Parfaits and Paramours
Page 15
“Binkie spotted Ada and Zac together,” Adam smirked. “He threatened to expose their little affair. Zac thought that would be a big embarrassment for Ada, so he paid up at first. Then Binkie’s demands increased. So Zac got him out of the way.”
“I always thought Zac was a player, I mean, a womanizer,” Jenny said, “but I never took him for a cold blooded killer.”
“He had a violent past,” Adam reported. “He beat up a few people when he was on the golf circuit, apparently for no reason at all. If he hadn’t injured his shoulder and left himself, he would have been banned from the game.”
“I don’t understand one thing,” Jenny said, taking a sip of her wine. “What was his motive? Why did he murder Kelly?”
“He did it for Ada,” Adam said.
“What?” Jenny exclaimed.
“You know Ada can be outspoken. She made it very clear that she didn’t like Kelly. She didn’t want Brandon to marry her.”
“There were other ways to break them up.”
“He saw Ada trying to bribe Kelly into leaving Brandon. He asked her to meet him by the pool and threatened her. She scoffed at him. That’s when he attacked her. He thought it would make Ada happy.”
“I guess it did, in a way,” Jenny mused. “What does Ada say about all this? Did she know what Zac was up to?”
“She’s in shock. She had no idea what was going on in Zac’s mind. She kept repeating it over and over again. I believe her.”
“How did those two get together anyway?” Jenny asked, thinking she hadn’t come across a more unlikely alliance in a long time.
“Zac flirts around with women his age,” Adam said. “Mostly women at the country club. I guess he used to mooch off them. He never expected to fall for Ada.”
“Was it mutual?” Jenny asked.
“Both of them say it was. Ada decided to learn golf while Julius was away on his extended trip. She wanted to surprise him when he got back. She met Zac at the club and they became friends. You know the rest.”
“What happens to Enrique?” Jenny asked. “Will they send him back?”
“Enrique is working with an immigration lawyer. Brandon recommended one. I think he’s going to be fine.”
“Two young people lost their life, all for nothing,” Jenny said sadly.
“Don’t forget Kelly and Binkie were out to dupe Brandon. They might have met with trouble sooner or later.”
“Brandon’s back with his first love now,” Jenny smiled. “He’s happy with Megan.”
Adam took Jenny’s hand in hers and gazed deeply into her eyes.
“What about us, Jenny? Do you think it’s time?”
Epilogue
The spring sun bathed Pelican Cove in a bright glow. Flowers bloomed everywhere and lawns were carpeted in newly sprouted grass in rich emerald hues. A barbecue was in progress on Jenny’s patio, amidst a vibrant garden heavy with the scent of roses and gardenias.
Jason and Chris stood at a large grill, roasting hot dogs and flipping burgers. The Magnolias sat a short distance away, sipping tall glasses of cool lemonade, playing with the baby. Emily sat in her stroller, her big, round eyes taking everything in. She clapped her hands and cooed at the women, speaking in her own special baby language.
“Where is that young man of yours?” Betty Sue asked Jenny. “I hope you are still seeing him?”
Jenny smiled smugly, as if laughing at a secret joke.
“Adam’s working. He should be here soon though.”
Star leaned forward and whispered loudly.
“It’s not too late, niece! I still think you should go for Jason.”
Jason looked up from the grill just then and caught Jenny’s eye. He gave her a wide smile that reached the corners of his ears. Jenny knew Adam never smiled like that.
“It’s too late for a summer wedding,” Heather complained, flipping through a wedding magazine. “Stop trying our patience, Jenny.”
Jenny went up to the grill and started loading plates with the meat. A side table was loaded with side dishes everyone had brought. Molly had made her brownies and Betty Sue had made bread and butter pudding using a two hundred year old family recipe.
Jenny loaded her plate with coleslaw, potato salad and a bean salad and squirted mustard and relish on her hot dog. She urged everyone to start eating.
Jenny had just taken a bite of her food when Adam arrived, looking tall and handsome in his sheriff’s uniform. He made a beeline for the food. The friends talked and laughed together as they enjoyed the food and the company.
Finally, after the second helping of dessert had been eaten and everyone was sitting back, groaning and holding their stomachs, Adam cleared his throat.
He took Jenny’s hand and gave her a nod.
“We have an announcement,” Jenny began.
“It’s about time,” Heather cried.
“Just say when,” Star added enthusiastically.
“Fall,” Jenny said shyly. “We are having an autumn wedding.”
***THE END***
Thank you for reading this book. If you enjoyed this book, please consider leaving a brief review here. Even a few words or a line or two will do.
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Acknowledgements
I hit a few unexpected hurdles while writing this book. What kept me going was the support and encouragement from my family and reviews, emails and messages from readers eagerly awaiting the next book.
I am so thankful for everyone who takes the time to read my books. Beta readers and advanced readers deserve a special mention. So do friends and family who keep me going no matter what curve balls life throws at me.
I am grateful for the tremendous response my books have garnered. I hope you keep it coming because it motivates me to write more.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I really appreciate your being here.
Books by Leena Clover
Pelican Cove Cozy Mystery Series
Strawberries and Strangers – Pelican Cove Cozy Mystery Book 1
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CSW34GB/
Cupcakes and Celebrities – Pelican Cove Cozy Mystery Book 2
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CYX5TNR
Berries and Birthdays – Pelican Cove Cozy Mystery Book 3
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D7GG8KV
Sprinkles and Skeletons
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DW91NKG
Waffles and Weekends
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FRJ1FC1/
Have you read all the Meera Patel books?
Gone with the Wings – Meera Patel Cozy Mystery Book 1
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071WHNM6K
A Pocket Full of Pie - Meera Patel Cozy Mystery Book 2
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072Q7B47P/
For a Few Dumplings More - Meera Patel Cozy Mystery Book 3
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072V3T2BV
Back to the Fajitas - Meera Patel Cozy Mystery Book 4
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0748KPTLM
Christmas with the Franks – Meera Patel Cozy Mystery Book 5
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077GXR4WS/
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