Threads of Deceit (Vineyard Quilt Mysteries Book 1) Read Online Free Page B

romance.”
    “Sure,” Hannah said. “Because you’re not human or anything like that.”
    Julie took a sip of her coffee while she glared at her friend over the top of her cup. Finally, she let her well of enthusiasm bubble over. “This is exciting stuff. As I was helping him with his luggage, Daniel told me that he’s going to be excavating on the Winkler farm, and he expects to find some impressive pre–Civil War artifacts. Somehow or other, I plan to be involved with this.”
    “Sure, because getting involved in a treasure hunt is a great way to lay low and avoid the attention of certain people who would love to find you.”
    “I’ll be careful.”
    Hannah rolled her eyes. “Right, like you always are. And I just finished unpacking the last of my stuff.”
    “Good, because we’re not going anywhere. I will be careful.” Julie drew an imaginary cross over her heart with one finger. She took another sip of her coffee just as Shirley Ott popped her head through the kitchen door. As always, the plump tea shop manager’s plume of bright red hair added several inches to her height.
    “Oh, Julie, there you are. Could you come and give mea hand in the tearoom? One of our guests only drinks white tea infused at seventy degrees. I have no idea how to do that.”
    Julie looked at Hannah. “Thermometer?”
    “I have a high-tech infrared one. That should impress them.” Hannah rooted in a drawer and handed Julie something that looked like a small gun. “Just point at the water and shoot.”
    “If you say so.” Julie followed Shirley’s colorful form back to the tearoom. The tearoom manager could be counted upon to choose outfits every bit as vibrant as her red hair. Today she’d matched a handmade patchwork skirt in bright jewel tones with a fringed scarf shot through with gold threads.
    Shirley’s attire never ceased to amaze Julie. The older woman clearly loved color, and her outfits also reflected her amazing sewing and quilting skills. Shirley proudly admitted she’d designed and made nearly every item in her wardrobe.
    Together, they soon had the picky guest calmed down and happily sipping her perfectly brewed tea. Julie stood near the counter in the retail area with Shirley and looked around the room. The racks of fabrics and notions were impeccably neat as always. Most of the small group of tables had someone sitting, sipping tea, and nibbling on one of Hannah’s amazing baked goods.
    “It’s busy today,” Julie said.
    “Thanks to the gossip.” Shirley spoke in what she probably thought was a whisper, but since she was slightly hard of hearing, her whispers tended to carry.
    Julie looked at her in surprise. “What gossip?”
    “About the discovery of a steamboat on the Winklers’ farm,” Shirley said, her blue eyes sparkling. “With treasure, no less! It’s the talk of the town. And what a marvelous name— The Grand Adventure . Who can resist an adventure?”
    Julie looked at her in speechless amazement, and Shirley laughed. “My dear, there is one absolute truth about this lovely town. I’ve lived here my whole life, and I can tell you that we are chockablock with good old-fashioned busybodies, of which I am the commander-in-chief. We were connected long before there was an Internet, and texting just makes us even faster. Nothing beats the speed of the Straussberg gossip network.”
    Julie couldn’t help but be amused by the cheerful woman’s complete comfort with her role as house gossip.
    Shirley leaned closer to Julie and said, “I’m glad you’re here. I wanted to tell you something.”
    “Oh?”
    “I heard about the twins giving you a hard time. You mustn’t let them bother you.”
    Julie stiffened slightly and considered hushing the smiling woman. She certainly didn’t want the guests in the tearoom to hear her gossiping with Shirley. Then the older woman patted her arm solicitously. “They have gotten their room moved every year they’ve come here. They always insist on