Kari Lee Townsend - Sunny Meadows 04 - Perish in the Palm Read Online Free Page A

muscle in his jaw bulged. After a tense moment, he let go of Pierce’s arm.
    “It’s okay,” I said, feeling calm and back in balance and in control. “Readings have a way of doing that to a person. I don’t know for sure exactly what I saw.”
    “You must know something. How and where am I going to come into money? I need to know now.” He looked panicked and desperate, not at all like the composed distinguished innkeeper I’d come to know.
    “Calm down, Mr. Theodore, before you give yourself a heart attack.” I squeezed his hand for a moment. “We’ll find your answers, I’m sure of it.”
    He responded to my touch and reassurance by taking a big breath and striving for control. “How do you know?” He searched my eyes for an ounce of hope.
    Focusing, I did my best to reassure him and do my job. “I might not know what the secret to your success is, but rest assured that I do know the secret lies within these very walls here at Divine Inspiration.”

Chapter 3
     
    T he next morning, I couldn’t stop thinking about my reading for Pierce. The secret lay within the walls of Divine Inspiration. What secret? The saying went, If only the walls could talk . I was sure that was true with many establishments, but I would bet with a place this old, there were hidden secrets waiting to be discovered. I never could resist a good mystery.
    But today wasn’t about my readings or secrets. It was about Jo and Cole’s wedding. They were so deserving, and I was ridiculously happy for them. If only the sun would shine. I glanced at the overcast sky. The weather hadn’t called for rain, but the sky was turning darker by the minute, and the very air had a chill in it.
    My gut was telling me it was a sign of doom.
    But that couldn’t be. I knew without a shadow of doubt that Jo and Cole were meant for each other. For once, I ignored my gut and refused to believe anything could put a damper on this day. Anything other than my mother and Pierce getting into another scuffle, that is. I pushed that anxious thought from my mind and focused on being a good maid-of-honor.
    “Are the grounds set?” I stood before Jack Shepard the groundskeeper. He was a decent-looking, tall man with a ponytail, full beard, and even fuller muscles, who had worked for Pierce for over a decade. A tried and true salt-of-the-earth, likable kind of guy.
    “Yes, ma’am.” He gave me a sharp nod, and a certain amount of pride reflected on his face. It was obvious he cared about this place and the work that he did.
    I scanned the landscape. Everything had been groomed to perfection and the tent people appeared to have secured the reception covering to perfection, all under his watch. “Well done, Mr. Shepard. And thank you.”
    “You’re very welcome, Miss Meadows. I’ll be around if you need anything.” He saluted and walked off as if there was always a purpose in his every stride.
    I stopped the next man passing by. Frank Lalone, the maintenance man. “Miss Meadows, isn’t it?” he asked.
    “Yes.” I smiled.
    “What can I help you with?” He returned my smile with a pleasant one of his own. I couldn’t help liking him as well. It appeared as though Mr. Theodore had surrounded himself with a reliable, competent staff, which made me feel better since that feeling of doom deep in my gut still lingered.
    “I’m just checking to make sure everything is okay.”
    “All systems are a go at full capacity, and the backup generator is working if anything breaks.” He stood a bit straighter. “No worries, Miss Meadows. I’ve got your back. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to speak to Mr. Theodore.”
    “Of course.” I tipped my head and watched him walk away, or more like waddle.
    Frank was a short, stocky man with a pot belly, but his apple cheeks and rosy disposition made him somehow adorable. Like a cuddly teddy bear you wanted to curl up with every night. And it didn’t hurt that he was a genius when it came to fixing things, an