Read Online Heather Horrocks - Who-Dun-Him Inn 02 - Inn the Doghouse by Heather Horrocks - Free Book Online Page B

happened.
    Thursday morning started off nicely enough. It was a cold day, but not bitterly so. The wind blew the last of the colored leaves from the trees, and they swirled around gently from time to time. There was no trace of snow on the ground, only a covering of light frost.
    Most of my guests had checked out over the weekend, except for the Bartons from Ohio, who stayed until Tuesday. The next guests wouldn’t arrive until tomorrow afternoon, a couple from Denmark with their two adorable, red-cheeked, preteen girls who were spending the day at Horse Feathers Ranch down the mountain from us, riding horses.
    I sat in my favorite place in the Inn—the window seat in what used to be the Ladies’ Parlor and was now Perry Mason’s Law Library. The window seat was deeply recessed with cushions. I wrapped myself in my soft Sunbonnet Sue quilt, sipping hot chocolate as I watched the leaves swirl and move with the breeze. Again, it reminded me of a more colorful version of the feather in the Forrest Gump movie intro.
    I was melancholy this morning, missing Robert, his warmth, his sense of humor, his gentle caring for everyone. He died exactly two years ago today.
    I felt a little overwhelmed by having two men now vying for my attention. And the furious anger that spurred me to pick up a rock last Saturday had thankfully faded to a dull ache. I was mourning not only my lost husband, but also my sister’s. I knew marriages failed every day, but I was heartbroken to see my sister’s amongst them.
    And I was still grateful she hadn’t heard about my rock-throwing assault.
    Liz came downstairs around nine. She certainly looked much better than she did a few days ago. She found me in the window seat and leaned against one of the many bookcases. “You look comfy and cozy, snuggled in your little quilt. Isn’t that the pattern Grandma made for us when we were twelve?”
    “Uh-huh. For our hope chests,” I said.
    Liz shrugged. “My hopes have changed somewhat.”
    “I think you’re right to leave him.”
    She stared at me for a long moment, then smiled. “Oh, you do, do you?”
    I stuck my tongue out. “Just trying to help distract you.”
    Liz pushed off the bookcase. “Oh, immature one, I came in to tell you I can’t go to the cemetery with you, after all. Claire Daybell called and wants to meet with me today. I’m so sorry.”
    “So you’re really going to work here in Silver City?”
    “The commute to Salt Lake City is just too far, especially now that I’ve moved out of Gene’s Park City house.”
    “Have you already given notice?”
    “Not yet, but I will as soon as I have a new job. Claire Daybell is the senior partner of Daybell, Murray and Moore. I want to make a good impression.”
    “It’s okay. I understand. And good luck. They’ll snatch you up in a second.”
    Liz took my hand and held it for a moment. “So sorry I can’t go with you today.”
    She knew how much I needed her. I was feeling quite vulnerable emotionally, and we could always sense each other’s feelings when we got into that state. It was the whole twin connection that non-twins could never imagine.
    “How about Zach?”
    “Paul is bringing him over later. I need some time alone first. I’m taking flowers to Robert’s grave. I was there on Saturday, so I’m hoping I don’t cry too much and upset Zach. Just in case I do, I need a little time to center myself so I can be there for him.”
    An hour later, I pushed through the same creaking gate into the old cemetery, and walked the way I went before. Past my grandparents. Past Fanny Felter. Past a tall Jones headstone, with a foot sticking out from behind it.
    I jumped before I realized it was a leftover decoration from Halloween and laughed at my skittishness. What kind of weirdo decorates real graves for Halloween, anyway?
    I passed the gravestone, looked back, and sucked in a chilly breath of air.
    It wasn’t a Halloween decoration. It wasn’t just a foot. It was an entire