Free Carol Shenold - Tali Cates 02 - Bloody Murder by Carol Shenold Page A

and the Queen Contest this evening. Errands stared me in the face—pick up trophies, check on flowers, make sure I had judging sheets for each contestant, enough fill-in talent.
    Mothers were sure to call. “Can Darla change her song? She picked a new one to sing. Can you come get the tape for the new song and give it to the sound man?”
    Angst would rule when I said, “Bring the tape when you come and give it to the sound person then. It will work.”
    Somehow I wanted to repair what tentative relationship I had with Aiden. My hesitation wasn’t his fault, or his problem. I couldn’t blame him because my hormones were raging and I was on him like a duck on a black bug. He shouldn’t have to deal with my lack of self-control.
    I sipped on my coffee and watched the red sun take a last peek over the horizon before it popped up all the way to gold-tip the grass and cast shadows that snaked across the yard. I mentally planned the day. First, listen to messages, then get dressed and show up at Blooms to make certain flowers arrived on time today. No more waiting on Miss Incompetence to deliver on time.
    I dressed in my jeans and tee uniform, discreet jewelry—not. I like gaudy so people look at the jewelry, not me. I jumped into my beloved red Cruiser and nearly had a heat stroke. Shit, today was going to be one of those North Texas October days that feel like high summer. I should have guessed by the thunderstorms that the weather was going to change one direction or the other.
    The morning sun glared off car and shop windows, warning of things to come. Specifically of heat to come on a muggy day with the moisture left over from yesterday’s thunderstorm. Poor kids. Maybe we’d get some cloud cover at least for the contest itself, or the girls and the audience would be miserable.
    I walked past my car and down to the flower shop. Inside, it was blessedly dark and cool. The scent of flowers filled the store, not cloying, just light and refreshing. Now this would be the place to work in the summer. How fun would that be, working with color and scent like that? The owner, Marilee, rushed in at the sound of the bell above the door. She looked distressed when she saw me.
    “Oh, Tali. I meant to call you. Ray stepped off the curb this morning and hurt his ankle. We thought it was sprained but when we went to North Texas Medical, they x-rayed and he has a fracture. He’s going to need surgery.”
    “Oh dear. I’m so sorry.”
    I couldn’t breathe. How was I going to find an emcee in a couple of hours, for both contests? Damn, what else can go wrong?
    No. Cancel the question. I don’t want to know.
    “By the way, would you like to fill in for Ray, since I now need an emcee? And who will be delivering flowers for the contest this afternoon and this evening?”
    She shook her head no. “Sorry, I have to take care of the injured hubby, but my daughter will be happy to do all the deliveries.”
    “On time?”
    “On time. I already talked to her about it. I can’t afford for her to lose us money right now, especially with the injury. We have to carry private insurance since we’re too small to qualify for group. It will mean a financial strain for sure.”
    I left the shop, potential emcee names flitting through my brain like birds trying to escape from cages. Most of the people who came to mind were already doing multiple jobs for the fair board. There must be someone I could use, who everyone would like and trust, who wasn’t already spoken for.
    Someone grabbed my arm and I whirled around. It was Cherilyn. Dang, If I hadn’t already roped her into being a judge, she could have emceed for me. “Come with me. You have to see this?”
    “Where are we going? What’s up?”
    “We’re going to the courthouse. Marcia’s husband has been arrested.”
    “You’re kidding. What about the kids if they’re hauling him away?
    “I’m not fooling and I don’t know. I’m not sure if there are any grandparents, aunts and