Page 18

Four years before Derrick Bell’s murder

“I’m not sure.” Noelle smoothed the front of the long white dress with her hands, the fabric silky under her fingertips.

“It’s so lovely on you,” said Catherine. “So elegant.”

“It’s definitely a beautiful dress,” Noelle agreed, making eye contact with Eve in the huge mirror. Her sister shrugged and gave a small shake of her head.

She knows it’s not the one.

Noelle’s engagement ring glittered under the dozens of lights in the bridal salon, catching her eye as it constantly had done for the last two weeks.

She and Derrick had been dating for fourteen months. She’d essentially moved into his downtown condo, leaving enough things in her grandfather’s home that her family didn’t feel as if she’d abandoned them.

She and Derrick were together nonstop. She loved that he knew what he wanted to do with his life and that his goal was to help people by using legislation to improve the lives of Californians.

Their paths and goals were almost parallel lines.

She wanted to help people too, but in a more one-on-one, personal way, and had started to look at master’s programs in psychology, wanting to move forward into counseling or working as a therapist. Her bachelor’s degree had only been the first step.

Noelle had cut back her work hours at the bar, realizing she wanted to spend more of her evenings with Derrick.

Going to theaters and restaurants or even simply watching a TV show together at home was their happy time.

She’d found a person she wanted to spend all her time with.

And the more time she spent with him, the more she felt their lives were smoothly meshing together. Like the teeth of a big zipper.

His proposal had caught her off guard. They’d discussed marriage a bit.

Noelle was a little gun-shy from her last experience but believed this relationship was the complete opposite.

They were both mature adults who knew what they wanted out of life.

She could easily see herself as Noelle Bell.

The name was a bit awkward to say, but she liked the way it looked on paper.

The night he proposed, they’d had dinner at “her” restaurant.

His suggestion of the location had surprised her a bit.

He’d said that since she worked there, it didn’t make for a special dining experience—and she agreed.

She’d had everything on the menu a dozen times and knew every face.

So they frequented other restaurants, only falling back on hers when it was convenient.

But before they left for the restaurant, there’d been an odd moment. He’d come home from work and stopped outside their bathroom, studying her as she put on her makeup.

“I thought you had a hair appointment today,” he said.

Noelle looked at herself in the mirror, turning her head to see the casual updo her stylist had created. “I did. Tanya put it up for me. Thanks for asking Lora to share her stylist’s name. She’s very good.”

“You said you were going to tone down the blonde a bit.”

Noelle froze. She hadn’t said that; he had. Two weeks ago.

I didn’t think he was serious.

“This is my hair color.” She continued with her mascara, not wanting to meet his gaze.

“It might be a little too platinum.”

Noelle’s hand stilled, the mascara wand an inch from her lashes.

Would Derrick know to call this a platinum shade?

No. But his mother would.

“I like it.” Actually she loved it.

She finally looked at him as she put the wand back in the mascara tube. Disappointment filled his gaze. “Maybe next time,” she said automatically.

The moment had left a sour taste in her mouth, and she was quiet on the drive to the restaurant. Derrick was as chatty in the car as usual, sharing his day and even singing along with the music. As they entered the restaurant, she was surprised when Rex Duggan greeted them.

“What are you doing here?” Noelle asked in delight, kissing both his cheeks. His visits to his restaurant had been getting further and further apart. Seeing his happy face had immediately cheered her.

“A surprise pop-in,” Rex told her with a wink. “Keeping everyone on their toes.” Rex asked the hostess for their table, seated them himself, and then dashed off to get the bottle of wine that Derrick ordered.

The dinner was perfect—as usual. Afterward Noelle relaxed in her chair, the wine pleasantly buzzing in her brain, her stomach content. Her annoyance about the hair color comment had vanished.

All he did was state an opinion.

I told him a week ago his hair needed a trim; it’s the same thing.

A cup of coffee was placed in front of her as they lingered after the meal. Derrick sat across the table holding her hand on the white tablecloth, his thumb stroking the backs of her fingers. Her gaze drifted over his face. She’d never been so content and happy. And it was all due to him.

Their waiter set down a piece of coconut pie with two forks.

“We didn’t—” started Noelle.

“I ordered it,” said Derrick, meeting her eyes.

Noelle looked at the pie and realized it wasn’t from the restaurant. Her heart melted as she recognized the pie was from Rick’s, the location of their first date. And on the plate next to the pie sat a tiny box.

