Hospitality and Homicide

by Lynn Cahoon

  I walked to the edge of the porch. “That’s it? You’re not mad?”

  He turned around, walking backward. “Don’t get me wrong. I’m mad. There’s just nothing we can do about it. I know how your aunt can be. And you’re just too much of a softy to say no.”

  “You make me sound like a wimp.” I leaned on the porch rail watching him.

  He climbed into his truck and rolled down the window. “Honey, I don’t have to make you sound like a wimp. When it comes to other people, you are a pushover. Everyone in town knows that. Now go inside and get some of that homework done so we can play hooky on Sunday and have a No Work Day for both of us.”

  The truck slowly backed out of the driveway.

  “Maybe I don’t have homework.” I called after him.

  The truck stopped and Greg popped his head out of the window opening. “Honey, you always have homework.”

  I watched as he drove away toward his apartment. We’d been dating for over two years and we still had our own places. Maybe if he was around more, I could finally break down and say those three little words.

  Who was I kidding? My dog, Emma, stood beside me, watching the tail lights disappear. The sound of the engine must have woken her. Greg was her favorite person. At least after me. Or that was what I told myself. The golden retriever leaned into me.

  “Come on girl, let’s go inside. I need to finish reading a chapter in the business basics text.” I opened the door, and Emma ran to her food dish. She put her paw in the empty bowl and scooted it toward me.

  “Fine, I’ll read as soon as I feed you. Again. Seriously, dude, you must have a hollow leg.” As I filled her dish with dry food, I could almost hear her response. “Just a growing puppy, Jill.” Except my dog wasn’t a puppy anymore and of course, she didn’t talk.

  I curled up on the couch and opened the large textbook. I’d thought law school was boring. This business stuff made the law look like a frat brother’s first semester party. I looked at the advance reader’s copy of the latest Robyn Carr release I’d brought home from the bookstore and sighed.

  Then I went back to the text. Two more years of this and I’d have my degree. If I didn’t die of boredom before graduation. Talking about numbers and statistics just made me shiver. And not in a good way.

  Finished with my chapter, I closed the book and went to the front door to make sure it was locked before heading up to bed. People were leaving Esmeralda’s and I could see my neighbor standing in the light of her front door, watching them. She looked drained, even from this distance in the dark. As if she could see me watching her, her head raised and she looked over at my house. If I could be certain in the darkening light, I would have said the hard-as-nails police dispatcher and part-time fortuneteller was crying.

  CHAPTER 2

  The next morning, I was still working on my-way-too long reading list for school when Greg came in through the kitchen door. He put a bag of groceries on the counter and started unloading.

  “You could kiss me first.” I leaned my head back so I could see him working.

  He stopped what he was doing, walked over to the table, and planted a smacker on my lips. Then he went back to unpacking the groceries. “I didn’t want to disturb you while you were reading. I picked up some stuff for dinner. I figure you’ll want to eat at home to increase your study time.” He wagged the packages of steak near my nose. “I’ll even cook.”

  Now, I smelled a rat. Well, I smelled beef, but also, a rat. “So, what do you want in return?”

  He turned away from me. Another one of his tells when he didn’t really want me to know something. “Look at the time. We’ll talk after we get back from our farm trip. Your aunt is expecting us in ten minutes and you know how she gets.”

  I put a bookmark into the text and went upstairs to grab a jacket. I wasn’t looking forward to our “talk” later. Greg buying steak wasn’t unusual. Him cooking for me so I could study, now that was another thing altogether. Maybe he thought I was spending too much time on school and not enough couple time with him. I pushed my dark brown hair back from my face and swiped on some mascara. “Get a grip, Jill. He’ll tell you soon enough, you might as well enjoy the day.”

  As we walked out the door toward my Jeep, I curled my arm around his. Greg had to deal with his new best friend, Nathan. I liked spending time with the writer, but I didn’t have him by my side 24/7 and asking me questions on what I was doing all the time.

