Read Online Dead Man's Rules by Rebecca Grace - Free Book Online

bunnies.”
    Cere turned her attention from their discussion long enough to glance around the café. From the moment they walked in, she knew she wouldn’t get her customary breakfast of nonfat yogurt and fresh fruit. The scent of fried onions and bacon hung thick in the air. Velvet paintings, colorful serapes and sombreros hung on the back paneled walls. Carved wooden booths ringed the front half of the restaurant below a line of windows. A counter with round black seats formed a giant U at the center while circular tables filled the rest of the space. A door to one side was marked “Restrooms.” A mix of families in vacation garb and men wearing western shirts or work clothes jammed nearly every booth and filled most of the spots at the counter.
    “Coffee?” A chunky young waitress deposited plastic menus on the burgundy Formica table top and gestured with a glass coffee pot at the porcelain cups on the table. She examined Cere with the rapt attention a fan might give a movie star.
    All three nodded as Lottie waved across the table. “Josie, this is my niece, Freeda, and my daughter, Cere.”
    Cere summoned one of her friendliest on-camera smiles. “Josie, it’s so nice to meet you.” She’d learned that it paid to make friends with waitresses in small town restaurants. They knew all the gossip. Josie might be a good starting point for information.
    “I watch you all the time,” she gushed as she poured coffee, hazel eyes shining beneath thick coats of black eyeliner and mascara. “I never miss your stories. I’ll get water while you study the menu.”
    Cere frowned at the menu—no fresh fruit, no yogurt. Lots of artery clogging fried or smothered choices. She closed it and glanced across the table, studying the changes in her mother. The lines that once grooved her cheeks and the circles under her eyes were gone. Even her clothes were different. As a high school social studies teacher, she favored skirts and sweaters or pants suits. Casual clothes consisted of pressed capris and crisp cotton shirts. Today she wore jeans and a bright peasant blouse.
    Freeda slammed down her menu. “I’m having the breakfast burrito. What do you think, Tia ?”
    “Get it smothered. Frank makes the best green chili in town. That’s what I’m getting.”
    “I may have oatmeal and a banana.”
    “Cere, we’re on vacation. Let’s live a little.” Freeda jabbed her with an elbow.
    “Don’t embarrass me by being a city snob, sweetie. This is real food. Homemade.”
    “Which means fattening. I may be on vacation, but I can’t afford to gain weight.”
    “ Tia Lottie hasn’t gained. This place must agree with you.”
    “Oh, hell yes!”
    Freeda barked out a laugh. “You’re cussing? What would Tio Del say?”
    “He’s been gone for three years. I can say whatever I damn well please.” As soon as the words came out, she shook her head. “That’s wrong. The truth is I miss him horribly. Back home, reminders of him were everywhere. Even going to my favorite restaurant reminded me we’d never go there again. He wanted me to move on with my life so here I am.”
    Cere reached over and clasped her mother’s hand. They had gone through this before the move. She missed having her mother nearby, but her own long hours and irregular work schedule prevented them from getting together much.
    “You’re happy, Mom? This place can’t have much to offer in the way of culture or the arts...”
    Her blue eyes sparkled with energy. “I volunteer at the local historical museum and since I went to school with the head librarian, she lets me consult on programs. Many of my old school friends are still here so I have an active social life. Your Aunt Millie wouldn’t let me get bored. We’ve known each other since grammar school so this has been like coming home.”
    Josie returned with red plastic glasses of iced water. Cere started to ask for bottled water, but one glance at her frowning mother silenced her.
    “We’re all