Ropes and Trees and Murder

by Patti Larsen

  Ropes and Trees and Murder

  Fiona Fleming Cozy Mysteries #6

  Patti Larsen

  Smashwords Edition

  Copyright 2017 by Patti Larsen

  Find out more about me at

  http://www.pattilarsen.com

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  Smashwords Edition, License Notes

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to the vendor and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  ***

  Cover art (copyright) by Christina G. Gaudet. All rights reserved.

  http://castlekeepcreations.com/

  Edited by Jessica Bufkin

  Thanks, Kirstin!

  ***

  Chapter One

  The fresh paint smell washed through the foyer as the open front door of the annex gaped, three workmen carefully balancing a large, leather sofa between them, muttering about care and caution as I stood to one side and watched them maneuver their expert way. Sunlight shone through the stained glass panels flanking the tall, oak entry, casting a stunning lightscape over the parts of the shining wood floor not covered in a temporary mask of cardboard laid to protect them from the heavy boots of the men unloading furniture.

  Heart in my throat, I stayed out of the way, though not out of concern for the safety of either the expensive piece I’d added to the sitting room’s décor or my floors but simply because, after months of waiting and planning and gutting and rebuilding, Petunia’s annex was so close to completion I could taste it. Maybe that was just the chemical mix of hardwood sealant and acrylic paint, but it equated to the same thing, right?

  Shadows passed over the doorway, the tall, handsome figure of Jared Wilkens and his slim, stunning girlfriend, Alicia Conway, crossing the threshold. They both beamed at me while the workmen disappeared into the sitting room on my left, the attractive blonde inhaling and looking up the majestic curved bannister of the staircase toward the second floor, taking in the view as much as I had when I’d come here only a few minutes ago to oversee the unloading of the new furniture. I took a second to close my eyes, open them again, look around me as if for the first time and caught my breath.

  “Oh Fee,” Alicia gushed, hurrying to me, her high heels tapping softly on the cardboard before clicking on the wood floor. She grasped me in a huge hug even as I mentally grumbled about the scratches her shoes were likely leaving and knowing I had to get over that surge of protectiveness. I’d be having guests soon enough and the floors would just have to live with it.

  “Thanks for meeting us for the final walk through.” Jared took his turn, embracing me quickly before he pulled away, huge smile lighting his handsome face. “Are you happy?” Was that real worry in his eyes when they met mine?

  “You’re seriously kidding me right now.” I punched him playfully in the upper arm before hugging myself in an effort to keep from squealing in excitement. They’d been through every step of the remodel with me, from the rearrangement of the layout to the selection of the flooring to the color choices and even the specific pieces that gave the annex its lush, unique look I loved. From the multi-hued hardwood to the white and dark cherry stairs with the heavy bannister I couldn’t wait to decorate for the holidays (yes, it was only May, but Christmas), the large crystal chandelier sparkling over our heads, the rich, delicious colors and exquisitely understated painting hanging over the front door to the individually adorned rooms with a new theme of seasons… “It’s perfect, Jared. I can’t thank you both enough for everything you’ve done.”

  “On time,” he grinned at me, winked. “And on budget.” Thank goodness for that, though I’d fretted the last month over my dwindling renovation account. Part of me worried he might have purposely eaten some of the costs to keep this project from running over. I knew Jared felt responsible in many ways for the failings of his father, my own near-death experience at the hands of his great-great aunt in this very foyer what felt like a lifetime ago. I hated to take advantage of him or his generosity, but, well. I’d find a way to make it up to both of them.

  “Just in time,” Alicia rolled her eyes and laughed. “If I had to field one more panicked reassurance for your mother, I think I would have lost it.” She squeezed his hand as if to take the sting out of her words and he smiled that sweetly indulgent smile he always seemed to have for her as she grinned at me. “I’ll be happy to let Aundrea know the annex is now ready for the wedding on Saturday.”

