Read Online Halloween Hiccups: A Mercy Mares Cozy Mystery Novella by Ava Mallory - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Ava Mallory
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Nubbin's leg. How precious!
“Someone named Ernest says he's on his way over and its urgent.” Nubbin announced as if there was nothing out of the ordinary about his statement.
“Coming here? Why?” I shot up into a seated position.
Hank pulled his eyes from the strong hold that Ruby's eyes had on him and asked, “Who is Ernie?”
“He's Stanley's business partner. You met him when we went to the city council meeting to get a permit for the haunted house.” Ruby told him. Looking at me, “What does he want with you?”
I shrugged, deferring to Nubbin. “What did Ernie say?”
“Lexus, I told you already. He says he's coming over to talk to you about something important.” Nubbin said. “You'll find out in a minute because he said he's sitting outside in his car.”
My heart leaped into my throat.
“He's outside right now, and you didn't think that was important to say?” I asked Nubbin, who at one time used to be pretty in tune with most situations, good or bad. He was slipping.
Ruby and I exchanged concerned looks.
I stood up. Hank and Ruby both braced themselves in case my equilibrium failed me again.
“I'm fine. Let's just see what he wants.” I walked over to the door gingerly because my head was still spinning, but I wasn't sure whether that was due to what I'd heard on television or the news that Stanley's longtime friend and business partner was sitting outside of my house.”
His car sat right behind mine, idling slowly.
Our eyes met and we nodded at each other.
I took a deep breath and made my way to his car. What did I have to worry about , I told myself. I didn't do anything wrong. Maybe he just wanted someone to commiserate with about his feelings. I wasn't that person, but maybe he thought I was.
“Good morning, Ernie. What brings you by this morning?” I asked, trying to sound as calm, cool and collected as I could for a woman who looked as frightened as she felt about this situation. It didn't help that I still hadn't combed the rat's nest on top of my head or changed out of my robe and slippers, but what could I do? I wasn't expecting company beyond the people in my inner circle of family and friends.
“I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you, Mercedes. Your husband... er, man friend... said to come on over now. I hope that's okay.” Ernie said, his eyes wide as he studied my out of control, mind-of-its-own frizzy mop.
I caught a glimpse of myself in the window and immediately tried to tame it before I was mistaken for a lion.
“It's fine. I've been awake for hours.” I told him.
His eyes skimmed down my pajama and dandelion socks clad body, stopping at my bear claw slippers.
“Okay. Would you mind going for a ride with me?” He asked.
Yes, I would mind! I don't know you beyond the occasional head nod at the grocery store.
“Where are we going?” I asked.
“Go ahead and take a minute to get dressed. I'll wait.” Ernie said before closing the window.
Chapter Eleven
I may have looked ready to go, but I sure as beans didn't feel like I was ready. Just in case he tried anything funny, I had my cell phone on in one pocket, so Ruby could hear the whole conversation and had mace in my other pocket. I prayed that Hank could keep Nubbin entertained long enough so that Ernie wouldn't hear any chatter coming from my pocket and know that I was recording our rendezvous.
“Where are we going, if I may ask?” I asked, keeping my eyes peeled for any sign of duct tape or rope, in case the plan was to kidnap me.
What? That's a possibility, right? I watch Lifetime. I know how this stuff works.
“Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to be so secretive. As you can imagine, I'm completely out of sorts. Stanley was not just my business partner, he was my best friend. We'd been friends since grade school. Do you remember, back in Mrs. Johnson's class? You were
“Someone named Ernest says he's on his way over and its urgent.” Nubbin announced as if there was nothing out of the ordinary about his statement.
“Coming here? Why?” I shot up into a seated position.
Hank pulled his eyes from the strong hold that Ruby's eyes had on him and asked, “Who is Ernie?”
“He's Stanley's business partner. You met him when we went to the city council meeting to get a permit for the haunted house.” Ruby told him. Looking at me, “What does he want with you?”
I shrugged, deferring to Nubbin. “What did Ernie say?”
“Lexus, I told you already. He says he's coming over to talk to you about something important.” Nubbin said. “You'll find out in a minute because he said he's sitting outside in his car.”
My heart leaped into my throat.
“He's outside right now, and you didn't think that was important to say?” I asked Nubbin, who at one time used to be pretty in tune with most situations, good or bad. He was slipping.
Ruby and I exchanged concerned looks.
I stood up. Hank and Ruby both braced themselves in case my equilibrium failed me again.
“I'm fine. Let's just see what he wants.” I walked over to the door gingerly because my head was still spinning, but I wasn't sure whether that was due to what I'd heard on television or the news that Stanley's longtime friend and business partner was sitting outside of my house.”
His car sat right behind mine, idling slowly.
Our eyes met and we nodded at each other.
I took a deep breath and made my way to his car. What did I have to worry about , I told myself. I didn't do anything wrong. Maybe he just wanted someone to commiserate with about his feelings. I wasn't that person, but maybe he thought I was.
“Good morning, Ernie. What brings you by this morning?” I asked, trying to sound as calm, cool and collected as I could for a woman who looked as frightened as she felt about this situation. It didn't help that I still hadn't combed the rat's nest on top of my head or changed out of my robe and slippers, but what could I do? I wasn't expecting company beyond the people in my inner circle of family and friends.
“I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you, Mercedes. Your husband... er, man friend... said to come on over now. I hope that's okay.” Ernie said, his eyes wide as he studied my out of control, mind-of-its-own frizzy mop.
I caught a glimpse of myself in the window and immediately tried to tame it before I was mistaken for a lion.
“It's fine. I've been awake for hours.” I told him.
His eyes skimmed down my pajama and dandelion socks clad body, stopping at my bear claw slippers.
“Okay. Would you mind going for a ride with me?” He asked.
Yes, I would mind! I don't know you beyond the occasional head nod at the grocery store.
“Where are we going?” I asked.
“Go ahead and take a minute to get dressed. I'll wait.” Ernie said before closing the window.
Chapter Eleven
I may have looked ready to go, but I sure as beans didn't feel like I was ready. Just in case he tried anything funny, I had my cell phone on in one pocket, so Ruby could hear the whole conversation and had mace in my other pocket. I prayed that Hank could keep Nubbin entertained long enough so that Ernie wouldn't hear any chatter coming from my pocket and know that I was recording our rendezvous.
“Where are we going, if I may ask?” I asked, keeping my eyes peeled for any sign of duct tape or rope, in case the plan was to kidnap me.
What? That's a possibility, right? I watch Lifetime. I know how this stuff works.
“Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to be so secretive. As you can imagine, I'm completely out of sorts. Stanley was not just my business partner, he was my best friend. We'd been friends since grade school. Do you remember, back in Mrs. Johnson's class? You were
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