Carrots: A Shelby Nichols Adventure

  “Hey babe.” It was Ramos. “I brought your car back. Thought you might need it.” He held out the car keys. “Let me have a look at you.” He could see the bump between some strands of hair and held back a smile. “That’s looking better. What’s behind the dark glasses?”

  “If you must know, I have two of the best black eyes you’ve ever seen.” I gently pulled the glasses away from my face, and was surprised when Ramos broke into a huge grin.

  “Whoa! You’re right. I’ve never seen any better.” There was an awkward moment of silence when we just smiled at each other. I was glad he wasn’t dead, but it wasn’t something I could tell him. Then I realized he was thinking the same thing about me.

  “So, how are things at the office?” I asked.

  “With all the bullet holes, we’re getting some remodeling done.”

  “I’ll bet.”

  He took a deep breath. “Well, I’ll be going. Mr. Manetto said you probably won’t be working for him much.” He was dying to know why. “Anyway, I’ll see you around.” He was really going to miss me.

  ***

  Several days later, I had another visitor. The swelling on my head had finally gone down, but my eyes still looked awful. The black and blue had faded to a yellow-green that made me look like death warmed over. I tried to cover it with make-up, but that just made it look worse.

  At least I had a new pair of dark glasses.

  It was early afternoon and I was trying to figure out what to fix for dinner when the doorbell rang. I looked out the kitchen window and spotted a black car just like mine sitting in the driveway. I’d been waiting for him to come, but now that he was here, my heart began to pound and my knees went weak.

  Uncle Joey smiled when I opened the door. “Shelby! It’s so good to see you.”

  “You too,” I lied. “Come in and sit down.”

  “Thanks. I can’t stay long, but since I was in the neighborhood, I figured I might as well stop by and see how you were doing.” He was lying through his teeth. What he really wanted to know was if I had my powers back, and if I did, how he was going to trick me into revealing it.

  I smiled. “That was nice of you.”

  “So, how’s your head?” He took a seat across from me on the couch. “The bump doesn’t look so bad.”

  “Yes, the swelling’s actually gone down. It’s my eyes that are giving me grief. The greenish-yellow color is horrible.”

  “It’s too bad that happened.”

  “Yes, but it’s better than being shot.” I paused and tried to look apologetic. “I hate to tell you this, but I still can’t read minds. It never came back.”

  Uncle Joey hadn’t known me for long, but he knew I wasn’t a devious, cold-hearted kind of person. Like he was. Still, he wasn’t sure I would tell him the truth.

  “It probably makes you wonder if I’m telling the truth,” I continued, “since it would be better for me if I didn’t have that ability. But I have to tell you. I really miss knowing what people are thinking. Sure, it got me into a lot of trouble, but it was really cool too. Now, I’m just back to being plain old Shelby. There’s nothing special about me anymore.”

  “I wouldn’t say that.” With all the trouble I’d caused, he thought I could never be considered entirely normal anyway. “I’ve actually grown kind of fond of you.” He hadn’t meant to tell me that, but I looked so pathetic with my greenish skin and dark glasses.

  “Anyway,” he continued. “I just wanted to assure you that we’re even. The file you gave me was worth the bargain we made, and I wanted you to know that I would stick to my end of the deal, even if you got your mind-reading abilities back.”

  “That’s good to know, but I don’t think they’ll ever come back. For any reason.” Oops. Maybe that wasn’t quite the right way to put it.

  Uncle Joey caught the underlying panic of my declaration and began to speculate. He thought I was sitting too straight to be telling the truth. Usually people with nothing to hide were more relaxed. I immediately leaned back against the couch and let out my breath. “So, what’s next for you?” I had to get his attention off of me.

  He looked down at his hands and smiled. “With my office getting a face-lift, I thought now would be a good time to take a little vacation.”

  “Really? Where?”

