Garden of Secrets by Barbara Freethy Page A

a three-bedroom house in a quiet neighborhood filled with young families. The elementary school was only a few blocks away, as was a neighborhood park, and as on most blocks, there was a feeling of community and friendship among the neighbors. It was that feeling of belonging somewhere that she’d missed when she left for college.
    But just as she had grown up, so had Angel’s Bay. There was a lot more action within the city limits now, more stores and businesses and an influx of people who had come to live here, not just spend their summers near the beach. Yet in spite of the growth, the town still retained its charm. She hoped that would never change.
    The street was crowded, so she parked a fewhouses away. She had just gotten out of her car when she heard someone call her name. Turning her head, she smiled as Jason Marlow jogged across the street.
    Jason, with his light brown hair and brown eyes, had been best friends with Colin and Kara since they’d all met in kindergarten. Charlotte suspected he’d had a big crush on Kara for most of that time, but Kara had only had eyes for her blue-eyed, smiling Irishman.
    Fortunately, Jason had found his own love a few months ago when he’d fallen for Brianna Kane. She was a widow and a mother, so Jason was stepping into not just a relationship but a family. He’d never looked happier, and his career was blossoming as well since he’d become a detective.
    “I’m glad I caught you before you went inside,” Jason said.
    “You look like you’re in work mode,” she commented, his slacks and sports coat a far cry from the usual faded jeans and a T-shirt with a surfboard on it. “Brianna and Lucas aren’t coming?”
    “No, they’re at the Kanes’ house. I’m just stopping by for a few minutes. After last night, today is going to be all work.”
    “I saw Joe at the hospital. He said there hasn’t been much progress.”
    “Unfortunately, no. Which means I’m going to need to interview you again, more formally this time.”
    “I told you everything I know, Jason. I didn’t have anything to do with what happened to Theresa.”
    “Believe me, Charlotte, you’re the last person I want to interrogate, but I have to run this investigation by the book. I hope you can understand that.”
    She sighed. “We don’t have to talk now, do we?”
    “Tomorrow will be fine. Can you come in on your lunch break?”
    “I suppose so.”
    “Thanks. Can I carry that inside for you?”
    She handed over the heavy tray of sandwiches. “It’s the least you can do before you arrest me.”
    “Well, you wouldn’t be a suspect if you hadn’t been trying to run away from a kiss.”
    “Kara has a big mouth,” she grumbled. “I can’t believe she told you that. You’d better not put it in your report.”
    He grinned. “It would explain why you went upstairs just before midnight. Who didn’t you want to kiss?”
    “You’re a detective. You figure it out,” she said with a smile, then marched up the steps to Kara’s house and opened the front door.
    Inside, a half-dozen men were gathered around the big-screen television, watching a college bowl game. A few looked up to say hello, then a touchdown drew their attention back to the screen, and a series of high fives broke out.
    Charlotte took the sandwich tray from Jason, who’d paused to watch the game. “I’m going to find the women.”
    In the kitchen, Kara was at the stove, stirring something in a large pot. Her red hair was pulledback in a clip, and she had on a bright red apron over her jeans and T-shirt. Isabella Silveira, Joe’s sister, was sitting on a stool by the center island, sipping a glass of wine. She wore jeans and boots with a pink sweater. Her long, curly dark brown hair fell past her shoulders, and her beautiful, unusual blue eyes were bright and happy. She looked like a woman in love, which wasn’t surprising, since she’d recently hooked up with local architect Nick Hartley.
    Lauren Jamison was another