Read Online Mysteries of Holt House - A Mystery by Marja McGraw - Free Book Online Page B

Sanders...”
    “Please, call me Kelly.”
    “Okay, Kelly, I was thinking I could build
a fence railing out front to indicate where your tenants should park.”
    “I like that. I was thinking about having
you put in some hedges in front too, for more privacy. What do you think?”
    “Good idea,” he replied.
    I glanced at Lucy again, and she appeared
thoughtful. I had a feeling she was impressed because his first thought was how
to help out.
    “David, this is Lucy Daley. She’s our cook
and housekeeper.”
    “How do you do, Lucy?”
    “Fine, thank you. Happy to make your
acquaintance.”
    “Come on and I’ll show you to your room,”
Lucy said. “And I’ll get you a cup of coffee. I made a coffee cake last night,
too.”
    “As soon as I get my things put away I’ll
be ready for dessert,” he replied.
    Lucy beamed at him. At least now I
wouldn’t have to worry about them getting along. They were doing fine together.
    We turned to walk to the house and I heard
a car coming. Looking back I saw Sharon pulling into the driveway. She saw us
and pulled to the rear of the house.
    “Wait a second,” I said. “Here comes my
friend Sharon.”
    She parked her car and pulled a box out of
the back seat before joining us. “Hi y’all,” she said. Every once in a while
Texas showed through when she spoke.
    “Sharon, I’m so glad you’re here. Let me
introduce you around.”
    I made the introductions, noting that
David couldn’t take his eyes off her, and that Lucy was looking from one to the
other with that smug look I’d seen the day before when she watched Mike and me
together. She was a natural born matchmaker. Sharon was in such a dither that
she didn’t seem to notice anything.
    “I’m happy to meet you both. I’m sorry,
but I’ve been rushing so much this mornin’ that I’m all turned around.” She
almost sounded breathless.
    “Well don’t just stand there,” I said.
“Let’s go inside. You two can put your things away while Lucy and I get the
coffee and cake ready.”
    While we walked, David dropped back in
step with Sharon. She had that effect on most men. I couldn’t help but wonder
what Mike would think of her, but I admonished myself because what did it
really matter anyway?
    Lucy showed David to his room while Sharon
followed me to the one she’d be using.
    “I’m so glad to finally be here,” she
said. “It’s been too quiet for me in town without you there. It seems like we
were always at each other’s apartment or going somewhere together. Um, that
David would make one hunk of a Texas cowboy.”
    “I didn’t think you noticed.”
    She grinned at me. “Kinda quiet though,
isn’t he?”
    “Sharon, as much as you talk, he won’t
need to say a word. I’m going to go help Lucy. I’ll be back in a while.”
    Sharon was already hanging up her clothes,
so she just nodded. She hadn’t brought much with her, although she had asked if
she might put a few boxes in the storage shed.
    “What can I do to help, Lucy?” I asked,
entering the kitchen.
    “Not a thing. Everything’s under control
here.”
    I decided to run upstairs and check Mr.
Forbes’ room one last time to make sure it was in order. Reaching the top of
the stairs, I saw the door of the first bedroom appeared to be closing. I
couldn’t figure out who might be upstairs, so I opened the door but saw no one.
That’s when I had my first true experience with an optical illusion. The
dresser seemed to be moving, but when I blinked, it was still. It was a weird
sensation. I shook the cobwebs out of my head, blinked a couple more times, and
left the room, closing the door on my way out. If there hadn’t been so much
going on, I’d probably have given the door and the dresser more thought.
    I checked Mr. Forbes’ room, and noting
that everything looked in order, I returned to Sharon’s room.
    “Need any help?” I asked.
    “Not really, but sit down and talk to me
while I finish unpacking. That’s one nice thing about