  “Mexico.” He looked at me and we both shared a grin. “Well, I’d better be going. It’s been good talking to you, Shelby. Maybe we can do lunch when I get back. That way I can tell you all about my trip. You’d like that wouldn’t you?” He was suddenly very pleased with himself.

  “Yeah, sure.”

  He took my hand and patted it. “Until then.”

  With a courtly nod of his head, he was out the door in a flash, and I was left standing there with my mouth open. What had just happened? Why had he left so quickly? I got a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. Talking to Uncle Joey was like talking to a snake. He was way too cunning for me, and I decided it would be better to stay away from him. When he got back, I’d just have to be too busy to ever see him again.

  That settled, I breathed a little easier.

  I got my chance to tell Chris about Uncle Joey’s visit that night. Chris was telling me they’d just hired someone straight out of law school to take Kate’s place. “Is it a man or a woman?” I asked.

  “Man,” Chris answered, trying not to smile.

  “Good,” I said. “I don’t think I could handle another Kate. Speaking of which, Uncle Joey came over today.”

  “Here?”

  “Yup. He wanted to know how I was doing, but I really think he wanted to know if my powers had come back.”

  “I’m sure he did. What happened?” he asked.

  “I told him the truth of course, but I’m not sure he believed me. Anyway, he said he was going on vacation to Mexico.”

  “After Kate and Hodges?”

  I nodded. “I don’t envy them.”

  Chris agreed, then caught me in a hug. “I’m sure glad you’re not mixed up in all of that anymore.”

  “Me too,” I said.

  “Shelby.” He rubbed my arms. “You’d tell me if your powers came back wouldn’t you?”

  “Of course.” I’d learned a lot these last few weeks, both good and bad. What people think determines basically who they are. Putting a voice to thoughts doesn’t change that. But there are times when we say things that aren’t true. Not because we want to lie, but because the truth can cause more harm than good. There are times when a satisfying lie is better than the awful truth. That was why I could tell Chris that I couldn’t read his mind. “Why do you ask?”

  “Because of the way I acted before. I’m afraid you’d keep it to yourself when it would probably be better if you told me.”

  “Why do you think it would be better?”

  “Because, sometimes…it just makes it easier if someone else knows.” What he was really thinking was that sometimes I wasn’t too smart about the way I handled things, and he didn’t want me to get into any more trouble.

  I smiled sweetly. “I know what you mean, and I don’t want anything to come between us either. Especially not that. But honestly, you don’t have to worry. It looks like I’m back to normal.”

  “That’s good to know.” He still had his doubts. It seemed like there were times when I knew more than I should.

  “Though I have to admit,” I continued. “That I think this whole experience has made me a little more sensitive to non-verbal communication. Did you know that ninety-eight percent of all communication is non-verbal? That’s a lot.”

  “I didn’t realize.”

  “So when you think I might be reading your mind, it’s probably that I’m really just picking up on all your non-verbal cues. Like this.” I kissed him. “What do you think I’m thinking about when I do that?”

  He smiled, and focused all his thoughts on the one person he loved more than anyone else in the world. Me.

  THE NEXT SHELBY NICHOLS ADVENTURE

>   NOW AVAILABLE

  FAST MONEY

  By

  COLLEEN HELME

  (read on for a sample)

  I used to fantasize about how it would feel to be a millionaire, and what I would do with all that money. The only way I figured it would ever happen was if I won the lottery, or the Publisher’s Clearinghouse Sweepstakes. Which I’m not convinced is real. So the day it actually happened was a complete shock.

  I was out shopping at the mall, and as usual, running a little low on funds. That cute pair of genuine leather boots was on sale and I didn’t think I’d ever find another pair I liked better. At half off, I could hardly pass it up. That’s when I remembered the account Uncle Joey had set up for me.

  I’d used most of the money to buy a new car when a bank robber tried to kill me and totaled mine. Ramos, Uncle Joey’s hit man, saved my life, but I ended up working for Uncle Joey. I had to tell him my secret that I could read minds so he wouldn’t harm my family or me, and in the process, he opened a bank account in my name. Over the course of our association he put lots of money in there for me, and I dutifully spent it.

