Page 7

Tuesday morning, Greg was already out of the house when I woke up. I knew he’d come home because there were dirty clothes in the laundry basket. And his towel was wet, so he’d showered sometime this morning. I dressed in my running clothes and headed downstairs to sip half a cup of coffee and get Emma ready to run. The door to Amanda’s room was closed when I walked by, so I assumed she wa s still asleep.

We got down to the beach before anyone else was there. Of course, early morning January wasn’t a prime beach time, except for people looking for wash ups and shells. I had enough shells to cover the outside of my house. Or at least the garage. Instead, I put the shells I collected in a container for a future mystery project. I didn’t know what I was saving them for, but when I found the perfect craft, I’d have mo re than enough.

I unhooked the leash and let Emma run next to me. She liked running in the waves, getting doused at times and sometimes biting at the wave like she could control its path. Emma was the original law-of-attraction thinker. If she focused enough, I would take her for a run or give her a special treat. Sometimes I failed her positivity test, but Greg never did. He was attached to my dog almost as much as he loved me. Or at least that’s what I told myself. I loved seeing them together, but Greg was the bet ter dog parent.

It was a fact of life that I needed to accept. But thinking of her theory of life made me remember the book Kane had given me. I should take it back, but maybe I should read it before I did. Just to see what he thought would b ring us closer.

Maybe I’d read Kan e’s book later.

Refocusing on Greg, I vaguely wondered if he’d be a better human parent as well. Kids. We were just getting married, so why was I already thinking about kids? At least we already had the dog and a house for ou r perfect life.

I saw someone walking toward me, and for a minute I thought it was Amanda. But instead, it was my friend Esmeralda. She had on her work outfit of capris and a short-sleeved top. The weather this morning was cool, but not cold. She was carrying her sneakers and walking barefoot on the sand. Emma had already run ahea d to greet her.

“What are you doing out here?” I snapped Emma’s leash on her collar when I me t up with them.

“Greg called me to see if you’d gotten up. No one answered at the house when I walked over to check, and I didn’t hear Emma barking when I knocked. I took a chance you might be out here. It’s a beautiful morning for a run. I should be more disciplined and get out here too.” Esmeralda started walking back to the parki ng lot with me.

“His mom must still be asleep.” I took a deep breath, trying to slow my breathing from the run. “When do you have to go in?”

“Not until eight.” She glanced up at the sky. “I think the weather’s going to be beautiful on Saturday. You lucked out with an ou tdoor wedding.”

“I didn’t have much of a choice unless we wanted to wait until spring.” I glanced over in the direction of my house. “I wanted to make sure Amanda would be ab le to make it.”

“She’s had a bit of a struggle.” Esmeralda nodded, then laughed when she saw my face. “Amanda and I chat when she calls to talk to Greg. I know her health was the reason you put off the wedding the fi rst two times.”

“You never said anything.” I was beginning to respect my friend’s se nse of loyalty.

Esmeralda shrugged. “Not my story to tell. Anyway, Greg said to get dressed and get down to the diner for breakfast. He’s carved out a couple of hours so the three of you can have a meal together.”

“Did he tell you he’s staying at the Castle Friday night?” We climbed the stairs from the beach to the parking area, Emma walk ing between us.

“Greg’s traditional. He says this is his last wedding, so he hopes you’re in it for the long haul.” Esmeralda turned t oward the road.

“He could replace me in a heartbeat. The tourists are always making comments and asking if he has an available brother.” I smiled as we paused by the side of the road, waiting for a car to go past.

“Maybe. But he’d have to want to move on. I think you’re stuck with him, even bey ond the grave.”

We crossed the road, and Esmeralda turned to go up her driveway. I hugged her. “Are you telling me that there’s an afterlife? That Greg and I are soulmates?”

She hugged me back. “If there is such a thing, then yes, I believe the two of you are soulmates. As far as the afterlife, my entire career is based on that probability. I’m sure you know I wouldn’t just make up my visits.”

I didn’t quite believe in Esmeralda’s talents, but then again, there were a lot of things in the world I didn’t know about. Her godson, Deek, read auras. And he was pretty accurate on what type of personality you’d have based on your aura. And the main part was that Esmeralda was my friend. There was no way I’d call fraud on a friend, even if I didn’t truly believe. “I’m still a nonbeliever, but I b elieve in you.”

“Almost a good save. Go wake up your mother-in-law and have breakfast with your man. He misses you.” Esmeralda turned and hurried up the walkway. “I need to finish getting ready for work. I think it’s going to be a busy day.”

“The voices tell you that?” I smiled at her.

She shrugged. “The calls from yesterday. The frat house is doing a winter rush event and they’re looking for garden gnomes.”

Amanda wasn’t downstairs when I came inside the house. I got Emma her breakfast and checked her water. Then I ran upstairs. I paused at the guest room door and knocked. “Amanda? Greg’s taking us to breakfast.”

