Laney had her own expectations as the day finally arrived. She hadn’t seen Deputy Nick Rogers, wasn’t even sure he would show for the party, but she was still anxious anyway—and upset with herself for being so excited about seeing him again. She’d seen the man only once, had barely said two words to him. This was so unlike her to be excited about a man she’d just met. Unlike her younger sister, she always looked before she leaped. But this time, she just wanted to jump—and that should have scared her.
Maddie had stopped by the day after Laci had started inviting everyone to the engagement party.
“I wish you’d mentioned a party to me,” Maddie had said. “Not that I don’t love the idea.”
Laney had seen that Maddie was anything but delighted with the party idea.
“Don’t thank me,” Laci had said, giving her cousin a hug. “I just wanted to do something special for you. Because you’re special.”
Maddie’s blue eyes had filled with tears. She’d bit her lip and said nothing more.
But Laney had seen her expression. Maddie wasn’t just displeased about the party, she seemed… worried. Since that day, Maddie hadn’t been by, which was strange in itself.
When Laney had called to make sure she was all right, Maddie had told her she’d taken a job helping Geraldine Shaw clean out her attic.
“I like this kind of work. I think it might be like accounting,” her cousin had said. “Something that actually makes sense, you know?”
“Maddie, is anything wrong?” Laney had asked. “Because if you need someone to talk to—”
“Wrong? Of course not. Everything is wonderful. I’m marrying Bo.” Laney had heard the catch in her cousin’s voice. “I can’t imagine life without him.”
“You don’t have to,” Laney had said.
“No, I don’t. Bo is perfect for me.” Another catch in her voice.
“Still, every bride-to-be gets cold feet,” Laney said.
“Not me.” She’d hesitated. “We’ve had our problems, just like any other couple. But once we’re married things will be different.”
Her cousin didn’t really believe that marriage solved the problems, did she? “Maddie—”
“I’m fine. Really. There is nothing to worry about.”
But Laney had worried.
Now she heard a car and glanced at her watch. Aunt Sarah had called and offered to take some of the desserts for the party to the community center in her van.
Sarah had also helped with the decorations and volunteered to taste treats as was needed over the week.
“Because of your darned sister, I’ve gained ten pounds,” Sarah said as she came into the house.
“I had to refuse to taste another thing,” Laney said. “Laci was giving me a toothache. Is Maddie ready for the party?”
Sarah nodded, her face beaming. “This is so exciting. A party for my baby. Thank you for doing this. I can’t tell you what it means to us.”
“It’s all Laci’s doing,” Laney said, but she could see what it meant to Sarah. She wasn’t so sure about Maddie. She considered broaching her concerns about Maddie to her aunt but Laci came out of the kitchen with a container full of bite-size chocolate-covered cherry cheesecakes, and Sarah began oohing and aahing over them. They were beautiful. And much too pretty to eat.
After Sarah left with the back of her van full, Laney checked her watch again.
“Shouldn’t we be getting over to the community center?” she asked her sister.
Laci was nervously staring through the oven glass. “Just a few more minutes on the caramel puffs. They’re best if served warm. I have the macaroons resting at room temperature.”
Laney shook her head. “Lace, there is no way we’re going to be able to eat all of this.”
A knock at the door surprised them both. Laney thought it might be Sarah back for something. “I’ll get it. You watch your puffs.”
Geraldine Shaw was standing on the porch. She wasn’t dressed for the party. She looked harried and upset as Laney opened the door.
“Where’s Maddie?” Geraldine asked abruptly.
“I don’t know.”
“She was gone when I returned from the post office and my mother’s diamond bracelet is missing,” Geraldine said, looking past Laney. “Are you sure she isn’t here?”
“Yes. She might be at home or at the community center, but I’m sure if the bracelet is missing, Maddie had nothing to do with it.”
“I showed her the bracelet when we were cleaning out some things. When I left, I told her to be sure and put it back in the box.” Geraldine sounded near tears. “It’s gone.”
“I’m sure it’s just misplaced,” Laney said with concern. “Why don’t I call Maddie and see if—”
But Geraldine was already off the porch steps, huffing as she climbed into her car and tore off in a cloud of dust.
A shriek came from the kitchen. Laney went racing in to find her sister hysterical.
“My caramel puffs fell. This is an omen. The party is going to be a disaster.”
Laney calmed down her sister and sent her to get ready. She didn’t have the heart to tell Laci that there were worse problems with the party than some fallen caramel puffs. Not that Laci would appreciate the gravity of the missing bracelet. Not when gravity had ruined her caramel puffs.
WHEN NICK DROVE into Old Town Whitehorse, he was amazed at how many vehicles were parked around the community center. Laci Cavanaugh was right about one thing: the entire county had turned out for the engagement party.
He parked and walked down the road to the center, reminding himself he was on a case—even if not technically on duty. He planned to leave in time to watch the bars tonight in Whitehorse. It was Saturday and if the assailant was true to form, he’d be attacking some poor cowboy before the night was over.
As Nick slipped into the crowded building, the band broke into a country ballad. His best friend would have gotten a real kick out of this.
Just the thought of Danny O’Shay cut like a blade into his heart. Danny couldn’t see this because Danny was dead. And Nick was the reason.
“Deputy Nick Rogers,” said a female voice dripping with sugar. “I don’t think we’ve met.”
A tall, thin middle-aged woman with a braying laugh reached for his hand and shook it vigorously. “I’m Arlene Evans. This party is for my son and his fiancée.”
Bo’s mother. While her son was a nice-looking young man, Arlene Evans was one of those rawboned ranch women.
“And this is my daughter, Violet,” Arlene said as she grabbed the woman’s arm next to her and literally dragged her over. “Violet, say hello to Deputy Rogers.”
Violet Evans gave a meek nod.
“Hello, it’s nice to meet you,” Nick said. With Violet it was hard to tell her age. She was as plain as any woman he’d ever seen. She had her mother’s raw-boned look but on a larger frame.
“Deputy Sheriff Rogers is new in town and single,” Arlene said and winked at Nick. “The Whitehorse grapevine.”
Violet stared at the floor, but Nick noticed a flush creep up her neck and several veins pop up prominently. The woman was more than embarrassed.
“If