Sweet Little Lies: Murder in the Heart of Horse Country

Chapter 1

Startled by a knock , Diana looked up from her packing. She stood there, her lips pressed together in a frown. One hand held her favorite pretty floral blue dress, while the other gripped her suitcase.

Who could that be?

Her cottage was a chaotic mess of clothes and toiletries scattered everywhere. With her hands on her hips, she surveyed the chaos, trying to decide what was necessary and what was not.

The knock came louder, more urgent.

She let the dress fall among the others on the sofa.

Coming, coming. Hold on a minute, she muttered as she maneuvered past one of three suitcases.

Who’s there? She paused with her hand on the doorknob. After several incidents on the farm, Diana was more cautious. She always locked her doors. In the past few years at the rescue, the farm’s attorney, a working student, a dog, and a horse had been found dead on the property.

It’s me, Olivia.

Diana unlocked the door.

Olivia pushed open the door and strode past Diana. She came to a sudden halt and stared at the messy room. Diana, I can’t believe you’re doing this. She spun to face her and grabbed her shoulders. She held her at arm’s length.

Olivia was the marketing director for the farm. She’d been through a lot in her young life, from losing her parents to becoming a victim of an online romance scam. While involved in the romance scam, she’d embezzled over ten thousand dollars from the rescue. Because of Diana’s generosity and Abigail’s legal expertise, she’d been able to avoid jail time.

I never thought you, the sensible one, would fly to Morocco and marry a Moroccan. Of all people, Diana. This is something I would do.

Diana took a deep breath. She pushed Olivia away. Olivia was more like a daughter to her than her own daughter. After her parents died in a car accident, Diana had stepped in to take care of her.

Even I can’t believe I’m doing this. She waved her hand over the living room littered with clothes and suitcases. It’s like a dream.

Olivia wrapped her arms around Diana and gave her a hug. Diana, you deserve to be happy. Especially after Badr...

Yes, yes. Diana sighed. She didn’t want to be reminded of Badr. The wound was still fresh.

She painted on a smile. Youssef is the kindest and most wonderful person I’ve ever met. So different from American men.

Olivia pushed some clothes off the couch and plopped down. Diana, it’s like a scene from a romance novel, with a dashing Arabian prince on his white stallion coming to save the beautiful maiden.

She grinned and patted the couch for Diana to sit.

Diana’s smile turned into a frown. I wish there wasn’t so much paperwork.

Paperwork? Olivia leaned closer, her eyes narrowing. What paperwork?

Diana moved a suitcase aside and sat in the chair across from Olivia. She took a deep breath. Getting married in Morocco is more complicated than getting married in the United States. The amount of paperwork is mindboggling. She handed Olivia a sheet of paper.

Olivia gave it a quick once over.

In the US, you go to the courthouse, get a marriage license, and get married.

And?

It’s not that easy in Morocco. Diana shook the paper at Olivia. Look at the requirements.

Olivia looked closer at the paper Diana had given her. What is all this stuff? What’s a certificate of nationality and certificate to marry? Olivia’s brow creased as she stared at the paper.

I am an expat, which means a citizen of another country. Diana gripped the edge of the chair. Unlike the United States, getting married isn’t as easy as going to Vegas and saying ‘I do.’ It’s a very lengthy process. I guess they want to make sure you want to get married.

Wow, Diana. Olivia leaned forward. You must love this guy.

Diana smiled and gazed off into the distance. Yes, I do.

I wish I could meet someone like that. Olivia squirmed on the couch. Someone who could make me fall head over heels in love.

Diana raised an eyebrow. Olivia had been misled and left penniless by an online romance scammer, John Dalton. She had almost lost her job and her house.

Olivia—

Diana was interrupted by a knock at the door.

Olivia glanced up. Are you expecting someone? She grinned.

That should be Abigail. Diana opened the door and waved Abigail inside.

Abigail Turner replaced Ava Kirk, the former attorney, for the rescue. Ava had been killed by Willie James, a vengeful ghost who had haunted the farm for years. She also defended Olivia and kept her out of jail when Olivia was charged with embezzlement.

Abigail nodded to Olivia. She cleared a space on the dining room table, and Diana sat down beside her. Olivia stood and leaned over Abigail’s shoulder.

Diana, let’s review the paperwork one last time before our trip to Morocco. Abigail removed a set of folders from her briefcase.

Chapter 2

Diana gripped the armrests of her airplane seat. I can’t marry him.

