Page 7 of Vows of Murder

“Beth was perfect for me. She was born to be a caretaker. Jim’s a lucky man. I didn’t think he’d ever find love again.” Amanda closed her eyes and tipped her face up to the sun. “Life is funny, isn’t it?”

Now that I could agree with. Life had a way of throwing you unexpected presents, even if you didn’t want them. “I would havecome, though.”

“I know. And I appreciate it. I just didn’t want to interrupt your life here. But with both my boys now in serious relationships, maybe it’s time for me to think about who I want to comeinto my life.”

“You know both of the guys are going to throw a fit when you start dating.” I could see Greg agonizing over whether to run a background check on any man who dared to date his mom.

As we laughed about his overprotective nature, he returned to where we sat. “Sorry, we need to cut this short. I’ve been called out to the New Hope complex. They caught someone trying to break in. I’m glad you’re here with me. I’ve got oneless suspect.”

“That’s so unfair.” I stood and shortened Emma’s lead. “I’m not always involved when badthings happen.”

Amanda looked between the two of us. “I hope you’re kidding.”

“Of course I am.” Greg held out his arm to his mom. “Are you ready to go? Should I drop you girls off at Diamond Lille’s for lunch? I might be able to meet you if this call out doesn’t go long.”

“Sounds like a plan.” I started walking toward the Jeep. “We’ll need to take Emma homefirst, though.”

* * * *

Greg didn’t make it back to join us for lunch, so we walked home after we ate. When we got there, Amanda excused herself to take a nap. “I need to stay with you two for a while. As much as you all walk, I’ll be back to normal sooner rather than later.”

I worried about how active we were being, but Amanda had asked us to keep to our normal routine, especially since we were going to be leaving for our honeymoon a few weeks after the wedding. We’d decided to wait until we’d gotten Amanda back home and a few things handled here before taking off. I still didn’t know where we were going, but I was hoping for someplace warm. I wasn’t much of a skier.

As I cleaned up the kitchen, I found one of the flyers for Carlie Cordon. I’d mentioned what we’d seen at the compound to Greg last night when we were getting ready for bed. He’d acknowledged what I’d said, but not much more. Then he’d said the one thing that burned me. “She’s an adult. We have to assume she knows what she’s doing, being partof that group.”

I still disagreed with that statement. If your friend was jumping off an unsafe cliff, you’d tell them. And try to stop them. And eighteen wasn’t much of an adult.

When the kitchen was cleaned and Amanda was still sleeping, I grabbed a book out of my tote. Deek expected a review from me,even if I was getting married and hosting my mother-in-law for the month. The good news was the book suckedme in quickly.

I was checking on the roast I’d put into the Crock-Pot that morning for dinner when Amanda came downstairs. She grabbed a soda out of the fridge and sat down to watch me work. “I feel bad not helping. I’m just so tired. I wonder if it’s all the fresh air I’mgetting here.”

“You’re probably overdoing it.” I was turned away from her so I didn’t see the anger at my statement, but I felt it withher next words.

“I know what I can do, and contrary to my sons’ beliefs, I can take care of myself.” She opened her soda.

Emma looked up from her bed, clearly expecting an argument. She was watching both of us to see wherethis would go.

I called uncle first. “Sorry, I’ll try not to smother you.”

“I’d appreciate it.” The smile shined throughAmanda’s words.

The front door opened. Greg came into the house and went straight to the den to get rid of his gun, then came into the kitchen. “That cult is going to be the death of me. That mom, Molly Cordon? She tried to climb the back wall to findher daughter.”

“I told you I thought I’d seen her daughter hidden away in the dorms at the open house. Molly tried to sneak in that day too.” I felt bad for Molly. All she wanted was to talk to her daughter. To understandher decisions.

“Well, so did a few others. Molly got no fewer than five calls saying Carlie was at the event.” Greg sank into a chair next to his mother. “Kane swears he’s never met her. He suggested that maybe the girl hooked up with some guy and left school on her own.”

“What a nice thing to say to her mom.” I was beginning to dislike Kane Matthews even more. And I wasn’t sure that was possible. I decided I’d give his book back unread at the next meeting.

“Well, I had to drive Mrs. Cordon back to town and listen to her cry all the way. The good news is that Matthews didn’t file charges since he felt bad for the woman.” He closed his eyes. “This is getting hard to manage.”

“Do you think the girl is there?” Amandaasked her son.

Greg shrugged. “Honestly, I don’t know. Everything Mrs. Cordon has provided seems to indicate that Carlie’s on the grounds.But Matthews is adamant that he’s never met her. Anyway, I’m starving.When’s dinner?”

* * * *

The next morning, I was downstairs at the stove. Greg was making pancakes. Amanda came down to the kitchen and started looking around. “Have youseen my purse?”

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