Death at the Museum
Page 17
"Yes, maybe you can add that to your list of life lessons along with coffee making 101. Now back to Dave. How has he betrayed me?"
Her face smoothed with genuine confusion. "Well, because of the article, of course. We were having a working breakfast together. I was finishing up with some correspondences, and he was writing his article, the article," she added pointedly.
"The article?" The conversation was definitely fueling my budding headache.
For a second, a rare second, my sister was speechless. "I—I—just assumed you knew that Dave was writing an article about the inn being haunted."
I should have been shocked, mortified, angry, but deep down I'd already predicted that the big mystery article was about Cider Ridge Inn. I shook my head and walked to the refrigerator, hoping a glass of orange juice would stave off a major headache. "He wouldn't tell any of us what his article was about. Since he was spending so much time interviewing people who frequent this house, and because he was still obsessing over the falling oranges, I was pretty sure he was writing something about the inn being haunted." I poured myself a glass and offered Lana some too. She declined. She was in a fluster, not a normal state for my big sister.
I took a bracing sip, it was cold and sweet and tangy. Just what I needed. "You didn't really break up with him, did you?"
Lana pushed her sleeves back and wriggled lightly with self-importance. "I told him I couldn't possibly date someone who would make up lies about my sister's inn. I reminded him it was your future business."
I smiled. "Nice to have my big sister go to bat for me. Remember when those two girls at the end of the street—Ruthie and Patty—remember they wouldn't let me ride my bike past their house without paying a toll."
She laughed. "That was one of my more brilliant big sister moments. I marched right down there and scared them so badly they ran inside crying."
"And I rode my bike back and forth in front of their house about twenty times. The Taylor sisters stick together," I said.
"Darn right."
"But, Lana, don't break up with him if you still care for him. I can deal with the article about the inn. I'm still a year out from opening. People will forget by then, and frankly, the whole thing might make Dave look a little silly. People might not take his articles too seriously after this."
"See," she said enthusiastically, "that's what I told him." We both sat at the table. "Honestly, I'm surprised you're not more upset about this. I know you badly want to keep the haunted rumors out of your new business."
I peered briefly over the rim of my glass at Edward. He looked dashing and so incredibly alive standing in my kitchen with his breeches and untied cravat. "I don't know—maybe a little ghostliness won't hurt. Might make my place stand out above some of the other ghost-free inns."
Lana laughed. "You almost sound as if you're starting to believe this inn is haunted."
I snuck a wink at Edward. His concern for my safety, while somewhat annoying, was also endearing. Even in spirit form, he still maintained those emotions that made him human. I wasn't sure if my life would ever be right without him.
"No, Lana, not haunted—just special."
Murder at the Pumpkin Patch
Firefly Junction Cozy Mystery #12
About the Author
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London Lovett is the author of the Port Danby, Starfire and Firefly Junction Cozy Mystery series. She loves getting caught up in a good mystery and baking delicious, new treats!
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