Read Online The Spring at Moss Hill by Carla Neggers - Free Book Online

getting to know her better over the winter. I’m dying to see Hollywood and where she lives. She says Ava and I have a standing invitation to visit, but I don’t know if she’s just being polite.”
    â€œIf she said it, she meant it,” Russ said, nothing casual about him as he watched Ruby fidget and squirm.
    Ruby turned to Mark. “How’s everything at Moss Hill?”
    â€œFine. Why?”
    But she swung around to Russ. “No problems with your apartment?”
    His eyes narrowed on her. “None.”
    â€œThat’s good,” Ruby said half under her breath. “Good, good.”
    Jess, seated at the far end of the table, leaned forward. “Is something on your mind, Ruby?”
    She didn’t respond at once. She took a breath and fixed her gaze on Russ. “We could have a situation brewing with Saturday.”
    Kylie went still. Was this why she was invited to lunch? She felt a subtle change in Russ as he studied Ruby. “What kind of situation?” he asked.
    â€œProblems with codes, permits, fire extinguishers. I don’t know. Not my area of expertise.”
    â€œProblems at Moss Hill, you mean?” Jess asked, clearly shocked.
    Ruby nodded. “My mother says someone is spreading rumors around town about possible safety violations and cut corners.”
    Mark bristled visibly. “There are no problems at Moss Hill.”
    Jess gasped. “Who is spreading these rumors? Has anyone said anything directly to your mother?”
    â€œYou know Mom,” Ruby said. “If a blade of grass has a complaint about a lawn mower, she’ll hear about it. She’s tuned in to town gossip. This will be the first event at the mill. All we need is some crank causing trouble. Ava and I aren’t professional meeting planners, but we’ve done everything possible to dot every i and cross every t . Mark, are you sure—”
    â€œI’m sure,” he said stiffly. “You have nothing to worry about.”
    â€œWhat if a contractor cut a corner you don’t know about?”
    Jess touched Ruby’s shoulder. “You’re getting spooled up.”
    â€œI know. I am. I’ve been stewing since Mom told me about the rumors last night. I’m worried someone’s trying to sabotage us.”
    â€œWhy would anyone want to do that?” Jess asked.
    â€œBecause people can be jerks,” Ruby snapped.
    Kylie said nothing. Russ Colton hadn’t said a word since his initial question to Ruby, either. The meals arrived. Ruby looked as if she regretted ordering a sandwich. Jess snatched two fries off Mark’s plate before trying her soup. Kylie hadn’t expected the conversation to turn to news of unpleasant rumors. Was that why Ruby had invited her to lunch? But Kylie couldn’t see how she could help unravel what, if anything, was going on.
    Ruby stared at her sandwich. “What if someone doesn’t want Daphne here—or just doesn’t want Moss Hill to host events?”
    Mark lifted a triangle of his club sandwich. “A mixed-purpose space was always in the plans for Moss Hill. It’s no surprise to anyone we’ll be hosting a variety of events there. As far as I can see, people are excited about having that kind of space in town. There have been no problems or complaints.”
    â€œNot everyone is excited, obviously,” Ruby said. “My mother says she has no idea who is behind the rumors.”
    â€œIs this sort of talk unusual around here?” Russ asked.
    â€œKnights Bridge is a small town,” Mark said. “People talk. They have their grudges. But nasty rumors like this? I’d say it’s unusual.”
    Ruby seemed to make an effort to try a small bite of her sandwich. “I haven’t lived here full-time since I started college, but I can’t think of anyone who would want to sabotage a class by a Hollywood icon who’s donating her time...” She