Sixteen

Laura pushed the chair back and rose. She stretched, unable to focus on her work anymore. Not that her concentration had been great earlier. As always, since Mandy’s death, work just didn’t seem important. Obviously, she needed to pay her bills. And she couldn’t go back to being someone else’s employee. 

She saved her spreadsheet and headed downstairs. Yoga or the exercise bike? The bike made more sense with all her nervous energy—she was still pissed at Lisa for not helping. How many times had Laura helped her out in the past?

Laura hiked up her dress, too angry to bother changing into workout clothes. She got on the exercise machine and took out all her anger on the pedals. She chewed out Lisa under her breath until she felt a little better. Her mind wandered back to Mandy… again. She mulled over everything since her death. 

She and Rusty had made progress, but it wasn’t enough. They needed to solve this for Mandy. She deserved as much. Someone was guilty and so far was getting away with it. 

Laura peddled faster and faster. Maybe she needed to find something to motivate Lisa to push them up in the queue. The DNA evidence of Travis Calloway fathering Brady would be huge. The police department couldn’t ignore that. 

Even if they tried, she wouldn’t let them. Chances were, though, that they would take a closer look at Chris first. The husband is always the first suspect, and they’d already spent plenty of time questioning him. If they came up empty with him, then they’d look at Travis. He obviously didn’t want pretty Angeline knowing about this.

She’d already wasted more than enough time. There was so much more to get done before her date with Rusty. No, it was just dinner. Or was it? She’d see if he tried to pay the bill. If so, it was a date.

Her pulse quickened at the thought. As much as she didn’t want to be attracted to him, she found herself growing more and more fond of him. Not only was he someone to talk to—the one person who understood how she felt about Mandy—but he was sweet and funny, too.

And that was the scariest thing she could think of. No, he wasn’t like her dad, ex-husband, or any of her ex-boyfriends, but she couldn’t take the risk. People always changed once they were in a relationship. She didn’t want to see Rusty’s bad side. Things were perfect the way they were.

Laura went upstairs and took a long, hot shower. She just kept her mind on work, and today that meant spreadsheets and numbers. That was the perfect distraction from both Mandy and Rusty.

While she was working, she kept glancing at the time. It was really dragging. Usually, even when working this part of the business, she found time flying faster than the consulting. But nothing had been normal since Rusty showed up. It was better than getting depressed over Mandy. Now she and Rusty were actually able to do something useful.

If it turned out that Travis was guilty, and they pointed the police in the right direction, they would be able to do something right for Mandy—clear her name. Travis was probably the last person on their minds. They likely had no idea that Mandy’s path had ever crossed his, much less that Brady was a result of that path.

Focus.

Laura closed her eyes and rubbed her temples. If she didn’t get these numbers crunched, she would have to stay up all night to get it done. And she needed some sleep. Even when she did get some, it was so restless these days. Hopefully once Mandy’s name was cleared and those kids had the knowledge that their mom hadn’t killed herself, she could get some real rest.

But Mandy would still be dead. And they would have to deal with their mom being murdered. Was that really any better? Especially if it was their dad? Her chest tightened. No matter the outcome, she was still dead. Mandy was gone.

Laura had moved here to get away from heartache and pain. Apparently that was just part of life. There was no escaping it.

A sharp pain stabbed her lower abdomen. Then it radiated out, making the rest of her body ache.

She grasped her abdomen. “Not now.”

When she was stressed and her monthly cycle came around, she tended to have horribly painful cramps. Bad enough that she’d passed out from them. Luckily, she knew what to do, and the pain had just started. She might have time to take care of this and still make her dinner date.

Laura scrambled out of the chair and hurried to the kitchen, still clutching her middle. The pain was intensifying already. She turned on the tea kettle, opened the cabinet with her teas and reached for the back, knocking several boxes and bags onto the counter. She found the one she needed.

Raspberry leaf tea. She shook it. Half a box. Good. 

She pulled it open, took out two packets and opened them, sticking them in a dark green mug. The water seemed to be taking forever. 

Pain radiated outward in all directions. White dots appeared in her vision and she felt light-headed. This was going to be a bad one. As much as she hated medicine, she was going to have to take some. 

She ran to the bathroom, cursing mother nature the whole way, and found some ibuprofen. It was likely expired with as rarely as she took it, but it would still work. She grabbed two and swallowed. 

The tea kettle sang, alerting her that the water was ready. Laura brought the bottle of painkillers with her and poured the steaming water into her mug. Hopefully she could wait the fifteen minutes it would take for the raspberry leaf bags to steep. 

Pain squeezed her middle. She massaged the area. Mother nature was a wicked, cruel witch. Laura took deep breaths.

She checked the time. Ten more minutes. Would she make it? She continued to pace while taking deep breaths. She could do this. Not could. Would. Cramps weren’t going to keep her from settling Mandy’s score.

Hot pain squeezed her back like giant, boiling fingers. 

Laura found a rice bag and stuck it in the microwave.

Another five minutes for the tea. She considered drinking it anyway. It would be mostly ready. She could always make more. Except that hitting the early pains with the full strength concoction was the only thing that would help. The medicine was just to take the edge off.

More white dots danced before her eyes. Laura took a deep breath and glanced at the clock. It switched over to the time she had been waiting for. She let go of her middle and ran to her mug. In one swift motion, she took the bags out and began drinking. She had to ignore the burning sensation. Her mouth would heal. She couldn’t afford to spend the next two days in bed, likely puking from the pain.

The mug was empty before she knew it. The microwave beeped. She grabbed the rice bag and headed for the couch. She reclined, spreading the rice bag over her lower abdomen. There wasn’t much else to do except wait for the pain to go away.

