Page 58 of Exposure of Murder

He heard footsteps, and the door opened. Jane stood in the doorway, bathed in the soft glow spilling from the living room.

She had on a V-neck blue and pink print dress gathered around the waist that reached mid-calf with thigh-high brown leather boots.

Her eyes sparkled when she saw him.

“Wow, you look gorgeous,” he said.

“Well, you’re looking pretty spiffy yourself. I like the look,” she replied, giving him a once-over and winking.

Ethan chuckled.

“Come on in while I grab my coat.”

He entered the hallway, closed the door, and glanced around the living room.

Although he’d passed through it before, he never took the time to notice the changes she’d made. The room looked entirely different from when Mr. Jenkins owned it. For one thing, the fireplace had been rebuilt with stone. And the wooden beams on the ceiling made the room look inviting.

“I don’t remember Mr. Jenkins having beams on the ceiling. Did Clarence add them?” he asked.

“Yes. He did a terrific job with those and also the built-in bookcases.”

“It’s a nice room. You did a wonderful job,” he said. “I guess you’re really settling in.”

Jane smiled. “I love Beaver Creek and this house, so you could say I’m settling in for good.”

That didn’t surprise Ethan. From what he saw and heard, Jane was creating a home for herself.

She held her coat in her arms.

“Let me help you with that,” he said.

He held it open for her to slip her arms in and subtly leaned in to sniff her. So many layers—woody and spicy, with hints of vanilla and cedar. “What perfume are you wearing?”

“Do you like it?”

“It’s very nice.”

“Opium by Oscar de la Renta. I fell in love with it years ago.”

“It suits you. Innocent but mysterious,” he said.

“Hmm.” She blushed, then grabbed her purse. They walked out into a frosty night. Ethan looked up and saw a sliver of moon and twinkling stars. He inhaled the crisp air. “Nothing like a fall night.”

“I love fall, the changing leaves, the heartier food, a roaring wood fire and sipping hot chocolate in front of it,” she replied.

“I agree. There’s nothing like a fire on a cold night when the snow is falling outside. Although I’d probably go with a scotch rather than hot chocolate.”

It took around twenty minutes to reach downtown and find nearby parking at the Twisted Fork. He helped Jane out of the truck. They passed several people walking who he knew and said hi to. The bistro was lit up with twinkling white lights. He opened the door, and Emmy Walters greeted them and hugged Jane. “Welcome to our fifth annual Farm-to-Table Harvest Dinner,” she said.

Ethan helped Jane off with her coat and hung it on a hook by the front door.

He glanced around the room.

Emmy had reconfigured it so the tables were placed together, creating two long rows rather than scattered. It made for a more intimate gathering. White tablecloths covered the tables. Flickering candles and fall decorations were arranged in the middle and ran the length of the table. Quite a few people had already taken their seats.

He saw a lot of townsfolk and was surprised that so many people recognized and acknowledged Jane.

Adam and a couple of other friends were sitting near the end of one table, and Ethan guided Jane over.

---