Maybelle stretched across the queen canopy bed, the early morning sunlight streaming across her eyes. She glanced at the clock, letting out a hollow laugh at how little sleep she’d gotten.
Michael had been a fun surprise, not only talking deeply with her in a lighthearted manner, but starting a water war that lasted well into the early hours of the morning. They’d left a trail of water behind them on their way back to their rooms, like breadcrumbs in Hansel and Gretel. When she’d locked herself in her room, she’d been half tempted to follow Michael’s trail to see what floor he was staying on. She wouldn’t mind another “happy accident” run-in during her stay.
As fun as he’d been, a niggle of annoyance scratched inside the corners of her mind. Of course she’d find someone who was not only attractive, good company, and seemed genuinely interested in her in some way, but also non-committal. Maybelle was ready for a relationship now—a fast one. Marriage, kids, that messy house… Would being involved with a man like Michael mean sacrificing those things? She wouldn’t be alone anymore. It very well could be worth it.
She blinked, surprised when a wet tear rolled across her cheek and soaked into the pillow. Having it all was perhaps too much to ask, but she wasn’t ready to give up on it yet.
A clink of ceramic cut through her thoughts, and she rolled off the comfy mattress and gave her love handle a good scratch as she walked out to greet her brother.
“Heya,” she said through a yawn. He lazily waved a good morning back, filling up a large mug with coffee. Her nose wrinkled and she strode to the mini fridge for some water. Coffee was not her cuppa, and the smell was only half of the reason why she disliked it so much.
“You know what time we gotta be down there?” Will asked, his voice groggy but not irritated. She held back a grin, grateful he was at least trying.
“Breakfast is from eight to ten.” Her water bottle cracked as she guzzled down a good portion. “There’s not like, a big act or something until tonight. The actors are just there to be in character and the guests can ask them questions or whatever to figure out who the murderer is.”
He raised a brow, steam rising from his mug. “You done this before without me knowin’?”
“I read the pamphlets and itineraries.” She wiggled a proud finger at herself. “Thorough researcher.”
“Or a desperate one,” he teased.
“That too.”
He let out a long breath over his coffee. “Anyone grab your attention yet?”
A drop of warmth touched her heart. Will probably couldn’t be less interested in her dating life, but he always had a way of making sure that what was important to her was important to him also.
“Yes,” she replied honestly, though she wasn’t sure how honest she wanted to be just yet.
He waited, then rolled his hand for her to continue.
She laughed. “Hold onto yer cattle, a’right? It’s only been a day and I don’t wanna jinx anything.”
“One day in a week-long period is a chunk of time. I’d say you don’t have to worry about taking things slow here.”
“Oh, stop making good points.” She slid her water back into the fridge and bounced toward her room. Even lack of sleep couldn’t keep her drive away. She had a man to find, and like Will pointed out, she didn’t have much time to do it.
By the time Maybelle had primped and primed it was already nine forty-five, and breakfast was nearly finished. She snagged a cheese bagel with strawberry cream cheese that was made from heaven and wandered through the different rec rooms where guests and actors were mingling.
Michael had caught her eye a few times, and though she wanted to talk with him, he wasn’t her target this morning.
Garreth was a missing man so far, and frustration coiled in her belly next to her breakfast. Curiosity had plagued her while she’d done her hair and slipped on her “Tuesday” dress—a modest and fun number that made her look approachable and cute. Michael had been so upfront about his thoughts on marriage, but Garreth seemed to be a bit more cautious about opening up. She’d always thought that was an incompatible quality, what with her own personality shouting to the world what she wanted and why she wanted it and never hesitating to let her thoughts be known. But she found his shyness absolutely endearing and so unexpected, and she wanted to open him up and see what was inside.
Will had ventured downstairs long before she had, but he’d kept an amused eye on her antics, hopping from room to room and socializing with anyone she’d run into—literally and figuratively. At this rate, she wouldn’t find Garreth until it was time for them to pack up and go home.
When the clock ticked closer to eleven, she let out a long sigh, her shoulders slumping. Perhaps he wasn’t feeling well? Or maybe he wasn’t a morning person. Mornings had always been her favorite time of day, so eleven o’clock seemed so late, but to other people—her momma, for one—eleven was still early.
What if he’d gone home?
A frown pulled the corners of her mouth, and she went to find Will, see if he was doing all right and not hating every minute he was spending at Frostville.
She found him next to a large plant, like he was trying to hide. Oh sweet cheeses.
Her heels clacked against the floor as she made her way over, the sound covered by the hustle and bustle of the full recreation room he was just outside of. His eyes were locked on something inside the room, and she followed his gaze until she landed on the back of Garreth’s head. He was hunched over a desk, a computer screen lighting up his handsome features.
