Chapter 5: Murder In Harmony
Chapter 5:
Luis woke up just after sunrise and reached out for Sheridan, but she wasn’t there. He opened his eyes and looked around for her. There she was sitting in the bay window seat wearing Luis’s T-shirt and looking out the window. He got out of bed, pulled his boxers on and walked over to the window.
“Good morning beautiful,” Luis said, but he noticed she was crying and he sat down next to her. “Hey, what’s wrong?” Sheridan looked up at Luis and even more tears fell. “Please don’t cry Sheridan. I hate it when you cry?” Luis said and he wiped some of the tears from her cheeks. “Are you upset about what happened last night? I’m sorry, I thought this was what you wanted too.”
“I just keep thinking about it and I just don’t understand.”
“Understand what?”
“Why it matters so much that I’m a Crane. Why does my name make me less of a person that everyone else?” Sheridan sobbed, “I know you or at least I think I do and I know you’d never intentionally hurt anyone else.”
“Do you think I would hurt you?”
“You already have hurt me. When I heard you on the phone at the wharf saying that you were just using me it killed me. I’ve seen the kind of man you are. You would never use anyone for any reason, so I don’t understand why you would do that to me.”
“I would never use you Sheridan and I never said I was using you to anyone. I would never hurt you like that.”
“But I saw you, I heard you on the phone. Why do you think I went to Paris? Why do you think I refused to come back home with you? It hurt too much to be around you,” Sheridan cried.
“Please believe me,” Luis begged, “it wasn’t me. I never said anything like that. I would never use anyone especially you.” A tear ran down Luis cheek. “If you think I’m just using you then why did you kiss me? Why did you make love to me? Why did you tell me you want to be with me, because I know it wasn’t a lie, I know you wanted me? Why would you make love to me if you think I’m just using you?”
“Because I wasn’t thinking,” Sheridan cried, “in my heart I know you wouldn’t hurt me and last night my heart just took over. No matter how angry I’ve been with you, you have always been in my heart. You are the man of my dreams, the man I’ve been looking for my entire life.
No matter how hard I tried to forget about you I couldn’t. I’ve wanted to be with you for so long and last night when you kissed me it was like a dream come true. All logical thought went out the window and my heart took control. But when I went to sleep I had these horrible nightmares about what I heard you say and that you were still using me and didn’t really want me.”
“Sheridan you have to trust in your heart. You have to believe that I would never hurt you. I never said those things and I do want you. I’ve always wanted you, no matter how much you pushed me away. Please believe me, I would never hurt you.”
“I do believe you Luis.” Sheridan said, “but if you didn’t say those things then why did I see you? How did I see you and hear you?”
“I don’t know, but someone wanted you to think I was using you to keep me away from you,” Luis said and he thought for a second, “Mama.”
“Pilar would never hurt me like that,” Sheridan said in shock.
“No, I mean Mama told me that we would never be allowed to get involved, that they would do anything to keep us apart.”
“You think my family was responsible don’t you.”
“First they tried to bribe me to keep us apart and when that didn’t work you hear me say something that makes you hate me. It’s the only thing that makes sense. Julian and Alistair are the only people I can think of who would want to keep us apart.”
“Me either, but how did they do it?”
“I don’t know, but I want to talk to Sam about everything you saw and heard that night and we’ll start an investigation. We’ll find out what happened Sheridan. I’ll prove to you that it wasn’t me.”
“You don’t have to prove anything to me Luis. I’ll never doubt you again.”
Luis took both of Sheridan’s hands in his and looked deep into her eyes. “I know that men have hurt you before but I want you to know that I’m not like them. I will never use you and I’ll never intentionally hurt you. I’m gonna show you how a man is supposed to treat a woman.” Luis leaned in and kissed her lips softly. “Come back to bed with me Sheridan. It’s still early and you look sleepy. I want to hold you in my arms and when I wake up again I want to feel your body against mine and look over at your beautiful face and wake you with a kiss.”
“That sounds like heaven,” Sheridan cooed and she got up and crawled into bed with Luis following right behind her. After a couple of minutes Sheridan lifted her head and looked up at Luis. His eyes were wide open.
“I thought we were going to sleep?” Sheridan asked.
“We are,” Luis answered, “I guess I’m just a little too awake.”
“Well then,” Sheridan said and she climbed on top of Luis and gave him a sexy grin, “allow me to wear you out.”
