Deadly Notions - By Elizabeth Lynn Casey Page 0,74
up around the porch.
“Good heavens, Debbie, you can’t mean that,” Margaret Louise protested. “Penelope might be difficult but she’s only five.”
Debbie’s face paled. “I-I wasn’t talking about Penelope. I was talking about Beth.”
“Ain’t that the truth. Too bad Samantha didn’t know.” Dixie stacked Rose’s butter atop her pancakes and handed the set to Debbie. “Perhaps she’d have considered doubling up.”
“Two hogs for the price of one.”
Tori made a face at Margaret Louise, the visual inspired by the woman’s comments making her laugh out loud. “I feel like I should be disagreeing at this moment, like I’m being an awful person for not coming to Beth’s defense.”
“You’re human,” Rose reminded.
“Besides, I don’t think Samantha was even aware of Beth’s presence that morning.” Debbie wrapped the breakfast food items in the colored tissue paper then placed it in the large gift bag.
Tori sat up tall. “That morning? You mean Samantha was in the bakery the morning of the party, too?”
“She was. But, looking back, I doubt she even noticed Beth. In fact, if I recall correctly, she only had eyes for Ashley.”
“Eyes?”
Debbie shrugged off Dixie’s curiosity. “Daggered eyes. Is that better?”
Chapter 27
While Leona’s suggestion was tempting, Tori opted to wait for Milo on his front steps. It was safer that way. Besides, the less face-to-face time she had with his houseguest the better. For all parties involved.
It wasn’t that she had a propensity toward confrontation, because she didn’t. What she did have, however, was a need to make things right. And Beth’s constant manipulating wasn’t right.
Milo deserved better.
Unfortunately, in this case, he needed to discover that on his own. She just hoped it was sooner rather than later. For both their sakes.
“Hey, beautiful!” Milo’s long legs closed the gap between them in mere seconds, the smile on his face erasing any and all self-doubt that had left her questioning her decision to take up camp on his front step. “What a nice surprise.”
She stood and stepped into his arms. “It was your idea, silly.”
“One that you seemed to be less than enthusiastic about if you’ll recall.”
“I’m sorry. I really am. It’s . . . Actually, you know what? Let’s just forget it. Let’s try to enjoy us today.”
His arms tightened around her as his lips brushed across her forehead. “Sounds perfect to me. Where’s Beth?”
“I don’t know. I never—”
“Milo? Is that you?” They both turned to see Beth standing in the doorway, her voluptuous curves showcased by the off-white minidress she wore. “Oh, Tori, I didn’t know you were out here.”
She waved. “I was waiting for Milo.”
“Oh.” A cloud passed over Beth’s china doll features only to disappear as quickly as it came, replaced, instead, by the runway smile that turned male heads far and wide. “Won’t you come in? We love having guests, don’t we, Milo?”
Guests?
“Tori isn’t a guest, she’s my girlfriend,” Milo said not unkindly as he held his hand out to Tori. “She even has a key, don’t you?”
She nibbled back the smile that threatened to make her look too eager. “So how are you today, Beth?”
“Wonderful. I’ve been busy cooking Milo’s favorite dinner—beef stew and homemade biscuits.”
Tori’s eyebrow rose as she met Milo’s eyes. “Beef stew is your favorite?”
Swooping in, Beth extricated Milo’s hand from Tori’s and led him toward the kitchen. “Of course it is. Why, I figured that out on our very first date, didn’t I, Pooky?”
“Pooky?” she echoed.
“That’s been my little pet name for Milo since that very first night, too, hasn’t it?” Without waiting for his response, Beth lifted the lid on her stew pot and beckoned Milo over. “It’s just like it was the first time I cooked for you.”
“Smells great, Beth, thanks.” He leaned over the pot. “And there’s enough so Tori can stay for supper, too. Perfect.”
Beth’s smile faltered a smidge. “I’m sure she has other plans, isn’t that right, Tori?”
Tori shook her head. “No, actually, I don’t. And I’d love to stay.”
“Of course you would,” Beth mumbled beneath her breath.
“I’m sorry, can you repeat that? I missed what you said.”
Beth’s smile returned as she scooted up close to Milo. “I said, I’m so glad.”
She resisted the urge to laugh out loud. Perhaps Leona was right. Given enough time, Beth Samuelson would surely hang herself.
Milo reached for Tori once again then lifted her hand to his lips. “Beth, if you don’t mind, Tori and I are going to spend a little time together out on the deck.”
“Oh.” Beth opened the utensil drawer closest to the Crock-Pot and began shifting slotted spoons