The Deep End (A Saints & Strangers Cozy Mystery Book 2) Read Online Free

can be,” Charlotte said. Francie was the youngest of the Musgrove children and didn’t get along well with any of them. That was the main reason she’d started spending so much time with Charlotte when they were children.
    “Well, I hope Jake stays for months on end,” Rebecca said, easily hitting the ball. “Anything to keep Jasmine from moving a parade of paramours into the house.”
    Charlotte lunged for the ball and missed. “She’d better wait until we’re completely moved out or Daddy’s won’t be the only funeral this month.”
    They abruptly stopped talking when they noticed Jake approaching, carrying an unwieldy tray of sparkling ciders. He looked remarkably handsome in his dark suit and Charlotte noticed Rebecca smile at the sight of him.
    “I thought you ladies might be thirsty,” he said. “I hope you don’t mind that I took the liberty of raiding your refrigerator.”
    “It’s more yours than ours now,” Charlotte said. “You’re welcome to it.”
    “There are waiters here today,” Rebecca told him. “You should let them handle it, but thank you all the same.”
    As Jake attempted to hand Rebecca her glass of cider, he clumsily toppled it onto her dress. Rebecca laughed good-naturedly at the stain, but he was clearly embarrassed. Charlotte could relate. She dropped drinks as often as she didn’t.
    “I’m so sorry,” he said, fumbling to dab at her dress with his white shirt.
    “That’s okay,” said Rebecca.
    “You looked hot so I thought…I mean, you looked like you needed a cool drink.”
    Rebecca smiled. “Thank you. That was thoughtful.”
    “Would you like to play?” Francie called, interrupting his bumbling apology.
    “No, thank you. I’m not much of a tennis player,” Jake replied.
    “Well then, Charlotte is the perfect partner for you,” Francie teased.
    “My sister is an excellent teacher,” Charlotte said. “Let her show you.”
    Jake glanced nervously at Rebecca. “I wouldn’t mind learning a few moves. Tennis has always been on my list of games to learn.”
    “Okay then,” Rebecca said brightly. “Step into my office.”
    From her place on the patio, Jasmine sipped a martini, watching the tennis court with interest. Rebecca had her arms around Jake, showing him how to swing a racket. Her eyes narrowed as Rebecca and Jake laughed, clearly enjoying each other’s company. Jasmine grabbed a waiter by the arm, nearly toppling his tray of glasses.
    “Another drink,” she demanded.
    Jackson stopped the waiter before he could serve her again. “Thank you. She’s had enough.”
    “What I do is not your concern,” she snapped and plucked another martini glass from the tray.
    “You have matters to attend to,” Jackson pointed out. “It’s best to attend to them sober.”
    “You’re all business all the time, aren’t you?” she slurred.
    “And you are quite the opposite,” he remarked, removing the martini glass from her grip. “Be mindful of your guests. They’re here to honor John’s memory, not watch his widow make a fool of herself.”
    With more skill than he thought she was capable of, she snatched the drink out of his hand and threw the liquid in his face. “Oh, no. You’re an absolute mess. I guess you’ll need to leave now so you can change. You wouldn’t want the fancy pants people of Westdale to mistake you for the town drunk.”
    Jackson’s jaw clenched. “I’ll be back, Jasmine.”
    “You’d better,” she called after him, laughing. “You’re holding the keys to my kingdom.”

Chapter Two
    Kit helped Rebecca and Charlotte carry their boxes into her modest house on Thornhill Road. She’d only moved in to the house in August and was immediately sent packing when she discovered a skeleton beneath the floorboards. She was relieved to be fully unpacked now. With her belongings around her, the home finally felt like hers.
    “Do you need an extra pair of hands?” an elderly voice asked.
    Kit laughed at the sight of Phyllis