by Sonia Parin
It had been an accident. If she hadn’t taken the dogs out, Mischief would never have picked up Henry’s scent and she would not have gone chasing after Mischief...
“So what will happen to Henry now?”
“Henry will spend his days in a convalescing home. I’m sure he’ll drive everyone nuts, but I like to think he’ll finally find someone there. He’ll fall in love—”
“Oh, Mira. Do you really think there’s someone for everyone?”
Mira laughed lightly and nodded. “And some people are lucky to find more than one special someone.”
“Please don’t look at me when you say that.”
“You’re too young to be cynical.” Mira rose to her feet. “I have some unpacking to do.”
“Hang on. What did you think of Jack Bradford?” Eve couldn’t help asking.
“I liked him so much, I’m thinking of putting him in my next novel. A swashbuckling pirate who inherits a dukedom.”
“Oh, I can’t wait to read that one,” Jill said.
Mira slanted her gaze toward Eve.
Eve looked away coyly. “I’ll give it a go. But you know I’m not a big reader.” She surged to her feet. “I was going to prepare you a feast but I haven’t had the chance to shop. How about we all go out to lunch. Jill? Do you feel safe enough to be seen with me?”
“What’s that about? Why wouldn’t Jill feel safe?” Mira asked.
“Oh, nothing much. Just that for a while there, we’d all become suspects in an ongoing murder investigation. Now that I think of it, no one suspected you, Mira. And you would have been an ideal candidate. Pretending to be missing and all the while lurking in the shadows and emerging long enough to kill people.”
“You had a lucky escape, Mira,” Jill murmured.
“I take it you didn’t?” Mira asked.
“What are you two talking about?”
“Nothing, dear. How about you both help me with the unpacking and then we can all go to lunch?”
“That sounds like a perfect plan.”
Epilogue
A week later, Eve sat on the front veranda with Mira.
A week of finally breathing easy and relaxing.
“It’s been wonderful having you here.” Mira raised her teacup to her lips. “Have you given any thought to extending your stay?”
“Well, I’m in no hurry to get cracking with my next project because I have no idea what it’ll be. When I first arrived, I felt as if I had this deadline hanging over me and I had to make a quick decision, but the fact is, I can afford to take it easy for a couple of months.”
“That’s good to hear. Does that mean you’re happy to relax here?” Mira asked.
“If you’ll have me, yes.”
“You know this is your home. The door is always open to you.”
“You’ve no idea how good that makes me feel.” Mira’s home had always been the one place where she felt safe, wanted and appreciated for herself.
A seagull hovered in the light breeze, squawked and flew away.
“I noticed Tinkerbelle’s Bookshop is up for sale. You could buy it,” Mira suggested in her usual no-nonsense manner.
“The thought occurred to me but I wouldn’t be any good at it. People would want book recommendations and I wouldn’t know where to start.” She lifted her shoulder. “Something will come up.”
“Then I might buy it as an investment. We wouldn’t want a chain store to take it over and strip it of its uniqueness.”
“That’ll make Abby happy. She’s keen to move on and expand her opportunities to meet someone. And of course, Samantha. I think she loves working there.”
“Well, she could be in line for a promotion. Store Manager.” Mira drained her cup and set it down. “You know I’m going away on one of my cruises.”
“Yes, Helena Flanders mentioned it.”
“I always feel uneasy about leaving the house empty. Do you think... maybe you’d want to stay and look after it?”
Eve smiled. “I’d love to.” Eve wanted to mention the inheritance Richard Parkmore had been so fixated with, but that meant thinking about Mira no longer being around, so she didn’t say anything.
“Oh, look,” Mira said, “We have a visitor. Or at least you do.”
Eve looked up.
Jack Bradford.
“He’s probably here on official business.”
“You can’t be sure of that. I don’t see him holding any official documents.”
“He doesn’t need documents to be official.” He’d said he was always on official business. So she had no business thinking he’d find another reason to come by.
“Well, we’re about to find out. Despite what you say about my matchmaking ways, my money’s on him coming here to see you.”