What? Olivia shifted in her seat.

I can’t marry him. Diana closed her eyes and pushed back against the seat.

Diana... Olivia began.

A flight attendant asked if they needed anything as they prepared for takeoff. The direct flight from Orlando International Airport to Casablanca, Morocco was seventeen hours. Diana had bought two first-class tickets—one for her and one for whoever wanted to use it. At the moment, Olivia sat in the other seat.

Diana shook her head.

Olivia thanked the flight attendant.

The flight attendant moved on to the next passenger.

Olivia spun on Diana. What do you mean, you can’t marry him? Do you mean Youssef? You’re supposed to get married in one week.

Olivia pulled out her phone and sent a message to Abigail.

Diana looked down and shook her head. I don’t know if I love him, she murmured. A small sob escaped her lips. Olivia put a hand on Diana’s arm.

Diana...

Olivia, how can I marry a man if I don’t know if I love him?

Olivia stared at Diana. What do you mean, you don’t know if you love him? Why would you agree to marry him if you’re not sure? This is an expensive trip...for everyone and a life-changing decision for you. It’s not like...oh, he’s cute. I think I’ll go out with him. This is like a permanent date...forever.

Diana sighed and looked down. Her long brown hair covered her face. She clasped her hands together until her knuckles turned white. I mean...I don’t know what I mean. I think I’m still in love with Badr.

Olivia looked to see if anyone was in earshot, then leaned toward Diana. Are you referring to the professor from the University of Florida? She took a deep breath and stared at Diana. Diana, he ghosted you almost a year ago.

Diana shrugged. She let out a sob.

Diana, look at me. She turned in her seat and grasped Diana by her arms and forced her to face her. Diana, pay attention to me.

Diana looked up.

Diana. Olivia stared at Diana, her makeup ruined by the tears streaking down her face. What do you mean? What are you talking about? You’re not marrying Youssef because you’re on the rebound from Badr, are you?

I love him. I love him with all my heart and soul. Diana looked down at her hands.

Who? Badr? Olivia inched closer to her.

Diana nodded.

Olivia sighed and shook her head. Then why are you marrying Youssef?

Diana shrugged and looked down, trying to hide her tears. She looked up at Olivia, tears streaming down her face. Olivia grabbed a tissue and handed it to her.

Badr didn’t want to get married, Diana said between sobs. He told me to find someone else to grow old with. But I still love him, and I always will. She looked Olivia in the eye. How can I marry Youssef when I love someone else?

Oh Diana, you should have thought about this before dragging us all the way to Morocco. Besides, Badr left, and you haven’t heard from him in over a year. Olivia put her arms out. Diana rested her head against her shoulder. Olivia patted her on her back and shushed her until the sobbing stopped.

Charlotte walked up from the economy section. She glanced around first-class and sniffed the air, then approached her mother and Olivia.

What’s with her? Charlotte asked, staring at her mother.

Olivia’s lips were pressed into a thin line. Pre-wedding jitters, she muttered.

Well, she’s the one who decided to marry a younger man from a foreign country. That’s what she gets. Charlotte spun on her heels and returned to her seat as the flight attendant approached.

Olivia sent Abigail a text and told her to get up here now.

Abigail appeared and told Olivia to switch seats with her.

Are you sure? Olivia whispered when the flight attendant glanced their way.

Don’t worry. I’ll take care of it, Abigail whispered back. She smiled at the flight attendant, who offered an extra pillow, blanket, and tissues before moving away.

Chapter 3

The Royal Air Maroc flight from Orlando to Casablanca taxied down the runway.

Diana looked into her lap as Abigail began discussing her wedding to Youssef Zaroual.

Diana. Abigail waited until the flight attendant was out of earshot. If you aren’t sure about marrying Youssef, then you shouldn’t. This is a big step. Think about what you’re doing.

As the farm’s attorney who protected their assets, Abigail was concerned about this young Moroccan’s motives. But more than anything, she was Diana’s friend and didn’t want to see her hurt.

Diana remained silent.

Abigail continued. Don’t worry about Charlotte, Olivia, and me. We’ll use this as a vacation. All everyone wants is what’s best for you.

Diana’s eyebrows rose.

A small smile spread across Abigail’s face. Yes, even Charlotte.

Diana squeezed Abigail’s hand. Thank you, Abigail. I think I’m just nervous. Pre-wedding jitters, you know. Everything will be fine.

