War and Peace by graf Leo Tolstoy (latest ebook reader .TXT) 📕

“No. Not at all. I’m just saying that someone could have misinterpreted that behavior, maybe thought your relationship was more serious than it was. Can you make a list tracing back your relationship history?”

“Why?”

“These gifts show an inherent base-level knowledge of you. Stands to reason somebody who’s jealous of you being involved with someone might have enjoyed the privilege himself and want that back.”

“Then why not just ask me?”

“Maybe you said no. Or maybe it was a long game that I screwed up. Either way, I think the list could be useful.”

Paisley could see his point, but she didn’t like it. “How far back am I supposed to go?”

“Is it that long a list in total?”

Stiffening, she pulled away, hating the flush she felt in her cheeks. She’d been a serial monogamist for years. She wasn’t ashamed of that, damn it. “I like dating, and I’ve done a lot of it.”

“I think we could all do with some snacks,” Laurel announced. “Boys, why don’t you come help in the kitchen?”

It was a thin excuse to give them some privacy, but as everyone else filed out, Paisley blessed Laurel for the gesture. She rose herself and paced over to stare sightlessly at the white board. She could feel Ty’s gaze on her.

“I wasn’t a monk the last eighteen years. I don’t expect you were either.”

“I didn’t sleep with all of them.”

“Okay. Even if you had, it would’ve been your right. It’s your life, your body. We weren’t together then. I’m not judging you here. I’m just trying to work one angle. If it helps, for now, limit it to the ones you broke up with.”

That list was shorter and easier to produce. She wrote it out, making notations where she could about how long she’d spent in each relationship, and handed it over. “It’s probably not all of them. I don’t remember every guy I ever went on a date with and didn’t go for a second. If we need more, I can call Emerson and brainstorm with her.”

“Emerson?”

“We’ve been best friends since college. She’s been around for most of my dating career.”

“I can probably help fill in some gaps too,” Ivy added, coming back in carrying drinks. “At least for the last couple of years, which would probably be the most relevant.”

The others filed behind her with bowls and platters of food. There was a veggie tray, chips and dip, popcorn, and someone had put together a charcuterie board.

“This is fine.” Ty sat again, studying the list.

Paisley began loading a plate. Maybe if she stuffed her face, she wouldn’t be so prone to letting her mouth run away with her. Objectively, she understood why he was pursuing this line of investigation. But she didn’t have to like it.

“You were the one who called it quits on both your marriages?”

“Yeah.”

“What happened there? Infidelity? Money problems?”

“No, Nothing like that.”

“Then what?”

“I don’t see why it matters.”

“Because I’m trying to find a motive.”

“Neither of my ex-husbands is behind this.”

“You don’t know that. We’ll need to look at them, and in doing so I need to know why you broke things off.”

Paisley set her plate down and crossed the room to the picture window, staring out at the mountain. She hated having her relationships put under a microscope.

“Were they abusive?” Ty’s voice was quiet and right behind her.

“No, they’re both good guys.”

“Then what?”

“They weren’t you,” she whispered.

“What?”

Exasperated, embarrassed, and knowing he’d find out eventually, she whirled on him. “They weren’t you, okay? Every single relationship I’ve had for the last eighteen years has all ended for the same damned reason. Because I kept trying to find another you and failing. You ruined me for all men when we were eighteen. Congratulations.”

Ty blinked at her for a moment before his lips began to twitch.

“Tyson Gregory Brooks, don’t you dare smile. This is not meant as a stroke for your ego.”

“She middle-named him,” Sebastian whispered.

“Shh!” Laurel hissed.

The twitch turned into a full-on grin.

“If you say it’s not your ego that wants stroking right now, I swear to God, I’m going to hit you.”

They both ignored the chorus of choked laughter.

“Hey, you’re the one whose brain went there.”

“I write romance for a living. Of course, my brain went there. But this is not a joke.”

He sobered, but there was a softness in his eyes in place of the humor as he reeled her in. “Does it help to know I hate them all on principle for getting time with you that I didn’t?”

“Maybe. A little.”

“How about the fact that there’s never been anyone serious for me but you?”

It was Paisley’s turn to blink. “Never?”

“I was married to the job, and I didn’t have the strength of heart to put myself out there to even try. So, I’d say we mutually ruined each other.”

Someone behind them sniffed. “That is just the sweetest…”

“Are you crying?” Harrison asked his wife.

“Pregnancy hormones. I’m allowed. Shut up and pass the popcorn.”

They split the work. As the resident cop with any actual authority to request alibis, Ty hit up the phone for the guys they had contact information on, while everyone else worked on tracking down the others on Paisley’s list. For privacy’s sake, he holed up in Harrison’s office. Deciding to get the ex-husbands over with first, he reviewed the brief dossiers Paisley had written.

Wasband Number 1: Brian Chesney

Ty actually smiled at her alternative name for ex-husband.

Chesney was the college boyfriend she married right after graduation. According to Paisley’s notes, they lasted three years, divorcing at twenty-five. He now lived in Memphis with his second wife and their two kids. Given the postmarks of all the letters and packages, it was unlikely he was connected, but Ty wanted to do due diligence and call.

A woman answered the phone. “Hello?”

“I’m looking for Brian Chesney.” In the background, Ty could hear the sounds of kids laughing.

“Just a minute.”

A few moments later, a guy picked up. “Hello?”

“Brian Chesney?”

“Yeah.” The voice was friendly, open.

“This is Deputy Ty Brooks with the Stone County