal with the situation he got into.”

  “He was trying to keep you safe. I respect that.” Seth held up a hand. “I know I hated the guy for stealing you away, but honestly, all I ever wanted was for you to be happy. With me would have been a better option, but just happy.”

  Uncle Pete came through the door. He stood on the entry rug, stamping his feet. When Shauna waved him inside, he shook his head. “I’m on my way over to the college.”

  “Something wrong?” Chills ran down Cat’s neck.

  He nodded. “But I think you know what I’m going to say.”

  “Which one? Dante or Dominic?” One of the brothers hadn’t survived the uncovering of the evidence. She liked Dante. Dominic, she didn’t know anything about except the man had ordered Michael’s death. Please be Dominic, please. Her unspoken prayer surprised even her.

  Shauna and Seth cast an uneasy glance at her. But they both turned toward Uncle Pete when he cleared his throat. “Dominic. He was Martin’s father so I have to go tell the kid that he’s dead. Good thing I don’t have to say his uncle was the one who killed him. According to the Boston detective who called me this morning, Dominic’s death happened during a home robbery. They are holding the two suspects the security team found riffling through his office.”

  “Convenient.” Dante hadn’t been in time or able to change the mind of the person in charge of the family. She wanted to think this avenged Michael’s death. But Cat knew it was more about Dominic’s betrayal of the family. Michael was just collateral damage. Uncle Pete knew it. Everyone in the room knew it.

  “The detective said the case was a slam dunk. One of the suspects even confessed to the murder.”

  “I wonder how high the payment to his family was for taking the fall,” Cat murmured, more to herself than her uncle. “Let me pour you a cup of coffee to go. It’s cold out there.”

  “You seem awful calm. Are you all right?” Uncle Pete watched her get one of the traveling mugs down and fill it with the dark roast.

  “Why? Just because I went from being divorced from a guy who was cheating to finding out he didn’t cheat and he staged the scene so I’d leave? Then he leaves me our house in his will and now I find out he was working for the Mob and trying to help Dante prove his brother was stealing, probably stolen money, from the family?” She handed Uncle Pete the warm cup. “I should have stayed in California.”

  “And miss all this fun?” Uncle Pete kissed her on the forehead. “None of this changes who you are today. But at least it’s over.”

  A chill came over Cat. She looked over at the doorway, but it seemed to be closed. She pulled her jacket closer. “I hope so. I don’t think I could deal with any more of Michael’s secrets.”

  “Well, tomorrow your guests will be heading home and we can go grab some dinner and talk out this whole mess.” He took his keys out of his pocket. “You two can come along too. We need to get everything out into the open with this Michael thing.”

  When he left, Cat rolled her shoulders. “I’m heading upstairs to take a long hot bath, then I’m reading until we have to leave for dinner. I need some downtime to help process all this.”

  “I could help. If you want company.” Seth grinned, his mouth curved into a lazy smile that still made her warm all over.

  “Thanks for the offer, but I just want to be alone.” Cat laid her head on his shoulder as he pulled her into a hug. “I have to be the charming hostess this evening. I need to get my thoughts together.”

  “I’m here for you, you know that, right?” He stroked her hair back and she felt protected. A feeling she hadn’t had for a long time.

  “I know. Thanks Seth.” She straightened, brushed the tears away from her eyes, and gave the two a small smile. “One mystery down, one to go.”

  “We don’t need to figure out who killed Kevin,” Shauna protested, tears forming in her eyes as well. “Your uncle will do that for us.”

  “Maybe, but sometimes everyone needs a little help.” She headed out the door and took the stairs to her room. The house was quiet. And for the first time since she’d moved back, it felt like her house. A place where she could live, write, and learn to love again.

  She shut the door on the past and fell onto her bed. She curled up with a pillow and closed her eyes.

  A banging that sounded like a barn door flying open and closed in the wind brought her out of a dream. She’d been on Seth’s family farm and they’d been up in the hayloft talking about their future. Cat had just told the seventeen-year-old Seth that it wasn’t going to happen that way because somehow in the dream, her teenage self had known about Michael and her marriage. And Seth had taken her hand and kissed it.

  “It’s okay no matter how it happens, Cat. We’re always going to be together. I promise you that. Today, tomorrow, forever.”

  The barn door banged again, but this time, it was Shauna knocking on her bedroom door. “Cat, are you asleep? It’s almost time to leave for dinner.”

  She rubbed her face, trying to put the dream back into the nether regions of her mind. She could still smell the straw that had poked at her through her tank top.

  “Cat? Are you okay?” Shauna sounded concerned now, and Cat saw her doorknob jittering.

  “I’m fine.” She stood up and went over to open the door.

