A Suspicion of Strawberries (Scents of Murder Book 1) Read Online Free

A Suspicion of Strawberries (Scents of Murder Book 1)
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to believe otherwise.” I moved back to the table in the center of the shop. The bowls still lay where the young women had set them down. One had ended up on the floor somehow. Cherry scrub was already starting to dry onto the laminate surface of the table.
    “Sometimes things happen. You didn’t do anything wrong. Did Jerry happen to take any of that goop for the lab?”
    “Yeah, he did. It’ll take forever to hear back, though.”
    “I’m sure he’ll give you a copy of the report.”
    “I just don’t like waiting,” I tried not to sigh.
    “Neither do I.” His affection oozed through the line. “I can’t wait to see you.”
    “I miss you, too.” My throat tightened. “Well, I’d better get off the phone so you can get back on the road.”
    “I love you, Ands.”
    “I love you, too.” The phone clicked, and I slid the cover shut.
    Ben, Ben, Ben, Ben, Ben . What was I going to do? I missed his voice when he was away, the strength of his arms, the dimple in his right cheek when he’s embarrassed. His little-boy joy at discovering something new. The man was a fact magnet. Yet when he was in town for too long, I sometimes felt like I wanted to run and hit the road. But it wasn’t him. It was me.
    If I dropped a few hints, I’d probably have a diamond bright enough to blind someone. Not as over-the-top as Charla’s ring, but it would be mine. Ben worked hard and was frugal with his money but lavish with his love.
    So I came back around to the inevitable question, what was wrong with me?
    I already knew I couldn’t imagine being without him. Trouble was, I didn’t know how I could be with him. Every day. All the time. Day in and day out.
    The bell over the front door clanged. I tried not to cringe before I looked up. I’d forgotten to lock the door. Then I smiled at Diana, my sister with the more normal name. Momma had put her foot down when Diana was born.
    “I came as soon as I could get away from the drive-through window.” She flicked her hair over her shoulder and plopped onto the chair next to me, her brown eyes round, her eyebrows raised. “What in the world happened?”
    “I don’t know what you heard, but the rumor around town is probably that my facial scrub killed Charla Thacker.”
    Diana touched my arm. At the bank, her hands touched more money than we’d ever have in our lifetime. “All I heard was an accident happened at your shop and something about Charla. But I’ve been frantic wantin’ to find out. Did you talk to Ben?”
    “I just did. He’ll be home tonight.”
    “Oh, that’s good.” Diana, an old soul, had a soothing way about her much like Momma’s. “What about you? Are you all right?”
    I nodded. “But I need to pick your brain.” I reached for one of the bowls that still hadn’t made it to the storage room. “Something in this scrub killed her, but I haven’t a clue what it was or how it got into the containers.”
    Diana opened the bowl and sniffed. “Did she try to eat it?”
    “Of course not.” I shook my head. “She put it on her face and— bam !”
    “It’s not your fault.” Her calming tone didn’t have the same effect on me that it usually did.
    “I know it’s not, but you know how people talk. Small towns have the longest memories.” I spread my arms out as if to embrace the room. “I’m heartsick over what happened to Charla, but I put so much into this business.”
    “More than even the rug-weaving business you started, or the pottery shop, or the gourmet-cookie business?”
    My face flamed. “Those flopped. This place has a chance. Or had.” God made me creative. I’d had a hard time focusing that gift until I opened Tennessee River Soaps.
    Diana pointed at me. “Those businesses didn’t flop. They struggled. I might not have finished my business degree, but I know that businesses have growing pains, face struggles, and have setbacks. You have so much talent and creativity. You can’t quit because of what happened to Charla.
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