Candy-Coated Secrets (7 page)

“Stop right there! I will not go as a donkey’s behind. Aunt Eunice, get real.” I riffled through the hangers. “Why don’t you go as a queen, and I’ll be a ninja. Your royal bodyguard.”

“Not very original.”

“Maybe not, but the ninja costume will hide my face.”

Thirty minutes later, we weren’t speaking again. Who would have thought finding a costume would be so stressful? There had to be an easier way to eavesdrop. If Aunt Eunice didn’t become more cooperative, I’d have to think about getting another sidekick. Did Nancy Drew have this much trouble? I could go solo like Miss Marple.

“We could go as geisha girls. There’d be a lot of makeup.” Aunt Eunice broke the silence.

I giggled. My aunt would look hilarious.

“Or I could be a madame, and you could be one of my ‘girls.’ ” She guffawed.

“How did you find out about that?” Joe most likely. For an officer of the law, the man had loose lips.

“Big Sally mentioned it. Wouldn’t Ethan be fit to be tied?”

“Definitely.” In my mind, I could envision the muscle ticking in his jaw as he clenched his teeth. “Maybe we could just go as clowns. We’d blend in.”

“Boring, but all right.”

The full pants of my costume, held wide by an expandable hoop, made maneuvering through the door of the huge tent difficult. I tripped and landed on my knees. Not exactly an unobtrusive entrance. Face flaming beneath my makeup, I pushed to my feet. Aunt Eunice’s brightly striped, baggy, one-piece suit looked easier. She ditched me right away.

Lights twinkled from the ceiling. Costumes of every variety added color. Several ninjas and many clowns mingled with kings, queens, and, one misshapen horse. Hands lifted in greeting as I made my way through the crowd. I congratulated myself on the choice of costume. No one would guess my identity.

Aunt Eunice laughed from beside the buffet table with Washington Bean dressed as a mime. I’d recognize his lanky frame anywhere. There were also three gorillas. One stood over six feet with broad shoulders. The other two looked the right build. I veered away from them. They’d have to move to where I could overhear their conversation and stay hidden at the same time.

Eddy Foreman carried a whip and wore a top hat. Apparently he fancied himself a lion tamer. Next to him, dressed as a sultry lion, stood the platinum-haired woman I’d noticed a couple of days ago.

Country music blared from speakers, and a small crowd danced the latest craze in a Western line dance. Obviously several of them had already visited the beer keg in the corner. They leaned heavily on their partners. Joe and another police officer watched with stern faces from the sidelines. Talk about party crashers. They hadn’t even bothered with costumes.

Big Sally sat in a high-backed chair draped with colorful fabric. A tin crown rested on her head, and she held a scepter in her hand. The queen of the fair. I sidled closer, pretending to watch the dancers.

A diminutive woman climbed into a chair next to the large woman. “Why so sad, Sally?”

“Just doesn’t seem right to hold this party. Not so soon after Millie’s death.”

“So tragic for someone so young.” The woman’s voice sounded like a child’s. I hovered near them to hear more.

“She was unhappy. More so the last few weeks. But no more than me, I suppose. But I’ve got my eye set on the person responsible for my distress. When I can catch her unaware—” Sally noticed me and waved me over. “Be a sweetie, would you, and get me a drink?”

I nodded and headed for the buffet table. She hadn’t seemed to recognize me. Only a willing servant to fetch her majesty something to quench her thirst. My steps faltered at the sight of two gorillas. I switched direction and headed around the other side of the table.

“Do you think she heard anything?”

“I don’t think so. If she did, what could she have heard? We didn’t mention names, did we?”

“We said hers.”

“You worry too much. If I’d known she was on that Ferris wheel, I’d have left it running all night. Would’ve made her sicker than a dog. You’re too nice.”

“Not my fault they found her hanging there. You weren’t even very convincing.”

“No, but you had to go and wave around that cord. If Foreman would’ve found her like—”

I gasped and switched direction again. Sally would have to get her own drink. I spotted a nearby potted plant and tried to duck behind the large green leaves. No way would the foliage hide all of me. Maybe the two conspirators would think I occupied myself by watching the dancing.

