Read Trouble and Treats (A Chocolate Centered Cozy Mystery Book 6) for Free Online Page B

headed out the door and waited for her grandmother to walk out before she paused to lock it. As she looked through the thick glass at the shop inside, she was filled with gratitude for the wonderful memories it had given her.

Chapter Six
     
    After the quick drive to Emma’s house, Ally waited for her grandmother to join her on the sidewalk before she started up the stairs. She noticed that the table that had been left up outside, was gone. Jack likely put it away. She cringed at how difficult every little thing was going to be for him. With the house for sale, would he have to pack up their lives together? It made her sad to think that he might have to do it alone. She hoped he had family or friends that would help him. She knocked on the door and waited. Charlotte clung tightly to the box of chocolates.
    “I hope he doesn’t think we’re too intrusive.”
    “I’m sure he will appreciate the gesture.” Ally glanced up as the door swung open. A man she’d only seen around town a handful of times opened the door. He was exactly what many women dreamed of. He was tall, dark, handsome and looked very fit. He must have followed the same athletic lifestyle that Emma did.
    “Hello, can I help you?” He looked between the two of them.
    “Jack, I’m Charlotte, and this is my granddaughter, Ally. We just wanted to offer our condolences for your loss.” She held out the box of chocolates. “It’s not much I know, but Emma did love the chocolates from the shop.”
    “Thank you. Yes, she loved the chocolate shop in town. Ally, are you the one who found her?” His eyes widened. Ally nodded as tears misted her eyes.  She placed her keys in her purse and fished for a tissue. She fumbled the wooden box out of the way to get to the package. When she pulled one out she dabbed at her eyes.
    “Lucky you were there.” He looked up from her purse and sighed. “I wasn’t due to be home for three more days. I can’t even imagine if no one had found her before then. I’m sorry, it must have been traumatic for you, but it means a lot that you visited her. Please, come inside.” Jack gestured for the two of them to walk past him. Charlotte took Ally’s hand and gave it a squeeze as they were led inside. Even though Emma’s body had been removed and the broken glass from the brownie container was cleaned up, the entire scene flashed before Ally’s eyes when she stepped inside. Jack led them into a small sitting room not far from the steps. “I hope you don’t mind me asking, Ally, but why did you come visit her?” He gestured for them to take a seat on the couch as he sat down on a chair.
    Ally sat down across from him and looked into his eyes. She held tightly to her purse on her lap as a form of comfort. “Well, after her fight with Gary I just wanted to make sure that she was okay.”
    “Gary was here?” He raised an eyebrow.
    “Didn’t the police tell you?” Charlotte shook her head. “We told them about the argument at the yard sale.”
    “No, they didn’t tell me. All they told me was that it looks like it was a terrible accident. I guess they didn’t think it was necessary to mention the fight. It’s strange that Emma didn’t tell me he was at the sale. She knows she’s supposed to let me know any time she sees him.”
    “Oh?” Ally frowned. “Why is that?”
    “I know you’re probably thinking I’m some kind of jealous fool that didn’t want his wife around her ex, but that wasn’t the case. Gary has a temper. I didn’t like her to be alone with him, because I’ve never trusted him. In fact, I’ve come close to knocking him out myself for the way he spoke to her.”
    “Yes, he was quite angry at the yard sale,” Ally said. “I wish I had stayed with her.”
    “I’m sure that even if you did you couldn’t have stopped her from slipping,” Jack said.
    “He’s right, Ally.” Charlotte nodded. “There was nothing that could have been done.”
    Ally lowered her eyes and cleared her