wandered alone.
The thought the man could have hurt his fiancé made Jeremy thankful, he’d been nearby.
“I didn’t care for Kevin Maloney, but I can’t help but wonder if he was alive while they cleaned up,” Jeremy said.
Williams shook his head. “Pretty cold blooded. Janet was back at work the next day after the funeral, acting normal. Not a care in the world.”
“She was about to get a huge life insurance settlement,” Detective Sanders interjected from his desk. “Now their bratty kids are set for life.”
“Nah, they’ll blow it in a couple years,” Williams replied. “Saw their son at the car dealership the other day.”
Sanders huffed. “Twenty-five years is all the judge saw fit to give them. They should be locked up for life.”
Just then Jeremy’s phone rang, after a short conversation, he stood. “Come on Williams. Looks like it’s going to be a long day. A woman just knocked an intruder over the head and killed him.”
“Why are they are calling us in?”
“The intruder is naked in her bed.”
Williams stood and stretched. “Who called it in?”
“The woman’s husband.”
Jeremy pushed back from his desk. “I better call Gabriela and let her know I’ll be late getting home.”
“Welcome to the club.”
Gabriela hung up and went to the window to look outside. From the condo where they now lived overlooking the Clark Fork river, she could see far into the distance. The view of the mountain scape just past the blue water always made her want to pinch herself. Her new home was breathtakingly beautiful.
When the yellow lab, Hank nudged at her leg, she bent and patted his head. “We’re going for a run in a minute, let me get my shoes.”
Most days the three of them ran for a couple miles every evening. On the days Jeremy was too tired, or worked late, then it was just her and Hank, which she didn’t mind. It felt safe, especially since both of the people who’d killed poor Kevin Maloney were apprehended.
The weather was turning cooler, the changing of seasons was one of the things Gabriela would have to get used to. As she and the dog jogged out of the house, Gabriela began her usual consideration of what still had to be done for the wedding. Only a couple months and she’s be Mrs. Gabriela Hawkins.
Despite feeling silly, she giggled.
“Hello Gabriela,” a woman jogging in the opposite direction called out. It took a minute to realize it was her nail technician.
“Hi Brenda,” Gabriela replied slowing to a stop so they could speak. “Do you live near here?”
“About a mile that way,” Brenda pointed. “You?”
Gabriela motioned to the condominiums. “Over there.”
They chatted inconsequential things, ending with Brenda inviting her and Jeremy for dinner the following day and Gabriela alone for a girls’ night out at a new local martini bar.
As Gabriela continued her jog, she couldn’t help feeling optimistic about the future.
Chapter Fourteen
December
This time the arrival at the Missoula airport was so different than the first time Gabriela had come to do a story of a winter festival in a place she’d never even considered visiting. This time she was waiting for passengers disembarking instead of fighting her way out. She looked toward the stairway waiting for her family, excitement bubbling.
It had been several months since seeing her mother, Nana and brother. Her father had already made a couple trips. First trip, he helped her drive there, and the second trip was to spend time with Jeremy and her soon to be father-in-law on a fishing trip.
She’d lived there for over half a year and it was definitely the best decision of her life. Already she’d started a book club with a group of local women. She was involved in a wine tasting club and she had an office that looked out onto Main Street in downtown Missoula.
Although technically she didn’t need an office, it was easier for her to adjust to a slower life by going somewhere busier than the quiet street where she and Jeremy lived.
Now that she rented a small office space, she not only continued writing for the online magazine, but she’d also been hired as an editor for the local city magazine, which conveniently had its offices in the same building. They’d loved her experience in writing and explained they needed someone with fresh eyes to write about the town’s social scene.
A group of loud people came from the parking area and bustled to where Gabriela stood. A red-faced woman glared at who Gabriela assumed was her husband. “I