Claw of Attraction: A Crystal Beach Paranormal Cozy Mystery (Book 2 - Crystal Beach Magic Mystery Series) by Karen McSpade

Author:Karen McSpade [McSpade, Karen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Newcastle Media
Published: 2023-01-23T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter

Six

“I’m so glad you agreed to come house hunting with me this morning,” my mother said, lightly touching my arm as Maude chugged along Mangrove Street, Crystal Beach’s main drag through town.

“Good,” I replied. Of course, I was her lift, so she would have been walking or calling an Uber if I hadn’t come with her. “Are you sure you want to get a place down here? It’s… quiet compared to New York.”

Julia-Mae arched one of her eyebrows and looked at me sideways. “What are you saying? That I can’t relax and take it easy; that the quiet life isn’t for me?”

We took a left and began to head past the site of the mini-golf tournament, which was due to start in the afternoon. Officials were out, taking care of the last-minute preparations and getting the fireworks set up for the kickoff. “Well…” I looked for a way to say “No” when I really meant “Yes” and failed. “You’re a… lively sort of a person. You sure the quiet life is what you’re looking for?”

My mother sniffed. “Of course, I’m sure, Sid. The beach life isn’t just for...” She looked out at the assortment of trees lining the side of the road, mainly live oak and Florida pine mixed with palms and the occasional juniper, sitting in little patches of thick undergrowth surrounding the houses. “It’s all very… green here.”

“So?” I prompted, sensing her attempt to change the subject.

“So, it’s an incredible opportunity. This development has sprung up quickly right next to the water in an exclusive location.” She sounded like she was regurgitating the brochure. “They are cheap, cheap, cheap, Sidney.” I remembered her once saying that about the shoes she had bought for my prom, which barely held out till the last dance. Which reminded me.

“I’m not sure, but I think Ben Chalmers might be showing us around this morning. He said he works for a local realtor… and it’s a small town.”

My mother instantly brightened. “And how did the dinner date go last night?”

Weird. Short. Although he had said that he regretted not keeping in contact with me. “Fine.” She did not need to know any more than that.

“Just fine?”

Geez. I shot her a warning look just before we took a right. The sea was close on our left now, and a little oddly for Florida, the road started to climb ever-so-slightly. Finally, I saw them ahead, the little collection of newly built houses atop a small rise that looked down at the sea. A little reminiscent of the New England-style architecture prevalent at Shifting Sands, these homes were somehow more modern and even more elegant, incorporating great swathes of glass and a fenced outside area that seemed to stretch out toward the sea. They were beautiful, two-story houses, perhaps not huge, but the location that tumbled almost onto the sand was to die for. How would my mother ever be able to afford this?

“I thought that your grandmother might like one,” Julia-Mae said quietly while I was still dazzled by the sight of the seafront properties.

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