  Shauna stood in a little black dress she’d bought last year for a dinner party she attended with Kevin. The dress fit her well without being too sexy. It highlighted her red hair, which she’d swept up into an updo and made her green eyes sparkle, even in the dim light of the hallway. Shauna appraised her friend. “You don’t look fine.”

  “Odd dream, that’s all.” She pushed back her hair. “I’ll take a quick shower and get ready. Tell Seth we might be a few minutes late. Maybe we should call the restaurant.”

  “I’ll handle Seth and the restaurant. You go get ready.” Shauna paused. “You’re taking all this really well.”

  “Not really, but I’m putting up a great front.” Cat smiled at her friend. “I’m holding off on my breakdown until the last guest leaves tomorrow. Then I’ll be a total mess.”

  “I’ll be joining you in that pity party. The store dropped off two new bottles of my Scottish whiskey with the groceries this afternoon. I adore those guys.” Shauna turned back toward her room. “I’m adding some jewelry to this. I have a lovely diamond ring that will look amazing, even if I do have to wear it on my right hand now.”

  Cat closed the door and headed to her bathroom. Shauna was going to be okay. Maybe not today, but eventually. Her friend had too much spunk to be dragged down, especially over a man who’d been as complicated as Kevin. She looked in the mirror at her drawn face and pointed a finger at the image. “Pot, meet kettle. You need to get this mourning done and over with, now that you know the whole story.” Cat wondered if it could be that simple.

  She quickly got ready, and as she put on makeup, she realized that was just what she’d been doing. Mourning his loss twice. Once when she’d thought he’d cheated, and now, when she knew he hadn’t. She spied the envelope sitting on her nightstand. She opened the drawer and pushed it inside. Cat was done.

  Or at least she hoped so.

  Chapter 22

  “So how long have you known Cat?” Melissa sat in the back passenger seat chatting with Seth. Collin sat beside her. He hadn’t said a word during the entire ride, but Cat had seen how he’d looked at Melissa when she’d come down in her red cocktail dress. Adoration was probably the best word to use. The kid had it bad. Too bad Melissa was getting on a plane and leaving tomorrow.

  “We were high school sweethearts.” Seth didn’t look backwards, just kept his eyes on the road. “It’s natural I went to work for her when she opened the writers retreat. She was good about giving me orders back then too.”

  “Give me a break.” Cat slapped his arm. She glanced back and saw Shauna looking out the back window. Shauna caught her gaze and pointed behind them. Cat tried to see what she was looking at, but all she saw were headlights. “We dated until he was stationed in Washington and I was accepted to Covington’s graduate program. We had a huge fight and broke up.”

  “Not quite the way I remember it, but that’s okay.” Seth dropped his voice. “We had a tiny little fight and she dumped me for an older guy.”

  “That must have hurt.” Melissa shot a quick glance at Cat. “Although it makes a perfect backdrop for a reunion trope in a romance.”

  “I’m always being used as a model for you romance writers. Tell me, it’s the rugged jaw line, right?” Seth glanced at Melissa through the rearview mirror as he squeezed Cat’s hand.

  Cat watched out the side mirror as they turned into the parking lot. A small compact car came up on the turnout and slowed down. She could see the banged-up driver’s side. And she bet the back bumper had a Wall Drug bumper sticker. She glanced back at Shauna and nodded.

  “I’m not upsetting you, talking about this, am I?” Melissa put her hand on Cat’s arm.

  “Of course not. Seth and I are comfortable with the past.” She winked at the woman sitting behind her. “And now he knows not to argue with me.”

  “Touché.” Seth pulled the SUV next to the door. “Everyone out. I’ll park and be in as soon as I’ve licked my wounds.”

  “Whatever.” Cat climbed out of the front seat, glad she’d worn boots with her dinner dress. The wind was bitterly cold. The rest of the group piled out of the vehicle and they hurried inside the restaurant, where they waited at the hostess section to be seated. When the woman returned, Cat glanced around. “We have a reservation. Latimer for eight?”

  Shauna stepped forward. “Sorry, it’s not under Latimer. Try Clodagh. Shauna Clodagh.”

  “Hey, I know you.” The hostess grinned at Shauna. “We met over at Aspen Hills Natural Foods last week? I told you about that product I’d been using on my guy?”

  “Yes, I remember. Now about our reservation …” Shauna’s face was pink.

  “I told you it would work.” The woman dropped her voice, looking around the group. “Or have you tried it out yet?”

  “Not yet.” Shauna waved a hand toward the dining room. “Our table?”

  “Sorry, I’m such a chatterbox.” The woman nodded at Shauna knowingly, then frowned looking at the list. “Oh, yes, here it is. They put it under Clark. She must have misunderstood when you called. I tell them to ask for a spelling, but you know how people can be. They think they know more than they do.”