  Now that Uncle Joey was out of my life, I had forgotten about the account…until I saw those boots. My husband, Chris, wouldn’t mind too much that I bought such an expensive pair of shoes when I told him it wasn’t his money I’d used. And the best part would be that I wouldn’t feel so guilty about it.

  With this happy thought, I rushed to the nearest ATM and put in my card. After entering my pin number I checked my balance.

  That was when I nearly fainted. There was a five with a whole lot of zero’s behind it – five million, two hundred forty-three dollars and seventy-eight cents to be exact. What the freak? I swallowed and took a deep breath, then glanced around, hoping no one had noticed how much money was in there and shove a gun in my ribs or something.

  Call me paranoid, but the last few weeks had taught me to watch my back. Needing to turn the screen off, I punched withdraw and took out two hundred dollars. I got the money, logged off, and walked away like nothing was wrong.

  I wandered over to the food court, and sat on a chair just as my legs gave way. There was only one way that money could get into my account, and that was through Uncle Joey. I thought I’d seen the last of him, but that must have been wishful thinking. How could I be so naïve?

  I’d just have to call him and tell him to take his money out of my account or I would put it someplace where he’d never find it. On second thought, I’d better not. That would just get me killed. I’d have to be nice about it, and ask him what was going on, and hope I wouldn’t have to do anything illegal or worse, to solve his money problems.

  The last time we talked I worked pretty hard to convince him that my mind-reading abilities were gone, but I’m not sure he believed me. If he ever found out I still had them, my life would never be my own – ever.

  Maybe an email would be the best way to handle it. Feeling better, I decided to go home and do just that. I passed the shoe store with the boots and slowed for one last look. I could probably still get them. I mean, I had two hundred dollars in my pocket so why not?

  I’d always wanted a tan pair of cowboy-style boots, and these were fantastic. I tried them on and they fit perfectly. After paying for them, I left the shop with a smile on my face. I got halfway to the outside doors when a spot between my shoulder blades started to itch, like a warning that someone was following me. I slowed and glanced in the windows of the closest shop. Using my mind-reading ability, I opened my senses wide, hoping to catch a stray thought that would tell me if someone was thinking about me.

  I heard nothing suspicious, but I’d learned to trust my instincts, and decided it wouldn’t hurt to scan the mall. Trying to make it look like I’d forgotten something, I wandered back the way I’d come. Listening hard, I still didn’t hear anyone thinking about me and why I had stopped. Hmm…I should probably go home. If someone were following me, I would know long before I got to my car.

  The parking lot was crowded and my car wasn’t too far. Still, I got out my keys and punched the unlock button. I didn’t walk directly to the car, choosing to cross between the parking spaces so I could look back as I opened the car door.

  It didn’t look like anyone was following me. I swiveled into my seat and shut the door in record time, then locked it and let out a breath. So much for my instincts. Now I had to face the fact that I really was paranoid. All that money was starting to take a toll, and I hadn’t even known about it for more than fifteen minutes. Even the thought of wearing my new boots couldn’t lighten my mood.

  I drove home in a daze, wondering what to do and if I should tell my husband. I knew Chris would not be happy about the money because of how it tied me to Uncle Joey. If I told him, he might question my honesty, and since I’d basically lied to him, he’d be right. He thought my mind-reading abilities were gone, and the stress of acting like I didn’t know what he was thinking was one of the reasons I’d gone to the mall in the first place. It was hard, and I’d slipped up a few times. I knew he was a little suspicious, but trying to give me the benefit of the doubt. How would he feel knowing I’d lied to him?

  To be honest, I was tired of keeping this secret. Maybe this was the excuse I needed to come clean and tell him my mind-reading abilities were back. It might make him mad, but he’d just have to deal with it. It’s not like it was the end of the world or anything.

