Sweetness and Light (A Sweet Cove Mystery Book 5) Read Online Free

lifted the lid on the crockpot and checked the simmering meat, and then she went to wash lettuce at the sink.  “Maybe it’s just what super rich people do.”
    “Then I’m glad I’m not wealthy.”  Ellie’s eyes clouded.  She got up, left the kitchen, and walked to the dining room to set the table.
    “I wish I was wealthy.”  Courtney ladled the beef stew from the crock pot into a blue and white serving bowl.  “I prefer love and money.”
 

Chapter 4
    Courtney snuggled in the easy chair with Euclid who lay next to her sound asleep with his head hanging off the seat cushion.  Ellie sat on the loveseat with Circe curled in her lap.  Angie was supposed to be watching the movie, but she’d dozed off.  Jenna sat with Angie on the sofa and because the air conditioner was going full blast, she pulled a blanket over her lap rather than turn it down because the cool air felt so good.
    Just as an important scene from the film was playing on the screen, Euclid bolted up and let out a hiss, waking Angie and causing the other girls to jump.  Circe stared at the orange cat and then she cocked her head focusing on the sound that had alerted Euclid.
    The doorbell rang and everyone startled.
    “Who could this be?”  Ellie didn’t want to go to the door because she was wearing old shorts and a faded t-shirt.  “It’s eleven at night.  It can’t be one of the B and B guests.  I gave everyone the code to the front door.”
    Angie lifted her head from the sofa, looking disoriented.  She blinked and rubbed her eyes.
    “It must be someone who forgot the code.  Again.”  Jenna pushed the blanket to one side and stood up. “I’ll go see.”  She hurried down the hall to the foyer.
    The cats were on full alert.  They jumped down and followed Jenna into the hall and raced her to the front door.  The bell rang again.
    “I’m coming, for Pete’s sake.”  Jenna muttered under her breath before swinging the front door open.
    Bethany Winston stood under the porch light, her platinum hair glowing from the illumination.  Taking a glance over her shoulder to the dark street, she hurried into the Victorian without being invited to enter.  “I need to speak with you and your sisters.”
    Jenna started, “It’s really not a good time….”
    Bethany cut her off.  “It’s very important.  I’ll try to take only a bit of your evening.”
    Jenna thought, the evening is already over, it’s night now, but she didn’t say so.
    Circe and Euclid watched warily from the staircase, listening.
    “Um.”  Jenna looked down the hallway.  “We’re relaxing in the family room.  We’re not really presentable for guests.”
    Bethany moved her hand dismissively. “I don’t care what you look like.  I just want to talk.”  Her big, brown eyes looked hopefully at Jenna.  “It’s important.”
    Jenna stifled a sigh from escaping from her throat.  “Why don’t you have a seat in the living room for a few minutes.  Let me go tell my sisters that you’re here.”  She walked down the hallway and into the family room.
    Angie was still stretched out on the sofa and had her eyes closed.  Ellie and Courtney were focused on the movie that was playing on the television.
    Ellie didn’t move her eyes from the screen. “Who was it?”
    “Bethany Winston.”
    The television watchers turned towards Jenna.
    “She’s in the living room.  She needs to talk to us, she says it’s important.”
    Angie groaned without opening her eyes.  “You three go.”
    “Really?  She’s here so late.”  Courtney stood up, her face bright with interest.  “What’s it about?”
    Jenna shrugged and turned back to the hall.  “Let’s go find out.  You too, Angie.”
    “Bah.”  Angie muttered and swung her legs off the sofa.
    When the four girls were at the threshold of the living room, Bethany jumped up from her seat.  Her words tumbled out in a rush.  “Thank you for seeing me.  I apologize for running off like