No response. I knocked louder. Still no response from the room. I opened the door and saw a piece of pa per on the bed.

Opening it, I read the note. “I’m walking into town to meet Vince for breakfast. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be back no l ater than ten.”

Greg was going to have a fit, but it wasn’t his life. And besides, if they were having breakfast, we knew just where to find her. Diamond Lille’s. I wondered if we’d get a separate table or if Greg would want to sit down and break bread with his for mer stepfather.

As long as Greg didn’t break his nose , we’d be good.

After I showered, I texted Greg, letting him know I was leaving the house and walking up. It wasn’t my place to tell him that his mom wasn’t with me. He’d find out sooner rather than later. My phone rang as soon as I ca me up the hill.

“Why are you going to work?” Aunt Jackie asked as I came into view.

I glanced up at the apartment above The Train Station. She was standing in the living room window, watching me. “I’m not. I’m having breakf ast with Greg.”

“I hope you didn’t leave his mother home alone with Emma.” My aunt was always direct an d to the point.

“Nope, she’s already at the diner. Look, I need to go. Was there a purpose to this call besides finding out if I was working today?”

“No. I just saw you walking into town this early and hoped you hadn’t forgotten that you were off this wee k. It happens.”

Now I felt bad that I jumped on her. “Sorry, I’m just a l ittle nervous.”

“You’re getting married Saturday and Greg’s in the middle of a murder investigation. I’d be nervous too. You know how he gets when he’s working a case.” My aunt said something else, but the phone must have been muted. “Harrold’s up and he’s making pancakes. I better go. He likes to flip them and if I’m not there to watch, h e gets grumpy.”

As I walked the rest of the way to Diamond Lille’s I wondered how Greg and I would be when we retired. Right now, with his job and mine, sometimes we barely saw each other. Other times, we were under each other’s feet. It was feast or famine in our relationship. I expected to run the bookstore forever. Or at least as long as it made sense, but I did want to travel like my aunt and uncle were now. They’d gone on four cruises since she’d retired from the bookstore. I was sure they would have been out of town this weekend, except for my wedding.

Greg was waiting outside when I arrived and frowned when he saw me alone. “Is Mom still asleep?”

“No, she’s already here. She left me a note saying she was meeting her ex-husband for breakfast. She should be inside.” I hugged him, then stepped into the busy diner. Tiny, Lille’s chef, was famous for his breakfast skillets. And it looked like most of the townies were here before they went off to work. I saw his mom at a booth. I pointed them out as we waited to be seated. “Shall we sit with them?”

“Not unless you want me to lose my appetite. I didn’t get along with Mom’s ex even when they were married. And after, well, she didn’t get what she deserved out of the division of assets.” He smiled at Lille. “Good morning. A booth for two if you have one.”

Lille frowned at him and nodded toward Amanda and Vince. “I take it you want it away f rom those two?”

“Please.” He smiled and glanced out the window. “In fact, you don’t have garden seatin g yet, do you?”

Lille actually laughed, something I’d never seen her do. Lille ran the diner with an iron fist. And she hated me, even though I was now related to one of her favorite customers, Harrold, at least by marriage. “I have a booth available over here b y the kitchen.”

We followed her and sat, looking at the menus she left. A few seconds later, Lille was back and filling coffee cups for both of us. “Congrats on the wedding. I love your location. The mission fountain has always been at the top of my l ist of venues.”

“Thanks, Greg found it.” I smiled at him, knowing that it would make Lille even happier that I didn’t find the place.

“Well, aren’t you full of surprises?” Lille smiled at Greg. Totally ignoring me. “Carrie will be r ight with you.”

Greg sipped his coffee and waited until she was out of earshot. “I don’t get why you don’t like her. She’s ve ry personable.”

“To you. It doesn’t matter, I’m used to it.” I glanced over the menu. “I’m having a sausage skillet and French toast. W hat about you?”

He shrugged. “Not sure. I need to fit into my suit this weekend. Maybe I’ll have e ggs and fruit.”

“You’re kidding, right?” I looked up from the menu and sa w him grinning.

“Of course I am. I’m having the omelet stuffed with biscuits and gravy and hashbrowns.” He set the menu down. “You’ve got to know me better tha n that by now.”

“I’m off my game right now.” I leaned forward. “Have you eli minated Molly?”

“Not talking about the case.” He turned in his seat. “But it is interesting that Vince is working for her and now is chatting up Mom again. Either he wants something for Molly, or he’s pitching her another unique moneymaking opportunity for her to spend her retirement funds on. The guy’s a sleaze. I don’t know what Mom saw in him in th e first place.”

“Maybe she was lonely.” Now that I knew what Greg was getting, I wanted that too. But I’d stick with my semi healthy order. I set my menu aside and realized he was watching me. “What, did I say so mething wrong?”