Despite its length, the rest of the flight was uneventful. Throughout the flight, Charlotte reminded her mother she was making a mistake. Olivia offered comfort and reassurance. Abigail was the peacemaker.

The minute the plane landed in Casablanca, Diana sent a text to Youssef. He had promised he would be at the airport to pick them up. She and Abigail waited for Charlotte and Olivia. They had been in the economy class section and the plane was full, which meant they had to wade through the crowd. She checked for a message from Youssef—nothing.

Charlotte, Olivia. Diana waved them over to where she and Abigail stood in the debarkation area. Men, women in hijabs, and small children pushed past them, eager to be on their way home.

When they caught up with each other, Olivia and Abigail exchanged carry-on suitcases since they had switched seats during the flight.

This direction to customs. Diana gestured for them to walk up a ramp. They pulled their carry-on bags behind them.

Have your passports ready, Abigail reminded everyone as they walked up the ramp.

Have you heard from Youssef? Olivia asked, falling in step beside Diana. Isn’t he supposed to be picking us up and taking us to the hotel?

Humph, Charlotte grunted and rolled her eyes.

Abigail gave a slight shake of her head and mouthed the word No.

No, not yet, Diana murmured, her eyes focused on her cell phone. He said he’s not allowed in the terminal, that he would meet us outside.

Charlotte made another derogatory sound.

Abigail placed a hand on Charlotte’s arm, shook her head, and whispered, This is your mother’s time. Let her enjoy it.

Charlotte shook Abigail’s hand off her arm. Her lips pursed as she stomped through the hallway like a spoiled child.

They all followed Diana and Abigail up the ramp to the arrivals area dedicated to passengers with foreign passports. They made it through in less than thirty minutes. Diana kept her cell phone in hand, waiting for a response from Youssef. She wondered if she was making a mistake.

Their next stop was baggage claim. They spent the better part of an hour watching the luggage carousel go round and round. Passengers collected their bags, some in flawless condition, while others were damaged with missing wheels and cracks with clothes hanging out. One lone suitcase was wrapped in shrink wrap.

That better not be mine, Charlotte grumbled as a suitcase wheel passed by.

Olivia chuckled and grabbed one of her two suitcases. Thanks to Abigail, she had been granted special permission to leave Florida.

Olivia and Abigail had planned to stay with Diana in Morocco for a few months after the wedding. Charlotte was only in Morocco for the wedding. After the wedding, she was flying back with her husband Blake, who had stayed in Florida to look after the farm. He planned to travel to Casablanca with Taylor, their adopted daughter, in time for the wedding and return to the States with Charlotte.

While Diana and the key staff were in Morocco for Diana’s wedding, someone had to take care of the farm. Jose, the farm manager, and a group of trustworthy working students had been left in charge. The working students were enrolled in the Equine Studies Program at the College of Central Florida in Ocala. With the dean’s recommendation and Charlotte’s personal knowledge of their skills, they had been entrusted with running the one-thousand-acre farm. No rescues would be accepted, unless it was a matter of life or death, until Charlotte returned. If the students were unable to handle any unforeseen events, Doctor Victor Martinez was available for emergency situations. He was the sole board member in the States while everyone else was in Morocco celebrating Diana’s wedding.

The luggage carousel continued to circle

Are you kidding? Charlotte groused. They better not have lost my luggage.

Olivia nudged her. Your stay will be short. If it’s lost, you can borrow some of my clothes.

Charlotte narrowed her eyes and sighed.

This suitcase only has my makeup, underwear, and sleepwear. Olivia nudged the enormous pink checked bag with her toe. Most of my clothes are in my other bag.

Charlotte sniffed, searching for an airport employee.

There. Abigail pointed.

Diana’s three suitcases arrived on the conveyor belt, followed by Olivia’s second bag and Abigail’s large black suitcases.

Charlotte stopped and stared. Her face froze. So where’s mine? She stomped over to the carousel, craning her neck to see if more suitcases were coming around on the conveyor belt.

I’m tired and I want to go to the hotel, Charlotte said loud enough for several people to stop and stare.

Olivia rubbed her eyes and stretched as she gathered up her luggage. Oh, Charlotte, I’m sure it will be here any minute. We’re all tired. It was a long flight.

Why don’t you give Blake a call to let him know you arrived? Abigail suggested.

Diana agreed. It might get Charlotte’s mind off her missing suitcase.

Charlotte made the call while the conveyor belt dwindled