The Saucy Lucy Murders Read Online Free

Kincaid’s baby sure doesn’t look like his daddy, especially the older he gets,” one of the women said, getting nods from everyone in the group.
    “That’s right,” Lucy agreed. “Why, that child has jet-black hair. Bob is almost albino blond and Hanna’s hair is not much darker. I’d say maybe the milkman’s been delivering more than milk—”
    Lexie cleared her throat, ignoring her devout churchwoman, gossip-mongering sister’s last comment. “Hey, Luce. What’s up?”
    Lucy whirled toward her sister, brown eyes snapping. “You’re late.” Today she wore another floral printed dress, support hose just like Mom used to wear and her sturdy brown shoes. Her brown hair had been twisted into a perfect bun with a hairnet. This was Sister Lucy’s usual uniform.
    Lexie sighed. “My dishwasher went on the fritz and I had to do some extra clean-up. You know Iwouldn’t dream of missing out on the excitement of a heifer check.”
    Lucy glared at her.
    “What’s a heifer check?” One of the women asked. Her intricate beehive hairdo, shot through with glittery barrettes and hairpins, glistened in the sun.
    Lexie blinked. Man, that beehive hairdo would be a very cool place for magpies to nest.
    “Nothing to concern yourself about, Adeline,” Lucy muttered. “It’s just a private joke between sisters.” Gripping Lexie’s elbow, Lucy steered her away from the gossip circle.
    “You are such an ingrate,” Lucy complained to Lexie. “Here I am, trying my hardest to bring some sunshine back into your life, and you don’t act even halfway appreciative.”
    Sunshine?
Lexie didn’t say anything until they stopped near a swingset resting in a sandpit. Annoyed didn’t begin to explain the emotion she felt. But there was no sense in starting any arguments.
    “I don’t mean to come off as a sourpuss,” she said. “I’ve just been burned in the men-department. It’s a sore spot with me.”
    “It’ll get better, dear,” Lucy soothed. “Just give it time.”
    “Really, I’m tired of dealing with relationships. I think in my next life I’ll come back as a caterpillar. Their lives are short, sweet, and to the point. They don’t suffer like humans. And I really don’t think they get all hung up about sex—”
    “Really, Lexie! You’re too much sometimes. Mom wouldn’t like you talking about living other incarnations. It’s not Christian and it’s not civil.”
    “Well, neither is dating, sis. Dating is murder.”
    “For Pete’s sake, there you go again being all melodramatic on me.” Lucy rolled her eyes. “You’re only going to meet Henry today. It may or may not go any further from there.”
    “Let’s hope it doesn’t.” Lexie took another sip of her soda and looked around. “OK, so where’s this Greek god you’ve been raving about?”
    “Let’s see.” Lucy shaded her eyes, and scanned the crowd. “Ah, there he is. Over by the horseshoe pit wearing the green shirt. Let’s go say hello.”
    Lexie looked for the green shirt, blinking hard when she found it. The man she saw was a true god. Tall and definitely good-looking, and probably near her age, his chest was broad and muscled and he had a chiseled, athletic build.
He’ll probably think he’s too good for me.
She suddenly felt chunky and unattractive in her old jeans and T-shirt.
    Why hadn’t she dressed a little nicer like Lucy was always telling her to? She could have combed her hair out instead of leaving it in a ponytail. And she could have put on a little more make-up than a dab of lipstick and blush.
    As they walked toward Adonis, Lexie’s gaze met his and he sent her a fantastic, dimpled smile. Her knees buckled ever so slightly.
Maybe Lucy finally hit on a good thing.
Lexie stopped walking once theyreached Adonis, but Lucy tightened her grip on her elbow and pushed her forward.
    Confused, Lexie said, “Wasn’t that Henry back there by the horseshoes?”
    Lucy looked over her shoulder at him. “Oh, no. That’s Kent