by Cindy Bell
“That’s wonderful news. Did you know, Jean?” Nikki stared into the woman’s eyes. “Did you know what Phil was planning?”
“No, of course I didn’t.” Jean sighed as she looked over the freely flowing creek. “I was there yesterday because I had started to suspect he was involved. I had hoped that I was wrong.” She closed her eyes. “I hope you know that if I had even for a second suspected he was capable of hurting you, I would have warned you.”
“I do.” Nikki placed her hand on the woman’s shoulder. “How did you know I was there?”
“I didn’t. When Phil wouldn’t let you take a look in the barn, I decided I needed to find out what he was hiding.” Jean laughed. “I guess we’re not very different. Are we?”
“I guess not.” Nikki smiled. “I’m sorry for you, and Phil.”
“How can you be sorry?” She shook her head, then looked into Nikki’s eyes. “He held a gun on you. He threatened to kill you. I would think you’d be relieved that he’s in jail.”
“I am, to some degree.” Nikki frowned as her hand slipped back down to her side. “I just wish that it didn’t come to this. Rocky caused so much trouble for the people of this town. No, it’s not an excuse for what Phil did, but I imagine that if Rocky had never showed his face here, if he’d never opened his restaurant and cut off the water, Phil would still be tending his bees, a peaceful man without a murderous thought in his mind.”
“You’re probably right.” Jean patted her chest. “I just wish I could have stopped Phil.”
“You did your best to protect your community, Jean, you and Jackson both did. You can’t blame yourself for Rocky or Phil’s actions.” Nikki glanced up at the sound of a dog barking happily.
“No, I guess I can’t. Again, I’m sorry for what happened to you, Nikki.” Jean pulled her into a brief hug.
“Thanks, Jean.” As Nikki pulled away she saw Hannah walk up with Daisy.
“Enjoy your time with your friend.” Jean shot a smile in Hannah’s direction, then crossed back over the fallen tree. Nikki noticed a difference in Jean. She seemed to have a bounce in her step.
“Hey there, hero.” Hannah slung an arm around Nikki’s shoulders. “What was that about?”
“I am definitely not a hero. Maybe you, and maybe Detective Spade, maybe even Jean. But definitely not me.” Nikki laughed. “That was Jean saying goodbye.”
“I still can’t believe all of this happened.” Hannah threw a ball for the dogs to chase. “I honestly didn’t think it was possible in a town like this.”
“I guess it’s possible anywhere.” Nikki shivered, despite the warm air. She could still recall what it felt like to see that gun pointed at her. Maybe Phil never would have pulled the trigger, but she couldn’t be sure. It occurred to her that things could have gone very differently, especially if Detective Spade hadn’t shown up when he did. “I’m just glad that it’s all over now.” She threw down a few treats for the pugs. “Jackson sent me a text this morning that he was coming home early. I feel bad for interfering with his trip. I told him I would stay, but he said there was too much craziness going on back here and he wanted to get home.”
“You shouldn’t feel bad. Jackson brought a lot of this on himself by being so secretive about what he was doing. I had no idea that he planned to go to court over the dam. I doubt Jean knew exactly what she was getting into.” Hannah called Daisy over and gave her some treats as well.
“I don’t know about that, Jean seemed pretty clear when she broke in and stole those photos and notes.” Nikki shook her head. “I don’t imagine she would have done that if she wasn’t pretty invested in taking Rocky down. I know that she just wanted to protect Jackson, but she sure did give me a scare.”
“I bet.” Hannah sighed and looked out at the dogs as they frolicked.
“Oh, by the way, I have some good news for you.” Nikki flashed a grin in her direction.
“What’s that?” Hannah glanced up. “You’ve decided to stay here forever?”
“No.” Nikki laughed. “It’s a nice place. I would love to live in the same town as you, but my heart is in Dahlia, you know that.”
“Yes, I do. So, what’s the good news?” Hannah reached down to pet Daisy.
“Shawn is going to be Jackson’s new neighbor. I don’t think you’ll have any trouble spending time together.” Nikki smiled.
“Are you sure?” Hannah’s eyes widened. “That’s wonderful. I thought I might never see him if the restaurant closed.”
“I don’t think you have to worry about him going anywhere.” Nikki walked with her beside the creek and listened to the water. As they walked, clouds began to gather above them. Thin streaks of sunlight skewered them, creating a mystical playground for the dogs to romp through.
“I do love it here.” Hannah sighed and looked up at the sky.
“You should. It’s a beautiful place.” Nikki nudged her friend with her elbow. “But maybe next time you can come visit me.”
