Tim Myers by Reservations for Murder

Author:Reservations for Murder [Murder, Reservations for]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: mystery, lighthouse, cozy, north carolina, traditional, tim myers, inn, blue ridge mountains, Fiction
Publisher: Tim Myers
Published: 2011-12-08T22:42:15+00:00

Chapter 13

“You can’t cancel the fair,” Alex said. “Shantara, people are counting on you.”

She looked ready to burst into tears. “What’s the use, Alex? This entire weekend is going to be remembered forever as the Murder Fair.”

Alex suddenly felt his blood turn to ice. “Has something happened to Marilynn Baxter?”

Shantara shook her head. “I haven’t heard anything about Marilynn. She’s probably safe at home by now. I’m talking about Jefferson’s murder. Surely that’s enough, isn’t it?”

Emma said calmly, “Shantara, if you shut the fair down now, whoever killed Jefferson Lee will most likely get away with it. What are the odds the sheriff is going to be able to track down the killer if the majority of his suspects fly the coop? You can’t let that happen, not while it’s in your hands.”

“Mrs. Sturbridge, how can I ask people to pay to see a young blacksmith who may or may not show up, a pottery team who’s doubtful, and another blacksmith gone because he was murdered on the spot? The only exhibitors I know I can count on are Jenny and Rachel. It’s not much of a show with just the two of them.”

Emma said, “Shantara, I’ve told you before, call me Emma, please. You’d better believe all of Elkton Falls will come out here today! If nothing else, they want to see what’s going to happen next!” She cut off Shantara’s protests with a raised hand. “I’m not saying you should cater to their base desires, but I certainly think you have every right to continue your fair. I, for one, have been looking forward to seeing Jenny Harris do her weaving demonstration this afternoon. Not only that, but I missed Rachel Seabock making a Shaker chair yesterday, and I want to be certain I see it today.” She turned to Alex and winked so Shantara couldn’t see. “In fact, Alex and I were just discussing that very thing, weren’t we?”

“Absolutely,” Alex said. “You can’t disappoint the people who really care about the old-time crafts. That was one of the reasons you did this, remember?”

“Well,” Shantara wavered, but Emma steamed on.

“Tell you what. Why don’t I walk around the grounds with you, and we’ll make certain everything’s ready for the paying guests. You don’t mind if I skip out for a few minutes, do you, Alex?”

“Go right ahead. I’ve got everything here under control.”

Alex nodded his approval as the two women left. He had liked Emma Sturbridge from the moment he’d met her as a guest at the inn. There was such an air of confidence about her, a sheer and utter serenity that made him feel that nothing could go wrong whenever she was around.

It was a feeling in great demand lately, and in very short supply. He’d only met one other person on earth who made him feel that everything would turn out all right, no matter how glum things looked at the time.

And she was currently three hundred miles away.

After Alex finished his early morning chores,

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