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

nonchalant. As if she didn’t know I had been at the door watching them. I intended to act as if I’d just casually been walking by and not watching every move they made.
    The front door clicked open and then shut. Charity’s shoes sounded against the hardwood floor as she made her way across the room.
    “Hello? Ms. Pendleton?” she called out.
    “I’m in the kitchen.” Sweetness dripped from my words.
    A couple seconds later Charity appeared in the doorway. “There you are.”
    “Would you like refreshments? I have cookies and lemonade. There’s also fresh sweet tea too.” I gestured.
    “Do you have unsweetened?” she asked.
    I was sure that I looked at her as if she’d just asked if I was an alien. “Unsweetened? Sorry, no.”
    “Lemonade is fine. Thank you.” She crossed the floor and sat on the stool next to the island counter.
    I poured her a glass and placed it in front of her. “Here’s a cookie too. I made them myself.”
    She eyed the cookie and then said, “Thanks.” After taking a bite and swallowing, she continued, “I suppose you saw me talking with Doreen Perkins.”
    I nodded. “Yes, I just happened to pass by the door.” I was sticking to my story. I poured myself a glass of lemonade.
    “I guess you’re wondering how I know Doreen.” She took a sip of lemonade. “This is good stuff.”
    “Thanks. Yes, the thought had crossed my mind,” I said and then took a drink from my glass.
    Charity placed her glass on the counter. “Doreen hired me as her son’s attorney.”
    I spewed lemonade across the counter. Thank goodness it didn’t land on her face. I grabbed a towel.
    “I am aware now that you are Ross’ ex-wife. Doreen didn’t tell me this before I got to town.”
    “That surprises me. I thought it would have been one of the first things she told you. As I’m sure you are aware now, I am not one of her favorite people.”
    “She wanted me to leave, but you are the only accommodations in town. I hoped it’s not a problem.”
    This was a tricky question. I needed the money that renting a room would provide, but Ross had also threatened to implicate me in the murder. Having his lawyer around probably wasn’t a good idea. But where else would she stay?
    “Can you stay with Doreen?” I asked.
    Charity shook her head. “She has a cat and I’m allergic. If it’s a problem, I can make the drive to the next town and stay there.”
    Charity seemed like a nice woman and she’d probably unwillingly gotten dragged into this. I didn’t have the heart to tell her no.
    “That won’t be necessary. You can stay here.”
    She nibbled on the cookie and then said, “Thanks.”
    I would probably regret this. “There is one other thing. Ross has said he would implicate me in the crime.”
    Charity stared for a moment. “You were with him when he discovered the body?”
    “No. Is that what he told you? I came by after he found the body and then he showed me. I immediately got the police.”
    She nodded. “I see. Well, I will talk with him about this.” Charity finished the lemonade. “If you’ll excuse me, I have some business to take care of.”
    “Of course. Let me know if you need anything.” I forced a smile.
    “I certainly will,” she said from over her shoulder as she walked out of the room.

Chapter Nine
     
    The next morning, Claire Ann and I had planned to go to yard sales. With any luck, I’d find a lot of bargains. Fridays seemed to be the best time for deals. I liked to get there before sunrise, but as hard as I tried to wake up early, I was never the first to arrive. I was convinced that some people camped out overnight. There was no amount of coffee that could get me moving earlier than six am.
    I pulled my hair back into a ponytail. Dressed in blue shorts, a yellow and white striped tank , and flip flops, I was ready for the mission. Perfect treasure-hunting attire.
    We’d decided to take my c onvertible because we could fit more goodies in with the top down