Page 34 of Rekindle My Heart

Chapter 9

Erica nibbled on the edge of her fingernail, working a frayed nerve as well as her cuticle. Her grandmother’s mantel clock chimed twice. Two p.m. and she still didn’t know who this posse was who’d be arriving to work their magic on her.

She cringed at the reflection of the haggard woman in the entry mirror. The woman wore her favorite sweats with the hole in the knee and her AFD T-shirt. Wet strands of hair fell from her messy bun. Erica leaned closer. Were the circles under her eyes really that big?

Man, did she need a vacation. A beach or a cabin on a lake. Anywhere. She glanced at her reflection once more, then shook her head.

“Well, whoever these women were, they’d better have a magic wand.”

Karma jumped to attention. His head cocked thirty seconds before a vehicle stopped in front of her house. A low rumble revved deep in his throat before it morphed into a bark.

She spied three women getting out of a late-model Escalade. A tiny woman with smooth dark hair, flawless makeup, and an outfit that was deceptively casual, hopped from the passenger seat. Erica wasn’t a fashionista, but she’d bet this woman’s clothes were the latest style.

The driver was dressed in a similar vein. She turned to grab a bag from the back seat of the vehicle and when she faced the house, Erica almost gasped. The woman was gorgeous. Dark, full hair and saucers for eyes, the kind of looks that made men turn and stare. Hell, Erica didn’t swing that way, and she couldn’t peel her eyeballs away.

The bombshell turned and spoke to the third woman getting out of the back seat. They all looked to be in their thirties, but this woman had a more mature vibe coming from her. It could be the casual jeans and U of M sweatshirt she wore, or the fact she just looked like someone Erica would hang out with.

Laden with garment bags and totes, the three made their way up the walk.

Karma bumped Erica’s thigh.

“It’s okay, boy. They’re friendly.” She bit her cheek. “I think.”

She gave Karma a command to stay and opened the door.

The bombshell said, “Firefighter Randall, I’m Doctor Liz Garcia O’Roarke. You may have met my fiancé, Detective Jim Swenson?”

“Oh, yes, from the task… Uh, yes.”

“It’s okay. We know about the task force.” She gestured to the woman with the mom-vibe. “This is Lorna Whittier. CJ’s wife.”

“Nice to meet you.” She nodded as her hands were full of packages.

“I’m Mira. I’ll tell you how I fit in with this group, but can we do that inside? Who knew shoes were so heavy?” She lifted the bags in her hands.

Erica stepped back and let them enter.

“She should know better than anyone,” Lorna said as she passed Erica. “That woman has enough shoes to put Imelda Marcos to shame.”

“Oh, what a beautiful dog.” Liz dropped her packages on the chair and waited for Karma to check her out. When he nosed her hand, she dropped to her knee and gave Erica’s boy some love, cooing and telling him he was a pretty boy. “We have a German Shorthaired Pointer named Tigger. What’s his name?”

“Karma.”

The women all grinned, but it was Lorna who commented, “Good name.”

“Well, we’re here to make you gala-worthy.” Mira set a case on the table and opened it. The thing was filled to the brim with makeup. She started unloading the contents, every color and shade of foundation and shadow that Erica could imagine. Apparently, her one tube of mascara and her ChapStick weren’t going to cut it.

“Gala?” Erica had known this was a fancy event, but the word gala made her palms sweat.

“Yes, usually it’s in October, but the ballroom had a conflict, so they moved it up a month.” Liz placed a hand on Erica’s arm. “It’s just a party. People mingle, then they eat dinner. Sure, it’s dressy, but they won’t bite. You’ll be fine.”

Lorna stepped up beside Liz. “And we will all be there with you.”

“Yeah, it’s kind of a Whittier family tradition. We’re all part of the Whittier family or will be soon.” A brilliant smile lit Mira’s face when she spoke, almost as bright as the shine off the engagement ring she flashed on her hand. “I’m engaged to Harrison, CJ’s brother.”

“And my cousin,” Liz added.

“Okay.” Erica swallowed the lump in her throat the size of the Hope Diamond. All these women were related to one of the wealthiest families in Ashwood.