“You know she’s gay, right?”
“Yes, I know that. What of it? You hate lesbians now?”
“No!” I practically yelled. I lowered my voice. “She’s just so eager! She’s always talking about moving in here and going into business with you and all that stuff. It’s just weird.”
“Well, maybe she should.”
“What are you even talking about? You hardly know her!”
“You haven’t given me an answer. I need help! I can’t do this alone. I’m too stressed! It was so fun renovating and getting everything set up. But now actual people come and want to stay here and expect me to know everything! I don’t know anything! I’ve bitten off more than I can chew and Leslie’s offered to help out.” Jill looked like she was about to cry.
“Look. I’m sorry. I know you’re stressed out and I promise to help out more. I will make my decision soon, just don’t hire Leslie yet. I’ll stay here for the foreseeable future and help. If I decide to buy in, I’ll let you know as soon as possible.” I felt miserable. Why couldn’t I just do it? What was I so afraid of?
“Whatever.” Jill left my room.
Now I felt even worse than before.
Chapter Fourteen
That evening I decided to leave the B&B. I felt horrible about Jill, Heather’s murder, just everything right then. I didn’t want to end up moping around all night or hiding in my room, so I went into town for dinner. I avoided everyone in my family on the way out so I didn’t have to make excuses.
As I walked, I thought about what I would get for dinner. This was one of my favorite topics. I like to eat. A lot. I often find myself engaging in preventative eating. You know, how you might not be hungry now, but you probably will be later? And what if later, there was no food? You have to take care of these things ahead of time.
I decided on pizza and headed for Main Street Pizza and Pasta. I loved their pizza and their garlic knots were to die for. The bell jingled merrily as I opened the door to scents of marinara and oregano.
“Hey Hannah!” I heard from my left. I looked over and saw Grant standing there. “You here alone?” he asked.
“Yeah. I just felt like getting out and having pizza. What about you?”
“I’m alone. I just got off work.”
“Ah.” I stood there awkwardly, wondering what to do.
“Do you… I mean if you want to be alone, that’s fine, but do you want to join me? They said it would be just five minutes to clear a table.”
“Sure! Um, I mean, yes. I do.” Crap, that sounded eager. Oh well.
The host came over, grabbed a couple of menus and said, “Follow me.”
We walked over to a booth in the corner of the restaurant and sat across from each other. We opened the menus in silence. Now that I was there, the pasta was starting to look good. We ordered drinks, Diet Coke for me and water for Grant.
“What are you going to get?” he asked me.
“The pasta primavera looks delicious. I thought I wanted pizza, but I think I’ve changed my mind. What about you?”
“That does look good. I’m thinking a calzone and a salad.”
“Nice! Do you want to share some garlic knots?” I asked him, practically salivating over a basket of them on a nearby table.
“Sure.” The server came and took our orders and we handed over our menus. We sat back and sipped our drinks.
It’s been a while since Grant and I hung out alone. In fact, I’m pretty sure it was during high school. I tried to think of something to say to break the silence, but couldn’t come up with anything.
Grant leaned forward with a quiet confidence that he has developed since he was a shy, slightly nerdy high schooler. “Do you remember when we went to Disney with the band?” His eyes twinkled mischievously.
“Oh jeez. Yes.”
“You were all about Brad Patterson! No one else even had a shot!”
“Don’t remind me! He broke up with me as soon as we got home. I was devastated!” I paused. “But who else wanted a shot?”
“Only everyone. You were the hot girl in band. Everyone liked you.”
“Everyone?” I raised one eyebrow.
“Yes, everyone.” Grant met my eyes, meaningfully.
Ahem. Quick, change the subject. “Any movement on the case?” I asked, hurriedly. It got a little too serious there for a moment.
“Some things we’re chasing down. Nothing concrete, though.”
“Care to share?”
“There isn’t really anything. I was trying to make it sound like we were closer to solving it than we really are. It’s a mystery, that’s for sure. Who would kill someone that was a guest in Jill’s B&B? Or better, who would follow someone all the way to Pine Forest just to murder them? And if it was someone from out of town, chances are we won’t be able to find the killer.”
“Well that just sucks. Heather was a nice person. At least, from what I got from researching her online.”
Grant laughed. “Internet stalking, you mean.”
“No! Just a healthy curiosity about my fellow man—or woman, as the case may be.”
The garlic knots arrived and we both dug in. They really were perfect—crispy but soft inside, buttery and garlicy and herby. I could write a sonnet.
“So, how is everything going with your business and all?” Grant asked.
“It’s going well. Jill wants me to buy in to the B&B and help her out. I just don’t know if I should.”
“Why not?”
“It’s a big decision. It’s a lot of money and it would take time away from my pet sitting business. I wouldn’t be able to do as many overnights, which is where the real money is.”
