In Cahoots with the Prickly Pear Posse (A Jackrabbit Junction Mystery--Book 5)

walked to the small fridge and grabbed the pitcher of water she kept in it. “You’re right. I’m hiding from Mom.” She filled a glass and then leaned back against the counter. “I don’t know why I’m sneaking around the place. She’s probably deep in a drunken sleep again and wouldn’t hear a bomb go off next to her window.”
“I envy her ability to sleep these days.”
What did that mean? Was Natalie up listening to every bump in the night now that she knew about the diamond killer coming for them? Ronnie hadn’t been sleeping well for weeks, especially when she was alone in Gramps’s RV. Spending the night at Grady’s was a relief most nights for more than carnal reasons.
Maybe Natalie was referring to how uncomfortable the couch could be, especially when Henry insisted on sharing it. “I thought you were going to sleep in the queen bed in back since I was staying at Grady’s.”
“I tried to, but you know how that end of the Winnebago is closer to your mom and Manny’s Airstream?” At Ronnie’s nod, she grimaced. “I think I heard them having sex last night.”
“No!”
“Unfortunately, yes. First, I heard the Bee Gees singing ‘How Deep Is Your Love,’ then I heard something crash followed by a bunch of loud moaning.”
Ronnie shuddered, setting her glass on the counter. “Maybe Mom was drunk and stumbling around again. That could be the crash you heard, and the moaning was her in pain.”
Yeah, that was it.
Natalie sat up, pushing the quilt aside. “Listen, oh great and noble Queen of Denial, I know what drunken moaning sounds like, trust me.” She straightened the yellow thermal top she wore as pajamas. “What I heard next door was rowdy sex going on between my aunt and new uncle. Even poor Henry was covering his ears. The only way we could make it go away was to come out here and crank up the damned golden oldies on the radio until they finally went to sleep a half-hour later.” She crossed her arms. “Your new stepfather is apparently quite a Latin lover.”
“Oh, Lord love a duck.” Ronnie joined Natalie on the couch. Henry jumped into her lap, circled twice, and then plopped onto his belly. “I wish Mom would stop acting like she’s in her raging twenties.”
Natalie chuckled. “While I don’t love listening to my aunt do the wild thing, I am glad to hear that I could still be enjoying physical relationships when I’m her age.”
“Nah, you’ll probably be on this silly sabbatical yet.”
“No way. One year is the plan, and that’s it.”
“How long has it been since you broke up with the jerk that instigated this vacation from men?”
“July. Five loooong months, babycakes.”
Ronnie smirked. “During the last two years of my marriage to Lyle we had sex three times. I was on sabbatical without even knowing it. How sad is that?”
“Sad enough to bring a tear to a glass eye. But you’re making up for it now, right?”
“No. Grady and I are merely good friends, that’s all.”
Natalie laughed. “Are you practicing for your mom?”
“A normal parent would approve of me being in cahoots with the sheriff of Cholla County.”
“Your mother is the polar opposite of normal.”
“It doesn’t help that Grady is a public servant. She had big hopes for me, you know. A husband with lots of money and prestige.”
“You tried that route and look where it got you.”
“Penniless with a target on my back.” Ronnie groaned, leaning her head on the cushions. “You haven’t even heard the latest.”
“Latest about Lyle?”
“Yeah. As if I don’t have enough trouble with that damned diamond killer business, Loose-lips Lyle has gone and made a bigger mess. He rolled over on some big shot in Dallas to lessen the severity of his sentence.”
“Shit-burgers. That can’t be good.”
She frowned at Natalie. “It’s not. Mississippi is on high alert, keeping an eye out for several more troublemakers coming my way.”
Natalie scooted closer and leaned her tousled head on Ronnie’s shoulder. “What are you going to do?”
“Nothing. I’m sinking like the Titanic after it played chicken with an iceberg. All I can do is try to sink with dignity.” Ronnie scratched Henry’s back. “To round out my complete list of fucked-up shit, Grady’s ex is back in town.”
“His ex-wife?”
“Yep.”
“What’s her story?”
Ronnie gave Natalie the quick and ugly version of Elizabeth’s infidelity and relocation to Nevada with the kid and real father.
Natalie sat upright, a sneer curling her lip. “Wow! That was some wicked bitchcraft on her part.”
“And get this. Yesterday, she showed up at The Shaft and told me she wants Grady back.”
“Holy sassy-frassy! What did Grady say about this?”
Ronnie shrugged. “I didn’t tell him.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t want him to think I’m the jealous, insecure type of girlfriend.”
“But you are the jealous, insecure type of girlfriend.”
She held her fist under Natalie’s nose. “You want this up one of your nostrils or both?”
Natalie pushed her hand away. “Seriously, what’s really going on inside of here?” She pointed at Ronnie’s head.
After a moment of hesitation, Ronnie came clean. “I don’t think I’m the right woman for Grady.”
“Come again?”
“I’m a Morgan sister.”
“And damned proud of it, right?”
Ronnie bit her lower lip.
“Ronnie, you’re a fierce warrior and don’t take shit from anyone anymore. Be proud of that.”
“But Grady is in an elected position. He needs a girlfriend whose history is sparkly clean and doesn’t include a tie to a piece of shit who’s in prison for money laundering among many other crimes.”
Natalie crossed her arms. “Have you considered that this law dog might not be good enough for you?”
She scoffed “Please. After the shit-quake that rocked my world thanks to Lyle, I know my place.”
“I don’t like the sound of that.”
“Natalie, I’m a shiny penny on my good days. Grady needs a polished silver dollar.”
“Bullshit. The sheriff is lucky you allow him to grace your side.”
“You always were my favorite cousin.” Ronnie patted Natalie’s knee. “But I wouldn’t go that far.”
“I’m serious, Ronnie.” Natalie caught her hand and squeezed it. “Claire told