Chapter 59
As Cora prepared for the party downstairs, Luna wrapped herself around her legs.
“What?” she said to the cat. “I fed you, changed your litter box. Now what?”
She lifted Luna and cradled her in her arms, rubbing her head and ears. The cat’s agitation turned to purring. “You just wanted a little love.”
Cora glanced at the clock. Adrian would arrive soon.
Hard to imagine that several hours ago she was tied up to a chair at the Blue Note, along with Zee and Lulu. And she had passed out and survived it. She always secretly feared that if she passed out during a panic attack, she’d never awaken. Like almost every fear she had, once she faced it, it didn’t seem too bad.
Though being tied up was not something she’d ever imagined happening to her.
This retreat was such a failure. She wanted to crawl back into her bed and pull the covers over her head.
It wasn’t her fault. Stan died. She had nothing to do with it. Still, she made a mental note to talk with Brodsky about extra security measures for Kildare House to detract any people with problems. She didn’t think she could run security checks on every person who came through her door. This was a retreat. Besides, how likely was it to happen again that one of her guests would be involved in a murder?
Not very.
She placed Luna on the bed, then looked at herself in the mirror, smoothing over her purple crushed velvet 1970s granny skirt. She wore a white poet blouse and an amethyst necklace she made this weekend. Her skin was still not quite rosy. She was pale.
But she’d had quite a day. What did she expect?
Lipstick. I just need a little lipstick.
She smoothed pink onto her lips. “Better, but not great.”
A rap came at her door. “Come in,” she said, walking toward the door, watching it open, and seeing her man standing in front of her looking as handsome as ever. Something was wrong.
She hugged and kissed him anyway.
“Are you okay?” she asked with his arms still wrapped around her.
He frowned. “I should be asking you that question.”
“Oh, you heard,” she said, untangling herself from him.
“Thank God you’re okay,” he said. “Why did you go to the Blue Note? You could have been killed.”
“Well, I had just planned to return Zee’s bag,” she said.
“Yes, but, why do you always place yourself in danger?”
“I didn’t mean to,” Cora said after a few seconds. Why did she feel like she was being scolded?
“It worries me,” he said, following her into the living room.
She turned to him. “Look at me. I’m all right.” She opened her arms in a grand gesture.
He frowned. “It happens too much, Cora,” he said.
“I was just thinking the same thing. Surely, the next retreat won’t be harboring a murderer,” she said.
“Let’s hope not.”
“Statistically speaking, it’s almost impossible.”
His mouth twisted. “I guess you’re right. I want you to promise me that you’ll stop involving yourself with investigating crimes.”
“Adrian—”
“No excuses. I love you, and it’s got to stop.”
Cora hated the expression in his eyes. He did love her, she recognized it, but did he know that he couldn’t control her that way? Why should she explain herself to him?
“Look, Adrian. I love you, too. First, you have to realize I don’t go seeking out problems. Every case I’ve been involved in, I felt I had no choice. Jane was a suspect, you were a suspect, people I care about,” she said, taking a deep breath. “This time it was Zee. Then I found the bloody scarf here. How could I not get involved?”
“You always carry it a little too far,” he said. “Like the extra bit about going to the Blue Note.”
Cora crossed her arms. “Maybe. But who knows what would have happened if I didn’t go there?”
“I don’t know . . .” he said, his voice trailing off.
Cora moved beyond her slight anger toward Adrian. She was touched that he cared so much. He had to understand she was a helper. It was in her blood to not sit idly by if someone needed her. She wouldn’t apologize for that. But, at the same time, his concern and caring were coming from a good place.
“I thought I’d talk to Brodsky about more security,” she said, walking toward him.
“I like the sound of that.”
“Good,” she said. “Now, we have a party to go to, don’t we?”
He kissed her, pulled her close to him. She loved every part of him. His firm long arms held her in place as he nuzzled into her neck. “I don’t want to come off as a controlling ass,” he whispered. “I just love you so much.”
Cora’s pulse quickened and something in her unraveled. A sinking, luscious feeling came over her. “And I love you, too.”
“Do we have to go to the party?”
Did they? She looked at the clock. They were already late. Who’d notice if they took thirty minutes or more to themselves? Her conscience pricked at her.
“Yes,” she said. “But after the party, we have all night to ourselves.”
“Promise?” he said, grinning.
“I do,” she said, untangling herself from him and leading him to the door.