Authors: Christy Barritt
Dust and Obey (24 page)
CHAPTER 49
“So,
let me get this straight,” Pastor Randy said. “You fear you unintentionally got married?”
Riley and I exchanged a glance. We sat on the couch in his apartment, coffee in hand, and our pastor seated across from us. We’d had a week to think about everything that had happened on Bird’s Nest Island, and neither of us had come to any firm conclusions.
Other things had happened during the week, though. For example, the investigation into Dr. Turner’s wife had been reopened. And Farrah had texted me and let me know she and Atticus were actually going to give their marriage another chance. She said if Riley and I could risk our lives to do the right thing, the two of them could give their marriage all they had.
“‘Fear we got married’ would be putting it strongly,” Riley said. “We just need some clarity. We know we’re not legally married. But are we married in God’s eyes?”
Pastor Randy—who looked just like Shaggy from Scooby Doo—leaned toward us with his elbows perched on his knees. He had a look of deep thought on his face. “Well, when you marry before God generally you need an ordained minister.”
“We had that,” I added.
Pastor Randy nodded slowly. “You recite vows, pledging to spend the rest of your lives together.”
“We did that too, I suppose,” Riley said.
The unease in my gut grew. It wasn’t that the thought of marrying Riley was terrible. I just didn’t want to do it accidentally.
“And you promise God that you’ll do whatever it takes to make it work,” Pastor Randy continued.
“That sounds like what we did. But we weren’t sincere. We were in character . . . right?” I glanced at Riley, waiting for his confirmation.
“But were you really in character, Gabby?” Pastor Randy asked.
His question stunned me and actually left me speechless for a moment. “Of course. I mean, yes. We were undercover.”
“There was no part of you that meant the words?”
I raised my hand, silently pleading for him to stop. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Marriage was ordained by God long before our government was ever in place with its laws. For many, many years, people were married, and there was no such thing as a license.”
“That’s true,” I conceded.
“What’s more important? A piece of paper that makes it legal under the law or promises you made before God?”
I guess I could see his point.
“Ultimately, this is between the two of you and God,” the pastor continued. “God knows your hearts, and He’s the one you have to answer to.”
I shook my head, surprised by his answer. I didn’t know what to say or think.
Riley reached over and squeezed my hand. “It sounds like we have some soul searching and praying to do.”
His words brought me a certain comfort. I nodded. “You’re right. God and I need to talk about this one.”
“May I add something . . . as a friend?” Pastor Randy asked, sitting up slightly.
“Of course,” Riley said.
“It’s obvious the two of you love each other. You have for a long time. You were once engaged. Maybe your marriage isn’t official . . . but maybe you should make it official.”
My mouth dropped open. “You mean . . .”
“You think we should . . .” Riley seemed unable to continue.
Pastor Randy smiled. “Just a thought. I think the two of you could be happy together. Really happy. I’d venture to say that there’s a part of you both that liked the idea of accidentally getting married.”
I thought about it and shrugged sheepishly. “Maybe.”
Riley glanced at me, his eyes warm. “I’d be lying if I denied it.”
“It would be really easy to make this no-doubt-about-it official. Pray about it. And, until then, just to be safe, I wouldn’t date anyone else.”
I shrugged. “I don’t want to date anyone else.”
“Me neither.”
Pastor Randy smiled. “Then maybe the two of you have your answer.”
My heart warmed. Maybe we did.
“I say we do it right, though,” Riley said. “In fact, I might even have a song for this.”
I raised my eyebrows. “A song? Do tell.”
He began singing “Nothing’s Going to Stop Us Now,” even holding an imaginary microphone in his hand.
I burst into laughter. I’d trained him well.
When the lyrics faded from his lips, he stepped toward me. “I love you, Gabby St. Claire.”
“I love you too, Riley.”
With that final proclamation, his lips covered mine.
###
Coming Soon . . .
If you enjoyed this book, you may also enjoy these other Squeaky Clean Mysteries:
On her way to completing a degree in forensic science, Gabby St. Claire drops out of school and starts her own crime-scene cleaning business. When a routine cleaning job uncovers a murder weapon the police overlooked, she realizes that the wrong person is in jail. But the owner of the weapon is a powerful foe . . . and willing to do anything to keep Gabby quiet. With the help of her new neighbor, Riley Thomas, a man whose life and faith fascinate her, Gabby seeks to find the killer before another murder occurs.
In this smart and suspenseful sequel to
Hazardous Duty
, crime-scene cleaner Gabby St. Claire finds herself stuck doing mold remediation to pay the bills. Her first day on the job, she uncovers a surprise in the crawlspace of a dilapidated home: Elvis, dead as a doornail and still wearing his blue-suede shoes. How could she possibly keep her nose out of a case like this?
It Came Upon a Midnight Crime
(Book 2.5, a Novella)
Someone is intent on destroying the true meaning of Christmas—at least, destroying anything that hints of it. All around crime-scene cleaner Gabby St. Claire’s hometown, anything pointing to Jesus as “the reason for the season” is being sabotaged. The crimes become more twisted as dismembered body parts are found at the vandalisms. Someone is determined to destroy Christmas . . . but Gabby is just as determined to find the Grinch and let peace on earth and goodwill prevail.
Gabby St. Claire knows her best friend, Sierra, isn’t guilty of killing three people in what appears to be an eco-terrorist attack. But Sierra has disappeared, her only contact a frantic phone call to Gabby proclaiming she’s being hunted. Gabby is determined to prove her friend is innocent and to keep Sierra alive. While trying to track down the real perpetrator, Gabby notices a disturbing trend at the crime scenes she’s cleaning, one that ties random crimes together—and points to Sierra as the guilty party. Just what has her friend gotten herself involved in?
