Rear-View Murder: A Gemma Stone Cozy Mystery Read Free Page A

over, but not quite as closely as Nick had. He asked about the warranty and a few other vague questions that Gemma was able to answer to his satisfaction.
    “It kind of stinks,” Holly said, climbing out of the driver’s seat. She looked into the back seat and wrinkled her nose.
    “It’s been sitting a while,” Gemma explained. “I’m going to take it for another spin on the interstate with all the windows down and then run a few errands. That should take care of it. Maybe I’ll buy an air freshener while I’m at it.”
    “Want me to come with you?” Holly asked.
    “No, you finish your apartment hunting with Mitch. That’s way more important than helping me get a feel for this car,” Gemma said, getting back into the driver’s seat.
    “Okay,” Holly said, as Mitch put his arm around her waist.
    Gemma thought they looked like the perfect couple.
    “Oh, you haven’t signed any contracts or agreements relating to the kiosk at the mall have you?”
    “No, I would never sign anything without you,” Gemma promised, thankful that Holly had warmed to the idea about the kiosk at the mall quickly.
    “Good. Mitch wants to go over them with us. Just to be on the safe side,” she explained.
    “Good idea,” Gemma said. “I’m glad we’ve got him looking out for us.”
    “And all of the paperwork making HealthGems a legal business is just about ready,” Mitch told them. “I’ll want to go over all of that with you as well.”
    “Can you believe he’s making us take life insurance policies out on each other?” Holly whispered.
    Gemma laughed. “He’s just taking care of you.”
    “Of us,” Holly reminded her.
    “HealthGems,” Gemma said. “I like the sound of it.”
    “Owner and Funder,” Holly added. “I like the sound of that.”
    “And CEO,” Gemma reminded her. “We’re on our way.”
    The two friends shared another smile and then Gemma shifted into drive and pulled away from the curb. She was still a little surprised to be driving a vehicle that responded so easily, obeyed her commands quickly and efficiently. Out on the interstate she picked up speed and wondered why she had resisted buying a new car for so long. Oh, she still broke out in hives at the thought of getting rid of her mother’s car, but she decided she liked this little car.
    Gemma drove a little further than necessary, actually all the way to the big city of Harrisonburg. There she got off the highway and then circled back on, heading for Gypsy Hill. As she drove along, she gazed at the rolling countryside that was getting greener every day. Cows and horses dotted the landscape and big barns and farmhouses reminded her just how rural the area was.
    Back in town, she sniffed deeply and smiled. That musty smell was almost gone.
    Gemma’s last stop was a new grocery store that had just opened in town. It was cool and comfortable inside and their selection of produce was amazing. She pushed the cart up and down each aisle, carefully selecting purchases. Her mom had done most of the grocery shopping while her dad cooked. The memory of him standing in the kitchen wearing one of her mother’s aprons came to mind, making her grin at the cantaloupe she was holding in her hand.
    Back outside, she found herself looking for the gray Subaru she was used to driving and then remembered she was driving the little blue car. Laughing at herself, she found it quickly and pushed her cart in that direction. When she tried to insert the key in the trunk, it wouldn’t go all the way in and refused to turn. So far, this was the only flaw she’d found with the vehicle. Hopefully, that would probably prove to be a minor fix. Maybe there was even a separate key for the trunk that Buddy had forgotten to give her.
    Gemma opened the driver’s side door and reached down to pull the lever to pop the trunk open. The lever moved easily but the trunk didn’t open. “Okay, Gum Drop, we’re going to have to have a talk about this,” Gemma said to