Forever in Love by Nadia Lee Read Free Book Online Page A

found these last night.” He pulled out a clear plastic bag, which contained Catherine’s new phone, keys and Aston Martin fob. “Recognize ’em?”
    “They’re mine!”
    “Well then.” He handed her the items.
    “Where did she say she found them?”
    “On the bar counter.”
    “But that doesn’t make any sense. I always keep my stuff in my purse.”
    “Well, you got ’em back now. And just so you know, I do believe she has your purse.”
    “Then get that back from her as well, please.”
    Earl pursed his mouth, which had the effect of making his moustache bristle. “Well, see, there’s a problem. Nobody saw her leave with your bag.”
    “You said she was the town’s kleptomaniac.”
    “I don’t remember saying that,” Earl said, then turned to Irene. “Do you?”
    Irene cleared her throat. “No. You never said that.”
    Catherine huffed. She wasn’t letting her fate rest in the hands of an incompetent sheriff and even more incompetent housekeeper who’d forgotten to get coffee. “She had my keys and phone. What more proof do you need that she has my bag too?”
    “A lawyer would say that the thief might not have wanted your keys and phone and left them on the counter before taking off with your bag,” Earl said. “Lotsa people have those geo-locator things on their keychain nowadays, and you can always track a phone.”
    “Are you serious? Do you know how much my car’s worth?”
    “I’m sorry, ma’am. I can’t just barge into her house and start looking for your purse.”
    “You’ve got to be joking.”
    “’Fraid not. But just be patient and you’ll get it back in a few days.”
    “After she spends all my money and treats herself to god only knows what with my credit cards?”
    “Oh she’s never done anything like that. She’s not a bad sort.”
    “Not bad? She’s a
thief!
”
    Earl’s mouth tightened. “Ma’am, I’m sure you have your way of doing things where you’re from, but out here we try to solve our problems without making too much of a fuss. Just hang on a bit and things will work out.” He tipped his hat at her and walked out to his car. “Have a good day!” he called out before driving off.
    A good day. Right. Catherine slammed the door shut. “This is beyond frustrating.”
    “Well, don’t let it get to you,” Irene said cautiously. “Willie Rae isn’t really a bad person. She’s just a little…odd.”
    “If by ‘odd’ you mean ‘criminal’. Theft
is
a jailable offense around here, right?”
It was the last time I talked to my in-laws
.
    “Yeah, but she has her problems and her history. We try to help as much as we can, but really. Willie Rae’s okay.”
    “Why are you defending her to me?”
    “Oh you know. Wouldn’t want you doing anything hasty.”
    “What? You mean like sue her? And Earl…and this entire town?”
    “Uh…” Irene looked surprised. “Well…”
    Shaking her head, Catherine put the fob in her pocket, which ruined the line of her slacks, and grabbed a handful of bills from the black bag. “I’m going out. You?”
    “I guess I am.” Irene cleared her throat and licked her lips. “Seeing as how you don’t have your car here. Drive you somewhere?”
    “To The Line if you don’t mind. My car’s there…unless some saintly thief took that too.”
    * * *
    “Whose car is that?” Dusty said, settling onto a stool at the bar. He made a show of looking at the brunch/lunch menu, but Blaine already knew what he was going to order: a ham sandwich with extra mayo, fries and a tall glass of Coca-Cola Classic.
    Blaine ran a rag around the rim of a mug. “Catherine’s.”
    “Looks nice. I never seen a car like that before.”
    “Neither have I. Well, in the movies, but not in real life.”
    Dusty scowled. “What movies?”
    “Bond movies.”
    “Bond? Like as in double-oh-seven? That can’t be right. Nobody has a Bond car.”
    “Some people do.” Blaine pointed outside with his chin. “That there’s an Aston