Trouble's Brewing Read Online Free

stared back down to his notepad. Man, she’s good , he thought, then smiled at the two remaining names.
    Goldie Dippel and Vonnie Westbrook.
    Goldie was a transplant, having moved from some sleepy little town in Georgia right after she married Coach Jack Dippel; she was one of his favorite people, the kind of woman who would never do anyone any harm, in spite of the fact she was married to the world’s biggest jerk.
    However, he mused, she and Coach had recently separated. Could it be over the Harris man? Could his unexpected arrival in Summit View have been the catalyst that caused the breakup? Or had Mrs. Dippel finally had her fill of Coach’s roaming ways?
    This, of course, brought him to Vonnie Westbrook. Vonnie had lived her whole life in Summit View, as far as he knew. He’d already gone down to the local high school, checked out an old yearbook, and discovered that her goal in life was to be a nurse. From all indications, she’d gone to college, returned home with her degree, married Fred Westbrook, and worked for Doc Billings until retirement.
    A thought struck him. She’d attended college back in the sixties, and he’d heard some wild stories about that free love era.
    Clay looked back up to the door where Donna had exited, thinking for a moment about who his favorite deputy would be more likely to protect. Surely, Vonnie. The woman was like a mother to Donna …
    Clay shook his head. For the life of him, he couldn’t imagine Vonnie Westbrook—no matter what era she’d grown up in—carrying a stop the war sign in an antiwar march or dancing around half dressed at a rock fest like Woodstock.
    The slow steps of Dee Dee McGurk leaving the café interrupted his imaginings. She sniffed, and he looked up at her weathered and deeply tanned face. Was she crying, he wondered, or did she have a cold?
    Considering the change in weather of late, probably a cold, he concluded, then watched her walk out of the same door Donna had gone through moments before.
    Donna … all thoughts seemed to come back to her. He felt himself blush, and he swore under his breath. How could a little thing like her have such an effect on a man?
    No sooner had he asked himself that question than Wade Gage walked up to his table. “You’re so gone over her,” he said.
    “Who? Dee Dee?”
    Wade chuckled. “Yeah. Dee Dee.” He shook his head as he took two steps toward the door. “See everyone later,” he called out.
    Clay could still smell the lingering stench of beer from the night before on his old friend. He narrowed his eyes. Wade Gage had been Donna’s sweetheart back in high school. He knew what it felt like to make her laugh or blush, to hold her and kiss her …
    Clay slammed his notebook shut. Enough of this , he thought. He had better things to do than wonder about Wade Gage and Donna Vesey. He had some investigations to continue and articles to write. The ladies of the Potluck were sure to serve up something …



4
    Marriage Waffles
    The phone at my desk rang, and I scurried from the American History Reference section of the high school library where I’ve worked longer than I care to admit to the small glass-encased office at the back of the room. “Library. Mrs. Prattle,” I answered, a tad breathless.
    “Yes, I’d like to place an order please.”
    “I’m sorry,” I said, looking down at the phone. The call had come in from an outside line. “You must have the wrong number.”
    “No, I think I have the correct number,” the male voice said, a hint of humor in his tone.
    I pulled my reading glasses from my face and laid them gently on my desk. This was just what I needed today, and I mean that with all the sarcasm I can muster. “Okay,” I said, deciding to play along. After all, years of dealing with high schoolers had taught me to be just as obnoxious as they were when pushed. “Since I’m quite certain you are one of our students who has decided to give me a difficult time, I’ll take a stab at this.