Chapter 6: Murder In Harmony
Chapter 6:
“Breakfast will never be the same,” Luis said and he kissed away a drop of syrup from Sheridan’s shoulder.
“Actually I was hoping that we could do this every morning,” Sheridan said pulling Luis back up to her waiting lips, “you know what they say about the importance of starting the day off with a good breakfast.”
“Ok, but we’re going to have to buy more syrup,” Luis laughed. The phone rang. “Whoever that is better be glad they call earlier,” Luis grumbled and he got up to answer the phone. “Hello?”
“Luis is that you?” Sam asked.
“Oh hi Sam, what’s up?”
“I called your house and Pilar said you didn’t come home last night. Is everything ok?”
“Well, Sheridan and I decided it would be better for me to leave in the morning.”
Sheridan hopped off the kitchen table and grabbed her shirt out of a chair. She started washing the dishes while Luis finished talking to Sam.
After he hung up the phone Luis walked up behind Sheridan at the sink and kissed the back of her neck.
“I’m sorry baby but I have to go to the station and file some reports.”
“It’s ok, as long as you promise you’ll come back.”
“Nothing could keep me away from you,” Luis said and he kissed the back of her neck again and slid his hands under her shirt, caressing her stomach while he talked. “In fact, Sam reminded me that the Policeman’s Ball is tonight and since I’m no longer on duty as your bodyguard I have to go. Would you like to be my date?”
“The Policeman’s Ball is tonight?” Sheridan asked, a thought running through her mind.
“Yep, so what do you say, will you come and make me the envy of every man in the room?”
“I’d love to go with you Luis but I already made plans with Ethan for tonight,” Sheridan lied.
“Oh, that’s okay.”
“No, I’ll just cancel with Ethan,” Sheridan said reconsidering.
“No, you haven’t been able to spend time with Ethan in a while and we’ve been together everyday for months. I suppose I can manage one evening without you.”
“Are you planning on going back home after the ball?” Sheridan asked, “because I was really hoping for a repeat performance of last night.”
“I will definitely be here with you baby,” Luis answered, “But now I need to take a shower and get down to the station.”
“Do you mind if I join you?” Sheridan asked with a sly grin, “I’m still a little sticky and I think I’m going to need some help getting clean.”
“I am at your service,” Luis grinned and he picked Sheridan up and carried her off to the shower.
About an hour later Sheridan strolled into the Crane mansion with a huge smile plastered across her face and sat down next to Ethan.
“What’s got you in such a good mood?” Ethan asked, “oh let me guess, Luis.”
“How’d you know?”
“I saw how close you two were in the pool and then I watched the news last night and saw that the guys who were trying to kill you got caught yesterday, which by the way I am mad at you for not telling me about. But that means that Luis wasn’t your bodyguard when he was here last night. So what happened?”
“It was so amazing Ethan. Luis was being so sweet. He went and got us dinner and champagne to celebrate me not being in danger and he even bought me a teddy bear dressed up as a cop. After we watched a movie he kissed me and it was so wonderful, and one thing led to another and…”
“I don’t need details,” Ethan interrupted, “but what about him saying that he was using you?”
“He swears it wasn’t him and I believe him. It’s just not like Luis to use anyone. He thinks that Father and Julian may have been behind it to try and keep us apart, but he and Sam are going to start an investigation and find out exactly what happened that night.”
“I’m glad you’re so happy, but father and grandfather are going to have a fit when they find out that you and Luis are in love.”
“I don’t care what they think, but I’m not exactly sure about the love part,” Sheridan said, “Luis made it pretty clear that he wants to be with me, but he never actually said he loves me. I wanted to tell him how I feel, that I’m in love with him, but every time I started to say it I got nervous. What if he doesn’t feel the same way about me?”
“You’re kidding right,” Theresa said as she walked into the room. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but you shouldn’t be worried about how Luis feels about you. He is completely in love with you and he has been for a long time.”
“Are you sure?”
“Of course I’m sure Sheridan, I know my brother. You should just tell him that you love him.”
“I kind of have a plan to let him know how I feel tonight, but I could use your help Theresa.”
“What do you want me to do?”