When Kay stepped out of her room she saw Ethan in the hallway. “Hi Ethan.”
“Good morning Kay,” Ethan said, “care to join me for breakfast?”
“Sure, what are we having?”
“You can have anything you want, just ask.”
“I can really have anything?” she asked and Ethan nodded yes. “What are you going to have?”
“I think I’ll have eggs benedict,” Ethan said as they walked down the stairs.
“I’ve never had that before, maybe I’ll try it.”
“Ok. Maria would you let the cook know that Kay and I would like eggs benedict for breakfast,” Ethan said to one of the maids.
“Yes Mr. Crane, right away.”
A short time later Kay and Ethan sat at the dining room table eating their breakfast. “So what is going on with you and Theresa?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean are you guys an item? I saw the way you were looking at each other and hanging all over each other in the pool last night.”
“There’s nothing going on between me and Theresa, we’re just friends. I’m engaged to Gwen,” Ethan said defensively.
Sorry, I just thought… oh nevermind,” Kay said.
“It’s ok. So how did you like staying here? Did you sleep ok?”
“Yeah, I slept great and I love it here, although anywhere would be better than staying at home.”
“What happened at home that was so bad that you ran away?” Ethan asked, “if you don’t want to tell me it’s ok, but you can trust me.”
“Theresa said you were a good friend and you’ve kept her secret about working here all this time, so I guess I can tell you,” Kay said and she proceeded to tell Ethan what she had already told Ivy last night.
“I’m really sorry Kay,” Ethan said, “I don’t mean to act like I know exactly how you feel, but I do understand a little of what it’s like to feel like people don’t’ want you around. For a long time I lived at boarding schools and I always thought it was because my parents didn’t want me around. But now that I’m older I know that it isn’t true. My mother always loved me and she just wanted the best for me and for my sisters, that’s why she sent us away.”
“I wish that was true for me but the only person my mom wants the best for is Charity. She’s probably glad that I’m gone.”
“Well it’s her loss because I am glad you’re here and if you ever want to talk about anything you can always come talk to me.”
“Thanks Ethan.”
“Oh Ethan darling,” Gwen bellowed, “are you home? Oh there you are.”
“Good morning Gwen,” Ethan said, “have you met Kay Bennett?”
“No I don’t believe I have. Is that Bennett as in the Bennetts form London?”
“No, it’s Bennett as in Sam Bennett, Chief of the Harmony Police Department,” Kay answered.
“Oh, well what are you doing here?” Gwen asked snobbishly.
“Mother invited Kay to stay with us for a while,” Ethan answered for Kay.
“Why isn’t she staying at her own house?” Gwen asked.
“For personal reasons that I’m sure she’d rather not talk about right now,” Ethan said, “so what brings you be so early? I wasn’t expecting to see you until tonight.”
“I know darling, but I thought you’d want to spend the afternoon with me. I want you to help me decide which dress to wear tonight and then you can take me for a romantic lunch.”
“I’m sorry Gwen, but I thought I’d I would stay around the house and keep Kay company today.”
“I’m sure Kay can manage to amuse herself for the afternoon,” Gwen said.
“It’s ok Ethan,” Kay said, “I’ll be fine.”
Julian took a swig of his brandy as Ivy walked into the living room. “Good morning my little strumpet.”
“Oh good lord Julian, the sun’s barely up and you’re already drinking,” Ivy said disgusted. “Most people start the day with coffee.”
“Oh please darling, coffee is for commoners,” Julian said between swigs of brandy. “So what sort of mischief where you up to yesterday? I didn’t see you all day.”
“Thank heaven for small favors,” Ivy muttered under her breath. “Actually I wanted to let you know that as of last night we have a houseguest. I’ve invited Kay Bennett to stay with us.”
Ivy’s statement caught Julian in mid drink and he spit his brandy all over the room. “You invited one of Barney Fife’s children to live in my house? What on earth for?”
“Frankly Julian I don’t have to explain myself to you.”
“I do not want some lowly local child living in my house. She’s probably just waiting for a chance to steal something and sell it. I want that girl out of my house now.”
“I don’t care what you want Julian. Kay is staying and that’s final.”
“Well at lest make her work in the kitchen or something.”
“She is not working in the kitchen Julian. She is a guest and I expect you to be polite to her. In fact why don’t you just stay away from her,” Ivy said and she walked off to find Kay. She found Kay, Ethan, and Gwen in the dining room.
“Good Morning everyone. How did you sleep Kay?”