  I pulled into the garage and hurried into my house. As I put my things away, I realized a big weight had been lifted from my shoulders. Telling Chris was the right thing to do, in fact, I was so ready to tell him, I wanted to call him right then and there. But I resisted, knowing it was always better to resolve big issues like this in person.

  Three and a half weeks had passed since the shoot-out at Uncle Joey’s office, and the bruising on my face from getting conked in the head had finally faded. I’d kept a low profile with two black eyes, but now I was ready to start a new life, and this might be just the way to do it.

  I could come clean with Chris and that would open a whole new world of possibilities. I was sure Dimples, the police detective I’d worked with previously, would love my help solving crimes. They paid consultants all the time, or at least they did on TV. I mean…look at Monk. I could probably solve cases a lot faster than him, and he was good.

  Or I could have my own consulting agency. I could even help Chris with his clients. Wouldn’t it be nice to know if people were guilty right off the bat? That could save a lot of time and money.

  Helping people with their relationship issues might even be better. I could help them communicate with each other, and get them to admit their feelings. I could call myself a facilitator or something like that. Once word got around at how sympathetic and helpful I was, I’d have lots of clients. The possibilities were endless! Now all I had to do was tell Chris.

  There was also the five million dollars hanging over my head. Why had Uncle Joey put all that money in my account? He must have needed a place to keep it safe that no one else could access. Maybe he’d caught up with Kate and Hodges, and this was the money they stole from him. That could be a possibility, I only wished he wouldn’t have involved me. I thought about writing that email, but for some reason, I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. It was probably something that could wait, at least until I talked to Chris.

  I popped open a can of diet soda, and decided it wasn’t too early to start dinner. Tonight I needed to have something nice for Chris and the kids to eat. They were always happier when food was on the table, and I needed Chris happy for what I was going to drop on him.

  A twinge of guilt ran through me, and I knew I was walking a fine line. A few weeks ago, I had decided that a satisfying lie was better than the awful truth, and I still believed that to a point. I mean, so what if you tell someone you really like what they’re wearing when you only sort-of like it. If you love them, you let little things like that go.

  On the other hand, if you love so
meone enough, it’s better to tell the truth when it’s really important. They may hate you for it at first, but they would thank you later, because if it was the truth, they needed to know.

  So telling Chris that my powers were gone had seemed like the best thing at first, but now, he would thank me for knowing it wasn’t true. In the long run, it was better for him to know that I could read his mind, right?

  My heart sank. Who was I trying to kid? He’d never thank me. Would it ruin our relationship? Would he decide he couldn’t live with it? Maybe I shouldn’t tell him after all. But how could that be better? I was keeping something from him that was important to me, and not talking about it was killing me. He was the only person in the whole world I could tell.

  Breathing deeply, I pushed my doubts away and let my breath out. Telling him was the right thing, and I just had to have faith that we could work it out.

  I found the hamburger and sausage in the freezer and started frying it up, deciding to make lasagna. I didn’t make it very often because it was time consuming, but everyone in my family loved it. Plus I had all the ingredients, which didn’t happen very often.

  Fourteen-year old Joshua walked in from school and his eyes got big. “Is that lasagna?” he asked.

  “Yup,” I answered.

  “All right!” He gave me a high-five. “When will it be ready?” He was starving. Feeling that raw need from his thoughts made me nervous. Kind of how I imagined feeding a starving piranha.

  “Here,” I said, handing him the peanut butter and jam. “Make yourself a PB&J. Dinner won’t be ready until about six-thirty, but that should tide you over.”

  “Thanks.”

  Savannah, who was two years younger than her brother, came through the door. She made a disgusted sound at Joshua stuffing his mouth, and went to her room, thinking something about a cute boy and wanting to call Ryan later. I sucked in my breath. Savannah and a cute boy? She was only twelve! I just about followed her into her room, but what could I say? Who’s Ryan, and you’re too young to have a boyfriend? That would go over well, besides, just because she was thinking about a boy didn’t mean they were girlfriend/boyfriend.