Marked for Murder by Lauren Nichols

Author:Lauren Nichols
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Steeple Hill
Published: 2010-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

The moment Margo looked outside and saw Jenna in the side-spill of the front porch’s motion lights, she knew exactly who was responsible for Jenna’s unexpected late-night visit. And he was going to hear about it. Pulling back the spring-loaded dead bolt, she opened the door.

“Jenna,” she said, smiling and accepting the warm dish Jenna placed in her hands. “Come in.” As usual, her friend looked cover-girl perfect in lemon-yellow slacks and a white, short-sleeved sweater edged in yellow. Gold hoop earrings peeked out from her shoulder-length, dark blond hair, and a tiny gold cross hung from a chain around her neck. Margo hid a wry smile. She was wearing burgundy sweatpants and a gray Charity P.D. T-shirt.

Margo nudged the door shut. The dead bolt slid back into place.

“Sorry about the late hour,” her friend said, “but you weren’t home earlier.”

No, she wasn’t. She’d gone to the carnival to talk with Ray Masters. “What brings you down from the hill?”

Jenna had a wonderful laugh, belying the trouble she’d run from. “Would you believe I had so much apple cobbler left over from breakfast, I suddenly wanted to share it with a friend?”

“No, I wouldn’t, but it smells great so I’m glad you’re here.” She nodded for Jenna to precede her into the kitchen.

Nudging her floral centerpiece aside, Margo set the cobbler in the middle of the table. “Cole called you, didn’t he? He asked you to come over here and Margosit.”

“Yes. But don’t be upset. He’s worried. He doesn’t want you to be alone while he’s out of town.”

Margo pulled dessert plates, cups and saucers from a cupboard, then faced Jenna again, hoping her weariness didn’t show. “Why should he care? I’m going to be alone for months—years—when he goes back for good. Is he planning to show up every time he thinks I need his help, then afterward, ride off into the sunset again?”

She arranged the dishes on the table, added silverware from a drawer. “He kissed me last night, Jen. But tonight he’s taking another woman to dinner—someone special who’s being honored for her work with abused women. I can’t compete with that.” She plucked a few paper napkins from the holder and put them on the table.

Jenna took a chair. “Is he kissing her, too?”

“I don’t know, and it’s making me crazy. And I can’t very well ask him.”

“Why not?”

Margo’s jaw sagged. Then shaking her head, she filled the kettle and set it on to boil. “He said they’re friends.”

“Did you believe him?”

“He’s never lied to me, so yes, I guess I did.”

Jenna peeled the foil from the cobbler. “Then maybe that’s all there is to it.”

“Maybe,” Margo repeated. But sometimes friendships became more, and the thought of that made her chest ache and her throat tight. A change of subject was in order. Gathering tea bags and condiments, she took them to the oak table. “So, who’s minding the store tonight while you’re here with me?”

Jenna’s blue eyes warmed. “Aunt Molly. She loves stepping in from time to time.

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