Deadly Burden [A Green Dory Inn Mystery, Book 4] by Janet Sketchley

Author:Janet Sketchley [Janet Sketchley]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Janet Sketchley
Published: 2023-11-13T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 13

Saturday

“SHE’LL BE DOWN in a minute.” Landon took Phil’s coat and ushered him into the common room.

According to Kenzie, the office crisis had resolved. He wasn’t working today, and he’d lost the suit and tie. Instead, a dress shirt collar crowned the softest-looking camel-hued sweater Landon had ever seen.

Facing Kenzie’s brand of spite must call for every resource he could muster.

He might think it tacky, but Landon’s light-up necklace of Christmas mini-bulbs provided the same effect for her. The multicoloured lights glinted in a long loop down the front of her sweater.

Instead of taking a seat, he stopped in front of the tree, studying the ornaments. Did he see whimsy and folk art or a hodgepodge mess?

Kenzie’s shoes clattered on the stairs.

Shoulders set, he executed a controlled turn toward the doorway. Jerked to a stop and swore, low and vicious.

Following his gaze, Landon crinkled her brow. Kenzie’s dramatic entrance included a makeover. Her long brown hair draped across one shoulder in a braid instead of flowing free. She’d added makeup and found a pair of skinny jeans and a baggy Aran knit sweater.

One hand propped on her hip, she leaned against the door frame with her chin raised and a tiny smile curving mulberry-tinted lips.

Phil spun to Landon. “I apologize. I need⁠—Could I have a glass of ice water? Please.”

“Of course.”

Kenzie pattered behind her along the hall. “Don’t leave me alone with him.”

In the kitchen, Landon shook ice cubes into a tall, holly-printed glass and topped it up with filtered water.

When the girl gloated at breakfast about a special outfit, Landon had assumed she’d made an extravagant buy to flaunt his money. Instead, this? “What’s with the getup? You nearly gave him a coronary.”

The little grin morphed into a full-on smirk. “The photos he gave me. One shows Mom dressed like this.” She reached under the hem of her sweater and tugged as if the waistband was too tight on her jeans. “People actually wore this stuff. I can barely bend over.”

“Want a glass of water too?”

“Nowhere to put it. Oh, wait. Yes, please. Maybe he’ll give me an excuse to pitch it at him.”

Landon took her time pouring the second glass. “Kenzie, you’re our guest, but you’re also his guest. Please dial back on the hostility.”

“I’m leaving today anyway. If he cuts me off, no impact.”

“For your own sake, then. This is not who you are.” She thrust the water glass into Kenzie’s hand and walked away.

Phil sat in one of the wingback chairs, legs crossed, fingertips tapping the carved oak armrest. He accepted the glass with thanks. “Again, I apologize for the language.”

Landon cut her gaze up and to the side, toward the girl following her, then nodded. She thought Kenzie would claim the comfy club chair, but the girl matched Phil in choice and in posture.

Dropping into the seat nearest the door, Landon prayed again for reconciliation. She scrubbed her palms against the heavy weave of her pant legs. Drew strength from the bright lights dangling in the bottom of her sight line.

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