Read Beware the Orchids (A Shady Acres Mystery Book 1) for Free Online Page B

help Shelby catch an old woman’s killer. She’s getting nowhere by herself.”
    I rolled my eyes and made the hug a group one. “I’m making tiny progress. The cops don’t have anything either, which reminds me...” I gave Grandma a serious look. “Since you’re so cozy with Officer Lawrence, I want you drilling him—”
    “Naughty girl.” Grandma waved her finger.
    “What? No. Gross. Drilling him for information. Gee whiz, Grandma.” I put my hands to my flaming cheeks, no doubt leaving behind dirty handprints. I needed a shower. Not only to wash away the grime of my job but to wash away the mental picture my grandmother left in my head.
    Cheryl laughed. “This place is beautiful. Cottages for the residents. Flagstone walks. Must be expensive.”
    “It is.” Grandma linked her arms with us. “But worth every penny. We don’t need to cook or clean. That’s all taken care of for us. Plus, we have a handsome handyman, but I think Shelby has dibs on him.”
    “No, I don’t. I’m not interested in romance.” I glanced at Cheryl and shook my head.
    “Probably for the best,” Grandma said. “After Donald dumping you, why you’ll need time to heal. Bless your heart.”
    I slipped my arm free from Grandma’s hold. “I have to put these tools away. I’ll meet you at the cottage. I’m sure Grandma has a key.”
    “You bet I do!”
    I had no privacy with her here. None. Nada. Zilch. Still, I liked having her close. I wouldn’t mind Mom being closer, but at the age of fifty she’d be insulted, not to mention she wasn’t old enough for Shady Acres. Now, if a job became available that I could get her interested in… It was something to keep in mind.
    I stowed my tools in the shed and peeled off my gloves. I started to leave when I noticed the larger pair of shears that I would use when trimming trees was not where I’d left it. Instead of hanging on a hook, safely out of reach, it was stuck in the dirt. Over one of the handles was one of my extra gloves.
    It almost seemed as if the glove waved a warning at me.

 
    7
    “T his is a really cute place.” Cheryl set her bags in the guest room, then turned to me with a concerned look. “How are you doing after the whole Donald thing? He struts around school like a proud peacock.”
    “Great. I like the job, I’m making friends, and gardening is therapeutic. How is the jerk, anyway, other than self-absorbed?”
    Cheryl plopped onto the sofa and, crossing her feet at the ankles, propped them on the glass-topped coffee table. “Still a jerk and dating the teacher who took over your class. Sorry. The good news is there have been so many complaints about him from parents and staff that there are rumors he may soon be moved elsewhere.”
    I hated to think ill of anyone, but knowing he might be given the boot filled me with no small amount of pleasure. “You’ve been there a long time. Have you ever heard of a Harry Weasley? He would be retired now.”
    “No, at least not in the last six years. Why?”
    “Just wondering.” I moved to the kitchen to grab a couple of diet sodas. “Everyone eats at assigned mealtimes here, unless you cook for yourself in your cottage. I still have to work while you’re here, and there’s a social mingle with finger foods tomorrow night. It might be a good time for us to do some nosing around.”
    “No suspects?”
    “I was the primary, but now that honor has gone to the handyman, Heath McLeroy. They found his glove under the body.”
    “Do you think he did it?”
    “No.” I might have hesitated in answering when Heath asked, but deep down, I didn’t think him capable of such an act.
    “I want to meet this handyman.” Cheryl smiled as I handed her a glass of soda.
    “Why?”
    “Because your voice got all warm and fuzzy when you said his name.”
    “Ridiculous.” My face heated. “I’ve sworn off men and romance.”
    “Sure you have. So, what’s first on our agenda for snooping?”
    “It’ll be supper