Reasonable Doubt Read Free Page A

Sounds to me like a wine and fireplace kind of night. If you’re not busy, maybe we could get together. Give me a call if you’re interested.”
    Ellery listened to the message again, this time hearing the subtle sexy undertones. She had to agree, it was definitely a fireplace kind of night, but beer would be more her thing, and part of her wished April realized that. She shook her head, knowing she wasn’t being fair. Two dates wasn’t enough time for April to glean that kind of intel. Besides, it didn’t sound like what they’d have to drink was the first thing on April’s mind.
    With the phone still in her hand, she reached into the fridge and pulled out a locally brewed stout and twisted off the cap. The dark, creamy beer coated her mouth and warmed its way down her throat. If she wanted April to get to know her better, she should invite her over and show her what she liked. She wasn’t used to having time to do this dating thing. Up until a few months ago, she’d barely had time for a quick rendezvous with any of the number of eligible women who’d run across her path. Now that she had time to savor their company, she wasn’t entirely sure how to go about it. Was it really as difficult as she was making it seem?
    She drank half the strong brew while she rummaged through the kitchen, checking for supplies. Once she determined she had what she needed, she dialed April’s number before she could change her mind.
    April answered on the second ring. “I hoped you’d call.”
    “I just got your message. You’re definitely right about the weather. It’s a fireplace kind of night.”
    “Would you like to come over? I just opened a nice Malbec.”
    “Actually, I called to invite you over here,” Ellery said. “What are your thoughts on homemade chili and a nice oatmeal stout?”
    “Hmmm, well, beer’s not my thing, but I love a good chili. I have the perfect wine to go with it. Can I bring anything else?”
    Ellery paused, for a brief second wishing she could retract the invitation, before she mentally smacked herself. Wine, beer, what did it really matter? They didn’t have to like all the same things to get along. April was pretty and accomplished and a decent conversationalist. At least she didn’t ask a ton of questions about what Ellery did for a living and what she’d done before. It didn’t matter what they drank or whether they liked the same things. They’d have chili and talk and maybe make out by the fire. A near perfect date. “I’ve got everything covered. Head on over whenever you’re ready.”
    She hung up and spent the next hour putting together the chili recipe her great-grandfather had made famous. Like her work restoring and repurposing furniture, the simple steps of putting together ingredients to create a complex result was soothing, satisfying, sensual. When the doorbell rang, she’d reached her Zen place.
    April thrust a bottle of red into her arms. “It’s bold enough to stand up to a lot of spice. I assumed you’d make a spicy chili.”
    Ellery did her best not to cringe at the poorly delivered innuendo. She took April’s coat and hung it in the closet. “Are you hungry?”
    “Starved.”
    “Then follow me.” Ellery led the way into the kitchen and motioned for April to have a seat while she gave the chili a final stir. Satisfied it was ready, she opened the bottle of wine and poured a single glass. When April raised her eyebrows in question, she raised her own bottle of stout in a toast. “Cheers to whatever suits you.” She clinked the bottle against April’s glass and took a deep drink.
    “You do casual well,” April said.
    Ellery looked down at her worn jeans and rag wool sweater, a far cry from the sharply tailored suits she used to wear. April’s attire wasn’t much different from what she’d seen her in before. Her version of casual was high fashion—skinny black pants tucked into tall suede boots and a crimson sweater designed to hug every