by Ellery Adams
“I don’t think we’ll ever know,” she said. “And maybe it’s better that way. Let Iris think he loved her.”
He nodded. “Speaking of love, I’ve been wanting to talk to you about Jazzy,” he said. “I know you’ve been holding out hope I’ll ask her out, and we’ll be a couple, but it’s not going to happen. We’re friends, and always will be, but as much as I like her, and her coffee and baking, we just don’t click on things that are important to me. I need someone I can talk to about my work. Jazzy doesn’t like to talk about murder, and unfortunately, that’s my job.”
“I understand,” she said.
“Do you? I hope so. Because I know you meant well, trying to fix us up.” He smiled. “Besides, in case you haven’t noticed, Officer Reilly has been glued to her side since he got here.”
“I did notice,” she said. Christopher Reilly was a handsome thirty-year-old cop, and as one of the heroes who’d come to the rescue, Molly thought highly of him. He was also taking courses at night to become an accountant, which was a profession she knew Jazzy could handle. She thought they made a cute couple.
The sliding door opened, and Starling walked into the kitchen. “Uncle Matt says the burgers will be ready in about five minutes.” She smiled at Lombardi. “Would you like another beer? I’ll be happy to get it for you, and put it next to where I’m sitting.”
“You’re a sweetheart, but I’m still working on this one,” he said.
“Oh. Okay.” Starling looked disappointed.
“Save me a seat, though,” he said. And her smile returned.
She went out the door, and Lombardi kept watching her through the glass. Molly said, “Did you just call her sweetheart?”
“I called her a sweetheart,” he said.
“Starling’s a strong young woman,” she said. “She doesn’t mind talking about murders. In fact, she wanted to know everything about the case, and she had some interesting theories.”
He looked at her. “Would you and Matt have an objection if I asked her out?”
“Would it matter if we did? You and Starling are both adults, and as far as we’re concerned, she can date whoever she wants—as long as they’re not someone like Julian.” Molly pointed a finger at him. “But I swear, Lombardi, if you break her heart, you’ll be in big trouble with me.”
“Whoa. What kind of big trouble exactly?”
“No more invites to dinner, or football, baseball, and hockey game nights with Matt, no more godfather playdates with Tyler. And I’ll never, ever help you on another case as long as I live.”
He blew out his breath. “You drive a hard bargain,” he said.
“I mean it,” she said.
He nodded. “Okay. I’ll make you this promise. If Starling says she’ll go out with me, I won’t break her heart. Although I can’t promise she won’t break mine.”
“I hope you mean it,” she said.
“Hasn’t it occurred to you that maybe I’m tired of dating someone new every few months, and that I’d like to be in a committed relationship?”
“If that’s true, then I think you’re off to a good start with Starling. She told me she likes you, in case you couldn’t see that for yourself.” His face lit up with wonder, and it was the first time Molly could ever remember seeing him look so happy. Starling was having a positive effect on him. She walked over to the sliding door and opened it. “Go have a burger, and ask her out before the night is over.”
He smiled and went out the door. Molly watched him walk over to Starling, who looked up at him with adoring eyes. She was amazed to see Lombardi blush. This actually might work, she thought.
Matt announced the burgers were ready, and people started moving to the grill. Molly noticed Iris at one of the extra tables they weren’t using, and walked over to her.
“I’m setting up some board games for later,” Iris said. “I thought someone might like to play.”
“If any of the games require a partner, I think we should team up,” Molly said.
“I’d love to,” Iris said. “We’ve been through a lot together, and you’ve helped me so much. You’ve introduced me to so many nice people. Starling and I are going to the movies this weekend.” She was positively beaming. “And you and Matt have made me feel so welcome in your home. Tyler is adorable, and your mother and her husband have offered me a job at the Treasure Trove. I can do something besides cleaning houses for a living. Honestly, I don’t know how to thank you.”
“The way you can thank me is to live your life and be happy,” Molly said. “You’re a good person, Iris. I’m glad to call you my friend.”
“These last few days,” Iris said, “I feel like I’m the luckiest girl alive.”
“Me, too,” Molly said. “Now, let’s go get something to eat. I’m starving.”
Books by Ellery Adams
The Secret, Book & Scone Society
The Secret, Book & Scone Society
The Whispered Word
The Book Retreat Mysteries
Murder in the Mystery Suite
Murder in the Paperback Parlor
Murder in the Secret Garden
Murder in the Locked Library
The Charmed Pie Shoppe Mysteries
Pies and Prejudice
Peach Pies and Alibis
Pecan Pies and Homicides
Lemon Pies and Little White Lies
Breach of Crust
The Books by the Bay Mysteries
A Killer Plot
A Deadly Cliché
The Last Word
Written in Stone
Poisoned Prose
Lethal Letters
Writing All Wrongs
Killer Characters
The Supper Club Mysteries
Carbs & Cadavers
Fit to Die
Chili con Corpses
Stiffs and Swine
The Battered Body
Black Beans & Vice
Pasta Mortem
Hope Street Church Mysteries
The Path of the Crooked
The Way of the Wicked
The Graves of the Guilty
The Root of All Evil
Fate of the Fallen
Antiques & Collectibles Mysteries
A Killer Collection
A Fatal Appraisal
A Deadly Dealer
A Treacherous Trader (with Parker Riggs)
A Devious Lot (with Parker Riggs)
A Killer Keepsake (with Parker Riggs)
A Bidder End (with Parker Riggs)
Books by Parker Riggs
Finding Jessica
A Treacherous Trader (with Ellery Adams)
A Devious Lot (with Ellery Adams)
A Killer Keepsake (with Ellery Adams)
A Bidder End (with Ellery Adams)
About the Authors
Ellery Adams
USA Today and New York Times bestselling author Ellery Adams lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, with her husband, two children, and three cats. She’s written multiple series including the Supper Club Mysteries, the Book Retreat Mysteries, the Secret, Book, and Scone Society Mysteries, and more.
Parker Riggs
Parker Riggs’s love of writing began as a teenager growing up in New Jersey, where she penned short stories and poetry. Her dream to be a published author got set aside for a career in Washington, D.C., where, for two decades, she supported politicians and lawyers. Yet the dream never died. Pursuing her passion for mysteries, Parker is the author of the mystery novel Finding Jessica. She is now permanently settled in New Hampshire with her husband and a lively mini Dachshund named Pippa.
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