Here’s hoping that one of them dances me right into the path of the killer.
Chapter 13
After a long night with Jasper, I can hardly keep my eyes open this morning as I stumble into the foyer of the inn, coffee in hand. Sugar, Fish, and Sherlock Bones all trot dutifully by my side with their heads up, shoulders back as they prepare for the duties as the official greeters of the Country Cottage Inn.
The inn has been voted the most pet friendly resort in all of Maine, and it’s a title I’ve been proud of. Not only do we allow pets to stay in the rooms with the guests, but we have an animal sitting service in the back called Critter Corner. It’s the first thing I instated when I was hired all those years ago. And now that I’m the proud owner of the inn, I’d love to start offering grooming services as well.
The twin doors at the entry to the inn have been festooned with wreaths comprised of tiny red and pink hearts, and the reception counter is outlined with heart-shaped lights. Everything is going exactly as it should in preparation for the day we adulate love—with the exception of an arrest.
After dinner last night, Jasper and I went back to the cottage and began to do a little research of our own, but it had nothing to do with the case. Let’s just say we were working on improving our nonverbal communication skills with one another.
Who knew Jasper Wilder’s body had such great things to say?
Me, that’s who.
Jordy heads this way with his toolbox in one hand and a cookie in the other.
“Heads-up, Bizzy. Don’t go near the Valentine’s Day tree.”
My mouth rounds out with delight. “You put the tree up?” I take a few steps toward the windows to the right of the reception counter, and sure enough, a tall, white, Christmas tree stands proudly. Each branch is entwined with pink and red twinkle lights, and hung on each bow is a red glittering heart. “Jordy, it looks amazing! You did a great—”
The sound of giggling comes from somewhere behind it, and I glance down to see two pairs of shoes on the other side of the white behemoth. I don’t hesitate making my way over, and a sickly groan comes from me once I see the horrific sight.
Nessa and Grady are intertwined as they rather aggressively give one another mouth-to-mouth resuscitation—because I refuse to believe it’s anything else.
I clear my throat and they part ways, nearly knocking every heart off that tree in the process.
“Lord!” I cover my ears with my hands, and both Fish and Sherlock scamper in this direction.
What is it? Fish yowls while Sherlock gets straight to barking.
Nessa stumbles back, looking as if she just got caught with her lips in the cookie jar.
Grady gives a sheepish nod while passing me by. “Morning, Bizzy.”
“Not so fast.” I step in front of him and block his path. “What are the two of you thinking? This goes completely against our no dating co-workers policy.”
The two of them exchange a glance.
“Actually”—Nessa hitches a dark curl behind her ear—“we checked and there is no such policy.”
“What?” I glance back to Jordy, and he sheds a quick grin my way.
“Hire some hotties for me, would you?” He turns around to take off. “Congrats, you two. Just a heads-up. Room thirteen is empty.”
“Ooh.” Nessa’s eyes grow wide as she looks to Grady, and it takes everything I’ve got to keep from swatting her.
“No oohing allowed. And room thirteen is strictly off-limits to the two of you. What are you thinking? You’re just friends. Remember? You don’t want to ruin a perfectly good friendship, do you? And Nessa, if things go sideways, you’re going to hate coming to work.”
She chokes in response. “Well, what about him? Isn’t he going to hate coming to work if things go sideways?”
“He’s a guy, Nessa. He’s easily distracted. No offense, Grady.”
“No offense taken.” He nods to a crowd that just bustled down the stairs. “In fact, the guests are distracting me right now. I’ll take care of them.” He zips off, and I step in close to Nessa.
“You’re not serious about him, are you? We both know Grady is a playboy. He’s been known to mine the phone numbers of the female guests for his private purposes. An offense worthy of termination by the way.”
She makes a face. “You’d never fire him, and you know it. Besides, now that he’s dating me, those phone numbers will never be used again. He’s only got eyes for me.”
She takes off for the reception counter, and I shudder to think how and when this will end. I’m all too familiar with Grady’s track record. Things aren’t exactly leaning in Nessa’s favor with this one.
Sherlock barks and jumps just as Georgie and Juni head this way. Georgie looks cheerful in a purple kaftan, and Juni looks stylish, and yet slightly uncomfortable, in a leather pantsuit.
“Off to work, girls?” I pin a smile on my face and force all thoughts of my co-workers locking lips out of my mind.
“Nah.” Juni sniffs. “We’re playing hooky. Your mama is steering the ship solo today.”
“Solo?” I cringe at the thought of my mother running an entire retail shop on her own. “Good thing she’s okay with day drinking.”
Georgie waves me off. “The last time we left her alone for the day, she claims she forgot to turn the sign on the door around. It said we were closed all day.”
Juni nods. “And the time before that, she claims to have forgotten to unlock the front doors.”
“Let’s hope she doesn’t forget to pay the rent at the end of the month,” I say. “So where are you two ladies off to?”
“That’s what we came to ask you.” Juni juts her head forward. “Who’s next on the suspect list?”
“I’m all out of suspects, but I do need to track down Bobbie and Lacey.”
No sooner do the words leave my lips than
