The possibilities continued to spin through my mind, but my focus always came back to the mystery man driving the Camry. An unsettled feeling wouldn’t leave me, and I knew I didn’t want to wait until something bad happened. The diamonds were calling, and the man who wanted them had followed me—had located my parents’ home. I didn’t want to think that the man could have been Roland. I’d never met him, but I knew Walter cared about him a great deal. I wondered just how many people were involved.
That thought led me to consider how many more people could be involved if things went wrong. Bryn’s happy face came to mind, and I imagined what a desperate diamond smuggler could do to my family. I clenched my teeth and frowned. Tomorrow I would do what I should have done already—call Tony. He could help me figure out what to do.
Chapter 14
Don’t Peel the Potatoes!
When making Idaho mashed potatoes, scrub the potatoes thoroughly and then use a paring knife or peeler to remove three strips of skin, one on each end and one in the middle. Cut, boil, and mash the potatoes.
Courtesy of www.mashedpotatoesandcrafts.com.
Sunday morning was a blur. My lack of sleep and the tension I was feeling made it difficult to put on a happy face and attend church services with my family, but I did my best. After church, I enjoyed another delicious meal of my mom’s home cooking complete with her signature recipe of mashed potatoes. Even though I wanted to stay longer, the worry of putting my family in danger was too great.
It always tugged on my heartstrings to pack up and leave my family in Rupert. Each time, I would picture my little shop with its antique rosebushes growing out front and the weddings I had on the docket. Dreams took hard work and sacrifice, and I did feel fortunate to work in the Sun Valley area.
Before I left, Jenna pulled me aside. “I meant what I said about Luke, even if you didn’t like it. I could tell you feel something for him.”
“But I don’t—”
She put her hand on my arm. “It’s okay if you don’t want to date him. I just don’t want you to talk yourself into dating someone else for spite, or whatever reason. Love can’t be forced. You either feel it, or you don’t.”
I didn’t know what I felt for Luke or Dallas, but I was looking forward to seeing Dallas again. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
“But do have fun.” Jenna smiled, and her blue eyes lit up with mischief. “And kiss plenty while you can.”
“Jenna!” We both laughed, and I gave her a hug. “Take care of yourself and that baby.”
I tucked a few more items behind my seat, and Mom stashed some frozen meals and a loaf of homemade bread beside my suitcase. “Thanks, Mom. You’re the best.”
“I worry about you.” Mom took my hand and looked me in the eye. “I see the part of you that still aches. I know it was hard to pick up and start over. Please don’t overdo it. If you need something, I’m only a phone call away.” She patted my cheek. “Your dad and I want to come up for a visit again, so let us know a good time.”
“That’d be great.” I hugged Mom and saw Dad step out onto the porch. “I have a honey-do list for you, Dad.”
He shook his head. “Just tell me which tools to bring.” He put his arm around my shoulder. “You be careful.”
“I love you.” I waved as I got into the Mountaineer.
“We’ll see you on the Fourth of July,” Mom said. I noted that it wasn’t a request.
I blew Bryn a kiss and backed out onto the road. As soon as I put the Mountaineer in drive, I felt a pang of loneliness. A passenger would be the perfect thing to keep my mind off the worry overpowering me. I swallowed and pushed play on my favorite Rascal Flatts CD. The music took the edge off, and even though I kept a lookout for suspicious vehicles, I sang at the top of my lungs.
My cell rang about forty-five minutes into the drive, and I clicked off the music when I saw it was my mom.
“Adri, I’d love to hear more about that Dallas fellow you mentioned. And don’t you dare roll your eyes. I’m your mother, and you’re my only daughter. We only get to do this once, and I want to enjoy it.”
I didn’t roll my eyes. Instead, I filled my mom in on all the details of my three dates with Dallas. She demanded a full physical description, and I was happy that he wasn’t lacking in that area. Part of me wondered if Jenna was right as I described how kind yet nervous Dallas was, and how hesitant he’d been even to kiss me. Still, a part of me kept thinking of Briette and how she wanted me to give guys a chance so that I could find love one day. She was the reason I had decided to give Dallas a fighting chance.
Mom and I talked until my Bluetooth told me I only had ten minutes of talk time left. A few minutes later, I pulled up to my condo and got out of the vehicle smiling—grateful for her mother’s intuition. She might be nosy, but I needed her love and attention all the same.
My throat clenched when I noticed the paper flapping in the doorjamb. Goosebumps scattered across my arms. The pictures left on my door passed through my mind, and I wished I didn’t live alone. The loose board on my steps creaked as I took tentative steps toward the front door.
I pulled the paper out and unfolded it, then breathed a sigh of relief. It was an announcement for a
