Euphoria Lane by Tina Swayzee McCright Read Free Book Online Page B

nostrils and stung her eyes. She blinked repeatedly while searching for the dog. She spotted Toto sitting beside a freezer, chomping down on his stolen goods. A dozen or more sausages littered the surrounding cement. At least they knew where he’d found the meat.
    “Looks like a doggie buffet,” Meg said.
    “He has no reason to leave anytime soon, and I can’t squeeze under that door.” Andi stood and dusted off her jeans. “So tell me about Reverend Nichols. Why did he leave the church?”
    Meg sat on the driveway, as if hoping the dog would change his mind and crawl out to her. “One of his parishioners caught him kissing a woman in their congregation and turned it into a scandal.”
    “Interesting.” Andi had never known any religious men who left their church.
    “The reverend is an okay guy. He’s the only sensible person on the HOA board. Unfortunately, he’s outnumbered by lunatics.”
    Andi heard the metallic grinding of the gate opening, followed by the purr of a car’s engine. A black BMW entered through the main gate.
    Meg jumped to her feet. “That’s Chris Owens. This is his condo.”
    Both women stepped aside to make room for the vehicle.
    “Chris is a veterinarian. His wife, Tess, is also on the board. She missed last night’s meeting,” Meg whispered. “If he wasn’t married, I’d book myself an appointment at his office and pretend to be a poodle in heat.” She smiled and waved at the man who stared through the window in obvious confusion.
    The dark-haired, clean-cut doggie doctor killed the engine and climbed out of his car. Andi was surprised to discover that the tall, broadly built man wore gray slacks and a crisp white shirt. She would have thought a veterinarian’s patients would cover him with pet dander and dog drool while resisting long needles and objects stuck up galaxies better left unexplored.
    Perhaps he showered and changed clothes at the office , she mused.
    “Meg, what’s up?” The apple cheeks brightening his round face made him appear ten years younger than the lines fanning from his eyes revealed him to be.
    “Hi, Doc. This is Andi, our new neighbor.”
    He took in her dust-covered jeans and pastel-yellow T-shirt and managed a smile despite the hint of disapproval in his expression.
    Andi gestured toward the garage. “We were trying to capture Bernice’s dog.”
    “He ran inside, but we couldn’t squeeze under the door. Not that we would ,” Meg added quickly.
    Doctor Owens lifted his keychain, pressed a button, and the garage closed, trapping the dog inside. “He’s been running around here for the past couple of days. Thanks for cornering him. I’ll take a look at him and make sure he’s in good health before I call Reverend Nichols. It’s the least I can do after . . . what happened to Bernice.”
    “That’s nice of you.” Meg nudged Andi forward. “We’ll get out of your hair. Say hello to the missus for me.”
    He offered a simple nod. “I will when she calls. She’s visiting her mother.”
    The front gate squealed as the arms opened again. A Prius entered and drove past them.
    Why would anyone choose to live close to the main entrance to the complex?
    The sound of the gate opening and closing throughout the day would drive Andi nuts.
    Perhaps it was the only unit available at the time the doggie doctor bought his condo.
    Before the gate could close, a sedan barreled through the opening.
    It headed straight for them.
    “Run!” Andi screamed, pushing Meg out of the way.
    The sedan swerved, rammed the fire hydrant five feet from where they stood, rolled on its side, and came to rest against a “No Parking” sign. Water shot up like a geyser, pounding down on the grass, the road, and the smashed car.
    Andi peered through the car’s front window. Her jaw fell open.
    Harry, sitting in the driver’s seat, pressed his hand to his forehead. He gaped at her as if he’d never seen her before, then passed out.

* * *
    Luke had just finished