Beaches and Betrayal (Dune House Cozy Mystery Series Book 22) by Cindy Bell

Author:Cindy Bell [Bell, Cindy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-05-25T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 14

While Mary continued to sort through the papers that she’d printed out, Suzie made her way up the stairs to the second floor of Dune House. She had seen Daniel go up the stairs not long before and hadn’t noticed him come back down. Her guess was he intended to spend as much time as possible holed up in his room. She paused in front of his door and wondered how he would respond to her. He was staying in one of the classic rooms, the decor was simple with a few understated designs and a focus on reflecting the landscape that surrounded Dune House, from bright, bushy flowers to the flowing water, and sun-bleached sand. After a light knock on the door, it swung open.

“Suzie?” Daniel met her eyes. “What is it?”

“Sorry, to interrupt. I just wanted to clean your room and see if you need anything?” Suzie stepped inside before he could deny her entry. His clothes were strewn around the room. An open suitcase indicated that there were more where those came from. A pile of take-out boxes and wrappers from the convenience store down the road indicated he had quite a good appetite.

“No, I don’t need anything.” Daniel snatched up some of the wrappers and guiltily shoved them into the trash can beside the bed.

“Okay.” Suzie nodded. “I wanted to ask you something as well.”

“About what?” Daniel narrowed his eyes.

“I’m just curious about something that I overheard at the rehearsal lunch.” Suzie sighed as she turned and met his eyes. “There are so many rumors flying around, and I’m wondering what you think about your brother’s future wife?”

“Claire?” Daniel raised his eyebrows. “She’s fine, I guess. A nice girl.”

“Do you know her well?” Suzie perched on a leather chair paired to a rich mahogany table and studied him as he sat down on the edge of his bed.

“Not too well. She and Chad haven’t been together that long.” Daniel shrugged. “Why? Did she say something about me?”

“Oh no, not at all. I just couldn’t help hearing her mother go on about how Chad didn’t really love Claire.” Suzie lowered her voice. “With all the rumors flying around, I’m just curious about what you think about it all.”

“About Chad cheating on her?” Daniel laughed, then shook his head. “No way, he wouldn’t do that.”

“Because he loved her?” Suzie looked into his eyes.

Daniel glanced away from her. “Sure, that’s what he’d say.”

“But not what you think?” Suzie slid to the edge of the chair and tried to meet his eyes.

“Look, Chad has always been determined to succeed. He always had big plans, but not a lot of ability to back them up. He swore to me that he would find a way to get ahead. With Claire he had that chance. I just don’t think he’d do anything to mess that up.” Daniel shrugged. “Why would he risk it?”

“So, you think he’s marrying Claire for her money?” Suzie frowned. “Not love?”

“I think the world that Chad and I grew up in, is different from the world a lot of other people grow up in.

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