  I handed Greg the keys and he opened my door for me. Settling into the seat, I turned on the seat warmer, just so I could relax the muscles in my back. With the music up, I almost forgot we were stopping at the apartment over my coffee shop/book store to pick up Aunt Jackie and her new boyfriend. As we passed by the police station, Greg pointed to the new store that had opened last week.

  “I figured you’d would have invited the clockmaker to the party last night. Has anyone even met him?” He turned his head to try to look into the dark windows of Killing Time, South Cove’s first clock store.

  I pointed toward the road. “I don’t think Ian makes clocks, he just sells them. Aunt Jackie is already standing outside the shop.”

  “You didn’t answer my question. Have you met him?” Greg pulled the Jeep into a quick U-turn and parked in front of Coffee, Books, and More. Harrold came by and opened the door for my aunt to get in. I’d put running boards on the Jeep just for her. She had to be helped into Greg’s truck. “Good morning, Jackie.”

  My aunt patted his shoulders. “Thanks for picking us up, Greg. I assumed since you were so late that maybe you couldn’t come.”

  I looked at the clock; it was two minutes to nine. We were technically early. Pointing this out to my aunt would only cause hard feelings, so I swallowed my response. Greg just grinned. “You know me Jackie, my nickname is Just-In-Time-King.”

  My aunt sniffed, but then Harrold slapped Greg on the back. “Don’t mind her, Greg. She’s been in a snit all morning. I guess the girl didn’t open the shop right at the crack of dawn today and Jackie had to jump down her throat.”

  “I didn’t jump down her throat. I just reminded her that we have customers who depend on us providing them with their morning refreshment.” Aunt Jackie looked out the window and into the store. I followed her gaze but only saw Sasha cleaning tables.

  “Wait, Sasha was late?” I turned around in my seat. “How late?”

  My aunt shrugged and kept her gaze on the shop. “Not much. I wasn’t going to tell you about it. I can handle the staff issues.” She shot a glare at Harrold.

  “What? I didn’t know it was a secret.” He clicked his seatbelt, then put his arm around my aunt. “I hear we’re having a fifth wheel join us.”

  I saw Greg’s smile, even though he didn’t turn around. He backed the car out of the parking spot and then completed a second U-turn back toward South Cove Bed and Breakfast.

  “Seriously, Greg. Can you stop doing that? You’re going to get into trouble.”

  He put a hand on my knee. “Relax, kid, I have an in with the police around here.”

  I caught Aunt Jackie’s gaze before turning back around. “We’re not done talking about this.”

  “Yes, we are, my dear. I’ll handle the issue.” My aunt turned and looked out the window. “So how are classes going?”

  I rolled my shoulders, feeling the tension increase. “Fine, I guess. Half of the time I have no idea what the professors are even talking about. They’re using a different language.”

  “If you’d gotten a business degree for your undergrad, you wouldn’t be so far behind. I told you that you weren’t cut out to be a lawyer. You’re not mean enough.” It was true. My aunt had told me several times that pre-law was an idiotic choice, but I’d stopped listening somewhere between high school and when I went off to college.

  “Jackie, my dear, sometimes, you come across as mean. Tell your lovely niece that you’re sorry.” Harrold took my aunt’s hand in his. “You don’t have to take your frustrations out o
n all of us.”

  I heard Aunt Jackie’s sigh. Then the next words out of her mouth surprised me so much that I spilled a little coffee on my shirt.

  “I’m sorry, Jill. I know you really wanted to change the world with your life. I should be more supportive.” I saw her lean into Harrold. “If there’s anything I can do to help you with your studies, just let me know.”

  Greg shot a glance at me and I gave him a slight shrug. What I wanted to say was who are you and what did you do with my aunt? Instead, I turned and gave her a big smile. “Thanks for offering. I’m sure I’ll be taking you up on that soon.”

  Greg pulled over at the curb in front of South Cove Bed and Breakfast. Nathan Pike was sitting in one of Mary’s white rockers, working on his computer. He gave a short wave to let Greg know he’d seen us, then disappeared into the house.

  “He must need to take his laptop back to his room,” I said, realizing I sounded like Captain Obvious.

