Nipped in the Bud by Susan Sleeman Read Free Book Online Page B

trouble.” She moved back and tipped her head at Perry. “Perry’s calling his lawyer friend, Adam Hayes.”
    “Good, if Mitch has his way, I’ll need all the help I can get.”
    “First thing we have to do is get out of here. I’ll go get your clothes.”
    I pulled the spare key to my apartment from my pocket. “Bring something comfy. Maybe some sweats.”
    “Not hardly . Perry is asking Adam to come over to the house tonight. No way I’ll let you meet your lawyer in sweatpants.” Even flustered over a murder, Lisa had to do the socially correct thing, and I was too exhausted to argue.
    Apprehensive about being alone, I watched her go. As much as I wanted her to stay with me, I couldn’t bear the thought of Perry rifling through my personal belongings. When she slipped into the crowd, I lowered my head to my knees and finally let the tears drip in one giant pity party. In the distance, I heard Mitch hail the arrival of the medical examiner as heartily as the crowd did. I tuned them out until much later when Perry’s voice brought my head back up.
    “Lisa’s mom will keep the kids for the night. Adam’ll meet us at the house around dinner time.” Perry’s eyes were alive, probably from the legal challenge I presented.
    “So is he a decent attorney?”
    He gave a clipped nod. “We went to law school together. He’s one of the best.”
    “No offense to your friend, but what is one of the best criminal defense attorneys doing in McMinnville?”
    Before he could answer, Lisa returned and handed me black jeans, a multicolored knit top, and sneakers. “Here you go.”
    Perry looked at her. “Your mom is keeping the kids. Adam can come.”
    “Excellent.” She snagged my hand and tugged me to my feet. “Hurry up so we can get out of here.”
    I did as she said. Hurried to the dank bathroom and changed my clothes. When I returned, I handed my shirt, shorts, and boots to Perry, who’d offered to save me from another altercation with Mitch and deliver my clothes.
    Though strong willed, some might say ornery, I let Lisa lead me down the sidewalk with her arm wrapped around my back as if I were her toddler. And that’s how I felt. All blubbery inside. Wanting to snuggle up to my mommy for comfort. Walking, yet not sure if my feet remembered how to maneuver. Listening to Lisa coo soft words of encouragement offered to displace the sight of Bud’s face from my mind. Or was it Mitch’s face?
    One last glance at the stubborn set of Mitch’s jaw, and I climbed in Perry’s SUV with the need to protect myself and prove my innocence solidified in my mind. Mitch thought I was guilty. He’d proceed along those lines. It was up to me to find the real killer. The question, the big question, the really big question was, did I possess the skills to do so?

Chapter Five
    “And now, enjoy the best of Through the Garden Gate with your beloved host, Paige Turner.”
    “Oh, Paige, this is Desperate. I’m so frustrated I don’t know what to do.”
    “Go ahead and tell me your problem, Desperate, and I’ll see if I can help.”
    “For starters, I listen to you every day, and I try to implement your suggestions, but I’m one of those people who like the feel of the soil on my hands. Still, everything else you’ve said about gardening has worked, so I thought, why not give those SunGrips gloves a chance.”
    “Oh, I’m so glad you did. I, too, used to garden barehanded. Now I try to wear the gloves whenever possible. Still, you haven’t told me your concern.”
    “Well, you said I could find these gloves at most nurseries, but I haven’t found them yet. Believe me, I’ve tried. I’ve stopped by the hospital three times already, and the nurses say they don’t know what I’m talking about. They only have those latex exam gloves.”

    We arrived at Lisa’s house, and she gave me hot tea. Then she sent me to a steaming shower in a spotless bathroom and tucked me into the designer bed in her spare bedroom. I took a