Slay Bells - Hildie McQueen Page 0,31

Hawkins. I will marry you.”

Her parents and Henry erupted into cheers and clapping while all he could do was hold the precious woman close, not wanting to ever let her go.

Back in his apartment a few hours later, they lay in bed, his arms around her as she admired the ring on her finger.

“It’s perfect. You made a good choice. It’s exactly what I would have chosen.”

“I’m glad you like it.” He kissed her temple. “I wouldn’t have minded if you wanted to exchange it.”

Her eyes widened. “No, it’s special that you thought of me when you bought this. I would never exchange it.”

“Not even for a bigger one?” Jeremy chuckled.

“Nope,” Gabriela said adding several nods for emphasis. She lifted her face up to his. “My parents didn’t seem surprised at the news. You spoke to them, didn’t you?”

Jeremy had called and spoken to her father and mother several times. They had given him their blessing, which meant a great deal to Jeremy. “Yes. Your father’s main concern was whether he could come out here and spend summers at the ranch.”

Gabriela was quiet for a beat. “So you’re assuming we’re going to live here?”

“Not at all.” Jeremy was quick to assure her. “I plan to come to San Diego and apply at the police department there. I can’t demand you leave everything and come here.”

“How can you be so perfect? I love you so much. I want to marry you so bad.” Gabriela lifted up and began planting kisses all over his face. Every inch of his chest filled with pride at her exclamations.

When she fell over him and kissed his throat and neck, emotions took over and he let out a sigh. No matter where he lived, it would be perfect as long as they were together.

Gabriela looked down at him. “Let’s take it one step at a time. Come to San Diego and spend a couple weeks. Let’s see how it feels to you. I can work from anywhere. I can’t lie, I do miss Missoula and the ranch when I’m away.”

The next day, Gabriela decided to go into town and get a manicure. She planned to plaster pictures of her engagement ring all over social media and send one to her boss. Mostly just to annoy her.

It was best if her nails were long and beautiful.

“Get long, bright red, rounded tip nails. It will show off your ring better,” Mila suggested over the phone. “Ask them to add some bling to your ring finger.”

Gabriela giggled. “I won’t be able to type.”

“Doesn’t matter. Get them cut down once you get back here.”

Her friend was so smart. It was a fabulous idea.

She found a salon and parked in front. Hopefully they’d take walk-ins. A tingle went through her as the sunlight hit her diamond and it sparkled.

A smile on her lips, she opened the door with the words Essence of Beauty etched on the glass.

“Good afternoon.” A short woman with a sleek bob cut smiled at her. “What can we do for you today?”

It was an elegantly serene place that smelled of flowers and lotions. “I’d like my nails done please.”

Just then a woman emerged from a back door, her heels clacking on the floor reminding her of her boss back in San Diego. The woman smiled, and then upon seeing Gabriela, her expression became more alarmed than welcoming.

It was then Gabriela noticed her name tag. Janet Maloney. Janet was the dead man’s widow. She’d overheard the name while at the station.

Thankfully, she was saved from saying anything when the short woman guided her to a chair. “Someone will be right with you.” She handed her a circular disc with painted plastic nails. “Meanwhile, pick a color.”

Back ramrod stiff, Janet went to the reception desk and leaned forward so that her shoulder length blonde hair covered her face.

Blonde.

Gabriela turned to look at the door. Janet Maloney was blonde, could she be the woman who’d been at the cabin when her husband had been killed? It could be she was the killer. What if the woman owned the salon and told everyone to go home so she could have privacy and kill her?

She was about to push away from the table when a young nail technician lowered across from her and grabbed her left hand. “Oh my goodness, your ring is beautiful. We’ll have to do something special.”

Then again, the woman couldn’t kill her as long as the manicurist remained. Gabriela relaxed into the chair. “Thank you. I’m thinking a