Confound It by Maggie Toussaint

Author:Maggie Toussaint [Toussaint, Maggie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781603815956
Published: 2019-10-06T23:08:38+00:00

* * *

Duncan and the hounds took to each other like sand to plastic wrap. These dogs were used to a male authority figure, and it showed. Duncan, Larissa, and I introduced them to our dogs. There was plenty of sniffing and tail wagging and romping. Duncan put on an obedience show for Larissa, urging Dixon’s hounds through their paces. Mom and Dad decided to start a pot of soup, giving Charlotte and me a rare moment of privacy.

I stretched and yawned as I joined Charlotte on my father’s favorite bench. He called it his thinking place because it was hard to be concerned about worldly matters with so much nature around you. These woods were special, exuding a peaceful, centered sense of well-being.

“Is your weekend everything you’d hoped?” I asked.

Charlotte beamed. “Couldn’t be any better. We’ve got a homicide case about to bust open and at least one other promising big story on the horizon.”

“I was talking about your, uh, personal life.”

“That’s great, but I’m half afraid Duncan will wake up and realize he can have any woman he wants.”

“He doesn’t appear to be asleep to me.”

“Nah. He’s full of energy and life.”

“So are you. That’s what makes you two well matched. You look happy together.”

“I’m trying not to stress about the future, but I’m already behind the power curve. If I want a husband and children, I can’t wait much longer. All the good eggs will be gone.”

I wasn’t sure if she was referring to men in general or the number of unfertilized eggs remaining in her ovaries. Better not to ask. “How was lunch? Did you introduce yourself to the new outlet-mall manager?”

“Sure did. Snapped a picture of her with Wayne that I already sent to my boss. Alicia wore this clingy red sheath and that popped really well in the photo. She wasn’t available for a feature today, but she let it slip that she has a degree in marketing and intends to implement more universal good business practices in all the outlet stores.”

“She sounds sharp. Wonder how long she’ll last?”

“About five minutes after Dottie Thompson finds out Alicia had her hands all over the sheriff. Wayne was soaking up the personalized attention too. What’s wrong with him? I thought he and Dottie were going strong again now that she decided to get out of her sick bed.”

A few years back, Dottie decided everyone would wait on her, hand and foot. As time went on, she lost interest in getting up. Consequently, her weight soared and her health declined. I kept meaning to go over there and congratulate her return to wellness, but I didn’t want to be Dottie’s best friend.

“Wayne is …” I trailed off. I could get in trouble for gossiping about my

boss. But this was Charlotte. I chewed my lip.

“I hate it when you do that,” Charlotte said. “When you realize you can’t tell me something because of our jobs. I resent being shut out of your world. I hate that crime fighting and newspaper reporting drives a wedge between us.

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