Lyndsey Cole - Lily Bloom 05 - Hidden by the Hydrangeas by Lyndsey Cole Read Free Book Online

him. He certainly deserves some happiness after that shrew he was married to.”
    Lily coughed and put her hand over her mouth to hide a choking sound. “We are the ones that found Harriet dead in the sunroom at the Lyman Estate. It was quite a difficult time for Walter and we were almost killed when we stumbled onto the murderer.”
    Betty stood back in shock. “Oh dear, I didn’t know that. Well, that’s all in the past and Walter deserves all the happiness he can find now. Enjoy your dinner, it’s on Lance Turner, so don’t be shy about what you order.” Betty hustled away to the front of the restaurant to meet the next diners.
    “Do you believe that?” Daisy whispered to Lily. “Lance Turner is footing the bill for dinner. Have you looked at the menu yet? Let’s get some scallop appetizers while we’re waiting. I need something to go with this champagne Betty gave me.”
    “Great idea, I’ll order it when they come with my champagne.” Lily slid closer to Daisy. “You won’t believe what Ryan told me out in the parking lot.”
    Daisy’s eyebrows went north. “Is this a guessing game or are you going to tell me?”
    She whispered. “A body was found with Kari Sparks’ driver’s license.”
    “Kari Sparks?”
    Lily sipped her champagne. “The daughter of the house manager, Anna Sparks, at the Black Horse Farm. Anna had called the police about her daughter not coming home but Kari was there when I went to the farm about the flowers for Saturday, just before I picked you up.”
    “Slow down, this is really confusing.” Daisy ticked off details on her fingers. “Kari Sparks was missing and her mom called the police. The dead girl had a driver’s license with Kari Sparks’ name, but you saw Kari at the Black Horse Farm? Who is the dead girl? And is that the body we saw?”
    A sexy voice interrupted their conversation. “What are you two beautiful ladies doing here all by yourselves? Mind if I join you?”
    Lily saw Daisy’s eyes stare above her head and she turned around to see Nick, the pilot, standing behind her chair. She felt her cheeks flush and got annoyed with herself for letting this guy get to her that way. “Join us? Don’t you have a date with you?”
    Nick moved and stood behind an empty chair next to Lily and chewed on his cheek. “No, no date, I just dropped her highness off to meet a friend. She didn’t want to drink and drive or maybe she’ll spend the night here.” He shrugged. “I don’t know her plans, she just informed me she wanted me to drop her off here.”
    Lily smiled. “She can get a room on such short notice? I thought this place was always full.”
    Nick leaned on the back of the chair, bending down more to Lily’s level. “Mr. Turner has one of the cottages reserved for himself all the time. It’s his go-to place when he wants a little more privacy.” Nick started to pull the chair out from the table. ”So, can I join you two?”
    “Oh, actually, we’re surprising my mom and her new husband and they should be here any second, so …”
    Nick straightened, pushing the chair back in and put up his hands. “I understand, I certainly don’t want to crash anyone’s good time, but don’t forget about the invitation to go riding because I’d really like to meet your friend.” He winked before turning and walking away.
    Daisy fanned her face. “He’s one steamy hot piece of maleness.” She said as she watched his tight jeans move toward the front door. “So, what do you think?”
    “Think?” Lily asked distractedly.
    “Yeah, about that hot pilot. What did you think I meant?” Daisy quizzed Lily.
    “Did you hear what he said?”
    “Yeah, he invited us to go riding and he wants to meet Nina. She’s gonna owe you big time for this date.”
    Lily turned a serious face to Daisy. “No, not that stuff. Did you hear him say that Lance Turner has one of the cottages reserved for himself so it’s always available if he wants some privacy?”
    Daisy