Reserved for Murder
Page 26
“Ah, the grill master at work.” I flashed Scott a smile before hugging Julie. “Run along, I’ll give you a call soon.”
“Maybe we can do lunch sometime this week? I recall you saying you don’t have any guests,” Julie said, as they crossed to the steps
“Maybe. The truth is, I’m thinking about heading out of town for a few days later this week. It’s a good opportunity to visit my parents. Not sure of the timing yet. I’ll let you know more when I finalize my plans.”
Julie shot me a questioning look but turned aside without saying anything when Scott threw his arm around her shoulders and led her away from the porch.
“I should be going too,” Ellen said as she watched Scott and Julie depart. “Shandy will need a walk soon. Thanks, Charlotte.” She laid a hand on my arm for a moment. “Feel free to stop by soon so we can catch up on all the details concerning the murder investigation and … everything,” she added, with a swift glance at Gavin. “You coming?”
“In a minute.” Gavin pressed one palm against the top of the console table. “I just thought … Well, I wouldn’t mind another beer, if it’s okay with Charlotte.”
“Alright. Come by when you’re done.” Ellen stared at him, her expression unreadable. “You told me earlier that you were going to spend the night on the boat, then leave in the morning. Which is fine, but I’d appreciate a more formal goodbye.”
“At your command,” Gavin said, giving her a sketchy salute.
Ellen pursed her lips. “I’m not your superior.”
“Oh, I think you probably are,” he replied, with a sardonic smile. “But yes, I promise to stop by your house before I head to the harbor.”
Ellen sniffed and muttered something about snippy youngsters before turning to me with a brilliant smile. “See you soon, dear,” she said.
She marched down the steps and over to her house, her head held high.
“So, off duty this week?” Gavin asked, as he fished another beer out of the cooler.
“For once. It doesn’t happen often. Not in the summer months, anyway.” I brushed my fingers through my hair, shoving it behind my ears. “Of course, I shouldn’t be happy about that. I don’t make any money when I don’t have guests.”
“But I suspect right now you don’t mind.” Gavin took a sip of the beer, his eyes focused on my face.
“I’m actually happy for the break. You have to admit, it’s been a pretty crazy week.”
“Hmm … Not that strange for me, but I suppose your life is usually less dramatic.”
“Thankfully, yes.” I walked over to the porch railing and stared out toward the street.
“You could use something to calm your nerves.”
I turned to find Gavin standing right behind me. He must’ve set the bottle down, as his hands were empty.
I pressed my back into the rail as we made eye contact. Gavin’s eyes were glittering with amusement and something else I couldn’t name. Or don’t want to, I thought, forcing myself to maintain a calm tone. “Such as?”
“Evening boat ride?”
“Excuse me?” There was no preventing the slight squeak raising my voice.
“I was thinking I should take the boat out this evening, just to check everything before I set out on a longer trip.” Gavin moved in closer. “I wouldn’t mind company.”
“Before you sail off into the sunset?”
“Not really possible, unless I head to Panama, but metaphorically speaking”—Gavin pressed his palm against the side of my face—“yes.”
I turned my head slightly, forcing him to drop his hand. “A short jaunt, just like the other day?”
“But without the annoying discussion of past transgressions and contract killers.”
I looked back into his eyes. “Just a sail to enjoy the beauty of the sea and sky?”
“And the stars,” he said, his smile brilliant as those heavenly bodies. “You should see the stars from the water, Charlotte. It’s magical.”
“In that case, I think I’ll say yes.” I straightened, pulling away from the railing to stand without support. “I could use a little magic in my life.”
“Couldn’t we all?” Gavin said.
I examined his face for a moment. “So I guess I’ll see you later, at the boat.”
“Seven o’clock. Don’t be late,” Gavin said, as he stepped back and walked over to the table to retrieve his beer.
“Would you sail off without me?” I asked, keeping my tone light.
Gavin smiled and saluted me with the brown bottle. “No. But why cut a fine evening short with avoidable delays?”
“Especially since it’s your last night here,” I said, growing bolder as this realization hit me. Nothing to worry about, I told myself. There won’t be any complications. He’ll be far away tomorrow. “You’ll be gone after that.”
But Gavin’s next words sent my thoughts spiraling again. Not necessarily, I admitted, in a bad way.
“For now,” he said. “But I do know how to find my way back.”
Also available by Victoria Gilbert
The Booklover’s B&B Mystery
Booked for Death
The Blue Ridge Library Mysteries
A Deadly Edition
Bound for Murder
Past Due for Murder
Shelved Under Murder
A Murder for the Books
Mirror of Immortality Series
Scepter of Fire
Crown of Ice
Author Biography
Victoria Gilbert, raised in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains, turned her early obsession with reading into a dual career as an author and librarian. Victoria has worked as a reference librarian, research librarian, and library director. When not writing or reading, she likes to spend her time watching films, gardening, or traveling. She is a member of Sisters in Crime and International Thriller Writers and lives in North Carolina.
This is a work of fiction. All of the names, characters, organizations, places, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to real or actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2021 by Vicki Lemp Weavil
All rights reserved.
Published in the United States by Crooked Lane Books, an imprint of The Quick Brown Fox & Company LLC.
Crooked Lane Books and its logo are trademarks of The Quick Brown Fox & Company LLC.
Library of Congress Catalog-in-Publication data available upon request.
ISBN (hardcover): 978-1-64385-590-5
ISBN (ebook): 978-1-64385-591-2
Cover illustration by Ben Perini
Printed in the United States.
www.crookedlanebooks.com
Crooked Lane Books
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First Edition: June 2021
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