by Dixie Davis
“Most people,” Lori countered, “have terrible taste.”
Mitch spent the rest of the ride gently trying to dissuade her from planting the morning glories, though Lori wasn’t sure if he was serious. When they pulled up to the inn, Lori drew in her first deep breath in days.
Home.
Mitch insisted on helping her from the car, escorting her up the porch steps. Lori wanted nothing more than to spend a quiet afternoon with a puzzle and a porch rocker. But the porch rocker was occupied by a flowerpot with a small stalk of bright blue flowers.
“Ipomoea indica,” Mitch announced.
But it wasn’t the color or the Latin name that had convinced Lori this was the plant she wanted. It was the common name listed on the nursery’s website: blue dawn-flower.
She hadn’t known Dawn long or well, and they hadn’t been friends, but the woman’s life was taken here. Lori hadn’t done it, but she would never forget it. The monkshood was gone — a bare spot in the flowerbed attested to Mitch’s earlier statement — and now this tribute to her could take its place.
“Let’s plant it now,” Lori said.
“Now? Right now?”
Lori shot him a smirk. “No, the ‘now’ that means ‘later.’”
Mitch returned her sarcastic expression, but escorted her back to the empty planter. He gathered the plant and two trowels from his SUV and they both started to turn the soil.
“Do you think . . . he could have planted the monkshood here?” Lori asked in a low voice. Lori hadn’t had much else to do for the last few days but think. She wasn’t sure how long it took monkshood to grow from seed, but there was one possibility. “He came out to inspect the inn before I bought it — we were friends online at that point. Of course he was eager to help. I think he must have been planning this even then. And I think he could have planted some seeds pretty easily, at any time, really. Having them here would make it easier to frame me, if that was his plan all along, or to make it look like a suicide or an accident.”
Lori snapped her mouth shut. She hated the cynicism lacing through her words. That wasn’t like her — but how else were you supposed to react when the man you loved, who you thought loved you and wanted to marry you, had been a conniving con artist?
Once again, she’d fallen in love with an idea without thinking. Even that idea was love itself.
Mitch set aside his trowel for a moment. “Probably not. I had to warn Beth away from it too. Though I wouldn’t put it past the creep. If I ever get my hands on that —”
“He’s not worth your time,” Lori said quickly. And he especially wasn’t worth spending a single minute in a jail cell.
Lori helped Mitch transfer the dawn-flower cutting to its new home. Even if it was invasive, it would be hard to be mad about the beautiful bright blue flowers all over her house and yard.
“Lori?” called a woman’s voice from behind her.
She turned to find Heidi Carleton standing behind her. Lori tensed, waiting for the woman to pounce.
Heidi held out a small parcel and Lori took it, eyeing the other woman warily. “Your guests said to thank you.”
Lori opened the box to find the room keys from the last weekend’s guests, a Get Well Soon card signed by them — and Heidi — and two receipts. She looked up to Heidi again. “You?”
Heidi nodded slowly, her French twist as solid and immovable as ever. “I figured I knew the inn’s procedures better than anyone, and if any other member of the Business Owners’ Association had that kind of trouble, we’d be there for them. We’re a community, you know.”
“Thank you,” Lori said softly. This might not change how Heidi felt about Lori, but the fact that she’d still help? “Thank you,” she repeated.
Heidi nodded and strode off toward downtown and her shop.
“Ray said the inn was in capable hands,” Lori murmured to Mitch, “but he didn’t say whose.”
“I’m sure he didn’t want to worry you.” Mitch gave the soil around the cutting a final pat. “There you go, all set with your pretty little weed.”
Lori scoffed but let him help her to her feet, ignoring the dirt on both of their hands. “Thanks for your help, too,” she said.
“Of course. It’ll all go in my bill.”
She was beginning to worry about that bill. Either it would never come, or it’d bankrupt her when it did. “I expect that bill by the end of the week, mister.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He saluted, leaving a smudge of dirt above his eyebrow.
“Now, Mr. Dusky Cove Native, I expect a very thorough and entertaining history lesson on the town so I can regale my guests.”
Mitch laughed, but Lori finished, “On your mark, get set, go!”
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And read the next book: Inn Trouble!
Can Lori stop her friend’s killer before they strike again?
Lori Keyes has survived her first busy tourist season as the owner of a bed and breakfast in the resort town of Dusky Cove, North Carolina — and she’s ready for a break. Lucky for her, this year’s Innkeepers Convention is in the closest big city, Wilmington. Lori’s friends and mentors from last year, Howard and Vera Bugh, are even coming to stay with her.
Lori’s looking forward to a weekend of learning new things, sharing great food, and enjoying time with her friends. But cracks are starting to show in the Bughs’ marriage, and the convention seems to hold more enemies than allies.
But Lori isn’t the only one in trouble. When her friend is found dead in Dusky Cove, can Lori find the person responsible before they kill again?
Read Inn Trouble now!
Thank you so much for reading Inn Over Her Head! I’m excited to share this cozy mystery with you. I have lots more planned for Lori and the rest of Dusky Cove, so I hope you’ll continue to join me for all their adventures!
Do you know the best way to thank an author when you enjoy a book? We do love getting notes from happy readers, but even more helpful is leaving a review online on Amazon or Goodreads. Reviews also help writers get advertising spots and spread the word about a book.
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Thanks again for reading, and I hope to see you in Dusky Cove again soon!
Love,
More from Dixie Davis
Also Available in the Dusky Cove B&B Cozy Mystery Series
1. Inn Over Her Head
2. Inn Trouble
3. Inn Vain
4. Inn Dire Straits
Coming Soon in the Series
5. Inn Danger
This book wouldn’t have been possible without tons of help from so many sources. My family, as always, is so patient and supportive (even when I forget to appreciate how patient and supportive they’re being!).
Many thanks go to my beta readers, Diana, Ingrid, Regina, Jenn and Stacey, who all gave such helpful feedback.
Thank you to my proofreader, Paula, who saved me from many a silly mistake.
I’m also grateful for the websites of several small North Carolina towns, Google Maps, and all manner of Brunswick County Tourist attractions, for helping me out with research when I can’t make it back to my North Carolina home to check them out.
I’m grateful to God for giving me this gift, a passion for writing, and reminding me not to hide it under a bushel.
And I’m grateful to you, reader, for joining me in Dusky Cove!
Dixie Davis was born and raised in North Carolina. (Unfortunately, not in Dusky Cov
e — it’s a fictional town.)
Her mom got her hooked on cozy mysteries from a young age. Lillian Jackson Braun’s classic Cat Who... series are some of her favorites.
Dixie has been writing since she was a teenager. She makes her home with her husband and children in the Rocky Mountains now, so writing about Dusky Cove is one of her favorite ways to connect with a little taste of home.
Dixie loves to hear from readers! You can reach her at [email protected]