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

blanched. “Oh my god. The body we saw. Do you think it was Lance Turner carrying that body?”
    “Shhhh, Ryan told me not to tell anyone what we saw.” She looked around and caught a glimpse of a black jacket turning the corner to the bathrooms.
    Daisy nudged Lily with her foot. “Here comes Mom, I hope she isn’t mad at us.”
    Iris’s hands covered her mouth. “This day is getting better and better, my two favorite girls.” Iris looked at Walter and winked. “You have some steep competition for my attention now, you know.”
    Walter pulled a chair out for Iris. “Competition? I think I’m surrounded by beautiful ladies for dinner tonight, I don’t see that as a problem at all.” Walter sat down between Lily and Daisy and across from Iris.
    “This is a lovely surprise, ” she whispered to her girls. “You should see the honeymoon suite—all cherry furniture made locally and a handmade double wedding quilt, absolutely beautiful. And the view.” She patted her heart. “You’ll have to come upstairs to see the view before you go home tonight.” Iris looked at Walter with stars in her eyes. “I’m so happy and so lucky. Whose idea was it for you two to join us for dinner?” Iris looked from Walter to Lily to Daisy.
    Lily raised her hand slightly, sighing with relief. “Guilty. We weren’t sure if you would be upset that we’re barging in on your romantic evening.”
    Daisy handed her box to Iris. “I made this for the two of you but I’m not sure if you’ll need it tonight after I glanced at what’s on the menu.”
    “Upset? Not in the least.” Her face turned serious. “You aren’t planning to stay the whole night are you?”
    Lily and Daisy replied at the same time. “Of course not.” Lily continued. “It would be nice to see that view though.”
    Their conversation was interrupted as the waiter arrived wi th another bottle of champagne and the scallop appetizers. “Compliments of Mr. Turner.” He popped the cork and poured champagne all around.
    Walter lifted his glass. “To the three beautiful Blooms and especially to Iris. I’ve waited my whole life for this.”
    They clinked glasses and Iris beamed from ear to ear and was also a little misty eyed as she sipped the champagne.
    Lobster dinners were ordered all around along with locally grilled corn and arugula salad. The conversation buzzed about the hot air balloon ride, the antics of Walter’s puppy falling into the swimming pool and how pleased they were with all the surprises Lance was showering on his old roommate Walter.
    “How did Ollie get out of the pool?” Lily wanted to know.
    Iris laughed. “Walter scooped him out with the leaf net. Fortunately, he’s still small enough to fit in it. You should have seen him, looked like a drowned rat but it didn’t faze him one bit. That puppy is going to be a handful.”
    Lily was feeling quite relaxed after all the champagne and decided to pry a little about Lance Turner. “So, Walter, what’s the story with your friend, his name seems to pop up connected to everything lately.” Daisy kicked her under the table but Lily just moved her legs away without even a flinch.
    Walter smiled happily. “He’s a great guy and has always been generous to me. Ya know, I was working my way through college but even with all his family’s wealth, he never made me feel unworthy of his friendship. He’s a genuinely good person, at least that’s how I see him. I know not everyone likes him but that’s not the side I’ve ever seen.”
    “How did he meet Emma? They seem to be a little mismatched.” Lily raised an eyebrow hoping Walter had some good gossip to share.
    Walter took the lobster bib off his collar and wiped his face. “The problem with lobster is that it’s quite messy.” He laughed. “You asked about Emma? Emma has a background deep in the horse world. She’s a world class dressage rider but doesn’t compete anymore. I’m not sure how Lance and Emma first met but he told