Tall Tails Secret Book Club (The Secret Library Cozy Mysteries 1) by CeeCee James

Author:CeeCee James [James, CeeCee]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-01-01T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

The next day I had my first afternoon off. Marguerite shooed me out the door while Cook hurriedly handed over a napkin of cookies.

I brought my sketch book with me and wandered a bit until I found a spot in the grass under a plum tree. The tree was as ancient as everything else, with gnarled branches and knobby bark. Still, it provided a peaceful spot to watch the wind chase the clouds across the powder blue sky.

I settled against the trunk and slowly turned the pages of my book. The third portrait stopped me cold, and not in a good way.

It was something I’d drawn recently from the memory of the painting in Mr. Thornberry’s study. However, it definitely needed some help. Eyebrows like cat whiskers, gray, long and askew. Even with the softening I’d done, his eyes still appeared calculating. No matter how hard I tried, he did not look friendly. Still, he owned Hank. There had to be good in him.

Frowning, I flipped to a fresh page. Today, Marguerite popped into mind. With simple strokes, I outlined the face and the bridge of the nose. I drew in the eyes. Slight shading brought in the hint of hair.

When I held my picture back to examine it, it gave me a fright. The expression in the eyes conveyed a tinge of suspicion. Was that how she really looked? I’d never noticed before.

All at once, the air seemed very still. I looked about, trying to discern what had changed. The hair on my neck prickled, and I suddenly became convinced someone was watching me.

I tried to scold myself for my appeal for drama. The property around me remained quiet, with a few flower petals fluttering in the air from the plum tree like pink confetti.

The feeling didn’t go away, in fact it felt stronger than ever. And then I heard it.

A child’s giggle.

I leaped to my feet and stared about. There was no one nearby… at least nobody that I could see.

From across the lawn, in the direction of the formal garden, a lawn mower started up. Stephen. The sound had to have come from him, a squeal from the engine starting, perhaps.

Our last talk sure hadn’t ended well. Maybe I could fix things now. I gathered my book and shook out my hair. A few petals fell free. I tucked the pencil behind my ear and the pad into my pocket and strolled across the great lawn.

The machine’s noise became deafening as I approached. When I finally spotted him, Stephen was moving the opposite way. He wore heavy duty ear protection so yelling was of no use.

I ran until I caught up to him and waved my arms.

The poor man nearly jumped from the seat. He turned off the mower and ripped off the headphones. “Good grief, Laura Lee! You scared me!”

I was pleased he remembered my name. “I’m sorry. There’s no smooth way to get your attention, short of throwing a pinecone at you.”

He smirked and pushed up his sunglasses.

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