Corpses & Conmen (Rosewood Place Mysteries Book 2) by Ruby Blaylock Page B
Authors: Ruby Blaylock
Ads: Link
matter.”
“Well, I think we’re all agreed that nobody has to go anywhere,” Doris offered, “so if you don’t mind, I’d love a cup of hot tea and some more of those cookies Bessie was handing out yesterday, if you have them.”
Something loosened in Annie’s chest and she felt as though she’d been granted some sort of stay of execution. No one wanted to leave. She wouldn’t be refunding everyone’s money and shutting the doors behind them. Rosewood Place lived to fight again--but only if she kept everyone happy. And safe.
“I’ll bring them right out,” Bessie replied, scurrying off to the kitchen with Annie following right behind. The two women grabbed each other by the arms once they were out of earshot of the guests. “I don’t know how you did that,” Bessie began, “but you just saved our bacon.”
Annie shook her head. “I didn’t do anything,” she insisted. “They just like us. I mean, they really like us.” Annie busied herself with preparing sandwiches while Bessie loaded a tray with cookies, creamer, sugar, and tea bags. Ten minutes later the sitting room was abuzz with the chatter of Annie’s guests.
Devon excused himself, liberating his mother’s iPad from Mr. George and a handful each of cookies and sandwiches from Bessie. Annie noticed that Rory had slipped away while she was in the kitchen. She got the distinct impression that being around so many people was a little taxing on him. Of course, the fact that he’d spent several years in prison didn’t help his social claustrophobia. His unfortunate past behind him, Annie was well aware of how difficult it was for Rory to be in a room filled with strangers.
Rob and Kizzy were deep in conversation, discussing Coopersville and the job prospects. Kizzy seemed to have tamed her flirting considerably since the night before, the lack of alcohol leaving her a slightly restrained, though no less bubbly, version of herself. Annie liked the girl, though she feared that Kizzy might be one of those young women who made terrible choices and who always seemed to find themselves in the middle of a whirlwind of drama.
“You know,” Rob said, loud enough to include Annie in the conversation, “I used to wonder about this place. When I was a kid we’d drive past here and my parents would comment about what a shame it was that this old house was so run-down. It kind of had a reputation, you know.”
“As what?” Annie was delighted to hear someone speak of the house’s past. She was happy to soak up every detail of its history, no matter how small or how recent.
“Oh, all the kids said it was haunted,” he replied. “It sure looked haunted to me. But now--” he looked around the room with admiration, “now it looks amazing. Who did you hire to do the renovations? These antebellum houses can be a nightmare to restore.”
“Oh, there was just the one contractor,” Annie replied. “Rory did it. Well, he did most of it. I picked out paint colors and furniture and got in his way--a lot,” she added with a chuckle. “He’s a huge history buff, so he already knew what it should look like, more or less.”
“It sure is beautiful,” Kizzy agreed. “I used to dream of living in a big old house like this,” she added. “It’s like something out of an old movie, isn’t it?” Annie agreed. “So, are you and Rory like, a couple, or something?”
Annie felt her cheeks flush slightly. No matter how many times she explained her relationship with Rory, it always felt awkward. “We’re just friends,” she said finally. “Very old friends. I knew him in high school, and when I came back into town he was kind enough to take on the renovation work for me when I couldn’t find anyone else to help.”
“That’s a great friend,” Rob noted with a smile. “And he stayed around after the work was done--that’s a great contractor.” He lowered his voice and leaned towards Annie. “You know, the house isn’t the only one with a
“Well, I think we’re all agreed that nobody has to go anywhere,” Doris offered, “so if you don’t mind, I’d love a cup of hot tea and some more of those cookies Bessie was handing out yesterday, if you have them.”
Something loosened in Annie’s chest and she felt as though she’d been granted some sort of stay of execution. No one wanted to leave. She wouldn’t be refunding everyone’s money and shutting the doors behind them. Rosewood Place lived to fight again--but only if she kept everyone happy. And safe.
“I’ll bring them right out,” Bessie replied, scurrying off to the kitchen with Annie following right behind. The two women grabbed each other by the arms once they were out of earshot of the guests. “I don’t know how you did that,” Bessie began, “but you just saved our bacon.”
Annie shook her head. “I didn’t do anything,” she insisted. “They just like us. I mean, they really like us.” Annie busied herself with preparing sandwiches while Bessie loaded a tray with cookies, creamer, sugar, and tea bags. Ten minutes later the sitting room was abuzz with the chatter of Annie’s guests.
Devon excused himself, liberating his mother’s iPad from Mr. George and a handful each of cookies and sandwiches from Bessie. Annie noticed that Rory had slipped away while she was in the kitchen. She got the distinct impression that being around so many people was a little taxing on him. Of course, the fact that he’d spent several years in prison didn’t help his social claustrophobia. His unfortunate past behind him, Annie was well aware of how difficult it was for Rory to be in a room filled with strangers.
Rob and Kizzy were deep in conversation, discussing Coopersville and the job prospects. Kizzy seemed to have tamed her flirting considerably since the night before, the lack of alcohol leaving her a slightly restrained, though no less bubbly, version of herself. Annie liked the girl, though she feared that Kizzy might be one of those young women who made terrible choices and who always seemed to find themselves in the middle of a whirlwind of drama.
“You know,” Rob said, loud enough to include Annie in the conversation, “I used to wonder about this place. When I was a kid we’d drive past here and my parents would comment about what a shame it was that this old house was so run-down. It kind of had a reputation, you know.”
“As what?” Annie was delighted to hear someone speak of the house’s past. She was happy to soak up every detail of its history, no matter how small or how recent.
“Oh, all the kids said it was haunted,” he replied. “It sure looked haunted to me. But now--” he looked around the room with admiration, “now it looks amazing. Who did you hire to do the renovations? These antebellum houses can be a nightmare to restore.”
“Oh, there was just the one contractor,” Annie replied. “Rory did it. Well, he did most of it. I picked out paint colors and furniture and got in his way--a lot,” she added with a chuckle. “He’s a huge history buff, so he already knew what it should look like, more or less.”
“It sure is beautiful,” Kizzy agreed. “I used to dream of living in a big old house like this,” she added. “It’s like something out of an old movie, isn’t it?” Annie agreed. “So, are you and Rory like, a couple, or something?”
Annie felt her cheeks flush slightly. No matter how many times she explained her relationship with Rory, it always felt awkward. “We’re just friends,” she said finally. “Very old friends. I knew him in high school, and when I came back into town he was kind enough to take on the renovation work for me when I couldn’t find anyone else to help.”
“That’s a great friend,” Rob noted with a smile. “And he stayed around after the work was done--that’s a great contractor.” He lowered his voice and leaned towards Annie. “You know, the house isn’t the only one with a
Similar Books