“I don’t think I have ever slept so well,” Kay said, “that bed is so soft and after all that swimming with Ethan and Theresa last night I was exhausted.”
“You went swimming with Theresa?” Gwen whined, ”why didn’t you ask me to join you?”
“It was just a last minute thing. Theresa and I decided to go for a swim after we finished some work and I invited Kay to join us, that’s all.”
“Kay dear, I know you didn’t pack much when you left, so I thought we could go shopping and get you some things,” Ivy said.
“You really don’t need to buy me anything Ivy.”
“What’s the point of having money if you don’t go out and spend it,” Ivy laughed, “and I’ll just buy you stuff anyway and this way you get to pick.”
“Well, if you insist,” Kay laughed.
“Great Gwen said to Ethan, now you are free to spend the day with me.”
“Actually I have some work to finish this morning, but I guess I can meet you for lunch,” Ethan said.
Sheridan began to wake up and felt Luis’ body lying next to hers. She ran her hand across his chest, which woke him up. “Good morning beautiful” Luis whispered and kissed her forehead, “how did you sleep?”
“Great, who needs a teddy bear when I have you,” Sheridan said and she snuggled further into his arms. Sheridan’s stomach growled and she laughed, “I’m starving.”
“Well, we did work up an appetite,” Luis teased, “I’ll go make you breakfast.”
“Ok, but I’m going to help.”
“That’s ok baby, you just stay here and I’ll take care of breakfast.” Sheridan got a sad look on her face. “What’s wrong baby?”
“You don’t want me in the kitchen do you? You think I’ll just mess everything up,” Sheridan pouted.
“I’m sorry Sheridan, it’s not that I don’t want you in there, it’s just, well we both know you can’t really cook.”
“That’s because nobody ever let’s me. If you would just show me how I could do it.”
“You want me to teach you how to cook?” Luis offered.
“Will you?”
“Of course I will if that’s what you really want.” Luis climbed out of bed and slid into his boxers while Sheridan searched the floor until she found her underwear and Luis’ T-shirt and they went into the kitchen.
“So baby, what to you want to make?”
Pancakes, I love pancakes.”
“Pancakes it is,” Luis said. He and Sheridan got out all the ingredients and equipment they needed. Luis put the flour in the bowl and Sheridan added some more ingredients to the bowl. Luis picked up an egg and cracked it into the bowl with one hand.
“Hey, no showing off,” Sheridan laughed, “you’re supposed to be teaching me.”
“Ok, then pick up that whisk,” Luis said and he stood behind Sheridan and wrapped his hand over the hand that was holding the whisk. “Just stir it around like this until it’s all mixed up.”
Sheridan leaned her head all the way back against Luis’ chest and looked up at his face. “How’s that?”
“Perfect,” Luis said and he gave her a little upside down kiss. “Now just pour a little onto the hot pan and when bubbles start to come up and the edges look a little cooked then just slide the spatula underneath and give it a quick flip.”
Sheridan tried the first pancake. “Was that ok?” she asked.
“You’re doing great,” Luis answered, “try another one.” They made a few more pancakes and Luis stacked them all up on one plate and poured maple syrup all over them and he sat down in a chair at the kitchen table.
“Are you planning on eating them all yourself?”
“No, I thought we could share,” Luis said and he patted his leg, “come and sit with me.”
Sheridan walked over to Luis and straddled him, sitting in his lap facing him. “Ok, let’s see if these are edible,” Sheridan laughed. Luis picked up a fork full of pancakes and fed them to Sheridan. “Mmm, excellent.”
After a few more bites Sheridan took the fork from Luis and filled it up with syrup covered pancakes and put them in Luis’ mouth, but on the way some of the syrup dripped onto Luis’ bare chest. “Oh, I’m sorry baby,” Sheridan said and she raised her eyebrows at Luis, “I’ll take care of that for you.” She leaned over and slowly licked the sticky sweet syrup from his chest, which caused Luis to groan. “Mmm, now that’s my kind of breakfast,” Sheridan said in a sexy voice, “who needs pancakes when I have you.”
“Well, I thought you were hungry, but if you want to play then let’s play,” Luis said and he stood up carrying Sheridan with him. He sat her on the kitchen table and slid his hands under her shirt. His warm hands caressed her silky skin while his kisses devoured her neck.
Sheridan tangled her hands into Luis hair and moaned, “this is definitely better than pancakes.”
To Be Continued…