Page 48 of Vows of Murder

“I’ll be right down.” He ignored my unspoken comment. “And they will be here in just a few minutes. Do you mind setting the table?”

“It is my wifely duty, kind sir.” I stoodand curtseyed.

He grinned at me. “I know you’re kidding, but I’m kind of digging all the wifely housework references.”

“Don’t get used to it. I’m just trying it on to make sure it itches as much as I’d expected.” I snapped my fingers at Emma. “Comeon, girl. You need to check the yard barriers for any unexpected rabbits or wolves.”

“We all have our roles,” Greg called down the stairs.

Both Greg and I knew that Emma was more likely to play with any animal she found than chase it away. But I liked telling her she was an accomplished hunter. It made her feel good as well as gaveher confidence.

Something that the women in New Hope needed. For the first time since Molly had shown up that Tuesday morning, I realized I didn’t know who Carlie’s new counselor was. Was it someone in the brain business, like a medical counselor? Or someone in the heart business, like a minister?

And was it any of my business, either way?

Chapter 19

Sadie showed up at the shop first thing Wednesday morning with another order of treats. My regulars were almost gone when I saw her van pull up. She brought in the first tray and I glanced at the three people still in line. “Sorry, I’ll be out to help assoon as I can.”

“No worries, you have customers. Besides, I need to burn off some energy.” Sadie paused at the door to the back room. “Tell me that being married is worth the hassle. Because right now, I’m ready to give him this engagement ring back.”

I laughed as Sadie disappeared into the back and handed the coffee I’d just created to my customer. “She’s gettingmarried soon.”

“Heaven help her.” The woman at the front of the line ran her card through the machine. When she finished, she turned to follow Sadie out of the shop as she went to get more treats from the van. “Honey, marriage isn’t all roses and bonbons. You probably should expect the worst, and if you think you can deal with that, you’ll be golden whenhe’s charming.”

I smiled at the wisdom Sadie was getting from a stranger. I’d been a divorce attorney for years before I decided to sell coffee instead. I had been in family law, but most of my work was divorces and child custody cases after the breakup. The job was grueling.

By the time I’d served the last few customers in line, Sadie had finished bringing in the extra pastry order. She left the last tray out front and started to refill my dessert case as shewaited for me.

“Thank you for this. The news vans swarmed in here yesterday for the funeral. You would have thought Kane Matthews was a celebrity.” I held up an empty to-go cup. “You needsome caffeine?”

“Please. My women’s group at church is talking about the evils of caffeine this month. I only have two vices, coffee and sweets. I don’t think I should have to give up either.” She finished plating the last of the cookies and put them in the display case. “So, did you go to the funeral?”

I poured Sadie’s favorite, then refilled my cup. “I did. Do you want tosit and chat?”

“No time. I’m supposed to be giving a talk at noon to a Bakerstown women’s group about my life as a self-employed woman. They want to hear all the dirt on how I had to start my business to raise my child when I became a widow. Now, after almost twenty years, I’m a success.” She held out her arms. “I think I need to warn them about how much work it is to raise a child on your own and build a business. I don’t think I slept a full eight hours until Nick got into high school and didn’t need me to drive him somewhereafter school.”

“Maybe one of your helpful hints could be to live on a community bus route instead of out in the boonies like South Cove.” I leaned on the counter. “How’s Bill?”

“Stubborn. He has an actual alibi, but he won’t tell Greg the name of the person he was meeting with that Sunday morning. He feels like he’d be betraying a confidence.” Sadie rubbed her forehead. “The man would go to jail for something he didn’t do rather than break trust. I asked him where his convictions left me? What am I supposed to do, wait for him to get out of prison so we can have a life together? He thinks I’mbeing selfish.”

“He does not.” I knew Pastor Bill. He took his job seriously and didn’t think the church deacons were his boss as much as the big guy upstairs. “Did he say that?”

Sadie sipped her coffee, then set the cup on the counter. “No. I’m just feeling that way. I’m finally at a point where I can enjoy my life a little. Nick’s out of the house and working in London. He’s fine. Now, I fall in love and he’s going to take the blame for killing someone because he got in a fight with the guy at the diner?It’s not fair.”

“And it’s not going to happen. You know Greg. He never takes the easy way out when he’s investigating. But Bill needs to help. Isn’t that in the Bible too—God helps those who help themselves?”

“I think it’s more implied than an actual commandment.” Sadie smiled. “You always know how to make me feel better. Thank you. Now I need to get out of these baker scrubs and into something that doesn’t have flour all over it.”

I hugged Sadie, wished her well with her talk, then started cleaning up the dining room after she left. Kane Matthews had made an impact on South Cove during his short time as a resident. I wondered how long New Hope would continue after losing their charismatic leader. Roger just didn’t have his brother’s pizzazz when speaking. I could see the restlessness of the flock even during the funeral.

What happens when the leader is taken too soon? And—the thought chilled me—what if the reason Kane was murdered was to break up the New Hope family? If that was the motive, there were several possible suspects, including Pastor Bill.

A few minutes later, Greg brought Amanda, Jim, and Beth into the coffee shop. I had wondered when the group would be leaving for the airport. I’d sent text messages to Amanda and Beth before leaving for work but hadn’t heard back. “This is a welcome surprise. I figured you all were on the way home by now.”

“We had to stop by and grab Greg from the station, then come to say goodbye.” Amanda pulled me into a hug. “Family doesn’t just leave. I wanted to thank you for spending so much time with me before the wedding. It was so nice getting to know you better.”

“I enjoyed hitting the tourist spots and spending time with you as well. It’s funny, we live within driving distance of these places and we never take advantage of all the fun around us.” I turned and Beth hugged me as well. “It was nice of you to come along, Beth.”

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