Prudence by Caroline Clemmons

Author:Caroline Clemmons [Clemmons, Caroline]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-08-23T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Inside Lydia’s home, they were greeted by disarray.

Prudence’s chest hurt at the sight. “Oh, Lydia, your beautiful home. Who would do this and why?”

Adam said, “There’s no answer to that yet, but Martin and I will find both answers. What I need is for you to go through the house and tell me if anything is missing.”

Lydia shook her head. “In this mess, that’s going to be hard.”

He put his arm around her shoulders. “I know, but you don’t have to right it all today.”

Mrs. Murphy came to the kitchen door. “Your dinner’s on the table in the kitchen. There’s less mess there and we have to eat. Sheriff, you and your deputy are invited as well.”

Lydia’s eyes pleaded with him. “Please stay, Adam. I can’t tell you how much this has upset me.”

“Couldn’t have any other result, Lydia.” He nodded to the cook/housekeeper. “Thank you, Mrs. Murphy. My deputy’s already gone home since we didn’t find a culprit but I’d be pleased to join you.”

Obviously, Mrs. Murphy had dug into cleaning with a frenzy while the sheriff talked to the gardener and his wife. Flour and other staples had been scattered. Someone had searched thoroughly for something.

Prudence took a seat, grateful to do something normal such as eat. “The food smells delicious, Mrs. Murphy.”

Lydia laid a hand on her housekeeper’s arm. “I’m grateful you were with us, Moira. I hate to think what would have happened if you’d been here. I know you wouldn’t have given in easily.”

Mrs. Murphy shook her head. “I’d like to think I wouldn’t, but if faced by two brutes I might have. I’m not as young as I used to be or I’d have boxed their ears with my rolling pin.”

Adam pointed his fork at her. “If you see you can’t get away, don’t anger them by fighting back. You could get yourself seriously hurt or killed.”

Prudence toyed with her roast beef. As good a cook as Mrs. Murphy was, she couldn’t force her throat to swallow. “I hope they don’t come back. I guess we won’t know until we see if something’s missing.”

Lydia sighed and stared at her food. “I just can’t imagine. I saw several things that were valuable if the criminals wanted something to sell. Small things they could fit in saddlebags.”

Mrs. Murphy clapped her hands as Lydia used to do. “Here now, no more gloomy talk. This is Sunday dinner and no one has suffered more than Lola’s rope burns. Eat up or I’ll take my rolling pin to your noggins.”

Adam grinned at her. “You don’t have to remind me. You’re the best cook in town and I’ll enjoy every bit of my dinner.”

Prudence took a bite of potatoes. “You are that, Mrs. Murphy. I’ve never had such good food as since I’ve been here. It’s a wonder I’m not too fat to get up and down the stairs.”

Lydia rallied to scoop a bit of meat onto her fork. “I’ve been eating your food for years and never tire of it.

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