“Absolutely!” Hannah gasped and took a step back.
“What? What’s wrong?” Nikki caught her by the elbow before she could stumble into the creek.
“A raindrop just hit me!” Hannah jumped up and down and shouted. “It’s raining, Nikki!”
“It sure is!” Nikki laughed as the sky opened up. As the rain poured down, she hugged Hannah. Pawprint Creek was on its way back to being the peaceful, fruitful town it had once been. As much as she looked forward to going back home to Dahlia, she knew that some of Pawprint Creek would be coming home with her. She would always remember Sunny and Stormy, the people she had met, and the beauty of the community that came together despite the worst of circumstances.
The End
***
Thank you very much for reading Murder at Pawprint Creek, the prequel to the Wagging Tail Cozy Mystery Series. I hope you enjoyed it. The first book in the series Murder at Pooch Park is available now. You can sign up for my cozy mystery newsletter to be notified of my latest releases so you don’t miss out on the special new release price at
http://www.cindybellbooks.com
Also by Cindy Bell
Wagging Tail Cozy Mysteries
Murder at Pawprint Creek (prequel)
Murder at Pooch Park
Murder at the Pet Boutique
A Merry Murder at St. Bernard Cabins
Chocolate Centered Cozy Mysteries
The Sweet Smell of Murder
A Deadly Delicious Delivery
A Bitter Sweet Murder
A Treacherous Tasty Trail
Pastry and Peril
Trouble and Treats
Fudge Films and Felonies
Custom-Made Murder
Skydiving, Soufflés and Sabotage
Christmas Chocolates and Crimes
Hot Chocolate and Homicide
Chocolate Caramels and Conmen
Picnics, Pies and Lies
Sage Gardens Cozy Mysteries
Birthdays Can Be Deadly
Money Can Be Deadly
Trust Can Be Deadly
Ties Can Be Deadly
Rocks Can Be Deadly
Jewelry Can Be Deadly
Numbers Can Be Deadly
Memories Can Be Deadly
Paintings Can Be Deadly
Snow Can Be Deadly
Tea Can Be Deadly
Greed Can Be Deadly
Dune House Cozy Mysteries
Seaside Secrets
Boats and Bad Guys
Treasured History
Hidden Hideaways
Dodgy Dealings
Suspects and Surprises
Ruffled Feathers
A Fishy Discovery
Danger in the Depths
Celebrities and Chaos
Pups, Pilots and Peril
Tides, Trails and Trouble
Racing and Robberies
Athletes and Alibis
Donut Truck Cozy Mysteries
Deadly Deals and Donuts
Fatal Festive Donuts
Bunny Donuts and a Body
Bekki the Beautician Cozy Mysteries
Hairspray and Homicide
A Dyed Blonde and a Dead Body
Mascara and Murder
Pageant and Poison
Conditioner and a Corpse
Mistletoe, Makeup and Murder
Hairpin, Hair Dryer and Homicide
Blush, a Bride and a Body
Shampoo and a Stiff
Cosmetics, a Cruise and a Killer
Lipstick, a Long Iron and Lifeless
Camping, Concealer and Criminals
Treated and Dyed
A Wrinkle-Free Murder
A Macaron Patisserie Cozy Mystery Series
Sifting for Suspects
Recipes and Revenge
Mansions, Macarons and Murder
Nuts About Nuts Cozy Mysteries
A Tough Case to Crack
A Seed of Doubt
Roasted Penuts and Peril
Heavenly Highland Inn Cozy Mysteries
Murdering the Roses
Dead in the Daisies
Killing the Carnations
Drowning the Daffodils
Suffocating the Sunflowers
Books, Bullets and Blooms
A Deadly Serious Gardening Contest
A Bridal Bouquet and a Body
Digging for Dirt
Wendy the Wedding Planner Cozy Mysteries
Matrimony, Money and Murder
Chefs, Ceremonies and Crimes
Knives and Nuptials
Mice, Marriage and Murder
About the Author
Cindy Bell is a USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author. She is the author of the cozy mystery series Wagging Tail, Donut Truck, Dune House, Sage Gardens, Chocolate Centered, Macaron Patisserie, Nuts about Nuts, Bekki the Beautician, Heavenly Highland Inn and Wendy the Wedding Planner.
Cindy has always loved reading, but it is only recently that she has discovered her passion for writing romantic cozy mysteries. She loves walking along the beach thinking of the next adventure her characters can embark on.
You can sign up for her newsletter so you are notified of her latest releases at http://www.cindybellbooks.com.