Summer in Good Hope (A Good Hope Novel Book 2) Read Free Page B

Eliza was a stickler for promptness—but because he didn’t like to rush.
    He drove downtown with the windows down. Though he spotted a couple of open spaces on Main Street, he parked a couple of blocks away, leaving the prime spots for tourists. Good Hope merchants, which made up the majority of his clients, depended on money brought in by year-round visitors.
    Max stood beside his car for a moment, breathing in the fresh morning air. One of the benefits of living in a place like Good Hope was being able to saunter instead of scurry from appointment to appointment. He’d done too much of that when he’d worked for a large CPA firm in Madison.
    In this small community on the shores of Green Bay, there was plenty of time to stop and smell the roses. Or rather, be engulfed by the overpowering scent of jasmine wafting up from the large pot outside of the Enchanted Florist.
    “Women love flowers. I suggest you take a moment and pick up a bouquet for your sweetheart.”
    The familiar male voice had Max turning, a smile already on his lips.
    Dressed in a uniform of crisp, tan pants and a dark brown shirt, Sheriff Leonard Swarts rocked back on the heels of his shiny boots. Despite the large gap between his front teeth, Len was a handsome man who’d earned the nickname Silver Fox years ago because of his thick thatch of gray hair.
    “Morning, sheriff.” Max barely refrained from shoving his hands into his pockets. The sheriff had been a frightening figure when Max had been a boy. Even now, closing in on sixty-five, the man had an imposing presence.
    For over two decades Leonard had patrolled the roads of Good Hope. At six feet four inches, with his broad shoulders and large hands, the man reminded Max of a sturdy oak.
    “The sign says there’s a special on roses.”
    Max glanced at the chalkboard set on an easel next to the front door, more out of form than interest. “Thing is, I don’t have a sweetheart.”
    “Then what’s this I hear about you and Eliza meeting up at the Bake Shop this morning?”
    Though Max hadn’t mentioned the meeting to anyone, he wasn’t surprised Leonard had heard. The man had his finger on the pulse of the community. It was the speculative gleam in the sheriff’s eyes that had Max spreading his hands. “Strictly business, lawman.”
    Even as Leonard chuckled, his gaze sharpened. “Heard Primrose Bloom Delaney is back.”
    This time Max’s smile came easily. “With her two boys. They’ve rented the house next to mine.”
    “Seem to recall you two were tight in high school.”
    Max hesitated. “Prim and I were debate partners.”
    “Is that what it was?” Leonard grinned. “Well, you be sure and give your new neighbor my regards.”
    The sheriff’s radio squawked. When he stepped away to answer, Max resumed his stroll.
    Eliza had mentioned she wanted to discuss the Cherries’ finances. He tamped down his annoyance. It was just like her to snap her fingers and not give him time to prepare.
    It had been the same when she’d contacted him to do the annual audit of the Cherries’ books two years ago. The previous accountant had made a last-minute move to Florida, leaving her scrambling for a replacement. Max hadn’t let himself be pushed, though she’d certainly tried. In the end, Eliza had been pleased with the thoroughness of his report.
    Not that she’d implemented any of his suggestions. The treasurer still used the old ledger method to keep track of accounts, the board still only met semiannually, and they’d yet to bring anyone on to pursue grants.
    Those first two audits had been straightforward with no blips. This year, it hadn’t taken long for him to become concerned, then alarmed.
    Max assumed the meeting this morning was to discuss the steps the Cherries planned to take to remain solvent. He couldn’t understand why Eliza had set such an important business meeting at Blooms Bake Shop, a business owned by a woman she barely tolerated.
    Once again, he reminded