Read Online The Maestro (Cold Hollow Mysteries Book 3) by Emilie J. Howard - Free Book Online

currently had it tied back in a low ponytail. He was tall, fit, and built, just like Tom. His facial features were chiseled with a strong jawline, and there was a godlike quality about him.
    He tilted his head as he watched Myrna take measure of him. He grinned. “You are sizing me up, Myrna.” When she started to object, he silenced her by holding up his right hand. “I don’t mind, as I’ve already sized you up as well. I’m extremely astute and would like to know what news you received when we entered the home that has you visibly shaken or upset. I need you to know that we are at your service. I’ll not have my son’s bride upset, so you may as well divulge the problem to me.” He shoved off the counter and approached her. He took her forearms in his hands and came close to her face. He stared into her eyes and smirked. Afterward, he sighed and stepped back. “You, my dear, have seen things in your lifetime. You are a woman to be reckoned with.”
    Myrna swallowed what little spittle she had gathered in her mouth, found her strength, and stepped forward. She spoke in a soft, low tone, “I have to go out tonight at sundown and do something. I don’t want you to think me rude, but it won’t take me long. Even though I am on vacation for two weeks from the town hall, I may have to check in on my bakery in the morning as well.”
    Maurice raised his eyebrows and chuckled. “My dear, you have not divulged the problem that has you upset. You are skirting the issue.”
    She bit her lower lip. Should she trust him? No, not yet. “I’ll tell you once I return from the bakery in the morning. I promise. However, I don’t want anyone in this family involved.”
    “Yet.” Myrna shot him a confused look, and he elaborated, “You don’t want anyone in this family involved…yet. However, once you divulge the problem, we will most assuredly be involved, darling.”
    She grimaced and nodded. He patted her back and escorted her to the living room. He whispered, “You will take Adam with you this evening. He’s very…shall we say, handy?”
    Myrna agreed. As they entered the room, she was smothered in a tight embrace by Delilah. Myrna laughed and hugged her back while saying, “I’m so glad I finally get to meet my maid of honor. She’s as beautiful as her brother promised me she’d be.”
    She felt a tug on her shirt and glanced down to see Liam staring up at her. “Mama, you can’t hog my new aunt. I want to show her the gnome family!”
    Myrna laughed and disengaged from the embrace. Liam took Delilah’s hand and took her to the back door of the home to see the gardens and his gnome statues.
    Tom approached and wrapped an arm around Myrna’s waist. They sat together on the love seat as his father and Adam took up the sofa. Maurice had not stopped watching her every movement, and it had her on edge.
    Maurice cleared his throat and bluntly stated, “Thomas, are you aware that something is upsetting our Myrna?” Myrna scowled at him, and he brushed this off. “Haven’t you told her there are no secrets within our family?”
    Tom answered him calmly, “Myrna and I hold no secrets. If she has one, it’s just that she likes to tell me things in private. No, she’s not aware of how our family works, Father.” He turned to Myrna and explained, “We work together to solve issues. Just as there are no secrets between the two of us, the remainder of our family holds no secrets either. Father considers secrets a waste of time that causes undue angst. He feels each problem has a solution.” He squeezed her to him and continued, “Myrna, he knows everything.”
    Myrna raised her eyes to his and said, “Everything? Even about me?” She watched Tom nod, and her head slowly turned to Maurice and Adam. She found them nodding as well.
    Adam grinned, pointed at her, and chuckled, “A redhead with a penchant for pitchforks! The boss told me how you got rid of that piece of abusive slime you were married to with a