Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 90472 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90472 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Amy hurried over to me, Beau close at her side.
“What’s going on?” Amy asked.
“Travis Rodgers,” I said, everyone in town familiar with the name since murder didn’t happen in Willow Lake with any frequency… until I found the dead guy in the woods in October, a thirty-five-year span since the last one.
Amy gasped. “Really? Travis Rodgers has been found after all these years?”
“It’s a good possibility,” I said.
Amy’s eyes went wide. “That would mean he didn’t kill Rita Carson. But if he didn’t, who did?”
“That’s a good question,” I said, my mind already turning over different scenarios.
Beau jumped right in, grinning. “Another murder to solve.”
“You’ve got him hooked,” Amy said with a nod to Beau. “He’s been reading endless books on murder.”
“It’s fascinating and frightening at the same time,” Beau said. “What’s even more frightening is how many murders go unsolved.”
“Not this one,” I said, determined. “It’s time it finally got solved.”
We gathered food and drinks, most everyone curious about the human bones in the woods and Ian and I doing our best to explain and calming any worry. Amy, Beau, Ian, and I sat on the two couches facing each other in front of the fireplace, where Mo was already napping.
“Maybe Travis took his own life after killing Rita in a fit of rage,” Amy said, plucking a piece of melon off Beau’s plate with her fork.
He moved the plate closer for her and I thought how much the two had grown so comfortable with each other. Much like Ian and me, making me think they were in love but hadn’t admitted it yet. Or was that what I wanted for my best friend?
“That thought had crossed my mind as well,” I said, “except—”
“He was buried,” Ian finished for me.
It was something we often did with each other, finishing the other’s thoughts.
“It would seem logical then that whoever murdered Rita, murdered Travis as well,” Beau said.
“Maybe Travis discovered who murdered Rita and confronted him,” Amy suggested.
I nodded. “One of many possibilities.”
Amy’s phone dinged. “I’ve got to go. I have a full day of clients.”
I cringed. “Tax season. I forgot.”
Amy was a certified public accountant and a much in-demand one.
“I’ll grab us supper and bring it over tonight,” Beau said and leaned over and gave her a peck on the cheek.
“You’re my hero,” Amy said.
I had to smile at the generous compliment since she was a big fan of romance books and book heroes were forever stealing Amy’s heart. There was also a twinkle of delight in her eyes when she looked at Beau.
“Always,” Beau said with a wink.
I hated to rain on her parade as the saying goes but I couldn’t let her go off without telling her the news about her dad.
I plunged ahead, knowing I had no choice. “I need to talk with you before you go, Amy.”
“That sounds serious,” Beau said, appearing more worried than Amy.
“I don’t have much time, Pepper. Can it wait?” Amy asked, glancing at her phone.
I shook my head. “No.”
Amy looked at me then and stood. “Walk me to my car.”
Beau was wise enough to stay put, though I knew Ian would enlighten him to what was going on.
“Don’t keep me waiting,” Amy said once we reached her car.
I didn’t. I delivered the news fast, though I knew it wouldn’t be painlessly. “Your dad is in town.”
Amy’s hand rushed to her chest, and she paled. “Are you sure?”
“My dad saw him going into the diner.”
Amy shook her head. “Why? Why after all these years would he come here?”
“I’d like to think he’s passing through, but I don’t believe that. I imagine he’s here to see you,” I said and felt sick at the thought. I clearly remember how much she had cried when she realized that he wasn’t coming back. I had hated Noah Berwick for the pain he had caused her then and I still didn’t like him.
“I don’t know if I want to see him,” Amy said, tears filling her eyes.
“I don’t blame you and if you don’t want to see him, we’ll tell my dad, and he can make sure Noah leaves town.”
“I don’t know what to do, Pepper,” Amy said, a tear rolling down her cheek. “Part of me wants nothing to do with him and another part of me, maybe the little girl he deserted, wants to see him.” She shook her head. “I am completely confused.”
Beau was suddenly at her side, still in his Viking garments. “I’ll go with you and keep your dad at bay if that’s what you want or wait close by if you choose to talk with him.”
I wasn’t surprised at Amy’s response.
“I appreciate it, Beau, I really do, but this is something I need to do myself.”
“I’m a phone call away. I’ll see you for supper,” he said, looking relieved when she confirmed they were still on for that, then kissed her cheek and reluctantly walked away.