This is it. He’s proposing!

Her gaze met his. His eyes were lit with excitement.

“Is that what I think it is?” she whispered, her heart racing.

“Open it and see.”

She tugged her hand out of his, opened the box, and sucked in a breath at the sight of the giant diamond. He stood, took the ring out of the box, and knelt next to the table.

“Will you marry me and make my life perfect, Noelle?” he asked quietly.

She couldn’t speak. She nodded rapidly, her eyes filling, the tears blurring his face. She felt rather than saw him slide the ring onto her finger.

The restaurant erupted with applause and shouts.

Noelle wiped her eyes and scanned the room.

All the employees, people she’d worked with for years, had been watching, knowing what would happen that night.

Rex rushed over an ice stand with a bottle of champagne, and Noelle glimpsed the Dom Pérignon label.

“You knew!” she accused Rex.

“Of course I did. I’m the one who put you two together. Seems right that I’m here for this part.”

They’d argued that point with Rex several times, saying he’d had good intentions but hadn’t played a role in their meeting. It was now a long-running joke.

The room quieted down as the employees returned to work. Noelle took a long, shuddering breath as Derrick took his seat, a huge grin on his face. “Surprised?” he asked.

“Very. I had no idea.”

“Good.” Satisfaction filled his tone, and he held out his hand. She laid her left hand on his, staring at the unfamiliar jewel on her finger. He ran his thumb across it. “How’d I do?”

“It’s perfect.” The large diamond kept slipping to the side of her finger, the narrow band a bit loose. “I’ll get the band resized this week.”

Derrick frowned. “I thought I got the right size.”

“I’m sure you did.” Her words didn’t remove his frown, so she gave him an alluring look from beneath her lashes. “You got such a big diamond, the band can’t handle it.”

That made him smile.

“The pie is a perfect touch.”

Pride filled his face. “I knew it would be.” He squeezed her hand. “I want to get married next year in September.”

She’d always thought a Christmastime wedding would be lovely. “How about December? That would give us a few extra months to prepare. Sometimes things have to be booked way in—”

“December will be too late.”

Noelle blinked. “Too late for what?”

“The election is in November. A September wedding will be a perfect way to catch voter attention.” He paused and took out his phone, opening the calendar. “Toward the end of the month. Hopefully the weather will be a bit cooler.” He nodded in satisfaction.

Our wedding is part of his political strategy?

“Ummm.” She tried to look pleased. “If that’s what you want.”

“Don’t you?” He glanced up, surprise in his gaze.

“Of course I do. It’ll be beautiful. Do you know where—”

“I’ll make sure the country club is available. The grounds are perfect.” He sent a text.

“Wonderful.” She’d always thought the old stone church near her grandfather’s home would be perfect for a ceremony. It had elegant stained glass windows and soaring ceilings.

“Telling my mother,” he said as he texted with a smile. “She’ll know what to do.”

Noelle took a deep breath.

His dream is politics. If this helps him achieve that, I’m good with it.

Derrick’s mother tugged at the waist of the wedding dress as Noelle stared at her reflection in the mirror. “This is perfect,” Catherine said in satisfaction. “You’ll make such a lovely bride.”

“I’ll try on a few more dresses,” Noelle stated.

“What for?” Catherine frowned. “It’s beautiful and exactly what we need.”

We?

“Because as beautiful as this dress is, it’s not speaking to me,” said Noelle. “I’ll know the right dress when I see it.”

“Speaking to you,” Catherine repeated. She took a step back and looked over her shoulder to where Lora, both of Noelle’s sisters, and her great-aunt Daisy sat watching, glasses of prosecco in hand. Apple juice for Lucia. “What do you think of the dress, Lora?”

Daisy cleared her throat. “Noelle’s opinion is the only one that counts. We’re just here to keep her company. And have free drinks.” Daisy emptied her glass and reached for the open prosecco bottle.

Thank you, Daisy.

Lora didn’t say anything as she avoided her mother’s gaze.

Noelle lifted the full skirts and carefully stepped off the riser. The saleswoman took hold of the skirts and followed her into the large dressing room. “Which do you want to try next?” she asked Noelle.

“That one.” Noelle pointed at one of the dresses she’d chosen earlier.

A smile crossed the woman’s face. “I thought so.”