A Willing Murder (Medlar Mystery 1)

“Like apple trees in Maine,” he said.

“And corn in Iowa.”

“And palm trees here.”

“Spanish,” she said. “I love Sara’s house, the one you grew up in.”

“Me, too, but half that size. We definitely don’t need a room for Jack Wyatt to freeload in.”

“We?” She was on her second glass from the expensive wine. It was by far the best she’d ever tasted. The waiter brought a large piece of chocolate cake and two spoons for it. Spoons were needed because hot chocolate fudge was oozing out of the center. “I am now going to sin.” She picked up a spoon and tasted. Heaven! “You are an evil man, Alastair Stewart.”

“Truthfully, Kate, you could stand to add a few pounds.”

She groaned. “Those are ‘get her into bed’ words.”

“Really? Do they work?”

“Always.” As Kate put a bite of the deep, dark chocolate in her mouth, she closed her eyes. “Those words have never failed.”

When she opened her eyes, he was smiling at her. “I would love to take advantage of your inebriated state, but I am officially declaring that I’m in this for the long term. How about if I pick you up tomorrow and we spend a Sunday afternoon looking at houses for sale in little Lachlan?”

“Great idea.” Kate’s mouth was full. “No. Wait. I can’t. Jack and Sara and I are going on an adventure.”

“What does that mean? Should I be jealous?”

“No. It’s not a real adventure. The place just sounds like one. It’s somewhere in Fort Lauderdale but far from Lachlan. I really need to study a map.”

“Aventura?”

&nb

sp; “That’s it!”

“Mind if I ask why you’re going?”

Lots of good food and way too much wine were making her mind blurry. “Someone—I think it was Janet from church—found a neighbor of the Morris women. She’s in a nursing home, so we’re going to visit her and ask her lots of questions. Aunt Sara says it’s all becoming like one of her stories. Have you ever read any of her books?”

“Never. Your aunt is going with you? You won’t be alone with that Wyatt kid?”

Kate smiled warmly at what could possibly be jealousy. Coming from such a lovely man, it was flattering.

Alastair put his hand over hers. “Just so you know, I don’t want to give him more chances to steal my girl.” He removed his hand. “Now, I think I should get you home.”

Kate’s eyes were drooping. “Maybe so.”

TEN

Jack arrived so quickly after her call that she wondered if he’d been waiting nearby. She hardly had the truck door closed before he said, “So why didn’t the Viking drive you home?”

She closed her eyes for a moment. The evening had been a welcome respite from the last few days. She didn’t want any negativity associated with it. “I don’t know.”

“Is he meeting someone later?”

She didn’t answer but waved and smiled when Alastair drove past them, and he smiled back.

Jack was behind him as they pulled out of the parking lot. They stopped, waiting for some cars to go by. “Did you have a good time?”

“Oh, yes,” she said. “Very good. He’s a funny man. And generous and kind. He’s uncomplicated.” The wine was making her reveal more than she normally would. “He wants to settle down, have kids. My last boyfriend couldn’t think past sex.”