“But on the other hand, you’d have income from the B&B come your way.”
“True.” I started on a second knot. There were five in total and I was wondering if I’d have to stab Grant in the hand to get the last one.
“Let me ask you this. Where do you see yourself in five years? Ten years?”
“Oh man. I don’t know. I don’t have any idea.”
“Do you see yourself still owning your business and helping Jill occasionally at the B&B?”
“I guess. Maybe I’d have my own place eventually; move out of my parents’ house.”
“Do you want to live anywhere else? Another state? Another city?”
“Not really,” I replied. “I really love the mountains. I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.”
“It sounds to me that you have nothing to lose. Your life wouldn’t change dramatically if you went into business with Jill and you’d still have your pet sitting business to fall back on if it didn’t work out.”
“I guess you’re right,” I said. I hadn’t really thought of it that way. I guess my mind automatically saw the dollar signs of investing in the B&B and couldn’t really get past it.
“Ok, that’s solved, then!” Grant grinned, disarmingly, showing his dimples. I kind of wanted to stick my finger in one. I held that desire in check, however.
Our meals came and we ate companionably, the hard issues answered for now. I had a bite of his calzone and shared some of my pasta. When the check came, we both reached for it.
Grant got to it first. “Let me. It’ll be like a high school fantasy fulfilled. I got to take Hannah Cavender out on a date!”
“Was this a date?” I asked, eyebrow raised again.
“It had all the attributes of a date,” he said as he handed the server his credit card. “We shared a meal. We had good conversation. I solved all of your problems.”
“Right,” I laughed. “Are you going to walk me home now?”
“Absolutely. There would be little to no chance of a goodnight kiss otherwise.”
“There still might not be,” I pointed out.
“True. But sometimes you just gotta try.”
We left the restaurant and walked toward the B&B in silence. I took a deep breath of the summer-scented air. The temperature was almost cool and perfect for an e
vening stroll. I waved to Mrs. Jessup and Mrs. Diggle as we passed on opposite sides of the road. Mrs. Diggle was carrying her one-pound dumbbells again.
We reached the B&B too soon and I led Grant toward the back door. “Do you want to come in for coffee? And by coffee, I mean actual coffee, so don’t get any ideas.”
Grant considered it. “I think this evening was perfect. I wouldn’t want to push it,” he replied. “I mean, I already solved all the problems in your life, so…”
“Right. Can’t forget that.” I started to turn awkwardly but he grabbed my arm. He gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
“I’ll see you soon, Hannah,” he promised. “You owe me one.”
“Yes, for all the problem solving. Ah, um. I’ll see you, then.” I turned and headed into the apartment. No one was in sight, so I headed straight into my room to think about what had just happened.
Chapter Fifteen
Wow. I didn't know that Grant could be so smooth. He's changed a lot in the years since high school. Who would've guessed that Grant Fisher would make me all fluttery in my belly? I changed and got in bed, then got up again to let Chester in. I pulled my laptop over to me and opened it, still lost in thought.
I had successfully avoided my entire family tonight, so that was good. I didn't want to talk to Jill after our argument and I didn't want to talk to Mom because she would instantly know something was wrong and ferret it out. I needed some more time to think about everything. But maybe that was my problem. Maybe I was thinking about it too hard, being too cautious. Maybe I should take a risk, a calculated risk, but a risk nonetheless and see what happened. I was still young and I had money in savings. It's not like it's a total gamble. I'd be in business with Jill. I trust Jill. She's (usually) the most level-headed person I knew.
I logged on to the messenger app on Facebook. I had a message from Heather's sister, Jessica.
--Hi. I don't mind if you ask some questions. Give me a call anytime.
She left her number, so I grabbed my phone and checked the time. It was 10 p.m. She had a baby, so she’ll probably wake up early. She might be in bed. I had to try though.
I dialed quickly and hit send. It rang four times and went to voicemail so I left a message with my number and told her to call anytime.
I was really bothered by the fact that Jill was even considering employing Leslie. How could she think about employing a virtual stranger at the B&B? Has she even checked her credentials, looked at her resume? How does Jill even know Leslie is who she says she is?
ARGH. I put my pillow over my head as if that would block out my thoughts. I fell into an uneasy sleep.
The next morning, I woke if not completely on time, at least not too late. I headed out into the B&B for some coffee. Mom was in there puttering over the dishes. "Good morning!" she said. "If you want, I can make you an omelet. We have left over veggies from last night." She paused. " Where were you last night, anyway?"
"Actually, I ended up having dinner with Grant. An omelet would be delicious, thank you."
"Grant Fisher?"
"Yep."
"How did that come about?" she asked, breaking some eggs into a dish.
