Page 49 of Vows of Murder

“I loved every moment. The wedding was beautiful. And living here, you’re so lucky. I’d be on the beach every day.” Beth repeated her words from the SantaBarbara visit.

I smiled, remembering my own introduction to the magic that was South Cove. “I need to do that. Emma and I run most days, but I need to just go and sit more often.”

“Sitting there, listening to the waves, I feel like I’m hearing God’s voice.” Beth smiled at Jim, who stood near Greg.

“God talks everywhere,” Jim reminded her. “Even Nebraska.”

Beth laughed and shook her head. “He’s got more of a surfer dude vibe hereon the coast.”

“Beth,” Jim started, but then he smiled too. “You always see things through your own filters. One of the reasons I love you.”

Greg slapped Jim on the back. “Maybe Beth should have caught the bouquet at thewedding, then.”

Jim’s face turned beet red, and we all laughed. For a second, I felt like maybe I could be friends with this new Jim, who was softer when he was with Beth. He was so different than the one I’d met years ago when Greg and I hadstarted dating.

“Hey, can I get you guys some coffee and treats for the drive?” I pointed to the display case. “Or maybe a book for the flight? There’s got to be some perks I bringto the family.”

Beth’s face brightened. “I’d love to look around. And just a plain coffee. I need to get back on theno-sugar plan.”

“That sounds horrible.” Amanda walked with her to the shelves. “Jill, dear, I’ll have a mocha with whipped cream, hot. I’m on the live-life-to-the-fullest plan.”

I giggled as I went over to start the coffee. “Jim? Greg? I might as wellmake two more.”

“I’ll take a large black coffee. I think I’m going to be working late tonight.” Greg walked toward the counter. Jim followed, keeping his gaze on Beth.

“I’ll just have a black coffee.” He glanced at Greg.“Thanks, Jill.”

I wondered how hard it had been for him to even say my name. But I let it go. “Sadie confirmed that Bill was counseling someone on Sunday morning.”

“Yes, I know that, Jill.” Greg glanced at the treat display. “The only problem with that is he won’ttell me who.”

“If he was acting as a representative of the church, you can’t ask.” Jim stared at his brother. “You know that.”

“It’s not an alibi without someone verifying it. Besides his fiancée. Or a receipt from a coffee shop miles away from the mission. God should give his subordinates a better travel plan, so he’d have something to prove where he was if he won’t tell me who he was with.” Greg held up his hand when he saw Jim ready to speak. “Stop, I wasjust kidding about the travel plan. And I don’t want to talk about an openinvestigation.”

The last sentence was aimed at me. I put three of the cups into a carrying tray, then boxed up several cookies and tucked a plastic bag into the box as well, in case there were cookies left over when they arrived at the airport. “Okay, noted. You won’t be home for dinner. I guess I’ll just have to find a boyfriend to eat with me.”

Jim’s eyes widened and Greg laughed. “She’s talking about a book boyfriend. She’ll be reading on the couch when I get home.”

“They’re very good company, and they don’t mind if I’m in my sweats without makeup.” I smiled at Beth and Amanda as they came up with their books. “Oh, these are both really good. I read them a coupleof months ago.”

“You’re so lucky. Owning a bookstore would be like owning a candy store, but it wouldn’t make me fat.” Beth grinned as I rang up the books and charged them off to my account. “Oh, I sent you my dissertation. You’ll probably want to skip a few sections, but I did a chapter on New Hope and have several citations in my research. I think you’ll find it interesting.”

“I also tucked in the book Maryanne gave me that Kane wrote on New Hope. It’s a lot of woo-woo and rah-rah stuff, but you might get something out of it.” I liked Beth. “I’m looking forward to reading yourdissertation.”

Greg and Jim stared at each other. Greg finally said, “They’retwo of a kind.”

“You boys always did think alike. And you always wanted the same toy.” Amanda came around and gave me another hug. “We better get out of here and let you two get on with your lives together. I’m so glad you’re mynew daughter.”

I hugged her back and didn’t think about the letter from Sherry to Greg in my new mother-in-law’s purse. Maybe she’d decided not to give it to him. Either way, it wasn’t my business. I just wished I didn’tknow about it.

* * * *

When I got home, I felt the absence of people in the house. It felt weird. Amanda, Beth, and even Jim hadn’t been here long, but they’d carved a spot into my idea of home. I looked at Emma and realized she also was feeling the lack of the buzz we’d gotten from the wedding preparations and then the actual ceremony. We’d already run this morning before I’d gone to work, but I grabbed her leash anyway. “Let’s go sit on the beach. We can send your new almost–Aunt Bethsome pictures.”

I glanced at the office, filled with wedding gifts, as we walked by. “And when we get home, we’ll open ten gifts, take pictures, and write thank you notes. The way Greg’s investigation is going, I might have to do all of them.”

Emma looked up at me and barked. I’d forgotten how many conversations I’d had with my dog, since at times she was the only one around. I was sure this was normal, but I decided I’d look it up on the internet when we got back from our beach time. The web would tell me I wasn’t crazy. Or, if I was, it would give me a name for my disorder.

---