  She had to remind me. It was Monday already and I still had a ton of things to do, it seemed, before the big event in six days. Nerves jangled as I joined the adorable pair and took the next half hour to tour the entirely of the space. The few new staff Daisy hired to set up the annex stayed out of the way while I did my best to enjoy the walkthrough, despite the growing sense of nervousness I had. Not for the space itself, that was taken care of. No, it was the impending sense of stress I’d bitten of a giant mouthful of holy crap what was I thinking that loomed over me and tickled my mind with the thought I really, really needed to recruit help beyond mere employees.

  There were still a few details to take care of and I’d been so busy at Petunia’s the last few months it seemed like we’d never finish. Busy enough I’d come to the realization this was far too much for me to handle alone. Sure, I could run myself ragged, likely end up exhausted and cranky. I’d rather enjoy it, though. And while one of the people I wanted to approach for a partnership was readily available, the other wasn’t exactly in the right frame of mind. Which made me hold off and catch my breath and worry all the more about what I’d done.

  As I peeked in every space, fluffing pillows while Jared made notes about small things he wanted to address and Alicia used her critical eye for design to suggest minor alterations, I whispered a mental thank you to my best friend, Daisy, who even now hustled next door at my B&B, allowing me this time away to make sure everything was perfect.

  I still had no idea what I’d do without her. And didn’t want to find out.

  “Thanks, Fee,” Jared said. “I’ll have the workers take care of the last few things the first of the week, after the wedding is over and we’re out of your hair. Then you should be good to go for the season.” He paused at last at the front door after a quick tour of the garden. The landscapers were putting finishing touches on the flower beds, the hated fence finally down, the vast yard between the Carriage House, Petunia’s and the annex feeling like an oasis now. The expansion of the koi pond and addition of a lovely stone bridge—Jared’s idea—gave Fat Benny and his happy fish friends a chance for more of a world to explore, not to mention a few new additions to their threesome they seemed content to accept.

  “I honestly can’t thank you both enough,” I said, felt my breath catch for the millionth time, realized I was so close to tears it surprised me. When I hugged them again my heart was racing and rather than let Jared off the hook with a quick embrace, I squeezed him an extra moment before whispering in his ear. “Jared.” I couldn’t speak for a second, felt him relax as he hugged me back.

  “You’re welcome,” he whispered in return. And sighed like some inner tension finally left him. How much did he struggle with his father’s misdeeds? How much of that did he take on himself every day? Enough, I was sure of it. When I met his eyes, Jared blinked a bit, flushed, looked away, but he was smiling and I giggled in delight at his response, unable to stop myself.

  Alicia’s fond expression turned teasing. “Yo
u really have to name this place now, Fee,” she said. “The annex just doesn’t do it justice.”

  Groan. “I know,” I said turning to look back into the foyer, the bright sunlight showcasing the gorgeous interior in a way that made me want to go through this all over again next door. And kick myself for even considering it. At least, not without backup. “I will. I just… need the right name.” There was time, and yet no time, really. This house was now booked fully until the end of September and it wasn’t even officially opened yet. Despite her now rocky mayorship, Olivia Walker’s tourism push wasn’t letting up any time soon, it seemed.

  “It’ll come to you,” Jared said before smiling down at Alicia. “We should go.” I turned back in time to see the faint frown between his brows, the way he glanced at his watch. “Fee’s busy and we have that thing.”

  Alicia’s face tightened before she sighed in a tight burst of exhale. “Right.” She hesitated then glanced at me. When she reached for my hands, her grasp felt a bit too tight and for the first time I noted the matching tension in them both. Because I was a crappy friend, apparently, and everything was about me.

  Before I had a chance to ask them what was going on, Daisy blew through the front door, beaming a huge smile, her heavy, blonde hair swept into a stunningly messy bun at the base of her neck, her lovely blue dress hugging her curves, exuberant smile the most beautiful part of her. I found myself grinning at the expressions on the faces of the two women who followed in behind her, gesturing for them to enter.

