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“You’re probably right about that.”
We were quiet for a moment as Calvin dished enchiladas and beans for the both of us. He took a bite, and let out a happy sigh.
“This is incredible,” he told me. “You’d better not be feeding this stuff to anyone else, or you’re going to put Olamendi’s out of business.”
“Oh, I don’t think so,” I said lightly, even though I could feel my cheeks flush with pleasure. “If nothing else, they make a way better margarita than I do.”
Which was part of the reason why I’d decided on wine for our meal, even though I’d mentioned margaritas to Calvin when I was first planning this dinner. It seemed that no matter what I did, they never quite tasted like the restaurant version.
“Well, that’s something, I suppose,” he said.
Silence descended once again as we dug into our food. While I loved Calvin’s praise, never in a million years would I have ever wanted to open a restaurant. Cooking was fun and relaxing for me; I didn’t want to turn it into a job.
But it definitely was fun feeding him.
After I paused to sip some tempranillo, I asked, “Have you heard anything about Danny’s murder?”
Calvin set down his fork. “No. Why would I?”
Good question. “I don’t know,” I said. “I guess I thought that maybe sometimes you law enforcement types would trade theories, brainstorm together.”
That comment made Calvin’s mouth twist slightly. “If Henry Lewis is going to ‘brainstorm,’ he’s sure as hell not going to do it with me. Different jurisdictions, for one thing. And there’s also the little problem of him thinking I tell you everything.”
“Don’t you?” I asked, opening my eyes infauxinnocence.
He shook his head. “I tell you a lot of things, Selena, and you know it. But there are some things I’m just not at liberty to say.”
“Oh, I know that,” I said quickly. “Obviously, I’d never want you to compromise an investigation or anything a person has told you in confidence. But I guess it’s something to know that Chief Lewis thinks we’re that close.”
Calvin set down his fork and settled against the back of his chair, dark eyes keen as he gazed at me. “I wasn’t aware you needed Henry Lewis’s affirmation to validate the strength of our relationship.”
“I don’t,” I responded. “And you know that very well, Calvin Standingbear. I suppose I just think it’s got to be pretty obvious to everyone if even that crustymuffin can see what we’ve got going on here.”
He laughed out loud at that comment. “Thanks, Selena. Now every time I see Henry, I’m going to think ‘crustymuffin.’ But I have to admit that the description fits.”
I grinned back at him. “Sorry I got that word stuck in your head. On the other hand, I wouldn’t have called Henry that if he didn’t richly deserve it. Someone needs to tell him to relax — he’ll live longer.”
As soon as those words left my mouth, however, I had to wonder how true they actually were. After all, Danny Ortega was one of the most relaxed people I’d ever met, and look at what happened to him.
“Most likely,” Calvin agreed. “But I suppose that’s his wife’s problem, not ours.”
Maybe so…up to a point. I knew my own life would be a lot simpler if I didn’t have to worry about Henry Lewis landing on my case every time I got a little more involved in an investigation than I should.
Figuring it was probably a good idea to change the topic to something a little more harmless, I told Calvin about how I was thinking of selling Joyce’s candles in my store, and then after that, the conversation ranged from everything to planning for the holiday buying rush to wondering if we could do a little getaway to Willcox wine country or Tubac around the first of the year.
Anything but Danny Ortega’s murder. Right then, I was stumped…and I honestly didn’t know how to break my current impasse.
Maybe it was time to wait for a sign from the universe. What else could I do?
10
Candle in the Wind
Calvin didn’t staythe night because he had to be at work early the next day. But he kissed me goodbye and said he’d be over at a little after six on Thursday to pick me up for our dinner with his parents.
I did my best to smile and say that sounded great. While I was definitely glad this momentous occasion was finally going to take place, I also knew I’d be lying if I didn’t admit how nervous I was about the whole thing.
Luckily, though, Calvin didn’t seem to pick up on any of my anxiety, and I actually got a decent night’s sleep. No early phone calls from Josie, no texts from Jennifer, no ghostly visits from Danny, which seemed to tell me everything was in a holding pattern…for now, anyway.