“Well tonight is the Policeman’s Ball and I told Luis that I couldn’t go because I have plans with Ethan.”
“But we don’t have plans, I’m going to the ball with Gwen.”
“I know Ethan, I’m planning on surprising Luis tonight. A while back the mayor asked me if I would sing at the ball and I said no, but I just called him and told him I want to do it. I’m going to sing a song to Luis that will let him know exactly how I feel.”
“So what do you need me for?” Theresa asked.
“I’m kind of nervous about this and I haven’t sung in front of an audience in a long time, so I thought maybe having someone else up on stage with me would help. Ethan told me that you and Whitney are wonderful singers so I was hoping you guys would kind of sing back up.”
“Wow, I’d love to and I’m sure Whitney would too. She and I were just going to the movies tonight so I know she’s free.”
“Ok, well we need to go shopping for dresses and then run through the song a few times,” Sheridan said.
“Luis is going to be so happy,” Theresa gushed, “I’m so glad you two are finally together. I’ll call Whitney and we can pick her up on the way.”
“And I’ll call Chad and have him get the music ready. He’s working at the ball tonight,” Ethan said.
Pilar came into the room. “ Sheridan, I’m so glad that you’re out of danger,” she said and gave Sheridan a hug. “Have you seen Luis? Sam said he isn’t your bodyguard anymore but he didn’t come home last night.”
“Uh, Luis didn’t want to get home late and wake you up so he stayed with me last night.”
“Oh, ok,” Pilar said, “so what happened in the kitchen this morning? There’s pancake syrup all over the kitchen table.”
Sheridan’s cheeks turned bright red. “Ummm, Luis was teaching me how to make pancakes and I guess we just made a little mess. I’m sorry, I should have finished cleaning it up. Well Theresa and I were about to go shopping. I’ll see you later,” Sheridan said, wanting to make a quick retreat before she had to answer any more embarrassing questions.
“I don’t even want to know what you and my brother were doing with the pancake syrup,” Theresa laughed as she and Sheridan left the house.
When Hank and Beth walked into the ballroom Sam, Grace, and Luis were already sitting at the table.
“Luis, I wasn’t expecting to see you here tonight,” Beth gushed.
“Yeah buddy, how come you aren’t guarding Sheridan?” Hank added.
“Where have you two been? Haven’t you seen the news?” Sam asked.
“I went out of town for a couple days remember, I just got back a few hours ago,” Hank said.
“And two of my waitresses are sick so I have been working so much that I haven’t had time to watch TV or read the paper,” Beth said, “why, what happened?”
“We finally caught the guys that were trying to kill Sheridan so Luis isn’t her bodyguard anymore,” Sam said.
“If I had known that Sheridan wasn’t under house arrest anymore I would have asked her to be my date,” Hank said.
“Sheridan is busy tonight,” Luis said defensively, “she has plans with Ethan.”
“Luis do you want to dance?” Beth asked.
“No thanks Beth,” Luis said, wishing Sheridan was there because she was the only woman he wanted to dance with.
“Hey buddy, I thought you said that Sheridan was with Ethan tonight?” Hank asked.
“She is, why?”
“Because Ethan just walked in with Gwen and I don’t see Sheridan with them.”
“Luis turned to look at Ethan and Gwen and then looked back over at Sam. “Why would she lie to me?”
“I’m sure there’s an explanation Luis,” Sam said. Earlier at the station Luis had told Sam about what happened with Sheridan.
“Hey Sam, what’s Kay doing with Ethan Crane?” Hank asked.
“Kay’s here?” Sam said surprised.
“Yeah, she’s sitting over there with Ethan,” Beth said, “and look at the dress she’s wearing. Where’d she get a dress like that, it must have cost a fortune.”
“Ivy.”
“Why would Ivy buy a dress for Kay?” Hank asked.
“Kay ran away yesterday,” Sam answered, “Ivy found her and invited her to stay with them.”
“You’re actually letting Kay stay with the Cranes?” Hank asked in disbelief, “you hate the Cranes.”
“I know, but I didn’t have much choice,” Sam said, “Kay refuses to come home and if I try to make her she’ll just run away again.”
