“I thought the same thing.”
“I prefer the house you built,” she said. “It’s perfect.”
“Thanks.” I smiled, pleased. “My ego’s wrapped up in my place, as I’m sure you’ve figured out.”
“You’re proud of what you built. There’s nothing wrong with that.” Her blue eyes softened as she looked across the table at me. “I’m proud of you.”
We paused our conversation when the server brought starter salads. After he’d gone, I waited for her to start before picking up my own fork.
“You look pretty tonight,” I said. “That color suits you.” She wore a silky dress the color of a ripe peach, which complemented her fair complexion.
“Thank you. I only brought two dresses with me. I might have to go shopping if you keep taking me out.”
“Does that imply we can have a third date?”
“Technically, if you count lunch, this is our third date.”
“Is there anything magic about the number three?” I raised both eyebrows in what I hoped was suggestive but not creepy.
Her eyes twinkled back at me. “Three is a nice number.”
“A date for each decade we missed?”
Carlie winced as the table of women burst into riotous laughter. “They’re a bit piercing,” she said.
“Maybe we should have gone someplace quieter.”
“No, no, it’s such a nice evening. I love the patio.” She ran a finger down her water glass. “Especially here with you.”
“What’s the plan for your mom’s house?” I asked, changing the subject. On the way over to the restaurant it had occurred to me that Loretta’s house was perfect for flipping. The house would have to be gutted, but the neighborhood was good and the yard bigger than a lot of the modern lots. “Are you going to do anything besides clean it up before you put it on sale?”
“Unfortunately, I think we have to put it on the market as is,” Carlie said. “She doesn’t have the funds to fix it up and be able to buy the condo she wants. My dad left her a little nest egg, but given how expensive that retirement place is, it’s going to be tight. She refuses to take any money from me.”
“Do you think she’s serious about Joseph? Maybe they’ll want to move in together.”
“I didn’t even know there was a Joseph until today, so I’m not sure.” She picked up a piece of bread from the basket and then offered it to me.
“They’d save a lot of money.” I took a slice and set it on the bread plate. “Not that it’s the only reason to cohabitate.”
“Maybe they want to keep their own places but still spend time together.” She made a face. “I don’t want to think about them in bed together.”
“I’d like to make her an offer,” I said.
“Really? To fix it up and sell it?”
“Yes. If I bought it, your mom could sell it to me without any Realtor fees, which would save us all a lot of money. I know how to put together a contract.”
“Would it be weird for us? Doing business together?”
“There’s an us?” I asked, teasing.
She flushed. I loved the way her cheeks pinkened when she was embarrassed.
“There’s the little issue of whether you’re staying or going.” I buttered my piece of bread, avoiding her gaze. “Let’s just say for the sake of argument that it’s good between us. Can you see yourself living here?”
She gazed at me with those gorgeous eyes and nodded. “I think so.”
We were interrupted when a woman approached. She looked familiar, but I couldn’t place where I knew her from.
“Carlie Webster? Is that you?” The woman was around our age, but seemed older and so thin it seemed as if no flesh existed between skin and bone. Bags under her eyes and blotchy skin made me suspect drug use. If not now, in the past.
Carlie nodded. “Yes?”
“I’m Thea. Thea Moore. I was friends with your sister.”
Carlie’s eyes widened. “Oh my gosh, yes. It’s been a long time.”
“Yes, it has.” Thea smiled, and her skin stretched like plastic wrap over the sharp edges of her face.
“Did you move for your last year of high school?” Carlie asked. “I can’t remember.”
Thea’s brown eyes flickered. “Yes. I went to live with my grandparents after Beth…after she passed away.”
“Was there a reason?” Carlie asked. I glanced at her, surprised by the boldness of her question, which bordered on rudeness. Was this what she meant about suspecting everyone in Logan Bend of murder?
“What happened to Beth changed everything for me.” Thea’s eyes filled as she glanced toward the rafters.
“I’m sorry.” Carlie peered up at her. “I didn’t know you were that close.” A slight tremor in her tone couldn’t hide the deep hurt that still existed.
“All the girls on the squad were close,” Thea said with an edge of defensiveness in her voice. “Why? Did she tell you otherwise?”
Carlie wrapped her hand around her water glass as if to calm herself. “Not that I can remember. I was younger, so Beth didn’t always tell me everything.”
“That’s how it is with siblings. Especially at that age.” A definite hint of relief crossed over Thea’s face. She was hiding something. I felt sure of it. Did she have knowledge about Beth’s murder that she hadn’t told the authorities?
“Do you live here now?” Carlie asked.
“No, I’m only in town to see my mother. You?”
“I’m here helping my mom put her house up for sale,” Carlie said. “I live in Seattle. How about you?”
“I’m in Eureka,” she said. “My husband’s family was from there. Ex-husband now.”
“I have one of those too,” Carlie said, more kindly than before. “And a grown daughter.”
“No kids for me.” Thea turned to look at me, seeming to notice me for the first time. “You look familiar.”
“Cole Paisley. Luke’s younger brother.”
“Right, yes. One of the twins. I never could tell you two apart.”
“You’re not the only one,” I said.
“You always looked different to me,” Carlie said.
Thea’s gaze darted between us. “Where do you live,
