Killing the Carnations (A Heavenly Highland Inn Cozy Mystery) Read Online Free

of the paperwork. Mitchell was patiently waiting for her, but she was impatient to spend some time with him.
    As she finished up with her work a few of the staff members came to her with questions.
    “Can you look over the breakfast menu?” Henry, the chef for the restaurant attached to the inn, asked.
    “ Sure,” she took it and glanced over as Emily walked towards her from the other side of the lobby.
    “ Oh Emily, did you get Mr. Minkle settled in okay?” Vicky asked as she looked up from the menu. Emily's face was a little pale, as if she too had been run ragged by the evening.
    “ Yes, he's fine,” she replied swiftly. “I'm going to head back to my room, if that's okay with you?”
    “ As long as everything's been taken care of for the evening that's fine,” Vicky agreed quickly. Emily lived in the staff quarters that were located just outside the inn beside the gardens. “Are you feeling okay?” she asked with some concern. Mitchell looked over at Emily as well. Emily looked away shyly and shook her head.
    “ I'm sorry it's just been a busy day and I'm feeling a little light-headed. I'd just like to lay down for a bit.”
    “ Of course, I'll make sure no one disturbs you,” Vicky said with a warm smile. Mitchell continued to study Emily.
    “ Do you want me to walk you to your room?” Mitchell offered politely.
    “ No, no thank you,” Emily said quickly as she turned away from him. “I'll be fine by the morning I'm sure,” she added as she hurried off through the side door of the lobby that exited out into the gardens.
    “ She's acting a little odd,” Mitchell said with a slight tilt of his head.
    “ Oh, stop,” Vicky rolled her eyes with a short laugh. “She's just worn out. That dreamy CEO seems to have a thing for her, maybe she had a little too much fun getting him settled in,” she winked playfully at Mitchell.
    “ Dreamy CEO?” Mitchell replied abruptly with a hint of heat in his fierce blue eyes that was diminished by his laid-back smile.
    “ Dreamy to her I meant,” Vicky giggled and finished looking over the breakfast menu. She marked a change to be made in the drinks they were offering as she knew that some of the executives enjoyed the fancier coffee drinks.
    “ Mmhm,” Mitchell replied in a drawn out hum. He again swept his gaze around the lobby.
    “ Would you mind taking this to Henry for me?” Vicky suggested, hoping to keep him occupied with something other than surveillance.
    “ Sure,” Mitchell took the menu and walked towards the kitchen. Vicky watched him walk away, her mind wandering to what she had in the fridge that she could cook for dinner. With a couple of candles lit and some nice music playing they could still have a very romantic evening.
     
    ***
     
    Ida had nearly finished her glass of wine when Nicholas jumped up to pour her another. As he did he brushed his hand across his pocket, and then grimaced.
    “ Ida, I'm so sorry but I think I've left my wallet in the car, I'm just going to run down and see if it's there, do you mind waiting here a few minutes?” he looked at her imploringly. “I'd hate to let this ruin our time together, but I don't want my wallet to get stolen either.”
    “ Oh, you don't have to worry too much about that here,” Ida assured him. “Not much gets stolen. But of course I'll wait for you, I wouldn't want to be without my purse,” she pointed out.
    “ Wonderful,” he sighed with relief and set her now filled glass of wine down in front of her. “I'll be right back, don't disappear on me, all right?” he smiled at her again. Ida blushed and smiled in return. She hadn't been so catered to in some time, and she could certainly get used to it.
    After Nicholas left the room she glanced around. He had yet to unpack or settle in so there wasn't much for her to see. But she couldn't help being a little nosy. She walked over to his suitcase and just looked at how stuffed it was. She liked a man with a good sense of style. The