  As the woman walked them to the table, Shauna fell in step with Cat. “So you saw the car?”

  “I did. I think we should tell Uncle Pete about this.” When Shauna nodded, Cat felt relieved that she wasn’t going to have to argue the point. Whoever was following her friend had spooked her enough that she was willing to call in for help. “What was that about?”

  Shauna pulled her aside. “I need to tell you something.”

  Cat waved the rest of the group away and stepped into an alcove with Shauna. “What do you need to tell me?”

  “I put something in Kevin’s stew that night.” She glanced around, making sure they weren’t being overheard. “I know Seth told you that I was being weird around the stew that night.”

  “You poisoned Kevin?” Cat couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

  “God, no.” Shauna pressed her hand against her chest. “Why would you say that?”

  Cat took a deep breath. “Okay, let’s start over. What did you put in Kevin’s stew?”

  The red flushed over Shauna’s face as Cat watched her friend formulate her answer. “Ginseng. I got it at the health food store. Our hostess said she used it to cure her husband’s ED.”

  “ED?” Awareness took over. “You put something in his stew to make him perform better?”

  “Well, yes. He was so worried all the time, he had, well, problems sometimes. I thought if we were going to celebrate our engagement anyway, I’d prepare the stage.” Shauna shook her head. “You don’t think that helped kill him, do you?”

  “I don’t think so, but you might have some explaining to do to Uncle Pete if it shows up on the tox screen.” She took Shauna’s arm. “We’ll talk about this later. Right now we have guests to entertain.”

  Seth joined them before everyone settled in. He looked at Cat and Shauna. “From the looks on your faces, I take it you’ve seen them?”

  “Seen who?” Cat twisted in her chair and followed his gaze. Paul, Jade, and two young boys were seated across the room. Paul nodded his head in their direction, but Jade was too busy talking to the children to notice. “I hope this doesn’t turn into a shouting match.”

  Shauna glanced over, then returned her attention to her menu. “I’ll be good if she will.”

  Seth ordered two pitchers of margaritas, and the waitress brought baskets of chips and bowls of salsa for the group. After their guests got talking and eating, he turned toward Cat. “So if Paul hadn’t caught your attention, what were you and Shauna upset about?”

  “Did you see the small car following us?” Cat kept her voice low. “I think it was blue?”

  Seth nodded. “After I dropped you off, it made a circle in the parking lot, then took off back toward town. I figured someone thought the restaurant was too busy and didn’t want to deal with the wait.”

  “Shauna says it’s been following her since Kevin died.” She glanced over her shoulder toward Paul’s table. “She thinks Paul’s keeping tabs on her.”

  This time, Seth let his gaze linger on the table across the dining room. “I don’t understand what would be his reason though. Do you?”

  “I don’t have a clue.” Cat poured a glass from the pitcher and passed the frosty drink to Seth, who passed it on to Collin, who also filled his glass. “Any guesses?”

  “No. But you need to tell Pete about this. If it’s true, maybe Paul isn’t the warm family man he’s portraying himself to be lately.” Seth leaned back and took a long sip of his Coke.

  The waitress came for their order and ended any more talk about the car or Paul. When she’d left, Jordon stood and held up his glass. “Here’s to the Warm Springs Retreat. Thanks to Cat and Shauna for their gracious hosting and thanks to my new best friends. May we keep in touch.”

  The group drank to Jordon’s toast, and as he sat down, Shirley stood. “You have something really special here. Thank you for sharing it.”

  The group took another drink from their glasses. Melissa and Pamela also stood with toasts. Cat wondered if they were going to have to roll everyone out to the car when it was time to go.

  Finally, Collin stood. “I came to the retreat looking for answers to more than just my writing questions. Thank you both for giving me hope for the future. We may not be family, but I’ll always have your back as if you were.”

  The rest of the group clinked glasses, but shared a few puzzled looks.

  “Thanks, Collin. That’s lovely.” Shauna smiled at the young man.

  “You look so much like my mother did when she was young. I can see Kevin had a type.” He sat back down in his chair and ducked his head. Cat thought he felt like he’d said too much and wondered how to get the uncomfortable silence that surrounded the table to go away.

  Luckily the moment passed and the food started coming to the table. The group talked and laughed while they ate and Cat relaxed. Everything was going to be all right. The mystery behind Michael’s death had finally been solved. The retreat business was doing well. And she’d had an email from her agent saying the publisher was talking about extending her contract on the Tori books.

  She excused herself and went to the bathroom. When she came out of the stall, Jade leaned against the sink counter, waiting for her.

  “Leave me alone, Jade.” Cat went to the end sink and washed her hands.

 

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