The Girl in the Gazebo: A Miss Riddell Amateur Female Sleuth Historical Cozy Mystery (Miss Riddell Cozy Mysteries Book 6) by P.C. James

Author:P.C. James [James, P.C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-01-07T16:00:00+00:00

20

PAULINE LEARNS TO CANOE

Pauline had Gordon help her lift a smaller canoe into the water, where she practiced paddling back and forth along the shoreline in front of the Seaforth cottage. Sooner or later, she would see an opportunity to question Sean alone and she wanted the ability to get to the Deveril house quickly. By mid-morning, she felt comfortable enough to move the boat through the water without feeling she was going to overturn it. Gordon was right. Kneeling on the bottom was a lot more stable than sitting on the seat, only she would need a cushion if she went too far. Her knees ached by the time she slid the canoe up the narrow shoreline and stepped stiffly out onto the grass.

“Well done, Miss Riddell,” Gordon said. “We’ll make a Pauline Johnson out of you yet.”

Pauline didn’t know too much about Canadian literature, but she did know The Song My Paddle Sings for it was frequently mentioned when discussing Canadian folklore.

“I begin to think I may be a canoeist, after all,” Pauline said, laughing. “Only an hour and already I can move in a straight line most of the time.”

“Are you planning to make this a pastime?” Gordon asked.

“No, I just like to be able to do things well enough to get by if I’m invited to take part,” Pauline said. “People at work often talk about canoeing. Now, if someone suggests I join them, I can go. I couldn’t before.” She didn’t add she’d been in Canada four years, and no one had invited her in all that time, but it was an answer she thought safer than telling Gordon she was hoping to pounce on Sean if he set out on the lake alone.

“It’s a great way to enjoy this part of Canada,” Gordon said. Then, seeing a canoe farther down the lake, he said, pointing, “There’s bad luck. Your friend Sean is just coming back from his morning fishing. He would have been impressed by your improvement since last time he saw you.”

Pauline followed his gaze and saw Sean, alone in his canoe, hugging the lakeshore and returning home. It really was bad luck but not because of the reason Gordon imagined. And why did Gordon imagine she would want to meet up with Sean anyhow. Was he suspicious of her investigation?

“I’m not sure he even noticed my poor showing yesterday,” Pauline replied.

“But you did want to talk to him alone, didn’t you?”

“Who told you that?” Pauline asked, alarmed.

“Dad. He said you thought Sean had something on his mind and you wanted to know what it was,” Gordon replied.

“Oh, that. I’m sure it was nothing,” Pauline said, hoping to sound dismissive. “Just Sean’s nervousness, I imagine, but I do want to follow it up.” It seemed two of her chief suspects now knew she thought Sean was the weak brick in the wall of silence. If there was such a thing. The thought she might have put his life in danger was frightening.

“He’s a nervy sort,” Gordon said.

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