  Pamela Shard’s eyes swept over everything, grin tight and gleeful. But it was her fiancé, Aundrea Wilkins, who literally squealed in excitement, rapidly hugging first her son and then his girlfriend before kissing me on both cheeks. She swept past me without a word, chattering to Daisy, hanging onto her arm, Pamela winking at me on the way by while my bestie gave the happy couple the tour.

  “I guess I don’t have to field any more questions,” Alicia said. Laughed. She sobered a bit, hand still holding mine, though her grip was lighter, less tense. “Has Lucy changed her mind?” She asked softly, with caring, while my happy heart clenched and I fought off a deep sigh threatening me. The partnership thought lingered as I answered.

  “Not yet,” I said, wondering if my mother would ever come around. Would return to the woman I knew I needed at my side if I was going to make this work. While she was no longer so desperately sad about her self-styled failure in January on that ridiculously stupid baking show and subsequent loss of confidence, she wasn’t the mother I adored. Or the woman I could call on to take part in this project the way I knew would benefit both of us. Gone was the bubbly, cheerful and optimistically powerful Lucille Fleming I loved so much. Didn’t help that Dad had continued to work cases in his new private investigation business. Not that I blamed him for Mom’s unhappiness, but the two of them seemed distant for the first time and I worried constantly—when I wasn’t working, that was, which wasn’t much. So “constantly” really was a word I used to make myself feel better for forgetting about their troubles on a semi-regular basis (bad daughter). “I’m still working on her. So is Daisy.” The fact not even my irrepressibly kind and adorable bestie—and yet, perfect partner choice #2 when all was said and done—couldn’t reach Mom wasn’t helping. “But the catering and the cake are covered, so things are on schedule.” God, I was so tired of that word and laughed when I said it.

  “I hear you hired Vivian to bake?” Alicia’s tentativeness made me grin. Sure, we’d thawed a bit of our tensions since the Queen of Wheat helped me uncover the truth behind the murder of Ron Williams, but that didn’t make us friends or anything. Still, I’d been low on options and Vivian French had been coolly professional when I’d approached her about taking over for Mom. Not a moment of judgment or a hint of the conflict we’d shared in the past showing. So, maybe we could co-exist in Reading after all without devolving again into a shouting match behind her bakery for the entirety of town to gossip over.

  We’d see. No promises.

  “It’ll be perfect,” I said. “And nothing makes me happier than having the two of you as our very first guests.” The entire annex was booked out for the wedding, and I had a few surprises for the young couple, including some extra-special pampering even the brides weren’t going to receive. A small thank you, but they both worked so hard I wanted them to enjoy their weekend.

  “I can’t wait.” Alicia giggled, both hands over her mouth, wicked look aimed at her boyfriend who cleared his throat, blushing all over again. They were so freaking young, seriously. Hard to remember that sometimes, but it was lovely to see them happy. And while I’d briefly considered the pair of them as possible partner choices, their continuing expansion of their own business made that a ridiculous idea.

  Besides, I wanted Mom and Daisy and the more I thought about it, the more it made perfect sense.

  Wait, there it was again, that tension in the young couple, as the slim blonde dropped her hands, both sliding over the front of her crisp black business suit. “Jared,” she said, elbowed him not so subtly. “Just ask her.”

  His hesitation hurt, not because I worried what he might need, but because he would ever think I wasn’t there for him. When his eyes met mine and he opened his mouth, I poked him in the chest with one finger. And in that moment I decided no matter what if Jared Wilkins asked, it was an automatic affirmative from Fiona Freaking Fleming.

  ***

  Chapter Two

  “Fee,” Jared said.

  “Yes.” I grinned. “Anything.”

  He laughed, tension easing again. “You don’t even know what I’m asking.” Gratitude shone in his eyes, his hand reaching for Alicia’s who beamed at me and held his in both of hers.

  “I told you,” she winked at him.