“Promise me one thing. No snooping. Just for one week.”
Gabby St. Claire knows her fiancé’s request is a simple one she should be able to honor. After all, Riley’s law school reunion and attorneys’ conference at a posh resort is a chance for them to get away from the mysteries Gabby often finds herself involved in as a crime-scene cleaner. Then an old friend of Riley’s goes missing. Gabby suspects one of Riley’s buddies might be behind the disappearance. When the missing woman’s mom asks Gabby for help, how can she say no?
Gabby St. Claire is back to crime-scene cleaning and needs help after a weekend killing spree fills her work docket. A serial killer her fiancé put behind bars has escaped. His last words to Riley were:
I’ll get out, and I’ll get even
. Pictures of Gabby are found in the man’s prison cell; messages are left for Gabby at crime scenes; someone keeps slipping in and out of her apartment; and her temporary assistant disappears. The search for answers becomes darker when Gabby realizes she’s dealing with a criminal who is truly the scum of the earth. He will do anything to make Gabby and Riley’s lives a living nightmare.
To Love, Honor, and Perish
(Book 6)
Just when Gabby St. Claire’s life is on the right track, the unthinkable happens. Her fiancé, Riley Thomas, is shot and in life-threatening condition only a week before their wedding. Gabby is determined to figure out who pulled the trigger, even if investigating puts her own life at risk. As she digs deeper into the case, she discovers secrets better left alone. Doubts arise in her mind, and the one man with answers lies on death’s doorstep. Then an old foe returns and tests everything Gabby is made of—physically, mentally, and spiritually. Will all she’s worked for be destroyed?
Gabby St. Claire feels her life is smeared with the stain of tragedy. She takes a short-term gig as a private investigator—a cold case that’s eluded detectives for ten years. The mass murder of a wealthy family seems impossible to solve, but Gabby brings more clues to light. Add to the mix a flirtatious client, travels to an exciting new city, and some quirky—albeit temporary—new sidekicks, and things get complicated. With every new development, Gabby prays that her “mucky streak” will end and the future will become clear. Yet every answer she uncovers leads her closer to danger—both for her life and for her heart.
Gabby St. Claire is crying “foul play” in every sense of the phrase. When the crime-scene cleaner agrees to go undercover at a local community theater, she discovers more than backstage bickering, atrocious acting, and rotten writing. The female lead is dead, and an old classmate who’s staked everything on the musical production’s success is about to go under. In her dual role of investigator and star of the show, Gabby finds the stakes rising faster than the opening-night curtain. She must face her past and make monumental decisions, not just about the play but also concerning her future relationships and career. Will Gabby find the killer before the curtain goes down—not only on the play, but also on life as she knows it?
Broom and Gloom
(Book 9)
Gabby St. Claire is determined to get back in the saddle again. While in Oklahoma for a forensic conference, she meets her soon-to-be stepbrother, Trace Ryan, an up-and-coming country singer. A woman he was dating has disappeared, and he suspects a crazy fan may be behind it. Gabby agrees to investigate, as she tries to juggle her conference, navigate being alone in a new place, and locate a woman who may not want to be found. She discovers that sometimes taking life by the horns means staring danger in the face, no matter the consequences.
While You Were Sweeping
, a Riley Thomas Novella
Riley Thomas is trying to come to terms with life after a traumatic brain injury turned his world upside down. Away from everything familiar—including his crime-scene-cleaning former fiancée and his career as a social-rights attorney—he’s determined to prove himself and regain his old life. But when he claims he witnessed his neighbor shoot and kill someone, everyone thinks he’s crazy. When all evidence of the crime disappears, even Riley has to wonder if he’s losing his mind.
Note:
While You Were Sweeping
is a spin-off mystery written in conjunction with the Squeaky Clean series featuring crime-scene cleaner Gabby St. Claire.
The Gabby St. Claire Diaries (a tween mystery series)
The Curtain Call Caper
(Book 1)
Is a ghost haunting the Oceanside Middle School auditorium? What else could explain the disasters surrounding the play—everything from missing scripts to a falling spotlight and damaged props? Seventh-grader Gabby St. Claire has dreamed about being part of her school’s musical, but a series of unfortunate events threatens to shut down the production. While trying to uncover the culprit and save her fifteen minutes of fame, she also has to manage impossible teachers, cliques, her dysfunctional family, and a secret she can’t tell even her best friend. Will Gabby figure out who or what is sabotaging the show . . . or will it be curtains for her and the rest of the cast?
The Disappearing Dog Dilemma
(Book 2)
Why are dogs disappearing around town? When two friends ask seventh-grader Gabby St. Claire for her help in finding their missing canines, Gabby decides to unleash her sleuthing skills to sniff out whoever is behind the act. But time management and relationships get tricky as worrisome weather, a part-time job, and a new crush interfere with Gabby’s investigation. Will her determination crack the case? Or will shadowy villains, a penchant for overcommitting, and even her own heart put her in the doghouse?
The Bungled Bike Burglaries
(Book 3)
Stolen bikes and a long-forgotten time capsule leave one amateur sleuth baffled and busy. Seventh-grader Gabby St. Claire is determined to bring a bike burglar to justice—and not just because mean girl Donabell Bullock is strong-arming her. But each new clue brings its own set of troubles. As if that’s not enough, Gabby finds evidence of a decades-old murder within the contents of the time capsule, but no one seems to take her seriously. As her investigation heats up, will Gabby’s knack for being in the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong people crack the case? Or will it prove hazardous to her health?