investigating to the professionals.”
With Tidwell’s words
still echoing in her head, Theodosia grabbed a cup of carrot bisque soup and holed up in her office.
Licking my wounds
, she decided. After Tidwell’s warning not to get involved.
But Theodosia knew she was already involved. Her former relationship with Parker bore that out. Her discovery of his body. Her assessment of his defensive wounds.
She had a few spoonfuls of soup and drifted off into deep thought.
A few minutes later, Theodosia was aware of Drayton standing in her doorway. He was holding a cup of Darjeeling tea and a cream scone.
“Hey,” she said.
Drayton took a step forward. “Come along inside…we’ll see if tea and buns can make the world a better place.”
“That’s from
The Wind in the Willows
,” said Theodosia, smiling.
“I thought that might elicit a favorable reaction from you,” said Drayton. “A smile, anyway.”
“You know me well,” said Theodosia. “You know what touches my heart.”
Drayton set the tea and scone on her desk. “You’re going to do it, aren’t you?” His lips were pursed and a hopeful look illuminated his lined face.
“Do what?” said Theodosia.
Drayton hesitated for a moment, then said. “Avenge Parker’s death.”
Theodosia drew breath and squared her shoulders. “That not only sounds quaint, it sounds positively medieval. As if I’m going to don a suit of armor and ride out to slay the black knight.”
“That’s pretty much it,” said Haley, who’d slipped in behind Drayton. She set a small bowl of maple pecan butter on Theodosia’s desk and added, “After all, Theo, you’re the one who always sticks up for the underdog.”
Lucky me
, thought Theodosia.
7
Even though the
evening was still warm, Theodosia had a small fire crackling away in her brick fireplace. Red and blue flames snapped and licked, dancing off the wall of beveled cypress and lending a distinct air of coziness.
Stretched out on her damask sofa, Theodosia surveyed her little cottage and, once again, felt she’d done the exact right thing in buying it. The money had been a stretch, of course, but all her life she’d been a renter. And now, this little cottage with the charming name of Hazelhurst had become her pride and joy.
And what a cottage it was! The exterior was quirky andadorable—really a classicTudor-style cottage, asymmetrical in design and complete with rough cedar tiles that replicated a thatched roof. Cross gables, arched doors, and a lovely turret added finishing touches, along with lush tendrils of ivy that curled up the sides. If Hansel and Gretel were suddenly dropped into the historic district, they’d undoubtedly turn up at the front door!
The interior had also captured Theodosia’s heart. The foyer featured a brick floor and walls of hunter green with antique brass sconces. The living room had a beamed ceiling and polished wood floor. Her own chintz and damask furniture fit in perfectly as well as herblue-and-gold Aubusson carpet, antique highboy, and tasty oil paintings.
A log popped loudly and Earl Grey, her trusty Dalbrador, lifted his fine head.
“How are you doing?” Theodosia asked him. “Digested your supper yet?” She had changed into leggings and a T-shirt and was planning to take Earl Grey for his evening constitutional. Generally, they strolled down the back alley, turned into the historic district, and ended up at White Point Gardens. There, with the surging Atlantic as a backdrop, they could run together while the wind pounded away, stirring up ions and intoxicating sips of salt air.
“Okay,” she said, grabbing his leash. “Time to head out.”
Which was exactly when the phone rang.
“Saved by the bell,” she told Earl Grey, as she reached for the receiver. “Hello?”
“I leave you alone for a few days and look what happens. You get yourself involved in a murder mystery!”
“Max!” Theodosia squealed. “Hello!” Then, “How did you
With Tidwell’s words
still echoing in her head, Theodosia grabbed a cup of carrot bisque soup and holed up in her office.
Licking my wounds
, she decided. After Tidwell’s warning not to get involved.
But Theodosia knew she was already involved. Her former relationship with Parker bore that out. Her discovery of his body. Her assessment of his defensive wounds.
She had a few spoonfuls of soup and drifted off into deep thought.
A few minutes later, Theodosia was aware of Drayton standing in her doorway. He was holding a cup of Darjeeling tea and a cream scone.
“Hey,” she said.
Drayton took a step forward. “Come along inside…we’ll see if tea and buns can make the world a better place.”
“That’s from
The Wind in the Willows
,” said Theodosia, smiling.
“I thought that might elicit a favorable reaction from you,” said Drayton. “A smile, anyway.”
“You know me well,” said Theodosia. “You know what touches my heart.”
Drayton set the tea and scone on her desk. “You’re going to do it, aren’t you?” His lips were pursed and a hopeful look illuminated his lined face.
“Do what?” said Theodosia.
Drayton hesitated for a moment, then said. “Avenge Parker’s death.”
Theodosia drew breath and squared her shoulders. “That not only sounds quaint, it sounds positively medieval. As if I’m going to don a suit of armor and ride out to slay the black knight.”
“That’s pretty much it,” said Haley, who’d slipped in behind Drayton. She set a small bowl of maple pecan butter on Theodosia’s desk and added, “After all, Theo, you’re the one who always sticks up for the underdog.”
Lucky me
, thought Theodosia.
7
Even though the
evening was still warm, Theodosia had a small fire crackling away in her brick fireplace. Red and blue flames snapped and licked, dancing off the wall of beveled cypress and lending a distinct air of coziness.
Stretched out on her damask sofa, Theodosia surveyed her little cottage and, once again, felt she’d done the exact right thing in buying it. The money had been a stretch, of course, but all her life she’d been a renter. And now, this little cottage with the charming name of Hazelhurst had become her pride and joy.
And what a cottage it was! The exterior was quirky andadorable—really a classicTudor-style cottage, asymmetrical in design and complete with rough cedar tiles that replicated a thatched roof. Cross gables, arched doors, and a lovely turret added finishing touches, along with lush tendrils of ivy that curled up the sides. If Hansel and Gretel were suddenly dropped into the historic district, they’d undoubtedly turn up at the front door!
The interior had also captured Theodosia’s heart. The foyer featured a brick floor and walls of hunter green with antique brass sconces. The living room had a beamed ceiling and polished wood floor. Her own chintz and damask furniture fit in perfectly as well as herblue-and-gold Aubusson carpet, antique highboy, and tasty oil paintings.
A log popped loudly and Earl Grey, her trusty Dalbrador, lifted his fine head.
“How are you doing?” Theodosia asked him. “Digested your supper yet?” She had changed into leggings and a T-shirt and was planning to take Earl Grey for his evening constitutional. Generally, they strolled down the back alley, turned into the historic district, and ended up at White Point Gardens. There, with the surging Atlantic as a backdrop, they could run together while the wind pounded away, stirring up ions and intoxicating sips of salt air.
“Okay,” she said, grabbing his leash. “Time to head out.”
Which was exactly when the phone rang.
“Saved by the bell,” she told Earl Grey, as she reached for the receiver. “Hello?”
“I leave you alone for a few days and look what happens. You get yourself involved in a murder mystery!”
“Max!” Theodosia squealed. “Hello!” Then, “How did you
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