“Don’t worry Sam, Kay was fine when Sheridan and I saw her last night and we can keep and eye on her for you,” Luis said, his mind only half on the conversation they were having while the other half was wondering why Sheridan had lied to him.
“You can’t keep and eye on Kay Luis,” Hank protested, “you’re not Sheridan’s bodyguard now so you won’t be living with her anymore. I’m sure I’ll be at Sheridan’s all the time though so I’ll check on Kay,” Hank said smugly, but Luis just ignored his comment.
“What’s wrong?” Ethan asked Kay.
“I don’t think coming here was a good idea. I told you my parents would both be here and I really don’t want to see them.”
“I think it would be a good idea if you at least said hello and let them know that you are ok, but you don’t have to if you don’t want to,” Ethan said, “why don’t we dance. It will take your mind off it.”
“Ok.”
“But Ethan what about me,” Gwen whined.
“Kay and I will be right back Gwen,” Ethan said and he took Kay out to the dance floor.
“Ethan can’t I just go home,” Kay complained while they danced, “my parents are watching us and Luis is glaring at us. I wonder what’s up with him, he looks really mad.”
“Oh no,” Ethan said, “Sheridan told Luis that she would be with me tonight and now he knows that she was lying to him. Oh god, he looks really upset, I hope this doesn’t ruin Sheridan’s surprise.”
The more Luis thought about it the more upset he got. He just couldn’t understand why Sheridan would lie to him.
It would have been fine with him if she didn’t want to go. Luis couldn’t take it anymore and he decided to leave the ball and look for Sheridan to get an explanation. Before Luis could get up and leave the music stopped, the lights dimmed and the mayor took the stage so Luis stayed in his seat.
“Good evening ladies and gentleman and welcome to the Harmony Policeman’s Ball,” the mayor began. “We have something very special for you tonight. One of Harmony’s finest citizens will be performing for you tonight. I heard this beautiful young lady sing for the first time in a little club in Paris about five years ago when my wife and I were on our second honeymoon. She had the most amazing voice, just like an angel, but when I originally asked her to sing for us she turned me down. But lucky for us she had a change of heart this morning. So it is my pleasure to present Miss Sheridan Crane.”
At the mention of Sheridan’s name Luis’ head snapped up and he saw Sheridan walk out onto the stage followed by Theresa and Whitney. Sheridan was wearing a navy blue velvet evening dress with a low cut backless halter bodice and a long slim skirt with a high side slit. There were little silver threads woven into the fabric of the dress that sparkled in the light as she walked up to the microphone. Luis just stared at her, oblivious of everything else in the room. Sheridan locked eyes with Luis and as she began to sing, she sang only for him.
If you only knew
What I've been going through
Waiting and wanting you.
Could this be love?
How, tell me how will I know
Will my heart make believe it's so
Or can I trust the way I feel.
If you could read my mind
(If you only knew, If you only knew)
You see how hard I've tried
(If you only knew, If you only knew)
Still I can't decide.
If you only knew
What I've been going through
Waiting and wanting you.
Could this be love?
Oh tell me could this be love.
Do you know if it's true
That real love lasts a lifetime.
Does it shine like the stars up in the sky?
And do you know
(Do you know)
If you could fall for just a moment
Is a moment for all time?
Why, why am I so unsure?
Is that love knocking at my door
Or the sound of my beating heart.
If you could read my mind
(If you only knew, If you only knew)
(If you only knew, If you only knew)
You know I just can't hide
(If you only knew, If you only knew)
What I feel inside.
If you only knew
What I've been going through
Waiting and wanting you.
Could this be love?
Oh tell me could this be love
(Baby if you only knew)
Could this be love?
(Knew what I’ve been going through)
(Baby if you only knew)
Could this be love?
(Knew what I’ve been going through)
I wanna know.
(Baby if you only knew)
(Knew what I’ve been going through)
(Baby if you only knew)
If you only knew.
Sheridan’s eyes never left Luis and when the song ended the crowd applauded and she slowly walked down the stage steps towards the table where Luis was sitting.
“I knew she wanted me,” Hank said smugly.
Luis stood up from the table and walked toward Sheridan as she made her way down from the stage.
To Be Continued…
Song lyrics: ‘Could This Be Love’ by Jennifer Lopez