The Best Man to Trust - By Kerry Connor Page 0,7

head. “Accidental overdose.”

Tom remembered how much Kim had loved to drink, and he’d suspected she’d consumed the occasional recreational drug now and then. She and Greg had been the wild ones in the group, the ones who’d always had a little too much fun. Evidently she’d only gotten worse over the years.

If Greg had learned anything from their friend’s death, he didn’t show it. As Tom watched, he pulled out a flask and unscrewed the top, taking a long pull from it.

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Tom said.

“Not that she would have been invited anyway,” Jessica murmured under her breath, so low Tom was sure he was the only one who’d heard the comment.

He glanced at Jessica, only to find her staring into her wineglass.

“It’s just a reminder that we never know what’s going to happen,” Scott said. He reached out and took Rachel’s hand. “And how we have to live every moment to the fullest.”

“Exactly,” Haley said with a smile. “And that’s what we should be celebrating this weekend—the two of you starting a new life together.”

“Maybe in more ways than one.” Alex grinned. “How about it, you two? Any plans to start a family anytime soon?”

Scott matched his grin. “We can’t wait to have kids.” He looked at Rachel, his face practically glowing with love for her. “Right, honey?”

“Right,” Rachel said automatically, matching his smile.

Watching her, Tom felt a twinge of unease as he took in her expression. Her smile seemed strained, the single word somehow forced...

If there was anything off about her response, Scott didn’t seem to notice it. His face still beaming, he leaned in to kiss her. Her own smile deepening, Rachel accepted the kiss with unmistakable happiness, her eyes drifting shut as their lips met.

Tom nearly shook himself. He must have imagined whatever it was he thought he’d noticed. Scott was certainly much more familiar with Rachel’s expressions than he was, and if he hadn’t detected anything off about it, then there probably hadn’t been.

The door to the kitchen suddenly swung open, cutting off the rest of his thoughts. A moment later, Meredith stepped through the entryway, carrying a tray. The cook—Ellen, she’d said her name was—followed close behind, pushing a cart.

“I hope you’re ready for the main course,” Meredith announced.

“That smells incredible,” Rachel said. “What is it?”

“I made a roast,” Ellen said. The comment was immediately greeted with murmurs of excitement. Tom had to concur. The food smelled better than anything he’d had in a long time.

As Ellen placed the roast on the table, Meredith began to move around, collecting the salad plates. Tom watched her work, looking for any signs of the same tension he’d detected earlier. If she felt any, she was doing a better job of hiding it. The smile was still fixed on her face, but it seemed less forced. Even so, he noticed that she never looked directly at anyone, keeping her attention on the table and plates.

She’s uncomfortable around us, he realized. He wondered if her reaction was related to the murder or if it was them specifically who triggered her uneasiness, and if so, why that would be.

Wondered why he was analyzing the woman’s movements so closely when she was just trying to do her job. Wondered what it was about her he found so fascinating.

“Meredith,” Jessica said suddenly. “I was sorry to hear about you and Brad.”

His focus on her, Tom didn’t miss the sudden tightness that gripped Meredith’s features, her shoulders stiffening almost defensively.

She mustered a polite smile. “Thank you.”

“Divorces can be so rough. So much...unpleasantness, so many things being said.”

“That’s very true,” Meredith murmured, her eyes downcast. “If you’ll excuse me...” Without waiting for a response, she quickly turned and walked back into the kitchen.

An uncomfortable silence fell in her wake. “What was that about?” Scott asked.

“Do you remember Brad Jackson from college?” Jessica said. “She’s his ex-wife. Divorced him a couple years ago. He wanted to work things out, so she made up some stories that he used to beat her to get out of the marriage.”

“Are you sure they were stories?” Haley asked softly.

“Of course they were,” Jessica scoffed. “You remember Brad. He would never do anything like that. She was lying to get more money out of him.”

Alex cast a glance around the room. “I have to say, Jess, from the looks of this place, she doesn’t need the money.”

“This was before she inherited this place,” Jessica said.

No one had a response to that, everyone seeming to return their attention