Deadly Notions - By Elizabeth Lynn Casey Page 0,77
been a thorn in your side since she blew into town.”
“Because she truly cares about Milo.”
Nina took a larger gulp of milk, her face contorting with distaste as she did. “Lying isn’t caring, Miss Sinc—I mean, Tori. If she truly cared about Milo she shouldn’t have tried to deceive him.”
“I guess. I just think she was desperate.”
“But why?” Debbie glanced over her shoulder in Beth’s direction. “She’s beautiful, she owns her own company, she’s got talent from what you’ve said, and there’s not a man she passes who doesn’t look twice in her direction.”
“Except Milo,” she mumbled. “And that’s the only man she cares about.”
“News flash. He’s taken.”
Tori and Debbie stared at Nina only to have the woman bury her head in her hands. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that.”
“Why? It’s true.” Debbie reached over and patted Nina on the head. “It’s okay to speak your mind once in a while. Really. We don’t bite. Though, if she”—she gestured toward Beth’s paper-strewn table once again—“doesn’t start picking up her mess I might have to resort to biting.”
“As if that would ever happen.” Tori inhaled the first true sense of peace she’d felt all evening. “You and Nina are two of the kindest people I’ve ever known.”
Pushing back her chair, Debbie stood. “Well, I better get back to my office. Jackson is probably wondering where I am.”
Tori scanned the bakery. “Jackson is here?”
“In the office. Colby took Suzanna to see a girly movie.”
A wistful expression passed across Nina’s face. “It’s funny but I find myself thinking more about those kinds of things rather than pink or blue booties and changing tables. I guess I’m just hoping Duwayne and I make good parents.”
“You will.” Tori reached across the table and patted Nina’s hand. “The best.”
“I agree.” Debbie took two steps backward then spun around, her white sneakers squeaking on the linoleum floor. “If you’re still here when I finish with the books we’ll come out and sit for a while.”
As Debbie disappeared behind the counter, Tori swung her attention back to Nina.
“It’s nice to see a smile on her face.”
“Who?”
Nina pointed out the window. “Her.”
Samantha Smith.
She watched as the woman turned and entered the bakery, the door-mounted bell jingling with her arrival.
“Hi, Victoria! How are you?” Samantha stopped beside their table, her large brown eyes twinkling. “It’s a gorgeous night, isn’t it?”
“It is.” She gestured toward Nina. “You must know my assistant, Nina Morgan?”
Samantha met Nina’s hand across the table and shook it firmly. “Yes. Of course. Nina is always very helpful to both Kayla and me.”
Nina blushed.
“That’s nice to hear.” She winked at Nina then motioned to the empty chair vacated by Debbie. “Would you like to sit?”
“For just a moment. I’m just picking up a special treat for Kayla.”
As they talked, Tori tried to imagine the woman with a rope in her hands, snuffing the life out of another human being. Was it possible? Really possible?
“She doesn’t know it, but whoever killed Ashley Lawson did that one a huge favor.”
“That one?” Tori echoed as her gaze followed Samantha’s to the very woman who had cut her night unexpectedly short.
“Uh-huh.”
Tori watched as Beth gathered her things then made a beeline toward the three of them. “Do you think Milo will ever forgive me?”
“I don’t know, I guess you’ll have to ask Milo that question.”
“I didn’t make everything up. I really didn’t. Someone did follow me in the parking lot and someone did call the inn asking what room I was in. That was all real. It really was. I guess I just liked having Milo coming to my rescue. It made me realize, even more, how foolish I was to let him go in the first place.” Blinking against the tears she was doing a lousy job of hiding, Beth tightened her left hand around her leather portfolio and shifted from foot to foot. “I know, after what I’ve done, he’ll never look at me that way again, but I don’t want him to hate me. I really don’t.”
“Give him time, Beth.” She knew it was a lame suggestion, but it was all she could think to say. Especially in light of the fact she couldn’t answer for Milo. Any permanent damage Beth had done was between them and them alone.
“Give him time,” Beth repeated in a whisper as she reached for her rolling suitcase. “I guess I owe him that.”
The bell over the door jingled once again, its quick melodic burst signaling the arrival of yet another familiar face.