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

“You’re falling for him aren’t you?”
    Lacey looked at her sister and there was helplessness in her eyes. She had not expected or intended to feel this way.
    She shrugged as if to say, “I can’t help it.”
    Charlotte gave her a sympathetic look and changed the subject. Charlotte asked for an update on the investigation.
    Lacey told her about the latest findings.
    “But how can that be?” Charlotte wondered, “If Adam Mason died so many years ago how could he die again here at the Inn?”
    They discussed the case for several minutes, both of them feeling awful that Heather Mason was also dead.
    Handy Man Dan came in and interrupted their conversation.
    “I need something to do,” he said, “I’m worried about both of you. Do you want me to just stay here in case something else happens?”
    Lacey groaned and said evenly , “That’s so nice of you Dan, but Sheriff Graves will be staying here at the Inn for the time being.”
    Dan narrowed his eyes, he had thought he was the only “big strong man” to help Lacey.
    Lacey asked him if he could check into the cost involved in some sort of security system for the Inn. She hadn’t thought that was a necessary precaution. However, that was before she had been very close to two deaths.
    Dan seemed grateful to have a mission and headed into Colorado Springs to get some ideas and costs. He felt badly that “his” Lacey felt threatened, and he would do everything he could to protect her and her guests. Besides this renovation had been the only steady work he had lined up in over a year. He wanted to stay in her good graces because there was a lot more renovating to be done.
    As Dan took his leave, the sisters talked about what they could do to make this experience better for their guests.  They could not take away the fact that death had been here. They decided that they would put together a barbeque in the walled in sanctuary.
    Lacey wanted to make sure that Wyatt and his deputies were invited. Not surprisingly, Charlotte wanted to make sure Cody Westerfield was invited.
    Lacey laughed aloud and said, “Well, let’s invite the entire neighborhood. We don’t want this to look like a romantic rendezvous for us.”
    “ Why not?” laughed Charlotte.
    The Braverman’s had been picked up for their day in Manitou and they would not be here for dinner. They would be enjoying a romantic fondue din ner to mark their honeymoon.
    Joan and Suzy would be hiking all day and would not only be back for dinner but would also most like ly be starving.
    Charlotte offered to drive into the Springs to get the fresh food items they needed and to stop at the neighbors and a couple of businesses in Elkville to invite them to come by tonight.

Chapter 17
     
    For the next few hours, Lacey busied herself with daily chores. She cleaned and straightened the occupied guest rooms, started some laundry and checked the computer for any inquiries from the Inn’s webpage.
    Mid afternoon, Dan returned with the specifications of several security system options for her to look over. She was on a tight budget but this purchase seemed important, for both herself and her guest’s peace of mind.
    She chose a mid priced system then negotiated with Dan for an installation fee. He left looking pleased with her instructions to get started.
    She went out into the walled privacy of the sanctuary. This private patio always made her feel serene and happy. She checked the chemicals in the spa, just in case someone wanted to immerse themselves in the scented bubbling water. Then she strung some white twinkling lights on the top of the wall and around the two trees enclosed in the area. She set some candles and dinnerware on each of the wrought iron tables on the stone-floored dining area.
    Next, she uncovered the grill, which sat in a bricked in alcove. She looked around; satisfied that the area would look magical once the sun went down.
    As she opened the side kitchen door, she was startled to see Tricia