Bead of Doubt by Tonya Kappes Read Free Book Online Page B

my best attribute, I squeezed my eyes and shoved my hand into the depths of the unknown. I’m not very fond of putting my hand in the under, much less a dark under.
    Head on the floor, peeked into the dark abyss. I couldn’t see a thing.
    I stood up and adjusted my waist band. Yes, since my divorce from dumb ass, I’ve gained a few extra pounds eating one too many pieces of Agnes Pearl’s homemade fudge. The spry eighty-five wealthy widow pays Marlene in room, board, and fudge to take care of her. Because Marlene likes to stay the same size six and brings the delightful chocolaty treats to me and the other divorced divas.
    I glanced around again looking at the unswept floor and all the bead boards lying on the table still had wire clippings and crimp beads that needed to go in the trash. Obviously she didn’t get to any of the closing duties, which surprised me since I saw her in the parking lot of The Livin’ End when I was leaving.
    After work last night, I went to grab a quick drink at the bar with my best friend Ginger Sloan Rush. I left Marlene to finish up the night chores, which included checking off the new inventory, cleaning the bead boards, and taking out the trash. She hadn’t said a word about not finishing her work at the shop, just eager to get into the bar.
    There wasn’t anything worse than coming in on a Saturday morning, The Beaded Dragonfly’s busiest day, to a room full of unopened boxes with a few stray beads left in them when I hadn’t had my second cup of coffee.
    I pay Marlene to do those things. It might be minimum wage, but at least it was better than nothing. Plus she gets to design and make all the jewelry she wants—for free. Which was exactly what she wanted when she first stepped high-heeled into The Beaded Dragonfly.
    I rummaged through the desk drawer to see if a flashlight might be in there so I could track down the runaway beads.
    I was sidetracked when someone tapped on the door. I looked at the clock. I had at least thirty minutes until the shopped open and I needed all thirty to get at least some of the out-of-stock items filled up. This was the first time I’d have to trust that Beautiful Beads Wholesale sent everything I ordered.
    There stood Noah Druck with his hand on his holster like he was ready for a gun slinging right there on the very steps of my bead shop.
    The beads lost to the under were going to have to wait.
    Noah folded his massive arms across his chest as he waited for me to unlock the door. Lines creased between his brows as he narrowed them.
    If he wasn’t such a cop, I might be interested. He’d come around a time or two to the cottage to make sure no one was bothering me and both occasions we had a friendly beer and a little banter. But nothing came of it.
    His compelling blue eyes, firm features, and confident shoulders told me he was here on more than just a friendly basis.
    “Morning, Holly.” Noah took his hat off, leaving a ring around his dark hair.
    I felt the urge to ruffle it up a bit like I do my carpet when something sits in one spot for too long, like my laundry basket, but resisted.
    “Well what brings you over to The Beaded Dragonfly this morning? A glass bead bracelet to go with your blues?” I wanted to lighten the tension I found forming around his eyes.
    He leaned his body weight to each side and moved his hand back down to rest on his gun. There it was. The flashlight I needed, neatly attached to his holster. I felt my eyes light up like a starry night.
    “Can I come in?”
    Without waiting for an answer he pushed himself into the shop. I backed up to oblige, keeping my eye on the prize.
    I reached out in hopes I could just borrow the flashlight for just a couple minutes, only for him to smack my hand away.
    “What are you doing?” His eyes narrowed speculatively. “Just because I’ve known you all my life, doesn’t give you the right to grab things from me while I’m on duty.”
    I pulled back remembering he was right. He