Read Online Sandrift: A Lin Hanna Mystery by Sharon Canipe - Free Book Online Page A

too, of course.”
    “They’ll keep
us busy,” Lin smiled,   “especially
Sam and Emma.   You remember how
energetic they were when they came to visit me last summer.”
    “Indeed,” Neal
responded, “but I enjoyed every minute I was included.   I realize what I’ve missed by not having
kids and grandkids of my own.   It’ll
be fun to share yours—this holiday.” Neal didn’t add that he would like
to share them beyond this season, but his expression gave away his thoughts.
    By this time
they were seated in the dining room near the warmth of the fire.   The dinner was wonderful—great
food, good wine, and a warm holiday atmosphere.
    Their conversation focused on
plans for the next few weeks.   Lin
eagerly outlined a number of activities that she felt Neal would enjoy as well
as day trips they might make together and with her family.   There was no mention of the grim events
of the past weekend.   Frankly, Lin
was happy to put this behind her for a while and focus on Neal and the plans
they were making.

 
    ***
    Tuesday morning
dawned chilly but sunny.   After a
quick breakfast at the hotel, Neal and Lin hit the road for the drive back to
the Outer Banks.   Their romantic
reunion had left Lin in a great mood.   She was feeling very calm and relaxed as they left the traffic of the
Raleigh area and found themselves driving back through expansive fields of
cotton—most full of brown stubble but some still snowy white with bolls
yet to be harvested.   The land grew
flatter and marshier the nearer they got to their destination.   Soon they were crossing the Alligator
River onto Roanoke Island and into the town of Manteo.   Their arrival reminded Lin of her
appointment the next morning with Sheriff Midgett.   She realized that she hadn’t thought
about that meeting during the entire time she was with Neal in Raleigh, but now
she found herself once more thinking about all the questions that had been
raised by Matt Johnson.   She had to
admit she had questions herself.   Hopefully, the sheriff would be able to produce some answers for them
both.
    Remembering
that a grocery store visit was in order if she and Neal expected to eat at
home, Lin pulled into the Harris Teeter parking lot as they arrived in Nags
Head.
    “Thanksgiving
dinner?” Neal queried, with a sly grin.
    “Not on your
life,” Lin responded, “I have no plans to cook Thanksgiving
dinner—Christmas will be quite enough.   Besides I hear the buffet at Capt.
George’s here is fantastic.   We can
go out.   This is a more basic
trip.   The cupboard at Kate’s is
pretty bare.”
    An hour and
several filled grocery bags later, they pulled into the driveway at
Kate’s.   Eloise was in her yard,
apparently waiting for their arrival; she hurried over to introduce herself.
    Lin introduced
Neal, explaining that he would be visiting through the holidays.   She caught Eloise’s expression of
approval as she gave the handsome professor a broad smile.
    Glancing at the
grocery bags, Eloise spoke quickly, “I do hope you haven’t been buying fixin’s
for Thanksgiving.   I was hoping the
two of you could join me.   It won’t
be a big party—just me and my friend, Tom Miller .   He and I are both alone now, since he
lost his wife a few years back, and we often share holidays when we aren’t with
family.   You’ll enjoy Tom; he’s a
historian and has written several books about this area.   He loves to talk about this place and
he’ll welcome a new audience.”
    Lin caught
Neal’s eye and he nodded his assent, “We’d love to come Eloise.   It sounds like fun and we’d both enjoy
hearing more about this place.   Can
I bring something?”
    “Just yourselves —Tom’s doing most of the cooking,” Eloise
responded as she turned back toward home. “We’ll eat late.   I’ll look for you about four and we’ll
have drinks on the porch if it’s not too chilly.   I’ll bring Sparky over in a few minutes.”
    Lin