Crossing my arms, I tried to act nonchalant. I leaned against the wall. The hoop of my pants flew up in the front and smacked me in the face. I choked off a groan and lifted a hand to check for blood. I smeared my makeup and knocked off my foam clown nose.

“Opening night went well, didn’t it? We made a bundle off those new wristbands you came up with.”

“Yeah, I stole the idea from another fair I worked for. We’re going to make a killing off this town. The last night, we’ll grab the cash and split. Only thing we got to worry about is getting rid of Super Sleuth.”

A hand clamped on my arm. I stifled a gasp and allowed my gaze to travel up the arm. The blue fabric of a police uniform stopped at the wrist.

“Joe.”

He pulled me away. “What. Are. You. Doing?”

“Eavesdropping. Those two gorillas are planning to do away with me.” I yanked my arm free. “Do something?”

“On what grounds?”

“I told you. They want to kill me.”

Joe peered around me. “What two gorillas?”

They were gone. I scanned the crowd. “They aren’t here. How could they have disappeared so quickly?”

“Come on.” He grabbed my arm again and dragged me after him. Joe split the partyers as effectively as Moses had the Red Sea. Several curious glances were sent our way, obviously accustomed to the picture of a clown dragged away by an officer of the law. Nothing seemed to surprise these people.

Once we stood outside, he turned to face me. “What else did you hear?”

“They plan to steal from the town. ‘Make a killing’ were their exact words. They’re using some kind of wristbands.”

Joe folded his arms. “The wristbands are legit. So are the fair’s prices. Did they say any more about Millie’s death?”

“No, but they know I heard them talking. And Big Sally spoke to some woman about how sad Millie had been the last few weeks.”

“Uh-huh. I’ve heard the same thing. Sounds to me like she may have heard something she wasn’t supposed to. There’s something fishy about this place.” He glared at me. “Be careful, and stay out of trouble. No more looking for it. Who’s head of the fair committee this year?”

I chewed my lip. “Mabel or Ruby, I think. Mrs. Hodge is in the group, too. Why?”

“I need to check on this. This isn’t the same company we used for the fair the last few years. I want to know where they were before. Do a background check. I doubt Mabel or Ruby did. I’m sure they just booked the lowest bidder.”

He stalked back inside, leaving me to dwell on the fact that, once again, I’d managed to make myself a target. And I’d promised Ethan no more detective work. Well, I didn’t ask for it. Trouble just seemed to find me. It was like a gift. One I wanted to return.

I moved to follow Joe, and froze. Watching from the murky shadows stood two gorillas. One raised his hand and waved.

Chapter Eight

I sat on the porch swing the next day writing my suspect list while I waited for Ethan. So far, it consisted of two unknown male gorillas and the carnies I’d come into contact with. I lifted my pen and chewed the end. During the summer, I had at least five names. All people I was familiar with. This time, I didn’t think I’d find any names of folks who attended the same church I did.

Okay, Lord, this case is going to be harder. And my life’s in danger a lot sooner, too. I could use guidance.

Ethan’s truck pulled into the driveway. Before he could close his door, I flew off the porch and into his arms. His legs buckled, and we fell to the grass. I covered his face with kisses until he rolled to his side and leaned over me. His blue eyes twinkled, and a dimple winked from the corner of his mouth.

“If that’s the kind of reception I’ll get, I need to make a habit of leaving more often.”

“I missed you.” I lifted a hand to caress the rough stubble on his cheek.

“Ditto.” He lowered his head and planted one of his searing kisses on me. When he’d left me completely breathless, he pushed to his feet and pulled me with him.

“You’ve been busy, though, haven’t you?”

“Does Joe tell you everything?” Maybe I could get April to tell him to stop. Ever since I’d introduced my cousin to Ethan’s sister, Joe had been putty in her hands.

Ethan led me to the porch swing where he sat and drew me under the curve of his arm. He felt wonderful, solid, and safe. I rested my head on his chest.

