Honeysuckle Homicide (Trash-to-Treasure Crafting Mystery) by Rose Pressey

feet.
    When I reached the wrought-iron gate, I called out to her. “Hello. May I help you?”
    She turned around to face me. “Are you the owner of the inn?”
    I walked up the path toward her. “Yes, I am.”
    “My name is Charity Clemmons. I saw your sign for the inn. I need a room for a couple of days while I’m in Honeysuckle.”
    We didn’t get many visitors in Honeysuckle, but my place was the only one to stay in. There were no Best Westerns or Holiday Inns. I was thankful for the business.
    “Great. I have an available room.” I stepped onto the porch and pulled the key from my pocket. She followed behind me as I unlocked the door and allowed her in. “I’ll just get your info and then show you the room.”
    “Thank you,” she said.
    Charity filled out the form I’d printed off from my computer when I’d first started running the inn. It was just a set of basic questions so I’d know more about each of my guests—name, address, type of car, etc. Of course I was curious as to why she was in town. I’d find out as soon as possible because Claire Ann would want to know. Okay, I wanted to know too. After a minute, Charity handed me the paper.
    “The room is right upstairs.” I pointed.
    Within a couple minutes, she’d settled into her room and I went to the kitchen to make some refreshments. I couldn’t wait for her to come downstairs so that I could ask questions. Maybe I’d have better luck with Charity Clemmons than I’d had with Julian.

Chapter Eight
     
    I’d just set out lemonade and various kinds of cookies when I heard footsteps coming down the stairs. This was my chance to find out why Charity was in Honeysuckle. I’d start out slowly in my questioning so as not to seem rude or scare her silent. Bribery with the fresh chocolate-chip cookies couldn’t hurt either. I straightened my shirt and smoothed down my hair as I waited for her to approach. No need to look a wreck in front of guests.
    The footsteps came down the stairs and through the living room. But instead of getting closer to the kitchen, they moved farther away. Then the click of the front door echoed across the house. She had left before I had a chance to ask any questions.
    I rushed out of the kitchen, down the hall, and to the front door. I almost slid into the door , but stopped short and pulled up the little shade on the glass window. Charity was standing on the sidewalk in front of the house. But it was who she was talking to that made my skin crawl. Doreen Perkins stood in front of Charity. Doreen waved her arms through the air as she spoke.
    This could not end well. Did Charity know Doreen? By the way they talked it looked as if they did, but I could be imagining things. Now there was no way that I could allow Charity to stay at the inn. Not if Doreen was coming by to visit.
    I watched the women and wondered what they were discussing. Part of the conversation had to involve me. There was no way Doreen could stand in front of Honeysuckle Inn without broaching the topic of her evil ex-daughter-in-law.
    The women looked my way and I was frozen. It was too late to duck. They’d obviously seen me watching them. The awkward situation had just turned to beyond embarrassing. There was no point in acting like I hadn’t seen them now.
    The wom en looked away from me. They hadn’t acknowledged me even though I knew they were aware of my presence. Now I would have to wait to see what they did next. My wait wasn’t long because Doreen glanced my way. From my view inside the house, I could see the little lines in the corners of her mouth as she scowled. Doreen turned and stomped down the sidewalk away from the house and Charity. Could I really get away without another confrontation with her?
    Charity headed for my front door. It looked as if I was about to find out if they’d talked about me.
    I slid away from the door and rushed back into the kitchen. After grabbing a towel, I wiped down the counter and attempted to act