Kidnapped In Little Leaf Creek (A Little Leaf Creek Cozy Mystery Book 26) by Cindy Bell

Author:Cindy Bell [Bell, Cindy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2025-03-26T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 16

Cassie peered through the windshield as they pulled up outside the ranch house. She noticed a green van in the driveway, the Little Leaf Creek vet logo gleaming on the side. A tall, slender woman, who looked about thirty, stood beside it. Her long, black hair was tied back in a ponytail, and she wore a neatly pressed button-up shirt and jeans.

“Looks like Dr. Harper’s here.” Tessa parked beside Drake’s red pickup truck. “She gave Harry and the goats their shots this week. She was great with them, really patient, though she did say Billy and Gerry are the naughtiest goats she’s ever met.”

“That doesn’t surprise me.” Cassie laughed.

Cassie and Tessa hopped out of the jeep and headed toward the van.

“Dr. Harper,” Tessa called out.

The woman turned toward them. “Tessa, I told you to call me Lynn.” Her English accent was distinct.

“Sorry, Lynn.” Tessa gestured toward Cassie. “This is Cassie.”

Cassie noticed that Lynn’s green eyes matched her grandfather’s as she focused on her.

“I recognize you,” Lynn said.

“I work at the diner. Mirabel’s. I think I served you a few days ago.” Cassie smiled.

“Oh, of course. Yes.” Lynn finished securing her medical bag and shut the van door before turning back to them. “I was just double-checking on Phantom after his little adventure yesterday morning.”

“Is he okay?” Tessa asked.

“He’s fine.” Lynn nodded reassuringly.

“Good to hear.” Tessa smiled.

“It’s been a rough couple of days.” Lynn’s shoulders stiffened. “I only met Lisbeth briefly, but I know how much this ranch meant to her. It’s just awful.”

“Your grandfather mentioned that you were going to be involved with the riding school,” Tessa said.

“Yes, that was part of the reason I moved here.” Lynn tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “I didn’t expect to leave London, but my relationship ended, and this felt like a fresh start.” She cleared her throat. “I thought I’d help out at my grandfather’s practice, and gradually take it over, and being the vet for the riding school was part of that.”

“But now, it’s not going ahead?” Cassie thought about how she never expected to move to Little Leaf Creek, but ended up there when she needed a fresh start herself.

Lynn glanced away for a moment before refocusing on them. “No, it won’t.”

“Do you know much about the family? About Richard and Drake?” Tessa asked.

“Not much, really.” Lynn shifted her weight. “I met Drake a few days ago, when he came into the clinic to pick up some medication for one of the horses, and I only met Richard for the first time today.”

“Here?” Cassie gestured around her.

“Yes, just about ten minutes ago.” Lynn hesitated slightly, then lowered her voice. “I barely spoke to him. He got a phone call while I was here. He seemed really upset, angry, actually. I didn’t catch much, but he kept talking about money.”

“Could it have been about the ransom?” Cassie asked.

“Maybe.” Lynn glanced toward the house. “I really don’t know. He didn’t say anything specific, but he was definitely worked up.

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