“I did ask Joe to watch out for you, given your skill of getting into trouble. Seems like a good thing I did.”

“You saw the paper?”

“Yep.” His hand stroked my hair, lulling me into a peaceful place full of light instead of gorillas hiding in shadows. “Someone stalking you?”

What a horrible way to be thrust back into the present. “They seem to be. Last night at the masquerade party, two people dressed in gorilla costumes talked about ‘doing away’ with the nosy Summer Meadows.” I sat up and stared at Ethan. “I’m getting somewhere on this. I may have stumbled onto this murder accidentally, but someone thinks I know more than I do, or that I’ll find out.”

His gaze locked on mine before he cupped his hands around my face. “There’s no way I can convince you to go away, is there?”

“Where would I go? This is my home.” Hope sprang in my chest. “Unless you want me to go somewhere with you?”

Ethan kissed my forehead. “On our honeymoon. You’re too tempting to be alone with while we’re unmarried.”

Had God ever made a more perfect man? I didn’t deserve him.

“So, since I can’t be with you around the clock, make sure you’re with your aunt, uncle, or cousin. April will do in a pinch, but I don’t want my sister involved in your gumshoeing.”

And my delusions were shot down at his demanding tone. “They haven’t tried to hurt me.”

“They set a hog on you.”

“Could’ve been an accident.” Right. “Someone could have left the pen unlatched.”

“The Ferris wheel?”

“Was an accident.” Unless you counted the pulled power cord. Or the fact I’d climbed in it in the first place. Okay, maybe it wasn’t an accident, but I hadn’t planned on getting stuck.

“The conversation about doing away with you? Them following you? Laid Back Millie swinging from her shower? Any of this ring a bell?” Ethan stood, his back straight, his chin stubborn and like chiseled marble. “This is not negotiable. I know I can’t keep you from going to the fair. You have your booth. I also know you need to work the booth. Eunice can’t, and shouldn’t, have to cover it alone for the entire week. I’m just saying, don’t go anywhere alone.” He held both my hands in his. “Is it awful for me to love you so much that I worry about you?”

Ethan could shoot back to the top of my list of perfect people with three spoken words, a kiss, or a steamy look. This time, I got all three.

“Okay. I’ll either be with Aunt Eunice or you.” He could have the moon if he wanted.

“Great. And God can take care of all of you.”

“Break it up, you two. You ain’t married yet.” Aunt Eunice joined us on the porch. Her gaze swept the driveway. “Where’s Roy?”

Ethan rose and gave her a hug. “He should be here anytime. Had to make a stop.”

Aunt Eunice frowned. “A person would think getting home to me would be more important.”

My uncle’s truck pulled in front of the house. Aunt Eunice and Uncle Roy were proud of their twin Chevys. When he stopped in front of us, his grin cut from one ear to the other. Aunt Eunice crossed her arms and glared.

Her face softened a bit when Uncle Roy emerged from his truck with a dozen red roses. Tears ran down her cheeks when he bowed before her as if she were royalty. “I missed you, Eunice. Lord’s work or not, a month is too long to be away from my girl.”

“Oh, Roy.” She grabbed the roses and buried her wet face in their petals. Uncle Roy could show Ethan a thing or two in the romance department. He hadn’t brought me anything.

“My turn.” Ethan approached Roy and helped him to his feet. “Roy Meadows, I’d like to ask you for Summer’s hand in marriage.” He clapped a hand on my uncle’s shoulder. Did I say Ethan lacked in romance? I thought my eyes would bug out of my head at his old-fashioned way of proposing.

Uncle Roy returned the gesture. “I already gave my blessing, son.” He turned to wink at me. “And my condolences. You’ll have your hands full.”

Ethan knelt before me and fished in his pocket. My hand fluttered to my face like one of those silly beauty pageant winners fanning at misty eyes. He took my hand in his, his touch warm and gentle. “Summer, I know we’ve spoken about this, but I’ve never really asked you properly.” He held out a black velvet box. “Will you marry me?”