First Night by Ember Scott

Author:Ember Scott [Scott, Ember]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-10-04T16:00:00+00:00

24

TIGHT TEES DON'T LIE

Tight Tees don't Lie

The Pine Haven Lakeside Bed and Breakfast sat in a prime location, overlooking the lake. It was a picturesque homage to southern grandeur and charm. Jessie marveled at the beauty of the old Victorian as her Jeep rattled to a stop next to Alex. It was three stories of whitewashed clapboard siding that had weathered gently with time and appeared softened by the dappled shade of the mature willow and oak trees surrounding it. There was a generous wraparound porch replete with white rocking chairs for the visitors to sit and enjoy the sweet tea that Jessie envisioned the Bed and Breakfast provided.

The high pitched, chipped roof was capped with a widow’s walk and dormer windows. The front yard was small but elegantly manicured, with a stone walkway that led to the expansive porch. Large, double doors painted a deep green greeted them.

“This is where the basket was made?” asked Jessie.

Alex was climbing out of his car and nodded. “Mark Carmichael is one of the owners. He has a talent for weaving wicker and makes the baskets and the arrangements. But it’s his husband, Eric Jensen, who makes the jellies and jams that go in them. They are very popular. Started off he would give them out to the guests staying here, and soon, people all over the area were asking for them to give out as gifts or just keep for themselves. He’s made a good penny off packaging them in gift baskets.” Alex smiled at her. “Like the one you received.”

Jessie spoke up as they headed up the steps to the porch. “You know, I was thinking on the way over here that it’s possible Jordan placed the order for the basket well before she was killed. I mean, we had been corresponding by email for a while as she was getting everything ready for me. If that’s the case, the basket could have been premade and delivered by anyone.”

“It’s possible, except that Mark doesn’t allow for delivery services to touch the baskets. He either delivers them personally or he insists on them being picked up by the ordering party. He’s a stickler about that.”

He opened the wooden door and allowed Jessie to step through. Inside, she was greeted by the soaring ceilings that were characteristic of grand Victorians, and large windows that flooded the space with natural light. Polished hardwood floors in the entry spilled into a large, open living space dominated by a large, wood burning fireplace with tastefully maintained antique furniture arranged to take advantage of the mantel’s charm.

Off to one side of the entryway was a small, built-in desk that blocked entrance to a darkened doorway behind it. There was a ledger and a tiny silver bell sitting atop the desk, and Alex wasted no time in walking over and tapping the top of the bell. Immediately, there was a flurry in the room beyond and then a figure appeared, stepping up to the desk offering the two of them a beaming smile.

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