He shook his head and reached out to stroke my cheek. “No. You are always able to say just the right thing. You’re right. Mom might have been lonely. And the scam artist over there filled some need. But hopefully, she’ll find a nice guy before she takes that kind of leap again. Her financial statement can’t take another hit li ke King Vince.”

“Sorry that he brings up bad memories. Were you still at home when they married?”

Greg paused when Carrie came to get their order, then he continued. “No. He came after both Jim and I were out of the house. She met him at a church retreat. I think he was just looking for a good mark. The marriage only lasted a few years, but most of that time he was already gone and they were working on the divorce. She told me everything one night a few years ago. She was s o embarrassed.”

“Things happen. People lie. And there are a lot of people who live on hope, even after getting their teeth knocked in time after time.” I snuck a look at Amanda. She didn’t look like she was falling for the lines again. But you never knew. “Just one more reason I left family law. If you buy a bad book, you’re out thirty, thirty-five dollars, tops. If you marry the wrong man, i t’s expensive.”

“You’re not worried about marrying the wrong man this time, are you?” He took my hand and kissed the top of it. “I’m a workaholic. I snap at you for pushing buttons you don’t realize are there. And my family can b e challenging.”

“You’ve met my aunt. I own my own business so it’s all on me. And I don’t know what button I pushed. Unless you’re talking about the resume. Greg, if I stepped over a line, I’m sorry.” I did love this man.

“You didn’t know there was a line, or rather a cliff, there. I’m the one who should be sorry. We’ll talk about it later. Mom and her friend are coming to the table.” Greg stood and greeted his mom with a kiss on the cheek. “Mom, I thought we were having bre akfast. Vince.”

Vince reached out a hand. “I guess I was just faster on the invite, sport. How are you? I hear congratulations are in order.”

“Vince, this is my fiancée, Jill.” He nodded to me. “Jill, this is Vince P enn, Mom’s ex.”

“We’ve met before.” Vince pulled me into a hug. “But I love welcoming a soon-to-be member of the family.”

I saw Greg’s eyes flare with anger. But he kept his mouth shut about both the hug and the men tion of family.

“Vince is going to walk me over to the bookstore and I’ll meet you there when you’re done with breakfast. I wanted to get the second book in a series I’ve been reading.” Amanda hugged Greg. “Sorry about missing you this morning.”

“No problem. I’m sure I’ll be home for dinner.” Greg’s meaning was clear. They would be chatting about what Vince wa nted. And soon.

After they left, our food showed up. I started to say something, then Greg held up his hand. “Just don’t. He’s another button. It’s my mother’s decision whether to bring him back into her life or not. I just hope he doesn’t h urt her again.”

We ate in silence for a few minutes, then we started talking about the logistics of the wedding and the night before. He grinned when he told me about Jim’s planned bachelor party. “I told him there can’t be any alcohol and I’ll be on call. But he still wants to do it. I think we’re going axe throwing.”

“As long as he doesn’t put my picture on the target, I’m f ine with that.”

As we finished breakfast, I knew he had a lot on his mind, so I told him about my aunt calling as I walked by because she assumed I’d forgotten I wasn’t working. And about how nice it was to see Esmeralda on the beach. I didn’t ask him who had killed Kane Matthews, even though that was what I wanted to talk about.

It was too early in the investigation for Greg to be desperate enough to ask me for help or a theory. He liked my input. He just didn’t want to acknowledge it.

Or at least that was my story. I pushed away the almost-finished skillet and ate the last piece of French toast, dragging it through the warm maple syrup. I kind of regretted not getting the biscuits-and-gravy omelet, but not enough to give up the touch of sweetness with th e French toast.

“I took your mom to Solvang yesterday and stopped into the bookstore. The new owner wasn’t there, but I left my card.” I emptied my coffee cup and put it by the side of the table, hoping Carrie would see I n eeded a refill.

“You should visit all the local bookstores. Maybe do a business-to-business type meeting with them once a quarter to talk marketing ideas. The business group has done a lot for South Cove.” Greg cleaned the leftover gravy off his plate with a spoon and ate it. “I don’t know what Tiny does to make this so good, but I have never made sausage gravy that tas ted like this.”

I pulled out my phone and texted Deek abo ut Greg’s idea.

“Did I say something wrong?” He smiled at Carrie as she refilled both our cups. “We’ll take our check now. I’ve got to get back and Jill’s having a brainstorm. I can s ee it growing.”

“No bill. Lille says it’s her treat and happy wedding.” Carrie glanced around and saw that Lille was on the other side of the restaurant. “I’ve never seen her comp a meal before except fo r a celebrity.”

“Well, please thank her for the meal and remind her that she’s more than welcome at the wedding and reception. She knows the location.” Greg smiled and held up his cup when Lille turned toward us. I hurried to follow suit, but she’d alrea dy turned away.

Today was j ust not my day.