A Caffeine Conundrum by Angela Ruth Strong

Author:Angela Ruth Strong [Strong, Angela Ruth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781943959471
Publisher: Mountain Brook Ink
Published: 2018-09-01T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Tandy sent Connor an apologetic smile. He hadn’t wanted Marissa investigating anymore, and here Tandy was, running in with clues. Though she wasn’t going on any fancy cruise. Marissa had purposely avoided the question of attire for the event.

“Take it to the deputy,” Connor suggested to the woman trying to shove him out the door.

Tandy nuzzled Cocoa, considering their options. Connor didn’t know Marissa’s secret. He didn’t know her legacy was a fraud. Would it make a difference if he did? Nah. He’d likely be more concerned about Marissa’s safety than her reputation.

Tandy hadn’t cared yesterday, but that was before she’d seen Marissa’s fall from grace with her very own eyes. Before she’d heard about how Marissa’s parents set such high expectations she could never live up to them. Before she’d woken up that morning feeling a connection to another woman who struggled with friendships.

“I’ll go to the police station right now.” Tandy’s offer shocked the other two into silence. Marissa stood upright, releasing Connor. She would be even more shocked to learn that the reason Tandy was offering was so she could get the diary out of her glove compartment. She’d let Marissa decide whether to give it to authorities or not. Tandy just wanted to see if there was anything else in it about Joseph Cross. Because the diary was what had sent them his way in the first place.

The couple both stared at Tandy. Marissa with the fear Tandy really would go find Lukey, and Connor with the fear she wouldn’t.

Connor was right to be afraid. Thus, Tandy had to get rid of him.

“Hey, Connor.” She pointed to the mistletoe above his head in the doorframe.

“That’s cruel,” Billie murmured. Obviously the older woman could read her intent and knew she was setting Connor up for rejection. But how else would Tandy get rid of him so she could talk to Marissa?

Connor and Marissa glanced up. Marissa jumped back and crossed her arms. Connor’s face lowered slower, a mischievous smile sliding across it.

“Not a chance,” Marissa bit out.

He stuck his hands in his pockets and shrugged. “Honey, if I’d wanted to kiss you under the mistletoe, I could have done so yesterday.

Could he really, though? It sounded like he might have tried.

“This isn’t for me.” Connor continued, aiming a thumb Tandy’s direction. “It’s for them. Billie hung the stuff, and Tandy caught us standing under it. How would it be fair to them if we didn’t kiss?”

Marissa sent Tandy a glare fiery enough to roast chestnuts.

Tandy’s grin spread. She really did believe that one day Marissa would realize what a fool she was to turn down such an opportunity, but until then, her little attitude ensured Connor would soon be making a swift exit.

“Just a goodbye kiss?” Tandy prompted.

Marissa didn’t even pause to consider. She turned her back on Connor and strode away. “I already kissed him goodbye.”

Connor’s smile slipped. He locked gazes with Tandy as if to tell her she was wrong about Marissa coming around. Then he pushed out the door, more resigned than angry.

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