Frosted on the Ferris Wheel by Laura Pauling Read Free Book Online Page A

murders.”
    “Well, yes,” Millicent purred. “But don’t you think a strong, intelligent man who has lived in this town for years should be the one in charge?”  
    “Thanks for the vote of confidence, but I’m still at the bottom of the totem pole so to speak.”
    She giggled. “Who said I was talking about you?”  
    Trent stammered, then said, “Okay, you got me. Guess I need to check in that ego of mine.”
    “Trent, sweetie.” She laughed. “Just kidding. Of course I was talking about you.” She switched directions, her voice dream-like. “Remember that time the summer before our senior year? By the lake?”
    “How could I forget?” Trent asked.  
    Millicent sighed. “We made so many dreams and promises that night. Do you think they’ll come true?”
    “Yes, I do. Some of them already have.”
    A part of Holly died inside. They sounded so comfortable with one another, the flirting and serious conversations all flowing together. She couldn’t miss the nostalgia in both their voices. They had a past together, a history that Holly was beginning to feel she couldn’t compete against. Then she thought about Charlene. Maybe Charlene had been avoiding her because she knew Trent didn’t want to date anymore? And Charlene wanted to avoid the awkward conversation?
    Muffins nipped at her hand. She fed him the last of the burger. She chewed on a cold fry. It tasted like cardboard.
    Her waitress showed up. “Will that be at all?”
    Holly nodded. She’d taken up enough time. She’d tip the waitress extra. Right now, she was ready to leave. Forget finding Judy and Joel. As she waited for the bill, Holly tried to block out Trent and Millicent’s trip down memory lane.
    “Do you mind if I ask you a possibly sensitive question?” Millicent asked.
    Holly perked up. She sensed the change in Millicent’s voice. It went from flirty to focused. The tone a reporter would take.  
    “How much do we really know about Holly?”
    “Holly Hart?” Trent sounded surprised.
    “I’m sorry. We don’t have to talk about it.”
    “What about Holly?” Trent pressed, playing into Millicent’s hands.
    “Don’t you find it odd that she’s so obsessed with murders? How much do we really know about her?”
    Hot tears burned Holly’s eyes. Trent wouldn’t be able to answer that question because over the past few months, she had avoided talking about her past. She didn’t want lie to him, but she hadn’t been ready to share about her family, her past, and the ongoing investigation into her parents’ company and business partner.
    “Well—” Trent stopped talking as if he realized how little he knew about her past.
    Millicent gasped. “You mean you don’t know anything about her either?”
    “Of course I know her,” he said. But even Holly heard the waver in his voice.
    “I’m sorry. Why don’t we talk about something else.”
    Holly breathed slow and deep, fighting off the crushing heartbreak and the rising rage. Millicent had played Trent, leading him to this point in the conversation like a master. She walked him to the brink of the cliff and left him to doubt Holly and his relationship with her.
    Muffins looked up at her, questioning, growling.
    “What a brilliant idea, Muffins.” Holly plucked him out of her large bag. “You know I don’t normally condone this sort of behavior but you know what to do.”
    He barked in response just loud enough that several of the patrons looked over. Her waitress, behind the bar looked too, her gaze narrowing in on the dog.
    “Now or never.” Without regret, Holly gently tossed him over the top of her seat.
    She heard Millicent’s gasp and cry. She heard the clatter and shatter of glasses as they rolled to the floor. She heard Muffins growl.
    “He’s going to attack me!” Millicent cried.  
    The waitress rushed over, the manager right behind her. Holly stood as they reached the scene. She stifled a giggle and the stain of purple on Millicent’s sleeveless