A Fatal Nibble by Savannah Marlake & Sara Bourgeois

Author:Savannah Marlake & Sara Bourgeois [Marlake, Savannah & Bourgeois, Sara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-12-25T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

“Well, I’d say that was a resounding success!” Chase beamed at her.

Willow nodded in relief and flipped the lights off in front of the diner. The place had been packed with people eager to welcome Chase home and the crowd had eaten through her party sandwiches with great enthusiasm.

“I still wonder what was going on with Cider?” She looked down at her dog, who stood at her side happily wagging her tail and patiently waiting for the walk home.

“It’s been a stressful couple of days for all of us, hasn’t it, girl?” Chase bent down and stroked Cider’s head. “You headed home now?”

“Yep.” Willow glanced around the clean diner and motioned for Chase to follow her through the kitchen and out the back door. She snapped the leash to Cider’s collar. “We walked today so…,”

“Mind if I walk with you?” Chase asked.

Willow smiled. “Of course not,” she said as the three of them walked out to the sidewalk.

They walked in companionable silence, taking in the sights and sounds of their sleepy little town. The wind was cool, but Willow found herself feeling so warm thanks to Chase’s presence beside her.

“Thank you for putting on such a wonderful party back there,” Chase said with a smile. “It was really nice to see all my old friends again. It meant so much to me, even if the meatloaf and pecan pie were no-shows.”

Willow couldn’t believe her ears. Here he was thanking her. She had been worried that no one would show up or that if people did show up, they’d be too afraid to eat her food, but here he was expressing his gratitude towards her efforts.

“No. Thank you for suggesting the party in the first place,” Willow said gratefully. “It got people through the door and back into the diner, and they ate my food. It might be just what the diner needed to get customers back in the seats and enjoying their meals. I can’t thank you enough.”

“Glad I could help,” Chase smiled gently, and she felt the butterflies flutter in her stomach again.

“Though, it won’t really make a difference if people still think I poisoned Sarah or that they might be poisoned at the diner,” she pointed out to distract herself from his heartfelt smile and the reaction it produced in her. “I have to clear my name and the diner’s reputation.”

Chase nodded and looked thoughtful. “I just got that job renovating the offices of the town lawyer–”

“You got the job? That’s so great! Congratulations!” She bumped her shoulder on his as they walked.

“Thank you,” he nudged her back. “But I’m still happy to help with this investigation.”

“That would mean so much. Thank you,” she said, hoping she sounded as genuine as she felt, with excitement and genuine gratitude.

He chuckled at her happiness and swiped Cider’s leash out of her hands as they walked. Cider glanced up and noted the exchange but wagged her tail in happy acceptance and continued down the sidewalk.

“So, what’s the latest? Who’s at the top of your list?”

Willow took a deep breath and let out a long sigh.

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