Read Online Candy-Coated Secrets by Cynthia Hickey - Free Book Online
Authors: Cynthia Hickey
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attended the same church I did.
Okay, Lord, this case is going to be harder. And my life’s in danger a lot sooner, too. I could use guidance.
Ethan’s truck pulled into the driveway. Before he could close his door, I flew off the porch and into his arms. His legs buckled, and we fell to the grass. I covered his face with kisses until he rolled to his side and leaned over me. His blue eyes twinkled, and a dimple winked from the corner of his mouth.
“If that’s the kind of reception I’ll get, I need to make a habit of leaving more often.”
“I missed you.” I lifted a hand to caress the rough stubble on his cheek.
“Ditto.” He lowered his head and planted one of his searing kisses on me. When he’d left me completely breathless, he pushed to his feet and pulled me with him.
“You’ve been busy, though, haven’t you?”
“Does Joe tell you everything?” Maybe I could get April to tell him to stop. Ever since I’d introduced my cousin to Ethan’s sister, Joe had been putty in her hands.
Ethan led me to the porch swing where he sat and drew me under the curve of his arm. He felt wonderful, solid, and safe. I rested my head on his chest.
“I did ask Joe to watch out for you, given your skill of getting into trouble. Seems like a good thing I did.”
“You saw the paper?”
“Yep.” His hand stroked my hair, lulling me into a peaceful place full of light instead of gorillas hiding in shadows. “Someone stalking you?”
What a horrible way to be thrust back into the present. “They seem to be. Last night at the masquerade party, two people dressed in gorilla costumes talked about ‘doing away’ with the nosy Summer Meadows.” I sat up and stared at Ethan. “I’m getting somewhere on this. I may have stumbled onto this murder accidentally, but someone thinks I know more than I do, or that I’ll find out.”
His gaze locked on mine before he cupped his hands around my face. “There’s no way I can convince you to go away, is there?”
“Where would I go? This is my home.” Hope sprang in my chest. “Unless you want me to go somewhere with you?”
Ethan kissed my forehead. “On our honeymoon. You’re too tempting to be alone with while we’re unmarried.”
Had God ever made a more perfect man? I didn’t deserve him.
“So, since I can’t be with you around the clock, make sure you’re with your aunt, uncle, or cousin. April will do in a pinch, but I don’t want my sister involved in your gumshoeing.”
And my delusions were shot down at his demanding tone. “They haven’t tried to hurt me.”
“They set a hog on you.”
“Could’ve been an accident.” Right. “Someone could have left the pen unlatched.”
“The Ferris wheel?”
“Was an accident.” Unless you counted the pulled power cord. Or the fact I’d climbed in it in the first place. Okay, maybe it wasn’t an accident, but I hadn’t planned on getting stuck.
“The conversation about doing away with you? Them following you? Laid Back Millie swinging from her shower? Any of this ring a bell?” Ethan stood, his back straight, his chin stubborn and like chiseled marble. “This is not negotiable. I know I can’t keep you from going to the fair. You have your booth. I also know you need to work the booth. Eunice can’t, and shouldn’t, have to cover it alone for the entire week. I’m just saying, don’t go anywhere alone.” He held both my hands in his. “Is it awful for me to love you so much that I worry about you?”
Ethan could shoot back to the top of my list of perfect people with three spoken words, a kiss, or a steamy look. This time, I got all three.
“Okay. I’ll either be with Aunt Eunice or you.” He could have the moon if he wanted.
“Great. And God can take care of all of you.”
“Break it up, you two. You ain’t married yet.” Aunt Eunice joined us on the porch. Her gaze swept the driveway. “Where’s Roy?”
Ethan rose and gave her a hug. “He should be here
Okay, Lord, this case is going to be harder. And my life’s in danger a lot sooner, too. I could use guidance.
Ethan’s truck pulled into the driveway. Before he could close his door, I flew off the porch and into his arms. His legs buckled, and we fell to the grass. I covered his face with kisses until he rolled to his side and leaned over me. His blue eyes twinkled, and a dimple winked from the corner of his mouth.
“If that’s the kind of reception I’ll get, I need to make a habit of leaving more often.”
“I missed you.” I lifted a hand to caress the rough stubble on his cheek.
“Ditto.” He lowered his head and planted one of his searing kisses on me. When he’d left me completely breathless, he pushed to his feet and pulled me with him.
“You’ve been busy, though, haven’t you?”
“Does Joe tell you everything?” Maybe I could get April to tell him to stop. Ever since I’d introduced my cousin to Ethan’s sister, Joe had been putty in her hands.
Ethan led me to the porch swing where he sat and drew me under the curve of his arm. He felt wonderful, solid, and safe. I rested my head on his chest.
“I did ask Joe to watch out for you, given your skill of getting into trouble. Seems like a good thing I did.”
“You saw the paper?”
“Yep.” His hand stroked my hair, lulling me into a peaceful place full of light instead of gorillas hiding in shadows. “Someone stalking you?”
What a horrible way to be thrust back into the present. “They seem to be. Last night at the masquerade party, two people dressed in gorilla costumes talked about ‘doing away’ with the nosy Summer Meadows.” I sat up and stared at Ethan. “I’m getting somewhere on this. I may have stumbled onto this murder accidentally, but someone thinks I know more than I do, or that I’ll find out.”
His gaze locked on mine before he cupped his hands around my face. “There’s no way I can convince you to go away, is there?”
“Where would I go? This is my home.” Hope sprang in my chest. “Unless you want me to go somewhere with you?”
Ethan kissed my forehead. “On our honeymoon. You’re too tempting to be alone with while we’re unmarried.”
Had God ever made a more perfect man? I didn’t deserve him.
“So, since I can’t be with you around the clock, make sure you’re with your aunt, uncle, or cousin. April will do in a pinch, but I don’t want my sister involved in your gumshoeing.”
And my delusions were shot down at his demanding tone. “They haven’t tried to hurt me.”
“They set a hog on you.”
“Could’ve been an accident.” Right. “Someone could have left the pen unlatched.”
“The Ferris wheel?”
“Was an accident.” Unless you counted the pulled power cord. Or the fact I’d climbed in it in the first place. Okay, maybe it wasn’t an accident, but I hadn’t planned on getting stuck.
“The conversation about doing away with you? Them following you? Laid Back Millie swinging from her shower? Any of this ring a bell?” Ethan stood, his back straight, his chin stubborn and like chiseled marble. “This is not negotiable. I know I can’t keep you from going to the fair. You have your booth. I also know you need to work the booth. Eunice can’t, and shouldn’t, have to cover it alone for the entire week. I’m just saying, don’t go anywhere alone.” He held both my hands in his. “Is it awful for me to love you so much that I worry about you?”
Ethan could shoot back to the top of my list of perfect people with three spoken words, a kiss, or a steamy look. This time, I got all three.
“Okay. I’ll either be with Aunt Eunice or you.” He could have the moon if he wanted.
“Great. And God can take care of all of you.”
“Break it up, you two. You ain’t married yet.” Aunt Eunice joined us on the porch. Her gaze swept the driveway. “Where’s Roy?”
Ethan rose and gave her a hug. “He should be here
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