  “He should have been ready for us, not working on something,” Aunt Jackie said.

  There’s my aunt. It would take a lot of Harrold’s gentle coaxing to get her to change her natural habits. One being her lack of understanding other people when they didn’t act like Aunt Jackie thought they should.

  Luckily we didn’t have to wait long before Nathan took his place in the back seat. I glanced in the vanity mirror on my visor and smiled. Aunt Jackie was squeezed so tight between the two large men that looked like a child. I wondered if her bad mood would continue, but her next words alleviated me of that worry.

  “Nathan, so nice to see you this morning. Were you writing out there on the porch?” She sounded like she hadn’t just complained about his lack of promptness.

  Nathan clicked his seatbelt. “I try to get most of my words in the morning when I’m fresh. That way, I can let my subconscious work during the day when I’m doing other things. But sometimes, especially on deadline, I work straight through. My ex-wife used to complain I’d sit at my computer for hours, then ignore the fact the trash was overflowing and needed taken out.”

  “I’m sure you had lots of demands on your time.” Harrold pointed out the window toward the mountains. “There’s The Castle. If you get a chance, you need to spend a couple afternoons there while you’re here. I bet you’d come up with lots of story ideas there.”

  “Good suggestion.” Nathan stared up at the hillside where the tourist trap sat. No one in the car spoke.

  Finally, Greg turned the stereo to Aunt Jackie’s favorite satellite station. “How about some show tunes?”

  I almost groaned, but my aunt clapped her hands in delight and for the second time in a few minutes, I was struck by her joy. I loved spending time with her, even when she drove me crazy or meant listening to more versions of “One Day More” from Les Mis than I thought was possible.

  I had just relaxed into my seat to enjoy the ride when I heard Harrold speak in the back.

  “I’ve always thought about writing a book. Tell me about how you do it?”

  The rest of the trip to the organic farm consisted of a mini how-to-write session from Nathan, including everything from setting a writing schedule and the editing process, how to sell, and what to expect. After Greg parked the car and the rest of the group started making their way to the barn exhibit to purchase tour tickets, he pulled me aside and leaned me against the car. “You owe me big for this one.”

  I brushed his sandy hair out of his eyes and kissed him. “I know. And I…” I paused, editing out the words that sprang up first. “I appreciate you.”

  He chuckled and kissed my forehead. “I appreciate you too, dork.” As we moved around the corner, I saw Aunt Jackie waiting at the barn door, watching us.

  When we reached the booth and Greg went to purchase the tickets, she pulled me aside. “You need to get that deal settled.”

  “What deal?” I looked at her confused. Had I missed a meeting with a supplier for the shop?

  “You need to get the boy to put a ring on your finger. Men like that don’t last long being bachelors. I’ve seen Kathi looking at him lately, ever since she broke up with that music guy.”

  “I don’t think Kathi and Blake broke up. He’s just out on tour with his band. It’s a big break for him.” I wasn’t going to even address her other comment.

  But my lack of response didn’t stop Aunt Jackie. “No matter, you still need to get him to ask you to marry him. How hard can it be? Don’t you guys ever talk about the future?”

  I thought about Greg’s cryptic words that morning. “We’re talking tonight. We’d probably be talking now if we were alone.”

  My aunt flushed at the implication. “Well, you just need to get cracking.”

  Greg walked up on us, then slipped a lanyard pass around my neck. “Cracking on what? Don’t tell me you have to go back to work after this?”

  “No work. Jackie was just telling me to keep up with my studies.” I put my arm in his and we walked toward where the tour guy was waving us over. “Come on, Aunt Jackie, we’re going to be late.”

  Nathan was already peppering the guide with questions. As we started walking through the farm, I let my mind drift and just enjoyed the warm weather and the scenery. The tour guide dropped back away from Nathan and fell into step next to me.

  “I’m Mandy.” The woman held up her name tag on her own lanyard to prove the point. She wore cargo capris and a Jensen Farm polo. The gray streaks in her hair told me more about her age than her attitude. If Dustin Austin had a sister, then Mandy could fill the role. She epitomized the California casual lifestyle.

