Beyond the Mistletoe: A Christmas Romance (Beyond Love Book 7) by Karice Bolton Page B

the pages model-type male Eric embodies?”
    Derek gave a throaty laugh and shook his head.
    “Is that how you see Eric?”
    I nodded. “A little tender for my tastes.”
    “How do you see me?” he whispered, trailing his fingers along my cheek, sending a flutter of longing through me.
    “Rugged, capable, handsome.” I couldn’t be expected to speak in complete sentences at this point. He returned to caressing the bare skin on my back, and his touch produced a web of tingling down my body.
    “That doesn’t sound so bad,” he said, nodding.
    “Nope.”
    We watched the show’s continued pursuit of truth and justice when one of the players came over to our table. He was a bartender with a curly mustache and beady eyes, which made it quite difficult to keep a straight face. The spotlight shone on our table, nearly blinding me, and Derek stood up, surprising me. I saw the dancer behind the bartender lightly shove Eric back into the seat and make her way over.
    The bartender took a glass of water from our table and splashed it on Derek.
    “I see traces of gunpowder on this man’s clothes,” the bartender yelled and the dancer nodded.
    “That’s impossible. He’s been here with me all night,” I said, standing up, completely indignant they’d try to pin the murder on Derek.
    “He was right here when the first shot fired,” I continued, unsure how in the world I got pulled into this so easily, but it rolled off my tongue. “And water isn’t going to show you traces of gunpowder. That’s probably dust from riding his horse all day to get to the saloon.”
    Derek chuckled.
    “You findin’ this funny?” the bartender asked him.
    “Partially.”
    The bartender attempted to push Derek back in his seat, but he didn’t budge. He was too big to be tossed around so he smiled and crossed his arms as the bartender went on to the next potential suspect.
    I let out the breath I’d swallowed without my knowledge and sat back down with Derek doing the same.
    “Did you know they were going to come here?” I asked.
    Derek shrugged and his gaze connected with Gabby’s.
    “I’ve found a clue,” Brandy said, lifting up something I couldn’t see clearly.
    Gabby stared at what Brandy held in her hands as the cast rushed over.
    “What is it?” one of them asked.
    “It’s a dog collar. It’s Bodie’s dog collar,” Brandy almost whispered. “With blood on it.”
    “Well, Bodie has absolutely zero chance of pulling a trigger,” I muttered. I had no idea who all was in on this tonight, but the show was impressive.
    “But what if the owner pulled the trigger?” the bartender inquired, taking the collar and bringing it over.
    “That’s not Bodie’s collar,” I said, actually quite relieved. I didn’t like the idea of him being pulled into this production.
    A scream came from behind a velvet curtain, and all our eyes darted to the woman who threw the drapes to the side. She was one of the dance-hall girls.
    “I’ve found the murderer,” the dance-hall girl yelled.
    “Who is it?” Gabby questioned.
    “You’ll never be able to prove it,” a man shouted.
    “Dad,” Gabby hollered, jumping up from her table. “How could you?”
    Gabby’s dad opened his arms, and she ran into his embrace, melting my heart.
    “Surprise,” Carla shouted, hugging her stepdaughter.
    “I can’t believe you two planned all this,” she said, wiping away tears as Jason walked out from behind them.
    “Jason planned the whole thing with the cast and crew,” Carla informed Gabby. “And there were a couple of moments I was worried we wouldn’t make it up the mountain for the big reveal.”
    “Now the trick will be making it off the mountain,” Gabby’s dad grumbled.
    Gabby’s excitement to have her family at the lodge was contagious. I’d only met her parents a few times, but each time was a joy.
    “So were you in on it?” I asked Derek, as our dinners were served.
    “Only partially.”
    “I bet you’re freezing