* * *
Eve’s gaze swept around his face taking in the square jaw, the firm mouth, then it drifted down to his broad shoulders. When her gaze dropped further, she could barely keep her eyes away from his narrow hips as he swaggered up the drive toward them. His jeans looked well worn and hung low on his hips. His plain dark blue shirt was unbuttoned at the neck. His arms swung lightly beside him, but not in a carefree way. There was more purpose to his movements. Maybe he was here on official business after all...
“Hello, detective.”
“Eve. Mira. How are you?”
“We’re very well, thank you. We were both wondering what might have brought you out here...” Eve told herself to shut up, but she couldn’t, “I told Mira you’re always on official business, but the case has already been wrapped up, or so we hear.”
He nodded and came up the steps.
“Have a seat.” She focused on taking five breaths before offering him some coffee.
Deciding it would be safe to leave him with Mira, she trotted off to the kitchen. On the way back, she checked her reflection in the hallway mirror.
Okay, that definitely had to be a sign she was on the mend.
When she stepped out onto the veranda, Mira excused herself saying she’d had a spark of an idea for one of her books she needed to jot down.
“I have some cookies. I’ve spent the last couple of days baking up a storm for Mira. She loves to nibble on something while she writes.”
“She’s very lucky to have you.” He took one and bit off the edge.
“I think so, yes.”
“Any idea how long her luck is likely to run?”
She actually had to think about what he’d said before it clicked. “Oh, I haven’t decided yet. Although, I have actually decided to take a break and not stress about having to make a decision straight away.”
“That’s a lot of decision making.”
“I’m in no hurry. How about you? I suppose you have a lot of paperwork to catch up on and don’t necessarily want to be rushed to your next crime scene.”
“That’s one place I’m never in a hurry to get to.”
“But you do get there promptly.” And thank goodness for that, she thought, not even wanting to imagine what would have happened if Jack hadn’t arrived in the nick of time to save her from Richard’ clutches.
“I assume you got a full confession from Richard Parkmore.”
“He’s been booked.”
“You know I suspected him all along.”
He laughed. “You’d say that.”
“He had that preppy look about him that reminded me of Alex. It’s a particular type I’m trying to avoid.”
Jack looked down at himself.
“Oh, you don’t have to worry. There’s nothing preppy about you.” Jack was the complete opposite, with that rugged, comfortable anywhere but in particular the outdoors, look. Eve had a sudden mental image of Jack chopping wood... bare-chested... looking up at her and smiling... raking his fingers through his thick hair... striding toward her.
“I’m glad to hear you say so. I’d hate to think you wouldn’t be comfortable being seen out in public with me.”
“In public? Where?”
“Are you asking me out to dinner, Jack?”
“Yes, I am. Would you have dinner with me, Eve?”
“How could I say no? It’ll be interesting to see what else we have to talk about.”
“I’ve been doing some reading.”
Eve shifted in her seat. “Reading?”
“I was curious about Mira’s books.”
“Oh.” She’d have to find out which one so she could read it too.
He laughed under his breath. “I guess I just came across as too eager to please.”
He’d read a book... to please her? “Did you enjoy it?”
“Did I happen to mention I was eager to please?”
“Top marks for trying. Don’t worry, we’ll find some common ground. We can always talk about food. I know all about that.”
He took another bite of his cookie. “There’s a complexity of flavors to enjoy here.”
“See, we’re off to a great start.”
* * * * *
Other cozy mystery books by Sonia Parin
A Deadline Cozy Mystery
Sunny Side Up
Snuffed Out
All Tied Up
The Last Bite
Final Cut
Sleeping with the Fishes
A Mackenzie Coven Mystery
Witch Inheritance
Witch Indeed
Witch Cast
Witch Charm
Witch Trials
Witch Namaste - A Mackenzie Coven Mystery Short
Good Witch Hunting - A Mackenzie Coven Mystery Short
For updates about upcoming releases, please visit soniaparin.com, twitter or facebook
