Read Online Trouble and Treats (A Chocolate Centered Cozy Mystery Book 6) by Cindy Bell - Free Book Online Page A

it was not as tidy. The blanket was crumpled on the floor. Pillows were strewn about. The contents of the closet had been emptied out onto the floor. With everything scattered about it looked similar to the shop. Had someone been searching through Jack’s house, too?
    Ally started to pick through the clothes that were scattered on the floor. It was hard to overlook the fact that she dug through dresses and blouses that Emma once wore. Underneath the clothes were shoe boxes, opened and emptied. On a hunch she walked over to the dresser and checked the jewelry box. There were plenty of necklaces and rings inside. It wasn’t obvious that anything had been taken. Downstairs was immaculate. Why would someone only search the bedroom? She turned towards the bed and decided to look underneath. But as she crouched down to take a look her cell phone rang. She didn’t have to check it to know that it was her grandmother, as she hung up after the first ring. That was the signal for her to get out of the house. Her heart started to race. Was Jack back?
    Ally ran to the bedroom window that overlooked the driveway just in time to see Jack step out of his car and head towards the front door. This was it. She was going to be caught, and Luke would be notified of her arrest. She could only hope that her grandmother was back at the car and driving away. She had to think fast to get out of the bedroom and down the stairs without Jack seeing her.
    Already, she could hear the key in the lock and the sound of the door as it swung open. Then she couldn’t, because her heart pounded so hard in her ears that she couldn’t hear anything else. She heard the stairs creak, one by one, as he ascended them. Minutes, that’s all she had, or mere seconds if she didn’t find a hiding place. The only place she had to go was the bathroom. She jerked the door open and ducked inside. Once inside she ran to the window. When she looked out she realized it was far too high for her to climb down from. She heard Jack in the bedroom. Without a second thought she climbed into the bathtub and pulled the shower curtain enough to hide her frame. If he would just go back downstairs without going into the bathroom, she would be fine. However, as she listened she suspected he headed in her direction. She kept waiting for the moment when he would cry out, or call the police, in reaction to the state of his bedroom. Instead he ventured towards the bathroom door.
    Any second Ally was sure he would discover her. She held her breath, afraid that she would cough or cry out when he walked through the door. Just as he stepped onto the tile floor of the bathroom she heard the doorbell ring. Her eyes squeezed shut as she continued to hold her breath. She didn’t want to suddenly gasp for air as she was sure that would draw his attention. He hesitated as if he might ignore the doorbell. But it rang again. He turned and walked out of the bathroom. She gulped down air, but didn’t give herself time to feel relief. She had to get down the stairs and to the back door without him seeing. When she heard him open the front door she rushed towards the stairs. She paused just out of sight and waited.
    “Jack, I’m so sorry to bother you, I know that you’re going through so much.”
    “It’s no bother. What can I help you with, Charlotte?”
    “It’s Ally’s car. I was just on my way into town, and it just conked out right by your driveway. I would have gone to someone else for help, but I saw you pull in, so I thought I’d take a chance.”
    “I can take a look at it if you want. I don’t know that much about cars, but maybe I can get it running for you.”
    “Oh, thank you so much. It’s not too much trouble?”
    “It’s fine. Let’s just take a look at it.” He followed Charlotte out through the door towards the driveway. Ally seized the opportunity and started to race down the stairs. However, when she got to the third step her shoe tilted forward and she lost her