Lyndsey Cole - Lily Bloom 05 - Hidden by the Hydrangeas Read Online Free Page A

house and Anna , my house manager, will show you in. She knows all the plans and will explain everything to you,” Emma instructed before hanging up.
    Lily checked the time— eleven, that would give her several hours to organize and get the arrangements done for the day. She had a few orders to go to the hospital so she got flowers out of the cooler to start working on that. As she worked, she couldn’t stop thinking about the body she’d seen, trying to remember more details.
    The front bell jingled as Daisy hurried in, looking a little sheepish and distracting Lily from her thoughts. “Sorry I’m so late. I stopped to see Adam before he leaves for a few days for an investigation.”
    “No p roblem. It’s not too busy today and that will give you some free time.” Lily grinned. “Did you get trapped hearing all about Mom and Walter’s romantic wedding night after I left?”
    “ Ugh, don’t even say that, and thanks a lot for running out like you did, leaving me alone with Mom. I managed to escape pretty quickly once she had Walter to swoon over.” Daisy dropped her bag at her design space, stroking Sweet Pea who was curled up in the center of the table.
    Lily finished her arrangement and moved it to the side of her table. “By the way, do you have any plans for dinner tonight?” She looked at the flowers from all angles, nodding at the mix of blues and oranges.
    “Nope. With Adam gone, I’m on my own. I hope you have something interesting to suggest.”
    “Well, I thought we should see what we can find out at the Stone House Inn so I asked Walter what he thought about us surprising Mom at dinner tonight. He thinks it’s a great idea.”
    “Mom won’t be happy to see us show up. You already thought of that, didn’t you?”
    “ Yeah, but she’ll get over it, especially if you can make a special yummy treat to bring along. And, besides, Walter thinks it’s a great idea so he’ll be happy to see us.”
    Daisy leaned on Lily’s table. “I’ll have to leave now to get something made in time.” She was already mentally scanning her recipes for ideas. “How about a glazed fruit tart? I’ve got strawberries and kiwis at home so I won’t even have to stop at the store.”
    “ That sounds amazing, my mouth is watering just thinking about it. Get going and I’ll finish up here before I head to the Black Horse Farm to see about decorating for a party.” Lily glanced at Daisy.
    “The Black Horse Farm? Where that hunky pilot works? He sure gave you the once over when we were up in the balloon.”
    Lily felt her face starting to heat up and she didn’t like it. “Well, I’m planning to fix him up with Nina, she’s desperate for a date. And, listen to this.” Lily leaned toward Daisy with excitement. “Ryan told me that the house manager from the Black Horse Farm called to say her daughter never came home last night.”
    Daisy’s gaze shot up to Lily and she gasped. “Really? Do you think that’s the body we saw being carried from that cottage?”
    “ I don’t know, but I’m hoping to ask the house manager some questions.” Lily paused. “Ryan told me nobody has been found and he said it’s too early to be able to classify her as missing. It doesn’t hurt to chat with the mom though.”
    Daisy shook her head. “You just can’t keep your nose out of any mystery, can you? Even after all the close calls you’ve had? Won’t you ever learn?”
    Lily glared at Daisy, annoyed that her sister didn’t share her curiosity. “You sound like Ryan and I certainly don’t need both of you lecturing me, thank you very much. Besides, Ryan said that person might have seen us so we’re involved whether we like it or not. We, Daisy, not just me. You saw it too.”
    Daisy put up her hands. “Don’t yell at me, I’m just pointing out the obvious.” She shrugged and changed the topic. “I guess dinner shouldn’t be dangerous. Are you going to pick me up?”
    “ I have to deliver some arrangements