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

having the breakfast burritos, smothered,” Freeda announced before Cere could speak.
    Lottie waggled a finger at Cere as Josie walked away. “Sweetie, a pound or two won’t hurt you.”
    So much for healthy eating. Luckily she’d inherited her mother’s slender frame instead of her father’s bulk. Still it might be nice to have a few more of the Medina curves, like Freeda.
    “So what’s on the agenda today, Mom? Are there any galleries? Shopping places?”
    Her mother tapped her hair. “Well, it’s my day to get my monthly touch up. Do you want to come with me and see Millie? Maybe get your hair done or a manicure?”
    Freeda tugged at her unruly curls and burst into laughter. “No one will touch this mess, and I guarantee Cere won’t let some small town stylist cut into her two hundred dollar hairdo.”
    She considered kicking her cousin under the table, but her mother’s smile was understanding.
    “It looks beautiful on television, sweetie. Maybe you girls can wander around and get acquainted with my world. We’ll do something this afternoon and tonight we’ve been invited to dinner. There are some friends I’d like you to meet. Well, one friend…” She lowered her gaze to the table, her face glowing pink under her tan.
    Freeda lurched upright. “A friend? Like a guy? Tia , you got a fella?”
    Cere’s insides did a wild flip flop and she fought to keep her voice from sounding accusatory. “I noticed you’re not wearing your wedding ring.”
    “Tia !”
    Her mother put her fingers to her lips. “I’m not wearing my rings because I was worried I’d lose them when I do my gardening.”
    “But you met a guy.” Freeda waved her hands up and down.
    “Not met.” She sat up straight as a board and adopted her teaching demeanor as a sober gaze stopped Freeda’s wild gesturing. “I am seeing, well, I’ve been keeping company with an old friend…someone I’ve known for years, before I met your father.”
    Cere fought to keep her composure, but before she could reply, a buzzing sounded and her mother reached for her purse. She extracted her cell phone, gave it a shy smile and held up a finger. “Could you excuse me a minute?” She rose without waiting for an answer and walked toward the back of the restaurant.
    Freeda grasped Cere’s arm with both hands. “Wow! Tia has a guy! She’s doing better than we are.”
    Cere couldn’t answer. Was he on the phone? Was he why her mom insisted they be here so early?
    “Something wrong?” Freeda asked.
    “No, but why hasn’t she told us about him? Who is he ?” Her attempted smile felt stiff.
    “You need to lighten up, babe. Let me out. I’m gonna check the local paper and see if I can find information about the area.” Squeezing past Cere, she clomped toward the front of the restaurant where several wooden bins held newspapers and brochures. Typical Freeda. She collected brochures everywhere they went. When they came home, she deposited them in a box and never touched them again.
    Cere sensed restlessness in both her mother and Freeda. Maybe this trip had been a mistake. She should have convinced them to go to a spa or take a cruise. Or maybe she was the one on edge. But then she was the one with a job in jeopardy.
    Still standing, she glanced around the cafe. She’d come hoping to turn this town into a story and so far it didn’t appear promising. But she couldn’t afford to return with nothing. Across the room, a barrel-chested man wearing an apron dotted with food stains waddled through a set of swinging doors. He carried a steaming oval plate which he plopped down in front of a paunchy man seated at the counter.
    “Jerry, muchachos, try these tamales.” The man held one out on a spatula and then began putting them on the plates of diners at the counter. “Turned out great today.”
    A tempting, spicy aroma wafted to the table. Her stomach rumbled. Maybe the burritos were a good idea.
    “Oye, amigo. Muy bueno!” The man identified as