The Garden (Epitaph, #7) by Karla Brandenburg

Author:Karla Brandenburg
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Garden, Horticulture, Hedge maze, small town romance, Topiary
Publisher: Karla Brandenburg
Published: 2019-01-22T00:00:00+00:00

BRIAN DIRECTED GWEN into the house with a hand to her back. His father rose from the kitchen table, extended a hand and pulled Brian in for a hug.

“What brings you home in the middle of the week?” he asked, cocking one eyebrow.

“Dad, this is Gwen Haley. Gwen, my dad, Randy Benson.” He drew a deep breath. He could handle this, without coddling from his mother and without Thad’s advice. “There was an incident at Haley Gardens, an explosion in the greenhouse. You’ll probably hear about it on the news. I need to get Gwen somewhere safe. Do you mind if we use the cabin for a couple of days?”

His father leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms, sparing an occasional glance at Gwen. His mother reached for Brian’s hands.

“Explosion?” his father repeated. “You think it was intentional?”

“Yes. There were other incidents,” Brian said.

“Honey,” his mother said. “I know this was an important job for you, but I can’t help but wonder if you shouldn’t quit. No job is worth risking your life for.”

“I resigned this morning,” he told her.

“This young lady doesn’t have that luxury,” his father said.

That part of the story was Gwen’s to tell. She stared at her hands, obviously not ready to share. In the uncomfortable silence, his mother wiped a smudge from Brian’s face.

“Why don’t you get cleaned up,” she said. “You’ll feel better.”

“I don’t have anything to change into,” Gwen said, raising her head.

“We can make a stop in town,” Brian said.

“You think the trouble’s going to follow you?” his dad asked.

“Honestly? I don’t know what to think. I didn’t believe it would go this far.” How much could he tell? But this was his father. “Gwen stands to inherit in a couple of weeks. Someone doesn’t want that to happen.”

“Whyever not?”

“I’m not entirely sure, whether it’s a power play or there’s more to the story. Her cousin is the estate manager, and whatever’s going on, she seems to have an inside track.” He glanced at Gwen. She’d bowed her head and her jaw was clenched. “Gwen’s very conscious of the information reaching the public. It could have an impact on their business.”

“Your fancy way of telling me not to say anything.”

Brian nodded.

“Understood. So the next question is what’re you gonna do about it? Hide out until she inherits?”

“If that’s what it takes.”

His father leaned forward. “If these folks are intent on getting her out of the way, it’s only a matter of time before they track her, and you, down.”

“Which is why I thought we might go to the cabin.”

His father glanced between them. He winced before he continued. “Of course you can use the cabin, but I’m thinking the further away you can get, the better.”

Brian’s shoulders tightened. “That might be true, but I don’t have unlimited resources.”

“She has money at her disposal, doesn’t she?”

Brian felt the stab in his gut. She probably did, but would she take him? Worse, did he want to tag along on someone else’s dime? Talk about feeling like a one-use man.

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