“Oh!” she squealed, and her brother jumped ten feet into the air next to her. She suppressed a laugh and fixed her hair. “I’ve been lookin’ for Garreth all mornin’,” she explained, running her hands over her dress and pinching her cheeks to add a fresh blush to her skin. “This look okay?” Her finger circled around her face.
Will shook himself out of whatever trance he’d been in. “You’re good.”
“Your words are so encouraging.” She stuck her tongue out and scurried over to Garreth before he was suddenly surrounded by all the single ladies.
“Hey there,” she said cheerfully, the urgency to get to know him spiking her confidence. She propped up against the desk, trailing her fingers along the wood until his pretty, brown eyes met hers.
“HeMayuhfergal,” he sputtered, then squeezed his eyes tight and shook his head. “Uh… let me try that again.”
A giggle tickled her throat, and she gestured for him to continue. He sat back in his seat, ignoring the laptop. Eye contact seemed to be a struggle of his, but he was really trying hard with her.
“Hi Maybelle,” he said slower, a relieved laugh coming out when he got the words out. She loved hearing the simplest phrases falling from those beautiful lips in a jumbled mess.
“What are you workin’ on?” she asked, tiptoeing her nails over the smooth part of the laptop. That perfect chin dimple of his made an appearance.
“Oh, it’s stupid.” He reached for the lid, ready to shut it. She set a hand on top of his to stop him.
“I like stupid things,” she teased. His laugh was a shaky mess that she felt in her soul. “Show me?”
Maybelle liked to think she was a pro in the art of flirting. Heck, she’d been practicing for decades now. But her pulse had skyrocketed with his hand under hers, her brain fuzzing and knees melting. She wasn’t quite sure if she was flirting or just as awkward as he was.
After a beat, he gave her a shy smiled and steadied the laptop open. He clicked on a spreadsheet, and up popped a list of all the murder mystery characters, their bios and relationships with one another, and color-coded suspects.
“Well,” she said. “You’ve been busy.”
A crimson wave went through his neck and up to his ears. He reached over and scratched his elbow, the muscles stretching his light blue short-sleeved polo. “Yeah… uh… this stuff is sort of my thing.”
She made herself a little more comfortable, careful not to lift her dress and flash the entire other side of the room. The crack of billiard balls provided a relaxing background music for the amazing buzz she felt just sitting next to the shy man from… actually, she didn’t know where he was from yet.
“You know who it is yet?” she asked, leaning in to examine his chart. A jolt went through her chest when she read Michael’s name.
Garreth shook his head. “Too little data right now to make a really good guess, but after today… Maybe.” He bent forward, as if whispering a secret to her. Goosebumps prickled up the back of her neck. “Pretty sure I know who’s next to get the boot.”
She loved how confident his voice suddenly became, talking about the things that seemed to interest him. “You think there will be more than one murder?”
His eyes grew big. “Absolutely. Frostville is known for keeping the guests on their toes. I bet anything the next victim shows up tomorrow.”
“Who is it?” she asked, fully invested. She honestly hadn’t given much thought to the murder mystery, but watching Garreth’s enthusiasm over it was contagious.
He waggled a finger, bringing her in closer. His breath smelled of cinnamon butter that she longed for a taste of.
Watch it, Maybelle. You don’t even know if he’s interested in you.
“I’m almost positive Edward is next.”
She maintained eye contact with him, excitement bubbling in her grin when Garreth didn’t look away. “Who’s Edward?” she whispered, and Garreth let out a heavy and gut-filled laugh, one that filled the room and made his cheeks turn red.
Wow, did she ever love it.
“He’s the princess’s tennis instructor.” He pointed to the long line connecting Winter’s name to Edward’s. There was a nickname underneath in quotes: “Eddie.”
“Ah, poor Eddie. Probably won’t even know what hits him.”
“Well, he would if he pays attention.” Garreth winked, and flutters erupted under her skin. Maybelle nervously bit back a squeal, praying it didn’t seep out. “I bet if we follow the guy around, we’d find out who the killer is by tomorrow.”
“Where’s the fun in finding out early?”
His mouth popped open in the most adorable way. “That’s the ultimate goal, isn’t it? To crack the case as soon as possible.”
That look was going to kill her. “Then we should.”
“Huh?”
“Follow him around. Figure out this mystery before anyone else.” And get to know each other in the process. “You up for it?”
A slow grin wrapped his face, and long gone was the awkward, shy man she’d met yesterday, and in this place was the excited boy with a candy bar dangling within reach. She decided she liked both versions, and hoped to find even more.
“Yeah, I’m definitely up for it.”