Read Carrots: A Shelby Nichols Adventure for Free Online Page B

I’ll keep you posted.”
    “Okay.” My stomach twisted.
    “Oh, and I’ll follow up on those ‘tips’. I’m real interested to see if they pan out.”
    “You’ll keep it between the two of us, won’t you?”
    His dimples went crazy when he smiled this time. “I won’t tell a soul, someone might think I was nuts.”
    I smiled on the way to my car. He didn’t know how right he was. On the downside, I felt bad for poor Carl Rogers. I had really hoped he would make it. It was strange to think that he was dead.
    I got in my car, and was surprised that it was nearly three o’clock. That visit had taken longer than I thought. All thoughts of the police station fled while I focused on what I needed to do to get ready for tonight. I wanted to look my best, and that meant having plenty of time to fix my hair around my stitches, put on my makeup, and figure out what to wear.
    ***
    Chris got home late. I was strapping on my black pumps when he came in the bedroom. I was not very happy because my slinky black dress seemed a little tight on me, and I wasn’t sure I should wear it.
    “Hey there,” Chris said. “You look nice.”
    Nice? Is that all? After spending most of the afternoon on my hair and make-up that was all he could say? He turned away and rummaged through the closet looking for his black suit.
    “Do you think this dress looks all right?” I called his attention back to me. “Or do you think it’s too tight.”
    He flicked a glance over his shoulder, then studied me a second. “It’s fine. It’s a little tight, but it still looks good on you.” He figured I must have put on some weight since I wore it last. I wasn’t as skinny as I used to be, but everything considered, he thought I looked pretty good for a woman my age. Especially after having a couple of kids.
    My age? Good grief, how old did he think I was? I was in my mid-thirties and younger than him. Mid-thirties wasn’t old. Unless he just thought I looked old. Sometimes women looked older than men, even when they were the same age. Was I like that? I didn’t think I had many wrinkles, or big bags under my eyes. My skin didn’t look sallow did it? Maybe in this sleeveless dress my arms were baggy. Sure, I wasn’t as skinny as I used to be, but I didn’t weigh that much.
    Suddenly furious, I ran into the bathroom before Chris could see how upset I was. I leaned against the closed door, and took deep breaths to compose myself. Did he really think I looked old? I studied myself critically in the mirror. He was right. I wasn’t as young as I used to be. My eyes had a few creases at the corners, but with the foundation I had on, it wasn’t too bad. Still, angry tears started to form in my eyes, but I willed them away. I couldn’t let tears ruin my makeup.
    Wait a minute. What was I thinking? I looked pretty darn good. My hair hung saucily across my well-defined eyebrow and my eyes held that knowing look of how to please a man. Sure I wasn’t skinny; but I had curves in all the right places. I was not the girl Chris married. I was a woman, and sexy as hell.
    I tried to think rationally. It wasn’t his fault he’d hurt my feelings, so it wasn’t fair to be angry over something he didn’t actually say. At least he didn’t think I was fat – then I’d really be mad. Truthfully, I could probably lose a few pounds, but he was nuts if he thought I didn’t look good.
    I squared my shoulders. I couldn’t get this upset over every little thing I heard about myself. Tonight, I had to act like I was normal. I couldn’t let my guard down, not even once.
    “Sweetie? Are you almost done in there? If we don’t leave now we’re going to be late.”
    “Just a minute,” I sang out. I pushed down the anger, and replaced it with a little defiance. Then I found the reddest lipstick I had and put it on. Take that “Mr. Looks Fine!”
    Chris was sitting on the bed tying his shoes when I came out. This time he really looked at me, and I was rewarded