  “You have a great farm. Are you part of the Jensen family?” We were on a dirt path winding through what appeared to be the olive fields.

  Mandy shook her head, then seemed to change her answer. “Mandy Jensen. I’m actually a distant cousin, but I just work here. I’m not part of the section of the family that owns the farm. I wish I was. For the last five years, they’re making bank on the different olive oils they produce.”

  I wasn’t sure the family would appreciate her candor with one of the visitors, but what the heck. Who doesn’t love a juicy story? “Seems like they have a lot going on.”

  “I’m opening a produce stand just outside South Cove in a couple months. You’re from there, right?” Mandy shoved her hands in her jeans pockets as we walked.

  “Guilty as charged. In fact, I’m in charge of the business meetings we have to plan local events. You should totally come and let us know what you’re planning.”

  Two new businesses in less than three months? The council would be excited at the growth in business revenues. And of course, the tax dollars it brought in.

  Mandy brightened. “I’ll ask my boss if I can. I’ll be so glad to be out of this tour guiding position. As manager, I even get to hire staff if I need to for the stand. I can’t believe they chose me.”

  “Running my own business, I know how lucky I feel when I can hire someone who is invested in the shop, just like me. In fact, my aunt”—I pointed to Aunt Jackie who walked a few paces ahead with Harrold and Nathan—“manages the place. Right now, I just work my shifts and sign the checks.”

  Of course, that was one of the reasons I was attending school—to get more involved in the business side of the shop. I’m great at suggesting a book or coffee choice, but give me sales projection tables and my eyes start to blur.

  “That’s probably not true, but I’ll be glad to try and visit the meeting. If not me, maybe Johnny would like to come. He’s the manager of retail development for the family. He’s very sociable. Everyone likes him.” Mandy didn’t seem convinced of her own words.

  “So a typical salesman type?”

  Mandy didn’t answer, but I saw the grin. As we crested a hill, I saw a large tree out on its own in the middle of rows of bushes. “What’s that?”

  Mandy looked toward where I was pointing. “That’s our last original olive tree. Family history stays it came over from Italy as a sprout in Adamo Jense
n’s pocket. He was just a boy, but he kept it alive on the long ship ride from his native Italy. We call it the Judas tree.”

  “Because of the way it looks?” Nathan started snapping pictures.

  “I’m not exactly sure about the story on the name.” Mandy dropped her voice, looking around to see if anyone was nearby. “I shouldn’t be telling you this, but rumor is several family members have taken their lives here. The tree doesn’t produce anymore, but the family won’t let it be destroyed.”

  “What a sad story.” Now the tree took on a sinister look. I felt the goosebumps on my arms before I realized I was shivering.

  Walking down to the barn, the field part of the tour over, Nathan fell into step with Greg and me. He was looking at the pictures he’d taken on his phone. “This is the best place ever to dump a body.”

  CHAPTER 3

  I watched Greg as he stood on the deck, grilling steak for dinner. The man did look good in Wranglers, especially from the back. His sandy hair was just over his collar, and exactly the length I liked it. When he shut the grill cover and spun around, he caught me admiring his assets. “I thought you were studying.”

  I put a bookmark into the text I’d been drifting off over for the last thirty minutes. Intro classes were supposed to whet your interest for the subject. This one was just making me rethink the whole go back to school idea. “I’m losing focus. I’ll finish up tomorrow.”

  “Good, I’ve got something I wanted to talk about anyway.” He came and after holding up my legs so he could sit on the swing next to me, he put my bare feet on his lap. The heat of his arm on my legs made me think of other things we could be doing rather than just talking.

  I sat the book on the porch under the swing. “What’s up, buttercup?” Greg didn’t look at me, which made my stomach churn. Were we breaking up? Would he come over and make me dinner just to break up with me? I relaxed a fraction. Greg wouldn’t do that. He was too honorable to be a jerk. Laughing to lighten the tone, I asked, “Seriously, you’re scaring me, what’s up?”