Read Online Tea and Primroses by Tess Thompson - Free Book Online

collarbones?”
    Despite the seriousness of the moment, Sutton had to laugh. “Jeez, Peter, you’re like my mother with your attention to detail. Anyway, she wasn’t wearing it when she died, which is weird because she wore it all the time. She only took it off at night. And I can’t find it in her room. I looked everywhere last night.”
    “It wasn’t worth much, though,” said Declan. “Surely she wasn’t killed for that?”
    “I’m not saying she was,” said Sutton. She hadn’t even thought of that, actually. “No, I mean that it was out of character. Just like the rest of the things we’ve described.”
    Peter ran his hand through his hair. “None of this makes sense. The most predictable woman in the world acting totally unpredictable.”
    None of them spoke for a moment. “Will you come back in an hour or two?” asked Sutton, breaking the silence. “In my mother’s last letter to me she asked if the gang could come after the memorial was over. You know, like old times. And bring Jack?”
    “You’ve got it.” Peter leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. “See you in a bit.”
    After Peter left, she looked at Declan. “Is it possible my mother had secrets?”
    Declan covered her hand with his. It was warm and familiar. “Seems impossible, given what we know about her, but I don’t know what else to think.”
    Just then, Roger appeared, carrying his cell phone. Sutton extracted her hand from Declan’s. Declan scooted out his chair and rose to his feet, nodding at Roger. “I’ll get you a glass of wine, Sutton.”
    “Thanks, Dec.”
    Roger’s eyes followed Declan. “Probably not a good idea to drink today.”
    “I’ve had just a sip. Keep losing my glass.”
    He sat at the table. “What’s the deal with that guy?”
    “You mean Declan?”
    “He seems pretty tightly wound.”
    “Well, it’s a lot to take in.”
    “Who is he to you?”
    She twisted her engagement ring in a circle on her finger. “He’s like family.”
    “Doesn’t seem like he’s thinking of you as his sister.”
    Just be honest. Isn’t that what Patrick had advised? “Roger, I spent a lot of time thinking about things while I was in Paris. And I’m not ready. To marry you.”
    “Ready for what? Marriage? Or being married to me?”
    “Maybe both.”
    “Is this about him?” He gestured toward the house.
    “No, of course not. I haven’t seen him in six years. I wasn’t sure I ever would again.”
    “What happened between you?”
    “We were in love. A long time ago. And then he left.”
    “Why didn’t you ever tell me about him?”
    “I never think of him anymore.” She averted her eyes at this blatant lie. She took off the engagement ring and placed it on the table in front of Roger. “Regardless, I need some time to think.” The sunlight against the diamond made a pattern on the table. Inside, the party seemed to be louder than the moment before.
    “I think this is just grief confusing you. It’s understandable, but no reason to make rash choices. It’s common knowledge one should never make major decisions after a loss.”
    She stared at him, shaking her head, swallowing before speaking. “Thank you for that advice, Roger, but my mother was murdered. I really don’t care about advice from some book you read.”
    He slid the ring toward her. “Just put this back on. There’s no reason we have to set a date yet.”
    “I want you to keep it. For now, anyway.”
    “Fine.” He put the ring in his pocket. “I know you’ll come around after a few days. That’s how you are. Kinda impulsive. It’s cute.”
    Again, she stared at him, her hands twitching in her lap. For the second time that day she wanted to smack someone. “I’m the least impulsive person on the planet.”
    He seemed not to hear. “I knew I shouldn’t have let you go to France.” He looked up, squinting into the sunlight. “I think I should go. I’ll call you later.” He got up from the table, the chair making a