Death Checks Inn (Aspen Valley Inn 1) by Sara Robbins Read Free Book Online

face when she realized who the body was. She had seemed truly shocked.
    Lacey voiced her thoughts about this.
    Wyatt nodded and agreed that he too thought she had looked devastated that morning.
    They also spoke about how sad it was that there seemed to literally be no one to even notify of their deaths. Could there not be a single human being who would care that these two lives had passed? They both grew silent as they thought about how unusual this entire scenario had been.
    He broke the silence by saying , “I don’t feel safe leaving you here alone. I want to stay here with you until these deaths are explained. I can’t stand the thought of something happening to you now after I have finally found someone that makes me feel like this.” 
    She answered with her usual spunkiness , “Oh yeah? Well mister, you’ll be staying in the remaining guest room if that is what you are insisting on doing. I’m not that easy!”
    T hey both burst into laughter but he knew she was serious about exactly where he would be sleeping. He was a bit disappointed but then again he had broken the celibacy of his heart only because she was different.
    He found himself thinking even more highly of her; after all, they had only met a day ago. They both felt that they were heading in the direction of intimacy but they would take their time and enjoy the journey. They had guarded their hearts for too long to jump too soon, and too far.
    They kissed almost reverently and reluctantly left the library to surround themselves with distractions to prevent them from acting on the passion that was definitely between the two of them.

Chapter 14
     
    Charlotte looked at both of them studiously as they returned to the dining room where everyone lingered talking casually.
    They all turned toward the front door as they heard a simultaneous knock and someone shouting, “Yoo hoo!”
    Lacey hurried to greet the tall red-haired woman who was already standing in the reception hall.
    “Hi, ” she stuck out her hand, “I’m Tricia Moore; I work at the Elkville Café. I meant to get here before your grand opening to bring these for your guests.”
    Lacey shook her hand and took the envelope she held out. She opened the packet and discovered several free meal coupons.
    “Why, thank you!” she said, “I know my guests will appreciate these. I’ve heard good things about the menu at the café.”
    Tricia smiled broadly and said “Well thank you. We are always happy to welcome a business that will send patron’s our way.”
    Lacey asked her if she would like the fifty-cent tour. Tricia seemed very interested and her bright eyes darted back and forth trying to take in everything at once.
    Lacey showed her through the Inn, of course, skipping the occupied rooms. Tricia seemed pleased with everything and oohed and ahhed in the appropriate places. Then she said she needed to get back to the café before the lunch rush hit. She waved gaily to everyone and took her leave.
    Wyatt looked after her thoughtfully.
    Lacey intercepted the look and wondered what was behind it. Was there something between them? Tricia looked a bit older than Wyatt did but hey, cougars were very in right now. Lacey dismissed her jealousy and decided she was not going to be “that” girl.
    Charlotte watched the interchange between them closely. Her sister radar was up, was it justified?
    The Braverman’s and Joan and Suzy wandered upstairs to get ready for their planned activities.
    Wyatt received a phone call that demanded his presence at the station.
    The Inn seemed bereft to Lacey as he hurried out to the cruiser.
    Charlotte clucked her tongue, her sister had it bad, and so quickly too.
    Lacey realized that once again, he had left, and she had not asked him all the questions she wanted to about his wife and even his life. Damn…damn, damn,death and murder.

Chapter 15
     
    Charlotte and Lacey were silent as they cleaned up the remains of the morning meal.
    Finally, Charlotte spoke,