Disrobed for Death by Sylvia Rochester Page B

hoping she’d be here.”
    “She’s working at the boutique, just a mile from here. Why don’t you pay her a visit before you head back? I’d like for you to see the shop, anyway.”
    “I might just do that.”
    Susan pictured the two together. A. K. with her red hair, green eyes and shapely body, could definitely keep Edward’s eye from straying. And Edward’s dark brown hair and blue eyes, along with a contagious smile and dimples, were enough to keep anyone interested. Interested? Yes. But A. K. serious? Susan wondered if the right guy would ever come along for her friend.
    Susan looked at her family and regretted the years she let slip away while chasing her dream. Now, her parents were in the twilight of their years, and time was fleeting. So today, she planned on making up for lost time. They took a long stroll and soaked in nature’s beauty. After returning, they had lunch and played a game of Hearts. The card game was followed by a modified version of Balderdash. Her mother won with her outlandish definitions.
    “You should have been an actress,” Susan said. “You suckered us all into believing you.”
    Her dad harrumphed. “How do you think she caught me?”
    Around two o’clock, Edward said his goodbyes. “I’d better leave now, if I want to stop by your shop. Mostly, I want to visit with A. K. before I get on the road. Sis, take care and remember I’m as close as the phone.” He kissed everyone before heading out the door.
    Her dad arched his back and stretched. “Okay, Momma, I’ve got the luggage. You get your purse. It’s time for us to head home, too. I think our girl can manage from here on.”
    Susan walked them out and hugged them goodbye. “Thanks again, for everything.”
    “If you need anything, call us. We love you.”
     

Chapter 6
    The next morning, Susan was dressed and out the door early. It had been a long time since she’d stopped by Tilly’s Diner, but it looked the same. Well, actually the white stucco had darkened over the years to a dingy ecru, and the surrounding pines had grown to towering heights. Out front, a portable marquee advertised home cooking.
    She pulled into the gravel parking lot, covered with pine needles, and parked close to the front door. Tilly’s Diner had been a part of the community for as long as Susan could remember. It was the local hangout when she was in high school, and a family member still ran the place. Stepping inside, she was glad to see that nothing had changed. Formica tables with chrome trim, chrome and vinyl chairs sat on a black and white tile floor. Even the old jukebox still graced the far wall—an antique hunter’s dream. Susan wondered if it still contained many of the same old songs. The diner was exactly as she remembered it—clean, and the smell of something good on the griddle.
    Up in age, Tilly no longer ran the business. She had turned it over to her only child, Tonya, who had attended school with Wesley and Susan. She was busy serving a customer at the bar, and Susan couldn’t help but notice that the years had been kind to her. Tonya still had that peaches and cream complexion, shiny brown hair, and hazel eyes.
    In high school, they didn’t run in the same circles. Tonya was a bookworm, while Susan was into sports. But Tonya was always friendly and willing to help on any project.
    “Well, look who’s here?” Tonya said when she approached Susan’s table. “I’ve been meaning to come by your shop but can’t seem to get away from here.”
    “When you do, I’ll look forward to waiting on you.”
    “So, how’s business?”
    “Good. It’s been a long time since high school, huh? How have you been?”
    “I can’t complain. I’m still married to the same man and have five beautiful children.”
    “Oh, my, that’s wonderful. I wouldn’t know what to do with five kids. Are you still taking in stray dogs?” Susan recalled that Tonya had a special affinity for dogs. Seemed every stray gravitated to her,