"I just ran into him and he suggested we eat together." I made my coffee and sat down at the table.
"Interesting." Mom whisked the eggs and didn't say anything else. I let it go at that because I didn't really want to get into it. The eggs sizzled as she poured them into the hot cast iron pan. I watched as she constructed my omelet, adding green peppers, onions and mushrooms.
"Feeling carnivorous?" she asked, indicating a bowl of diced ham.
"Nah, I'll stick with just the veggies."
Just then Leslie and Jill walked into the kitchen. Jill went immediately for the coffee pot and poured likely her second or third cup of the day.
"Leslie, what did you say your last name was again?" I asked. I knew it was Parks. I wasn't sure why I was asking other than to make Jill wonder why I was asking.
"Parks. Why?" She stood leaning against the counter. She took the cup of coffee Jill had poured for her.
"No reason. Only wondering." Mom set my omelet in front of me and I avoided looking at Jill.
"Well, we're off to buy some more blankets and throw pillows. Theresa, are you ok here? Alexander went out and the young couple ate already. I think they are going out later. My mom is up in your room, but she should be down soon."
"We're fine." Mom looked at me with her eyes narrowed. I looked down and started eating my omelet with gusto.
Jill and Leslie left out the back door. As soon as it shut behind them, Mom rounded on me. "What is going on with you and Jill?"
"Nothing," I said and shoveled egg and cheese into my mouth.
"Don't give me that. You didn't even speak to her except to question Leslie."
"Did you know she's thinking about asking Leslie to work here? Or go into business with her? Or whatever, I don't know what is going through her head. She's acting crazy."
"She has a lot going on. But I see your concern. None of us have known Leslie longer than a few days. Jill really needs some help. If Leslie's history and resume check out, then it wouldn't be a bad idea."
"No! She can't." I looked miserably at my plate. The gloppy cheese turned my stomach now.
"Then you need to give her your answer. And if it's no, you need to tell her sooner rather than later."
"It's not no. It's 99.99% yes."
"Tell her."
"I will. Tonight."
I walked the noontime pups and as I was heading back to the house with Chuck and Davey, my cell phone rang.
"Hello?" I asked, pressing the phone to my ear as I balanced two leashes in one hand.
"Is this Hannah?" I heard the voice on the phone say.
"Yes."
"This is Jessica... Bing...Heather's sister?" Jessica raised her voice at the end like a question.
"Oh, hi! Yes. I'm so sorry about your sister."
"Thank you. We really hadn't spoken for months, but I will really miss her."
"Well, as I said, I'm investigating into her death and I just wanted to ask you a few questions."
"The police already asked us a ton of questions. Are you a police officer?" she asked, and rightly so.
"Uh, no. I'm a freelancer and concerned citizen. Actually, I was the one who found her," I added softly.
"Oh, that must have been awful. Well, ask away."
"First, why hadn't you and Heather spoken in so long?"
"Well. We, none of us, liked Heather's significant other. Or insignificant other as we liked to say."
"Oh. Was the person that terrible?"
"Yes! Very controlling and wouldn't let Heather see us."
"Because he knew you didn't like him?" I asked.
"Him? It was a her. Heather's partner was female."
"Oh! I didn't realize Heather was gay!" Some "investigator" I was. I didn't even know the victim was a lesbian.
"Yes, has been her whole life. Though she didn't let us in on it until a few years ago. I did wonder, though, because she never had a boyfriend. I guess we all just assumed she was picky."
"What was her girlfriend's name?" I asked.
"Leah. Leah Stewart. She's just awful."
"In what way?"
"She just kept trying to control Heather. Heather wasn't herself when she was with Leah. She even tried to control her job. Heather almost got in trouble because of her."
"Wow."
"Yeah. Anyway, I have to go. If you have any other questions just give me a call back," Jessica said and hung up.
Chapter Sixteen
I dropped off Chuck and Davey at their respective houses and headed back to the B&B. I entered through the back door and found my mom in the kitchen. "Where are Jill and Leslie?"
"They just got back. I think they're in Jill's apartment," she replied.
"Shoot. Can I use your computer? Did you bring it?" I had a hunch, but I needed to get online to check.
&nbs
p; "Yes, I brought it and you can use it. Why can't you use yours? I know you brought it."
"I'll explain later!" I rushed upstairs.
I burst into the Lavender Room and found Mom's computer sitting on her night table. I opened it up and quickly Googled Leah Stewart. The fourth entry down was a team roster for Davidson Women's Soccer. I clicked on the link and it brought me to the roster. When I clicked on the academic year hyperlink, it brought up a team photograph. There, in the back-row center, was Leah Stewart, AKA Leslie Parks. Her hair was long but she was otherwise unchanged. Holy cow! I had to warn Jill.
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