An Accidental Murder

Chapter 20

It was late and Ryan and I had just finished cleaning my house and were beginning to make cookies when I heard my parents pull into the driveway and open the garage. My stomach about dropped out of my body and onto the floor. Even though I knew the plan the two of us had talked about, I was skeptical that my parents would be satisfied with it. I also worried what I'd do once Ryan left and the prying eyes of my father bore into me - I felt like I would cave in a second. I'd never really lied to my parents because I never had to.

I could hear my parents talking as they approached the garage door, and my mom was saying that she didn't think I was home because my car wasn't there. Just the mention of my car caused my heart to accelerate and the palms of my hands to feel clammy.  I heard my dad say that I had to be home because it was unlike me to leave lights on all over the house.

As the key turned in the lock, Ryan nudged me and quietly whispered, "get your game face on, girl, and let me talk." I smiled my perfect fake smile just as the door opened and my parents walked in.

"Hey you two!" My dad said, coming over and giving me an unusually long hug.

"Hi Daddy, hi Mom," I answered, hugging them both. " We made you guys some cookies - your favorites, shortbread for you mom and chocolate chip for dad."

"You are a wonderful daughter, Amber! They smell fantastic! Are they warm? Can I eat one?" My mother asked.

"Yeah, sure," Ryan answered bringing her the plate of shortbread. "We just took them out of the oven."

My mother smiled. It's good to see you Ryan. What have you two darlings been up to? How are your mom and dad?"

"Mom and Dad are fine. They told me to tell you that if they'd have known you were coming tonight, they'd have invited you out on the yacht. Mom said you can give her call and maybe you guys can go out for cocktails tomorrow afternoon."

"Oh, well, that's thoughtful, but I don't think this weekend will work just because we have to head back out to Thailand early Monday morning and we're hoping to spend some time with Amber," Dad chimed in. "Business has been doing really well for us and these clients are keeping us on our toes! So little time for rest, right now." I shot a panicked glance toward Ryan, dreading this weekend with my parents only wanting to be home with me.

"I'm sure they'll understand that," Ryan responded. " How long will you be in Thailand this time?"

"Just a couple of weeks," Mom told him.

"Yes, thankfully so, " my father exclaimed, "and then we will have a good month at home again before we have to head out to Greece."

"A whole month?!" I asked a bit too begrudgingly.

"Yes," my dad answered, looking concerned. "Are you okay, hun? You're usually much more excited to hear that we can stay home for a while. It's been along time since we were able to be here an entire month. You act like you're disappointed about it."

"No, I..." I desperately looked at Ryan as I struggled to find words.

Thankfully, Ryan interjected, "She's fine. She's very happy, I know because she's been saying how thrilled she is and how much she can't wait for you guys to get home. If she seems a little stressed it's because she's worried she's going to get in trouble."

My mother looked my way, concerned. "In trouble? For what?"

"I asked her to let Jason borrow her car for a few days. He's got some big project he's been working on and needed an extra car that was big enough to help haul supplies down to Havenshire," Ryan lied.

"Your brother, Jason?" My dad asked with a mouth full of cookies. "Havenshire is pretty far away."

"Yeah, my brother. I know it's far, but he was in a jam and needed to leave right away this morning. Amber was going to call you, but we knew you'd be in the air and couldn't get her call. I told her I'd take the blame since it was my idea."

"No, no," My mom said. "That was a nice thing to do. I'm actually surprised you talked her into giving it up! She loves that Range Rover more than life itself,"she joked.

I found her unintended pun to be unamusing however, but tried to laugh it off.

"When will your brother be back with it?" My dad wanted to know.

"It was just for the weekend," Ryan lied again.

"Oh, well yeah, that's no big deal. He just better take care of it or Amber might have him killed!"

I gritted my teeth and smiled, desperate to get away from my parents and away from this conversation.