And take care of the impending flow. She groaned, closing her eyes. Her body ached too much to move. She would take care of that soon enough. She closed her eyes and waited. 

From the kitchen, her phone notified her of a text. She rubbed her eyes, feeling groggy. 

Had she fallen asleep? The rice bag was cool and aside from some body aches, she wasn’t in pain anymore. 

Laura sat up and set the bag next to her. The light-headedness had gone away, too. Her work wasn’t going to do itself, but at least she felt better. She got up and checked her message. It was from Rusty.

Running a little behind. Mind if we meet a half an hour late?

No problem. See you then.

At least that saved her from coming up with an excuse for needing some extra time. She turned the tea kettle back on and got a new mug ready for some tea. 

Laura went into the bathroom and took care of business. She looked in the mirror. Dark circles sat under her eyes. She pulled out all the necessary makeup and concealers and got to work. By the time the kettle sang to her, she looked normal. Maybe even better than normal. Rusty would never know how much pain she’d been in earlier.

She poured water over the tea bags and headed back to the bathroom to fix her kinked hair. She hadn't meant to sleep on it. 

Laura ran water over her hands and raked it through her tresses. It didn’t help, so she pulled it up into a loose bun. She preferred it down, but this would do. 

The doorbell rang. 

She swore under her breath. Had it been a half hour already? 

“Coming,” she called and ran into the kitchen. She swallowed the tea as quickly as possible, not bothering to take the bags out. Then she took another couple painkillers for good measure and grabbed her purse. It was time for a dinner date, and she wasn’t about to let him know she felt like a zombie that had gone through a wood chipper.

Laura hurried down to the door, opened it, and forced a smile.

Rusty returned her smile, looking as tired as she felt. “You look really nice.”

“So do you. Did you get any rest?”

“Some. You? You seem a bit tired.”

So much for covering it up. “I am, but I’ll be okay.”

“And you’re okay with me driving?”

“I’d appreciate it.” She turned around and locked the door. “Where are we going?”

“What’s good around here?” He led the way to his rental next door and held the passenger door for her. She climbed in and he closed it for her before going around and getting in. 

“Do you like Dim Sum?” Laura asked.

“Can’t say I’ve even heard of it.” He started the car.

“If you like Chinese, you’ll love it.”

“All right. Let’s give that a try. Where to?”

Laura gave him directions.

“Looks like a popular place,” Rusty said. People milled about outside and the parking lot was full.

“We can go somewhere else,” Laura said.

He shook his head. “I have to see what this is all about now.” He drove around the lot three times until they came to someone pulling out. 

They made their way around the crowd and into the busy restaurant. 

“Welcome,” greeted a beautiful twenty-something Cantonese girl with a big smile. “Can I get your name, please?”

“Rusty.”

She scribbled a note on a pad of paper. “It’ll be about a half an hour.”

“Thank you.”

“Do you want to wait in here or go outside?” Rusty asked.

Laura glanced around. People were staring at them. Some were even so bold as to point and whisper. It took her a moment to realize it was because of what had happened at the Calloway party. “Let’s get outside for some air.”

He nodded and led her outside. A couple standing near the door glared at them. 

“If it’s going to be a half hour,” Laura said, “maybe we should go next door. There’s a lovely candle shop.”

“Sounds good.” He held the door open for her and they entered the sweet-smelling store. It held a mixture of citrus and floral scents. 

Laura breathed in deeply, holding onto the aromas. 

“Much more peaceful in here,” Rusty noted.

“I take it you noticed the stares.”

“How could I not?” he asked.

“People are jerks, but like I said before, they’ll find something else to gawk over soon enough.”

“Let’s hope so. I’m not one who enjoys the spotlight.”

“Oh?”

“I’m just a simple guy who enjoys quiet walks in the woods. That’s a perfect day in my book. Stopping at a lake to watch the wildlife.” He glanced up, looking lost in thought.

Laura’s heart nearly leaped into her throat. Was he perfect? It was sure starting to seem more and more that way.

“Can I help you with anything?” asked a lady with long, curly red hair and small, round glasses. She held a box of red and purple candles.

“We’re just looking. Thanks.” Laura smiled.

“Let me know if you need anything.” The lady disappeared down an aisle.

Rusty turned to her. “Are you into candles?”

“Oh, I love them. I have several in every room.”

The door opened and a group of four ladies walked in. A tall blonde stopped when she saw them. She turned to her friends. “That’s them.”

Anger burned in Laura’s chest. “If you’ve got something to say, why don’t you say it to our faces?”

Rusty put a hand on her arm. “Laura, don’t.”

She narrowed her eyes at the blonde but spoke to him. “No. I’m sick of people whispering.”

The blonde started to walk away.

“Hey,” Laura said. “Don’t gossip about us and then ignore us. Grow a set and say it to our faces.”

“Fine.” She stood even taller and glared at Laura and then Rusty. “You two should just leave town. Nobody wants you guys here.”

Laura stepped closer. “We deserve to be here every bit as much as anyone else. Try having some compassion, would you? He just lost his sister, and I lost a close friend.”

One of the ladies behind the blonde gave her an apologetic glance.

“Mandy Oates?” asked an auburn-haired girl behind Blondie. “That piece of trailer trash? The suburban wanna-be. She—”

“How dare you?” Laura balled her fists. “Shut up. You don’t even know her.”

Rusty grabbed Laura’s arm and pulled her out of the candle shop. 

“What’d you do that for?” Laura exclaimed. “They can’t talk like that about Mandy.”

“And fighting isn’t going to solve a thing. What are we going to do? Fight everyone in town?”

“If we have to, but once people hear not to mess with us—”

“Like you said, people will move on and forget about Travis kicking us out of his party soon enough.”