Rogues & Rascals in Goose Pimple Junction (Goose Pimple Junction Mysteries Book 4) Read Online Free Page A

haven’t even made you an offer yet.” Whether intended or not, his tone was condescending.
    “No need. I won’t lie. That is what you want me to do, right?”
    “I wouldn’t put it in such crude terms—”
    “Oh, Louis, if it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, it’s a duck. What you are suggesting is out of the realm of possibility. I will not lie to the law or anyone else. I suspect that’s a lesson Jimmy Dean needs to learn as well.” She stood and walked to the doorway giving him a look that suggested he should follow her. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I really do have to meet someone.”
    Louis’s face turned bright red with anger as he returned his checkbook to his pocket and grabbed his briefcase. He sprang to his feet and leveled his gaze on her. “You’re making a mistake.”
    “No, sir. Jimmy Dean made a mistake when he broke those windows. And you’re making a mistake by trying to take care of it for your boy. I’m not a judge or jury or an expert on parenting, but I don’t think he should get off that easily.”
    “I’ll thank you to leave the parenting of my son to my wife and me.” He shifted the briefcase from hand to hand. “My influence carries far and wide in this town. You just remember that.”
    “I don’t like your tone, Louis.”
    “I didn’t mean for you to.” He spun on his foot and stormed out the door, slamming it so hard the windows rattled.
    “Well I never—”

    Jackson Wright sat in his home office with his cell phone to his ear, one foot propped on the other knee. “I feel for you, Oren, I really do. When your wife’s interested in work more than in her husband, that can make for a lonely life. My only advice would be to talk to her. Tell her how you feel. I’d bet she’s unaware of your unhappiness.”
    “I’ve talked until I’m blue in the face,” the voice said over the phone.
    “Well, talk some more. And dote on her. Women want to be appreciated. When they feel appreciated, they’ll do more. Give that a try. Okay? Talk later.”
    He punched off and saw his wife leaning in the doorway with a sour expression on her face.
    “Uh-oh. What has made that beautiful face scowl like an ogre? What did Ezzie do now?”
    “How do you know it was Ezzie? Maybe you did something.”
    “Nope. We’ve only been married a few months, but I know that look of yours. That’s an Ezzie-did-it-again look.”
    “Well, you’re right. She did. I’m at my wit’s end with that dog.”
    Jack went to Tess and wrapped her in his arms. He hugged her tight, swaying slightly. He kissed her and said, “Love me, love my dog?”
    She took his hand and led him to the kitchen where the Basset hound sat under the table, her pleading eyes moving from Tess to Jack. Any question of her guilt was now moot.
    Jack bent at the waist to peer at her under the table. “Ezmerelda, what did you do?”
    Her ears dropped, and her eyes drooped.
    Jack stood and looked at his wife. “What did she do?”
    Tess picked up a bread wrapper off the counter and held it out to him. “I found this on the floor. If you’ll notice, there is a tear down the center, and the bread is gone. I just bought this loaf this morning. I set it on the table while I was unpacking the groceries. I turned my back no more than two minutes, and she sucked the bread right out of the wrapper. That dog is unbelievable.”
    Jack couldn’t help it. A huge smile crept onto his face. “That is freaking awesome! I own the smartest dog, and I’m married to the most beautiful woman in the world.”
    Tess stared at Ezzie for a moment and then at Jack. She began to laugh. “Don’t encourage her. And don’t use flattery to get your dog out of trouble.”
    “It’s not flattery. It’s the truth.”
    “Well, whatever it is, now you’ll be taking me to the diner for lunch.”
    Jack beamed at Tess. “You gotta admit that is one special dog.”
    Ezzie’s ears perked up, hopeful she was out of trouble.
    “I’ll admit she’s