Snowbound Suspicion. Cindi Myers

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СКАЧАТЬ the rest of the table burst into laughter.

      The door from the kitchen opened and Rainey entered. “Does anyone need anything?” she asked, surveying the table.

      “Everything is delicious,” Bette said. “I’ll have to get your recipe for the roast—it’s so well-seasoned.”

      “I don’t give out my recipes,” Rainey said.

      Bette kept a smile on her face. She wasn’t going to let this old bat get her down.

      “My favorite is the potatoes,” Cody said.

      “Doug made those,” Rainey said.

      “So I guess he made it back in time to help you with the cooking after all,” Cody said.

      “I told you, he was just out smoking.” She turned on her heels and left them.

      “I’m afraid Rainey’s feelings are a little hurt that Travis and Lacy didn’t ask her to cater the wedding,” Mrs. Walker said. “I tried to explain we didn’t want to burden her with so much work—and that it meant a lot to Lacy to have her friend do the job. I’m sure she’ll calm down soon. In the meantime, I hope you won’t let her bother you, Bette.”

      “Of course not.” Bette took a sip of her water, aware of Cody watching her. Honestly, did he have to sit right next to her? She couldn’t make a move without being aware of him. When he reached past her for the rolls, his arm brushed hers and a tremor shuddered through her. So annoying. Tomorrow, she’d suggest she trade places at dinner with Lacy or Emily. Or maybe she could stick Travis next to his friend.

      “What’s next on the wedding agenda?” Emily asked.

      “The bridesmaids’ tea is Saturday,” Lacy said. “Now that Bette is here, we can finish planning that.”

      “It sounds very formal,” Cody said.

      “It’s just a chance for us to dress up and eat lots of fancy finger food,” Lacy said. “I wanted something different from a bar crawl.”

      “There aren’t many bars to crawl to in Eagle Mountain,” Emily said.

      “That’s not going to stop the men.” Lacy looked down the table to Cody. “Gage told me he’s planning to kidnap Travis and force him to attend his bachelor party Saturday night.”

      “If the roads stay open, he’s booked a hotel in Junction,” Cody said. “If not, we’ll make do with Moe’s Pub.”

      “I’m rooting for Moe’s,” Lacy said. “There’s no way they can get into trouble there, with half the town watching them.”

      Rainey returned and began clearing the table. “Where’s Doug?” Cody asked. “Doesn’t he usually help you with that?”

      “He wasn’t feeling well,” Rainey said. “I sent him to lie down.”

      “Let me help.” Bette stood and began gathering the plates on her side of the table.

      “There’s no need for that,” Rainey said. “I can manage on my own.”

      “I want to help,” Bette said.

      Cody stood and began collecting dishes also. “I’ll help, too,” he said.

      The two of them followed Rainey into the kitchen. “Put the dishes in the sink and then go sit down,” Rainey directed. “I don’t like a lot of other people in my kitchen while I’m trying to work.”

      “I’m the same way,” Bette said. “You know just where everything is and how you want to do things, and it’s annoying to have to keep stopping and telling other people what to do.”

      Rainey glared at her, but Bette kept smiling.

      “I don’t think your plan to win her over with flattery and kindness is going to work,” Cody whispered as they made their way back to the table.

      “Maybe I’m not trying to win her over,” Bette said. “Maybe I’m trying to drive her crazy. Crabby people hate it when their enemies are nice to them.”

      A few moments later, Rainey entered the dining room, carrying a large apple pie and a carton of vanilla ice cream. She set them in the center of the table. “You can serve yourselves,” she said.

      “None for me.” Lacy stood. “I have a wedding dress to fit into.”

      “Thank goodness, I don’t.” Bette picked up the knife and prepared to cut into the pie. “Who wants ice cream?”

      Mrs. Walker declined, but everyone else wanted dessert. Bette dished up the pie, while Cody took charge of the ice cream. When everyone was served, Bette sat back and took a bite.

      “What do you think?” Cody asked.

      “It’s very good.” She took a small spoonful of ice cream. “A little sweeter than I like, and a dash more of cloves would have been a good addition—but very good.”

      Lacy, who had left the room, returned, phone in hand. “I just had a text from Adelaide Kinkaid.” She glanced at Bette. “She’s Travis’s office manager.”

      “Is something wrong with Gage or Travis?” White-faced, Mrs. Walker half rose from her chair.

      “They’re both fine,” Emily said. She studied her phone screen. “Adelaide says they’ve made an arrest in the Ice Cold Killer case.”

      “The Ice Cold Killer?” Bette asked.

      “That’s what they’re calling the serial killer,” Emily said. “Apparently, he leaves behind little cards—like business cards—that say ‘ice cold.’”

      “Who did they arrest?” Mrs. Walker asked, settling into her chair once more.

      “I texted back that question,” Lacy said.

      The phone pinged and Lacy swiped the screen. Her eyes widened. “She says they arrested Ken Rutledge.”

      “Who is Ken Rutledge?” Cody asked.

      “He’s a schoolteacher,” Lacy said. “He lives in the other half of the duplex where Kelly Farrow—the first murder victim—lived.”

      “So he’s the serial killer?” Emily asked.

      Lacy shook her head. “Adelaide doesn’t say. She just says Travis arrested Ken and Gage and Dwight are driving him to the lockup in Junction tonight.”

      “Well, she can’t say, can she?” Emily asked. “But if Travis arrested him—and he’s really connected with the case—then he must be the murderer.”

      “This whole situation has been horrible,” Mrs. Walker said. “But I hope it’s over now.”

      “I do, too,” Emily said. “In any case, I know I’ll sleep better tonight, knowing a killer is behind bars.”

      “Speaking СКАЧАТЬ