The Garden of Lost Secrets by Kelly Bowen

Author:Kelly Bowen
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: None
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Published: 2023-05-16T00:00:00+00:00

In the end, it was two sisters who arrived at the Briar Rose, not on the backs of enchanted steeds but in the cab of Isabelle’s truck. Luc had messaged her that he had been called away but would meet them at the tavern later. Which was too bad, Isabelle reflected as she parked her truck and began the walk toward the tavern. Luc was a nice buffer between them, and Isabelle struggled for things to say on the ride there that would lessen the awkwardness. Beyond a brief discussion about electricians, the ride had been mostly completed in silence.

The building that housed the Briar Rose hadn’t changed much since it had been built a century ago, though compared to some of the half-timbered buildings on either side of the tavern dating back centuries earlier, the tavern was practically new construction. The ground floor was still an attractive framework of leaded glass windows set in neat rows, their small, diamond panes reflecting the sunshine in geometrical patterns. The thick columns and lower walls had been painted a rich burgundy color, offset by black accents. Up above the tavern, where a second story perched and where at least part of the Dubois family still resided, the façade was graced with blocky, cream-colored stone. Window boxes spilled over with bright flowers and a profusion of trailing greenery. It was a pretty building and attracted as many locals as it did tourists travelling through.

“I don’t suppose you remember this place from when we were younger, do you?” Isabelle asked as they approached the tavern. “Mom and Dad brought us here a couple of times when we were just little. We ate bowls of beef soup and had apple juice poured into wine glasses.”

Emilie tucked her hands into her pockets. “How do you remember this stuff? From when we were kids?” She made it sound like a criticism.

“Don’t know.” Isabelle paused. “Do you remember Monsieur Dubois?”

“Not really,” Emilie said again.

“Maybe once you’re inside.” Isabelle held the door open for her sister.

The inside of the tavern had been updated from when they had been kids, though the original features were still easy to pick out. Thick beams ran overhead, the long mahogany bar that stretched the length of the room on the far side still gleamed in front of its row of stools, and the wide-planked floor remained as worn as she remembered. The long trestle tables and benches that had been here in their youth had been swapped out for smaller, more intimate tables for diners, and it was at one of these tables in front of a wall of black-and-white photographs that Renaud Dubois was sitting.

Isabelle threaded her way through the lunch crowd, inhaling the enticing aromas of roasting meat and baking bread. She stopped to greet numerous people as she went, asking after family or work, replying to the same, and introducing Emilie.

“Seriously, do you know everyone in here?” Emilie asked, sounding irritable as they turned away from a table.

Isabelle shrugged. “No. Not everyone.

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