Heather Horrocks - Who-Dun-Him Inn 01 - Snowed Inn Read Free Page B

surprised.
    He wished me good luck and asked if Liz was around.
    “I’m not sure where she’s at,” I lied, uneasily. “I’ll tell her you called.” I said goodbye and followed Liz into the foyer, but she’d vanished. What was going on? Did they have a fight?
    A wave of longing hit me. I wished Robert was still here for me to fight with once in a while— just so we could make up afterward.
     
    * * *
     
    Zach tugged on my blouse. “Mom, can I get out the pretty glasses?” He was all boy, but loved drinking his favorite cherry Kool-Aid from goblets.
    I shook my head. “The table’s already set, sweetie.”
    He shrugged and grinned. “Then can I go downstairs to play my new video game?”
    I ruffled his hair again, tenderness welling up inside me. “Sure. But you have to take Charlie with you.”
    His eyes sparkled. “Charlie wants a friend, Mom.”
    I knew where this was going, and didn’t have time for the “Can we have a real dog?” discussion he wanted. “We’ll talk about it later, okay, squirt?”
    “ Mom !” He pouted.
    “But you can play your game later than usual tonight.”
    “Cool.” He perked right up.
    I followed him across the lobby to the door hidden on the back side of the ornate, main curved staircase. Marked with a brass plaque announcing “PRIVATE,” it opened onto a narrower staircase that led down into our living quarters; hence, the “private.”
    Laughter burst from the exercise room a few steps away. The actors were supposed to be rehearsing their lines for the mystery dinner. Sounded like I needed to help them refocus.
    Closing the door behind Zach, I turned toward the exercise room, which was my brother, Paul’s, reluctant suggestion. I had it built on the main floor so the noise wouldn’t disturb anyone, and situated in a room that lay partially hidden behind the main staircase.
    Now— two bicycles, three treadmills and a big weight machine later— I had an official exercise room even Paul approved of. He still thought I’d gone “too far” with the renovation. That this “new scheme” wouldn’t pay off. So I just had to prove it would.
    In amongst the machines, Stephanie was ordering around the actors, just as she’d always done with everyone except Liz. Stephanie’d been our friend since she showed up in the third grade at Silver City Elementary. She was the first person I’d ever seen with skin the color of milk chocolate. The three of us became inseparable, getting into all kinds of trouble, usually instigated by my bossy sister.
    In high school, Liz and I turned heads as fair-skinned, carrot-topped twins. When Stephanie walked, sandwiched between us, her beautiful skin and black hair attracted even more stares.
    “Hey, everyone,” I called out in greeting.
    Stephanie glanced at me. “You look great. New outfit?”
    I looked down at my salmon blouse and rust-colored slacks. “Yeah. Liz bought them for me last week as a grand opening present.” I tried to remember why I was here.
    “So…” Stephanie waited for a beat. “Checking on us, huh?”
    “Just nervous. Probably because of the guests.”
    Stephanie smiled wickedly. “Think they’ll be too critical?”
    “Maybe just a bit more than if they were carpenters, insurance salesmen or programmers. You’re an awesome writer, Stephanie, but I have no clue how picky published authors will be.” New York Times bestselling authors, most of them. I hoped the mystery would be good enough for these pros and the so-called “literary guru” who rented the entire Inn for the weekend.
    “Well, relax. Everything’s going to be fine.” Stephanie put one hand on her hip. “In fact, take a few deep breaths. Right now. That’s an order, my friend.”
    I did as she instructed and smiled. I did feel better.
    “That’s what I’m talking about,” she said.
    “Hey, Vicki!” My other friend, Lonny Singer, raised a hand in greeting. He wasn’t as skinny now as he was fifteen years ago, when he dragged