Read Double Dip Dilemma: A Cozy Mystery (Caesars Creek Mystery Series Book 5) for Free Online Page A

was decked out in a cream-colored A-line dress and her neck was bathed in large costume jewelry that sparkled amber and orange. When she’d reach up to pull her black hair behind her ear, the three bracelets she wore on her wrist jingled. She definitely looked like she fit more in New York than here. Also, I couldn’t see her crawling under a vehicle to mess with the brakes or steering. That ruled her out, at least in my mind.
     
    Patsy turned to her sons and said, “I’ll be leaving for New York in a few days and wondered if you boys would like to go with me to Stone Mountain for an overnight trip. I’ve booked a little cabin for us. We’ll cook out, hike, all the outdoorsy things you like to do.”
     
    “Sounds great!” Joshua squealed.
     
    Patsy headed to the door. “I’ve already okayed it with your Dad. I’ll pick you boys up tomorrow morning at 7.”
     
    “Ugh, why so early Mom?” Jeremy complained.
     
    Patsy smiled. “Don’t worry; you can sleep on the way there. Now you better get home and pack. Nice to meet you ladies. I’ll be sure and stop in and actually partake of your goodies next time I’m in town.”
     
    Patsy Morgan seemed like a nice woman, not bitter at all. But sometimes first impressions can be deceiving. I would find out that it would be so in this case.
     
     
     
     
    *****
     
     
     
     
    Paige and Bruce decided to have one last cookout at their place on Sunday evening before the winter cool down marched across northern Georgia. Stormi and I brought several dishes, including broccoli salad, baked beans, coleslaw, a veggie tray and chips. I brought chocolate chip cookies sandwiched between scoops of ice cream, something new I was trying out in the shoppe.
     
    Bruce was busy with the hamburgers and hotdogs on the grill when Brandon, Winchester and I arrived. Brandon walked over to see if he needed any help while I tied Winchester’s long lead to the handle of my chair. The lead was long enough so he could visit with everyone.
     
    “Is Sammy going to join us?” I asked Paige as she gathered the paper plates and cups.
     
    “She will later,” Paige answered. “She’s at Colton’s right now.”
     
    “Never fear, we are here!” Stormi exclaimed as she and Greg walked through the gate into Bruce and Paige’s backyard. She and Greg both carried large coolers brimming with food bowls covered with aluminum foil.
     
    “Looks like you’re ready to feed an army…or just Bruce,” Paige laughed.
     
    A voice carried across the lawn. “I heard that.”
     
    Paige shrugged. “He has selective hearing. I can be in the same room and tell him to take out the trash and he’ll walk out like I was conversing with the sink.”
     
    We sat down at the long patio table and indulged our hungry bellies until we could consume no more. It was the last barbecue of the year and we wanted to take full advantage of it. Afterwards Bruce lit the wood in the fire pit and we sat around the flickering flames watching the evening sun as it was swallowed on the horizon. Only a few minutes later Sammy and Colton showed up with interesting news.
     
    Paige directed Colton to the food now wrapped up on the counter or in the refrigerator. Sammy plopped down in one of the lawn chairs. “Well the mystery’s been solved.”
     
    Stormi straightened in her chair. “Wait…what?”
     
    We all turned to look at Sammy. “Colton heard from Jeremy.”
     
    We all waited with baited breath, expect for Stormi. “Was it her…I just knew it was her…it was her wasn’t it?”
     
    Sammy gave her a questioning look. “Who?”
     
    I thought Stormi would blow a cork. “Who? Sandra Morgan! She planned the whole thing to get Jeremy out of the house.”
     
    Sammy shook her head.
     
    Stormi was confused. “Huh? Well crimony! I’m always wrong.”
     
    “Don’t leave us twisting in the wind daughter,” Paige piped in. “Who did it?”
     
    Colton emerged from the house and sat down next to Sammy.