Washed Up (A Gracie Andersen Mystery Book 4) Read Online Free Page B

couple followed a hostess to a nearby table. The woman’s animated conversation with her date made the stack of silver bracelets on her slender arm jangle like wind chimes as they passed. Gracie glanced at the man when he sat down. It was Hank Ramage. He smiled in recognition, showing white even teeth.
    “Hi … Gracie. Right?” He rose from his chair.
    She made quick introductions, and Hank turned to introduce his girlfriend, Mistee Olin. She was waifish with fine features, long black hair, and red highlights in her bangs.
    “Gracie’s staying at Amanda’s,” Hank explained.
    “How nice! I’m the massage therapist and yoga instructor on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I haven’t seen you at any classes,” Mistee twittered.
    “Amanda’s had me busy with other things,” Gracie replied. “Although I’ve been thinking about scheduling a hot rock massage.”
    “That’s so good for you, but I’d recommend …” She stopped when Hank touched her arm.
    “We’ll let you two get back to your conversation.” Hank gently steered Mistee back to their table.
    Marc frowned and stared over Gracie’s shoulder at the parking lot. The silence lengthened between them. She folded and unfolded her napkin, finally smoothing it across her lap.
    “Where were we?” She smiled, trying to catch his eye.
    Marc’s gaze returned to her, and he gave her a lopsided smile.
    “I’m probably jumping way ahead of where I should,” he started.
    “Not necessarily. I’ve given you plenty of reasons why a new start somewhere other than Deer Creek might be a very good thing for me.” The words seemed strange on her tongue, and rather freeing. Amanda’s recent words rumbled around in her thoughts—“an independent businesswoman.” She wielded the power to buy and sell, or for that matter to relocate. Marc’s love had been declared in the Face Time sessions before she’d gotten on an airplane. They’d talked about nearly everything, except a move that involved her. The whole idea had come out of left field. Even though the kennel business was flourishing, she was determined to preserve an open mind to hear what the man with the sexy dimple in his chin had to say. Maybe she was destined for a new adventure to outdo the one she’d chosen by selling the farm and opening the kennel after losing her husband, Michael, and their baby all in one horrific week, now over three years ago.
    His face brightened. “Sure you want to hear my shocking idea?”
    She nodded, keeping a smile firmly in place. The real truth was that moving away from Deer Creek wasn’t currently an option she was willing to consider, even though her previous statement had indicated otherwise. She was pretty sure she’d experienced enough change for one lifetime. However, as her Grandma Clark used to say, “There’s nothing as constant as change.”
    “I’m all ears.”

CHAPTER 4
     
     
    Gracie opened an eye to peer at the digital clock on the nightstand. It had been a late night of talking with Marc—in fact, they had talked until the restaurant closed. Breakfast time had come and gone at Red Hen Ranch. Sunlight peeked through the crevices of the bamboo Roman shade. She groaned, throwing back the covers. Angry voices broke into the stillness of the morning. Pulling the shade slightly away from the window, she saw Alex and Justin, the purported treasure hunters, hustled away from their tile-roofed stucco lodging by two men in Drug Enforcement Administration jackets. There was no time to waste on an extended toilette. She threw on jeans, a tank top, and ran a brush through her hair. She popped a piece of gum into her mouth, while slipping into sandals. There was no time for personal hygiene either. She crept down the graveled path, keeping a circumspect distance from the men, while trying to stay within earshot.
    “You can’t take us in without probable cause,” Alex argued. “Besides it’s medicinal,” he added frantically.
    “We need to ask you a few