Page 77 of Murder on the Page

Her face went dark. “Who told you we argued?”

“I can’t remember.”

She folded her arms across her chest. “It’s none of your business.”

Her tone made me feel like I’d been hit by an arctic freeze. “I’m sorry. I—”

“Leave me alone.” She strode into the kitchen and shouted, “I’m heading home. I’m not feeling well.”

Nobody stopped her. She marched into what I presumed was the employee locker area without a backward glance.

When I returned to the bar to fetch my coat, my order was sitting on the counter.

The Blue Lantern was aglow in warm ambient light when I arrived. I parked in the lot and strolled to the entrance. Guestswere mingling in the parlor, chatting excitedly about the activities they’d shared during the day. A few were discussing the Celtic Festival. Others were talking about hikes they’d taken. I found Tegan sitting in a far corner with her mother, drinking red wine. The blue sheath Noeline was wearing matched her eyes. Tegan was dressed in leggings tucked into ankle boots and a cropped sweater that almost covered her midriff.Almost.A glimpse of skin made me shiver. The heater in the van hadn’t eliminated the cold that had seeped into my bones while standing outside with Katrina.

“I’ve got dinner.” I hoisted the bag. “Will Helga be upset?”

“Now you ask?” On cue, Helga bustled into the room with a tray of canapes. Her hair was knotted into a bun, but wisps of hair fell around her aging face. “I am the best cook in town, but you order in from the Brewery, of all places. No, I am not upset. Bah!”

Tegan sat taller. “You don’t make burgers.”

Helga scoffed. “Burgers are for riffraff.”

“Then I guess we’re riffraff.” Tegan hopped to her feet and took the bag from me. “Mmm.Potato skins. Yay! Let’s go to my room now. Mom, you too.”

“Isn’t Rick joining us?” I asked, scanning the crowd for him.

“Rick is off being noble.” Noeline gathered the glasses they’d been sipping from and the bottle that sat between them.

“Reading to the kids at the hospital,” Tegan replied.

“He usually does it on Saturday mornings and Thursday nights,” Noeline said. “Tonight is an extra volunteer session. Isn’t that wonderful?”

“Wonderful,” Helga repeated, and harrumphed. I wasn’t sure if she was commenting on our dinner plans or she didn’t like Rick. I supposed she could be protective of Noeline. I didn’t get a chance to ask. She left to serve the others in the room.

“Can you tell Mom is smitten?” Tegan teased as she tramped up the stairs.

“Noble is as noble does.” Noeline trailed her daughter and knuckled her on the shoulder. “He’s a good soul helping hospital communities thrive.”

“Woot, woot, woot!”Tegan said, but her accompanying fist pumps were unenthusiastic.

Noeline thwacked her again. “Give him a chance.”

On the second floor, decorative lanterns hung outside each door offering soft illumination. Tegan’s room was situated at the far end. We stepped inside.

“It’s magical,” I said, shrugging out of my peacoat. I’d never been inside one of the guest rooms.

“Thank you,” Noeline said. “I worked with a designer.”

The view from the window was of the rear yard, which extended for quite a ways and was planted with graceful trees. The expanse featured a babbling fountain and seating areas designed so guests could sit in the shade while enjoying nature.

The interior of the room was white with blue trim. Paintings of Victorian homes and gardens adorned the walls. The drapes featured multicolored hanging lanterns. The linens on the queen-sized bed were a soft blue. The pillow shams matched the drapes. Furniture included a quaint blue table, with two scroll-back chairs, a mahogany dresser and armoire, and a small settee and coffee table. A hurricane lamp sat on a bedside table. An antique lamp with a lantern motif stood on the dresser. Both were turned on, by Helga, I presumed. Guests didn’t relish walking into dark rooms.

“All of Mom’s ideas made the final cut,” Tegan said.

“And some of your aunt’s,” Noeline added, her voice catching. “Marigold had lots of good ones. The lamps. The hall fixtures. The drapes. She was superb at finding things online for me. I’m not computer savvy.”

“I could teach you,” Tegan said.

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