Stormcatcher by Colleen Rhoads Read Free Book Online

isn’t going to change things. I’m going to do all I can to find out what happened to Superior Lady .”
    “Yeah, right.” Alan stomped toward the door then turned. “Any spin you put on it will cover up what really happened.” He looked at Wynne. “Ask him what he and Amanda fought about the day before she disappeared.”
    Simon could feel Wynne’s eyes on him, could sense the question in her eyes. “Go home, Alan,” he repeated wearily. He wasn’t up to discussing this anymore today. He tried to roll with the punches, but they kept coming, and he felt battered.
    Alan gave him a final glare and stomped from the boathouse. Moments later the roar of his vehicle came through the open door.
    Brian looked at him. “What was the argument about? You’ve never said.”
    “And I’m not going to now,” Simon said. He took Wynne’s elbow. “Let’s go.”
     
    The verandah overlooked Superior’s blue water. A cedar waxwing warbled from a branch over Wynne’s head. She dug out her bird journal and jotted it down. She tossed some toast crumbs to the flagstone floor, and the songbird flew down to peck at the morsels.
    “Still bird-watching?” Becca joined her at the table.
    “So far, I’ve added four new birds—a yellow-rumped warbler, a rough-legged hawk, a cedar waxwing and a Harris’ sparrow.”
    “You’re hopeless.” Becca handed Wynne the baby.
    Wynne nestled little Isabelle against her shoulder, and the baby put her thumb in her mouth and closed her eyes. Gazing at the rosebud mouth, Wynne felt a surge of motherly instinct. She laid her lips on Isabelle’s soft head and breathed in the aroma of baby. The more she was around her niece, the more she envied her sister.
    Becca flipped idly through Wynne’s bird diary. “What time are you supposed to meet Simon?”
    “About ten. He had some things to do this morning.” She chewed on a ragged thumbnail. Maybe she should back away from working with Simon.
    Becca’s head came up. “Is that reserve I hear in your voice? Did things not go well yesterday? We didn’t get a chance to talk last night.”
    “Things went fine other than Simon is under suspicion for murdering his cousin and his fiancée.”
    Becca winced. “Serious suspicion? I don’t believe it. Simon is a great guy.”
    “Even great guys get caught up in passion.” Wynne hadn’t wanted to entertain any suspicions about Simon, but it was hard to stay objective with the mounting accusations. “I don’t want it to be true, but it’s hard when he acts guilty.”
    “How does he act guilty?”
    Wynne told her sister how Simon refused to talk about the argument he’d had with Amanda.
    “But that could just be because it was painful,” Becca offered.
    “Yeah, but you have to admit it looks suspicious.”
    Before Becca could answer, a deep voice carried through the open French doors. “Where’re those baby sisters?”
    “We’re out here, Jake,” Becca called.
    Wynne’s tension melted away as her brother and his wife joined them on the verandah. She’d hardly seen them so far this trip. Skye’s round stomach suited her. Her black hair was tied back in a ribbon, and her smile was full of contentment.
    “Skye, you look ready to pop,” Wynne said. She pushed a spare chair out with her foot. “Sit down.”
    “I feel great.” Skye ran her hand over Isabelle’s fuzzy head. “Does she sleep all the time?”
    “She’s starting to stay awake more.” Becca’s smile was indulgent.
    “I can’t wait,” Skye said, running her hand over her protruding belly.
    “How about you, big brother? You ready to be a dad?” Wynne teased.
    “About as ready as a chicken is to take wing,” Jake said. “I’m scared spitless.” He touched the baby with a finger. “I was fine until this little morsel was born and I saw how tiny a newborn really is. I’m afraid I might break her.”
    “Don’t be silly.” Becca lifted her daughter from Wynne’s arms and handed her to Jake, whose expression