Secrets in the Cottage by Nicole Gardner

Author:Nicole Gardner
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Hawthorn Hill Books

Chapter Twenty

I awoke the next morning to sunlight streaming in through the windows, and the sound of Fiona humming a tune under her breath in the kitchen. I could smell the life-giving aromas of fresh coffee and bacon.

I stretched lazily, wanting to bury myself back underneath the blankets. It was safe and warm under there, and I could almost forget that my house was now a crime scene. Everything would be okay as long as I could just stay beneath the covers.

If only.

Regretfully, I pushed aside the blankets and put my bare feet on the cold floor.

At least there would be coffee and bacon as a reward for facing the day.

“Good morning,” I said, making my way into the kitchen.

“Well, good morning to you too!” Fiona sang out. She was bright and energetic, as if last night hadn’t even happened. “Mugs are in that cabinet,” she said, pointing. “Coffee’s over there. Sugar’s in the jar. Cream’s in the fridge. Breakfast is almost ready. I figured we could use something good and hearty after yesterday.”

“That sounds great.”

“How’d you sleep?”

I shrugged. “Okay.” Actually, I laid awake most of the night imagining myself in prison, but I suppose it could have been worse.

She gave me a skeptical look but didn’t say a word.

At least the night had given me time to think. I had mulled over the situation repeatedly. It just didn’t add up. I could come up with plenty of theories and wild speculation, but that’s all I had. There was absolutely no proof of anything. I didn’t even know which crazy theory to try investigating first. And even if I picked a theory at random, I didn’t know where to look for “clues.” That was as true about Don’s murder as it was about my mother’s.

“Do you want to hang around here today? I’ve got to get to work on that garden, but you’re welcome to stay as long as you want.” Fiona’s voice broke me out of my thoughts.

“Thanks,” I said, “I really appreciate it. But I need to go home, if they will allow me back in.”

“Might not be a peaceful place to be today,” she warned.

“I have to face it at some point.”

“Then eat up,” she said, placing a plate piled with bacon, fried eggs, and biscuits in front of me. “Always easier to face something with a full belly.”

I dug in and immediately felt better.

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