Big Secrets, Little Lies (Butler Family Legacy Book 1) by Pat Nichols

Author:Pat Nichols [Nichols, Pat]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Arm Chair Press
Published: 2023-01-16T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 26

Daisy moved Sunday-lunch leftovers to the fridge and returned to her seat beside David.

Her mom pushed a sheet of paper across the table. “These are all the names we came up with.”

David stared at the list. “Four?”

“Mama didn’t have a lot of friends.”

“‘Cept for her clients.” Pansy placed a water bowl on the floor for Boots. “And we don’t know their names.”

“Four is better than zero.” David folded the paper and dropped it in his satchel. “If we’re lucky, they’ll lead us to others. Who do you suggest we contact first?”

“The two women who always treated Mama with respect. They’re expecting us, so we’d best get going.”

Pansy donned her sparkly New York ball cap and skipped out the back door.

Poppy tucked her purse under her arm and led Daisy and David to the family truck. “Pansy, you sit up front with me. Daisy, you and David can ride in the back seat.”

David held the door open for Daisy and leaned close. “Is your mom always this obvious?”

“You noticed?”

“I wouldn’t be a first-rate investigative journalist if I’d missed her cue.”

She breathed in the fresh scent of soap and shampoo. “Are you bragging?”

“Just stating the facts.”

His smile reduced her brain to mush. She stuffed her phone in her jeans pocket and slid across the seat.

He scooted beside her, set his satchel on the floor, and buckled his seatbelt.

During the ride, Daisy tuned out Pansy’s patter and stole glances of David. What if she made some kind of subtle move? Would he notice? And if he did, would he consider her too brazen? To heck with caution. She laid her hand flat on the seat between them while gazing out the side window. Her breath caught as his finger brushed hers. Was it happenstance or intentional?

“You two are kind of quiet back there.” Her mom’s voice seemed distant.

David moved his hand away. “I’m enjoying the view.”

Daisy smiled. Intentional.

While Pansy resumed her monologue, Daisy’s mind drifted to the evening she and Michael had dined on his terrace. When he slid his arm around her waist, why hadn’t his touch stirred her emotions? Perhaps angst over the Curtis fiasco?

When the truck stopped in front of the thrift shop, David nudged Daisy. “Time to put our skills to the test.”

She tilted her head. “Ours?”

“I’m counting on your feminine intuition to interpret body language and pick up on unspoken subtleties.” He shouldered his satchel and climbed out.

As Daisy scooted across the seat, the desire to please the man she had no idea even existed seven days ago accelerated. Was she reacting to his handsome face and alluring charm? Or something more profound?

David opened the passenger door and held his hand out to Pansy. “Have I told you how pretty you are in your sparkly hat?”

She touched the brim. “Do I look smart?”

“Smart as anyone I know.”

Pansy’s face beamed.

Daisy pressed her hand to her chest. Who wouldn’t love this man? Stunned by the musing, she dropped her hand to her side and stepped onto the sidewalk.

Her mom appeared from behind the truck and eyed David then Daisy.

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