Cherry Pie or Die by CeeCee James

Author:CeeCee James [James, CeeCee]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-12-29T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

“Everything okay in here?” Cecelia appeared in the doorway, wiping her hands on a dishtowel.

“Just peachy!” Mr. St. Claire called.

I took her appearance as a life line and walked in her direction. It really had been a long day, and I didn’t think now would be the time to learn a card game. Especially one for money. I remembered how Frank took all my collectors cards when we bet on Hearts. It’d been the first time I’d played it, and it hadn’t gone well.

Of course, I got my revenge by winning them all back when we’d bet on who would catch the first fish of the season. He hadn’t stood a chance.

We walked into the kitchen, where I started on the remainder of the lunch dishes. Cecelia’s brow furrowed with worry, and I felt her customary three pats on my back, her way of checking to make sure I was okay. I smiled to reassure her everything was fine.

I washed in silence, stacking them in the dish drainer, and then dried my hands on a towel. “I think I’m going to head home for a bit, if you don’t mind.”

“Of course not. But come back for dinner. I planned a little family meal.” Her gaze flicked to the kitchen table where we sometimes ate separately from the guests.

“Everyone eating out tonight?” I asked.

“As far as I know, everyone has plans. Eliza Sue, you know, usually takes her evening walk. I don’t think poor Rachel will be here. As for the rest, I’m surprised they haven’t scattered yet.”

Well, I knew why they hadn’t scattered. Originally, we had an exploration of another old cemetery scheduled for today. But with everything that had happened, along with this morning’s trip to the police station, it seemed very inappropriate.

“Anyway, as long as you’re going home, will you drop this off next door, first?” Cecelia turned to the counter, where there sat a big wedge of pie on one of her china plates. It was already covered in saran wrap and a red-checked cloth napkin.

I picked it up, hoping I’d heard her wrong. “Take it where?”

“You know, to Oscar. Mr. O’Neil. To kind of make up for what happened this morning. You said he had a run-in with Mr. Peterson. I know Oscar doesn’t come off that way, but he really is a kind man. I want to make it up to him.”

Oh, that’s right. Wow, this morning felt like a lifetime ago. Her comment of “nice man” didn’t exactly blend with my experience. I eyed the pie.

Cecelia smiled sweetly. Inwardly, I groaned. I couldn’t tell her no. Suck it up, buttercup. I grinned back. “You got it.”

“Thank you, dear,” she said. “And if he doesn’t answer, just knock harder. He’s hard of hearing.”

I have to admit, the thought of pounding on an angry neighbor’s door didn’t exactly fill me with sunny thoughts. I just hoped he wouldn’t answer with a shot gun. I grabbed the plate and waved at the St. Claires as I passed.

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