Read Heather Horrocks - Who-Dun-Him Inn 01 - Snowed Inn for Free Online Page B

We haven’t had polygamy for years, except in those fundamentalist groups. No sister wives for me. Besides, George couldn’t have handled more than me.” She sighed. “He’s been gone ten years.”
    “Oh, I am sorry to hear that,” Dr. Ray commiserated. “My wife passed on five years ago.”
    Right then, I knew Dr. Ray was done for. He didn’t know Grandma like I did, but he could see something that I, as her granddaughter, rarely remembered— Grandma might be in her seventies, but she was still an attractive woman. Run, Dr. Ray. You’re starting to look like a boy toy .
    I pushed open the heavy dining room door. “Breakfast is served from seven until ten. Mr. Calabria has spared no expense, and all your meals are included through Sunday afternoon. Luncheon at noon. Dinner at six. Tonight, the dining room will become a four-star restaurant, so dress accordingly. Also, you’ll be seated at the large table tonight. For the other meals, you may sit at any of the tables, including the smaller ones.”
    Grandma looked at me sternly. It took me a moment before I got it. I didn’t want to admit I didn’t have a chef for the weekend, but I knew Grandma well enough to know that, if I didn’t, she would. “My grandmother is your chef this evening. She has cooked for many guests throughout the years, and I’m sure you’ll be well pleased with the results.”
    She winked at me.
    Dr. Ray said, “I look forward to sampling.”
    BJ pointed a long, red nail at the wall. “Is that original?”
    “Yes. William commissioned the built-in china cabinet for Marissa.”
    “What about the mirror?” BJ asked, pointing to the large, antique-looking, framed mirror on the other wall.
    “A later addition.” Much later. Like two weeks ago. A one-way mirror added specifically so the actors could watch from the kitchen and time their entrances into the mystery dinners.
    Garrett leaned against the door frame, crossed his arms, and chuckled, a not-quite-warm sound. He tipped his head toward the gilt frame listing the menu in the calligraphy that Ilene Jackson, owner of Knits and Knots, Silver City’s fanciest craft store, had traded for a weekend stay or two. “I see the breakfast entrees also have a detective theme. Colombo’s omelet. Perry Mason’s steak.”
    I could feel warmth flooding my face. “I couldn’t resist.”
    “With an imagination and a history like yours, you really have to write mysteries,” Bonnie said. “ Polygamy mysteries.”
    “I could represent you,” Calabria said magnanimously.
    Garrett snorted derisively. “If all you ever want to do is write murder mysteries.” How could a Texas drawl sound so harsh?
    Calabria frowned. “We are jesting, are we not? Signora Butler will not write a book when she has such a wonderful inn to run.”
    The elegant model with the fancy hair— Alexis? — put her hand on Garrett’s arm as if to stop him from saying too much. As if she also heard his antagonism. She whispered to him too softly for me to hear.
    Garrett shrugged. “Why not? It’s true.”
    Hesitating, I glanced at the other authors, gauging their response to his palpable anger. Bonnie’s eyes were wide, Dr. Ray pursed his lips, Alexis looked even paler.
    Calabria bristled. “This is not the time, Garrett. We will have our discussion in private. Later.”
    Garrett took a step toward Calabria and the tension in the room increased tenfold.
    I may not have known what to do, but Grandma did, and she didn’t hesitate. “Gentlemen, I will have none of that in my dining room.” She used the no-nonsense tone of voice none of us grandkids ever dared disobey— and Garrett was no exception. He tipped an imaginary hat to her. “Of course. Sorry, ma’am.”
    Calabria simply laughed, as if he found Grandma’s impertinence refreshing, and his laughter obviously ticked off Garrett even more. I wasn’t sure what he’d do now, but when he finally moved, he walked out the door and into the foyer.
    Crisis