Chocolate Dipped Death by SAMMI CARTER Read Free Book Online Page A

way to support her. At least tell me about Delta. I mean, they’re sisters, for heaven’s sake, but they act like strangers when they’re together. What’s that all about?”
    I wish I knew. “I think you’d better ask Savannah or Delta about that.”
    “I have. Neither one will tell me.”
    All the more reason for me to keep my big mouth shut. I started to say so, but he cut me off again.
    “ Please , Abby. I’m not asking for all the gory details, but it would help so much to have some idea of what’s going on between the two of them.”
    I shook my head and stood to put some distance between us. “I’m sorry, but I’m not even sure I know the answer to your question. I lived away nearly as long as Savannah has.”
    “Which is another reason I chose you.” He smiled and leaned forward, elbows on the table. “You know what it’s like to leave here and then come back. You understand what Savannah is going through. I don’t know who else would.”
    Small towns are wonderful places, but if the doors are shut against you, they’re shut firmly. I understood what Miles was asking, but spilling secrets people didn’t want shared would almost certainly undo all my hard work—permanently.
    I tried to look regretful. “Nobody really knows what goes on inside a family except the people involved. I’m sorry Savannah and Delta don’t want to tell you, but there’s really nothing I can say.”
    “Nothing?”
    I shook my head and broke eye contact. “No. I’m sorry.”
    “So I’m wasting my time?”
    “You are if that’s what you came for.”
    “Well, hell. You can’t blame a guy for trying, huh?” He sopped up a trail of chocolate, wolfed down two more pieces of toast, then sat back with a satisfied groan. “Just what I needed. Thanks.” He glanced at his watch, and his smile drooped. “Is it really eight o’clock already?”
    I nodded. Time flies when you’re . . . whatever. “Yes, why?”
    “Savannah should be here by now.”
    “Maybe she’s still getting ready.”
    He shook his head firmly. “No. She wouldn’t run this long.” He pulled out a cell phone, punched numbers, and waited for an answer. After a minute or two, he disconnected and scowled at the phone in his hand. “That’s odd. There’s no answer.”
    “She’s probably just someplace where she can’t pick up a signal. Service is spotty up here in the mountains.”
    Miles nodded and put the phone away, but worry etched lines above his nose and around his mouth. “Something’s wrong. She should be here by now. Talking with you, working out that apology from Evie was too important to her.”
    I stood and began to gather dishes. “About that—”
    “You think I’m pushy, don’t you?”
    “I think you’re a concerned husband.”
    “Yeah? If only she’d appreciate it, huh?” Laughing at his own joke, he stood and shrugged into his coat. “Look, forget about all of this. It wasn’t fair to put you in the middle, and I shouldn’t have asked.”
    He looked so worried, I tried to console him somehow. “I’m sure Savannah will answer your questions when she’s ready.” I might even have said more, but I caught movement in the corner of my eye and realized that Karen was outside. Unless there had been a miracle in the past six hours, Miles was the last person Karen should see right now. “Try not to worry too much. I know things looked bad last night, but everything’s going to be different today.” I unlocked the door and yanked it open, keeping a careful smile on my face so he wouldn’t guess how much I wanted to get rid of him.
    He looked skeptical. “I hope you’re right. I don’t want Savannah upset any more than she is already.”
    “None of us do.” I heard the back door rattle and felt the hairs on my neck stand up. “I need to . . . I think I left the stove on,” I said, giving him a none-too-gentle shove toward the street. “I’ll see you this afternoon. And don’t worry. Everything will be all