  “Just tell me and I’m there,” I said. “Any place, any time. Whatever, whoever, just name it.” Again with the tears burning my eyes? Get it together, Fee. But I couldn’t help it, not while these two lovely souls smiled at me like I’d handed them the moon all of a sudden. Sure, like they didn’t do the same for me? For the first time my mind called them friends—not business acquaintances, not Pete Wilkins’s family, but real friends. Made me want to hug them all over again.

  I guess today was going to be an emotional day, then.

  Jared cleared his throat, met Alicia’s eyes before nodding and sighing, a big exhale, broad shoulders sagging just a bit as he leaned in like he needed to keep this between us. Sunlight crossed his cheek, shining over his stubbled face and for the first time I noticed he looked tired, drawn, as if the afternoon’s illumination highlighted how transparent he was becoming. Worry stung me deeper than I expected as he spoke.

  “You’ve heard about the new zip line park opening near the equestrian center?” His voice pitched so low I almost missed half of what he said. I nodded quickly, fighting a frown.

  “There’s been some controversy, right? Something to do with an endangered woodpecker habitat?” Daisy was telling me about it just yesterday. The young couple who moved here to open it had gained approval from the council to go ahead, but had run into issues just a week ago when some environmentalist group claimed a rare woodpecker species had their nesting site inside the park grounds.

  Alicia’s face tightened, eyes flashing, lips grim. “Jared’s a silent partner on the project,” she said. “Carmen and Aiden are friends from college.” Jared looked suddenly uncomfortable, shrugged as she went on. “They were careful, Fee. They did a full assessment before they chose the site.”

  “Everything was supposed to be fine,” Jared said, sounding dull now, a bit defeated. He ran one hand through his thick, dark hair, shaking his head. There was that weariness again, aging him past his mid-twenties. How had I forgotten he’d taken on the weight of the world when he’d chosen to make right the sins of his father? This annex was hardly the only project he was working on. Had he stretched himself too thin? “I feel terribly for them. They worked so hard on this.”

 
“Like you didn’t.” Alicia reached up on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. “Anyway, it doesn’t matter. They can protest all they want. There’s no proof the woodpeckers are nesting anywhere near the park or are even this far north.”

  “Doesn’t stop bad press though, does it?” Jared sighed again, hugged her against him, tucking her head under his chin. Dear heavens, could they be more adorable? Nope. “I’m still thinking we should delay opening but they have so much invested—”

  “It’s not your fault,” Alicia said with the kind of firm support that told me she really was the perfect partner for him. And had likely been shutting down his self-doubt for some time now it was so practiced. She didn’t move out of his embrace but her eyes met mine with unshakeable faith. “Here’s the thing,” she said. “They’re doing a local’s launch tomorrow, but Jared’s worried no one will come because the protestors are threatening to shut down the opening.”

  Whoops. “And you’d like me to come,” I said, “and show support, is that it?” Before either of them could confirm it, I grinned. “I’m in. What time?” Because I had the time. Well, I’d be making it, wouldn’t I? Poor Daisy would just have to have my back.

  Alicia lunged for me and hugged me tightly around my neck, lips on my cheek. “10AM. And thank you, Fee,” she said. “I just know if enough popular locals attend we can salvage this whole mess.”

  Jared’s phone rang, his frown as he answered renewing my concern and I stood there, wishing I could help somehow while he stepped outside to talk to whoever had called. Alicia tucked in next to me, hand taking mine, as she met my eyes, hers fluttering, lashes damp.

  “I’m so worried about him,” she whispered, voice catching, free hand waving in front of her face to fan away her tears. “Fee, he’s giving everything he has and he never thinks it’s enough. This means so much to us,” she gestured at the annex, “and you do because it seems like you’re the only one in this damned town who appreciates how much he does. How hard he works. You know.” She swallowed. “To make up for Pete.” She rushed on before I could say a word. “I wanted to leave, to just walk away and start again somewhere else, but this is home. He wants to stay. So we stay. I just…”