Read Amy Phipps - Amanda Blakemore 01 - A Bazaar Murder for Free Online Page A

Margaret shaking her head. “What?” She said feeling a little guilty for the comment. “It's true.”
    Shaking his head Jonah laughed. “Do you always say the right thing at the right time.”
    Amanda gave him a dirty look. “Do you always have to point out the obvious.”
    Margaret watched the exchange with a curious expression and then rushed to introduce them.“I'm sorry, Doctor Jonah Winters, this is my granddaughter Amanda Blakemore.”
    “We've met....sort of.” He smiled and extended his hand after they shook hands he said “I must be going I have a early morning tomorrow.”
    After he left Margaret inquired. “When did you two meet?”
    “It's a long story.” Amanda waved her hand in the air. “I will tell you on the way home. If Olive doesn't kill us with her driving.”
     

             
    Chapter 4
     
    The next morning Amanda made her way downstairs yawning and stretching as she dragged herself into the kitchen. She had a difficult time sleeping. Every time she closed her eyes she could see Florence Hardy's body lying lifeless on the floor of the storage room. Murder, was the word that kept playing over and over in her mind. Shaking her head she told herself. “Today is a new day.” She is going to start her new job walking Twinkle. The name made her want to laugh every time she heard it. “This job should be easy as pie.” She smiled.
    The doorbell rang just as Amanda reached for the coffee pot. Walking to the door she opened it and got the shock of her life. She gasped, and blinked as she took a step back, her mouth hanging wide open at what was standing on her doorstep.
    “Amazing you can be rendered speechless.” Jonah said holding the leash to that giant dog that barks all night.
    “What are you doing here?” Amanda stuttered having a sinking feeling of why he was standing on her Nana's porch with that massive beast drooling beside him.
    “This is Twinkle.” Jonah coughed into his hand a little embarrassed by the dogs name.
    “Of course ….It is!” She announced tossing one hand up in the air at the large brown and white dog with drool hanging from his mouth. “Because this is the way my life is going right now.”
    “Sorry, I'm running late for an appointment.” He said shoving the leash into her hand along with a piece of paper “If you need to get in contact with me here is my cell number just call if there is any problems.” Turning he practically ran down the sidewalk just barely missing the FedEx man coming up the path.
    “Mrs Amanda Blakemore?” The delivery man asked, nodding her head, she signed for the large envelope. Twinkle barked a couple of times and tried to smell the man's leg as he turned and hurried back down the sidewalk. Then he was gone.
    Looking down at the dog she said “Can this day get any better.”
    “Who was at the door?” Margaret asked wiping her hands on a dishtowel.
    Holding up the envelope and leash to the dog she answered. “Who wasn't at the door.”
    “Is that your divorce papers?” Margaret questioned and pointed at the dog. “Is that the dog from next door?”
    “Yes to both questions.”
    “Why is that dog here?” She asked with a confused expression on her face.
    “With everything that happened yesterday.... I forgot to tell you.” Amanda sighed and tried to smile with little success. “I'm going to be a dog walker until a better job comes along.”
    Raising her eyebrows Margaret stated.  “All I can say is it's a good thing that I already let the cat out.”
    Looking at the envelope in her hands she tossed it onto the table and commented. “After finding Florence's body I totally forgot all about Daniel.”
    “Maybe that's a good thing.” Margaret suggested patting Amanda on the shoulder in an effort to make her feel better.
    “Perhaps.....” There was a long pause and Amanda quietly continued. “I really hope you are wrong about what happened to Mrs. Hardy”
    “Me too.”  Margaret