Cold Hollow (Cold Hollow Mysteries Book 1) by Emilie J. Howard Read Free Book Online Page B

was she to deny an invitation? It was part of becoming an independent woman. She offered to help Sophia with the meal, and they spoke of their favorite foods as they unpacked the multitude of boxes and arranged the supplies where Sophia wanted them. It did not take long before Myrna showed Sophia the valances and tablecloths. Both women loved the print, and hung the valances in the window.
    After locking the shop up, they took off in Sophia’s vehicle and went to each location to pick up the orders she had placed the previous day. Myrna was shocked that Sophia had already met so many people and, as women do, they spoke while driving to each location.
    When they had arrived at the Dumonts’, it was just as Wally had predicted. His wife Alice answered the door and pulled the two women into her kitchen. She chattered on endlessly, served coffee and cookies, and asked both women about their personal lives. Sophia was shy about it, but when Myrna began talking to Alice, well, Sophia began joining in. It took them two hours to get out of the house with their order, but they left smiling.
    When they got into Sophia’s Jeep, she asked Myrna, “Don’t you think she’s just the greatest? She’s like the spunky grandmother I always wanted, but never got a chance to meet.”
    Myrna smiled and agreed. “I never met mine, either. Heck, I would have loved to have Alice as a mother, never mind grandmother.”
    “You never met your mother?”
    “Nope, she’s dead.”
    Sophia felt bad even bringing the subject up and fell silent as she recalled Alice Dumont. She was short, pudgy, and had snow-white hair and the sweetest face Sophia had ever seen. The woman scurried about the kitchen, doing everything within her power to please her two guests. Her home felt right. It felt warm, comfortable, and loving. Her husband Wally was a character as well. He wasn’t tall, and wore denim jeans and a flannel shirt despite the summer weather. He had come in the kitchen a few times to tease his wife about her chatterbox, only to make her blush and push him away.
    By the time Sophia was finished recalling the encounter, she found herself at the Carlisle farm. The two women were a bit intimidating, and Sophia noticed that Myrna didn’t speak much to them and that they eyed Myrna suspiciously during the entire transaction. The Carlisle sisters helped them load the order in the back of Sophia’s Jeep as though they could not get rid of them fast enough.
    Picking up the order at Artie Lavoie’s place was a breeze. Myrna had asked him to load up his truck as well as their Jeep, so they would not have to make two trips, and he complied. Sophia noticed he kept tripping all over the place and wondered if he had a middle ear problem.
    She pointed it out to Myrna, who shook her head at him and yelled, “What did I tell you about wearing your glasses, Artie!”
    He stood at the barn entrance, holding a crate of preserves, and his eyes went wide. “Don’t be mad, Myrna. I just hate them!”
    She scolded him, “I suppose you enjoy falling and tripping all over the place more?”
    Artie kicked some dirt to the side and shook his head. He moaned, “I’ll start wearing them again soon enough, Myrna.”
    “Good!” She rolled her eyes and went to the passenger’s side of the Jeep after shutting the hatch. Sophia followed and slid into the driver’s seat. Artie was an odd fish. He had huge eyes and a mouse-like nose. He was short of stature and wore khaki shorts that ran past his knees. He had on a sleeveless flannel shirt. He wore work boots with the shorts. Sophia just shook her head and pulled out of his driveway.
    After offloading the goods at the bakery, they locked it up and went to a few places that Myrna suggested in town. There was a specialty spice and herb shop, and Sophia purchased some items for both her home and bakery.
    They then went to a pottery barn. The two women picked out some items that would blend with the bakery. The owner was