Terry Odell - Mapleton 01 - Deadly Secrets Read Free Page B

Rose and Sam weren’t the only ones who’d changed.
     She hoped her incredulity didn’t show on her face. Or her wariness, as Angie’s concerns threaded through her thoughts. She stood. Smiled politely. “Justin. Hi. Good to see you again.”
    She looked more closely. No more thick glasses, just clear mocha-brown eyes. A strong jaw line instead of a pudgy face. Sun streaks lightening his brown hair. And a broad-shouldered, muscular torso tapering to narrow hips. But muscles notwithstanding, if he was out to hurt Sam and Rose, she’d strangle him barehanded.
    “Megan. It’s been awhile. Hi,” Justin replied with the same lack of enthusiasm.
    Rose got to her feet. Sam moved to her side with a speed that took Megan aback.
    “Rosie, you stay put. Doctor Evans will see you tomorrow, and he said to take it easy until then. I am completely capable of carrying some cookies and lemonade.”
    “I’ll help,” Megan said. She gave Justin a polite nod and followed Sam into the kitchen.
    “The good glasses,” Rose shouted after them. “And real plates. And not the everyday ones. And there’s some apfel kuchen . Maybe some vanilla ice cream. Check the freezer.”
    “I know, Rosie, I know,” Sam called. “As if after all these years I wouldn’t know,” he muttered. He took glasses from a tray on the counter, put them in the cabinet, and went to the dining room, returning with four cut-crystal tumblers.
    “Let me, Sam,” Megan said, setting the tumblers on the tray. She took his hands. “What happened? Why the ambulance?”
    “Rose got dizzy. Passed out for a couple of seconds. Said it was the fumes from the painters. Justin insisted we call the ambulance—they checked her out before they left on another call.”
    Megan sniffed. “I don’t smell any paint.”
    “Yesterday, they finished painting the trim. For almost two weeks, people in and out. Pounding and painting. Repaired the roof, the porch, the laundry room. Painted the whole outside.” He shook his head and lowered his voice. “I think Justin was smart to call the ambulance. Rose, she’ll never admit to any weakness. Always an excuse, a logical reason. Doctor Evans will see her tomorrow.”
    “I’ll come too.” Pangs of worry wrestled their way through her system. Could Angie have been seeing signs of Rose’s failing health? Or Sam’s? But why assume Justin had anything to do with it, deliberate or otherwise?
    “She hates being fussed over.” Sam’s protest was half-hearted.
    “Too bad. I’m here, and I’m going to fuss. She can take some of her own medicine.”
    Sam chuckled. “That would be a sight to see. Now, we’d better get the food out.”
    Megan went to the hutch and pulled out four dainty floral-patterned china plates, setting them on the polished cherry wood of the dining room table, then brought the cut-crystal pitcher that matched the tumblers to the kitchen. “You think we can get away with leaving the cookies on the everyday platter?” she asked, smiling. “Saves dirtying another dish.” When Sam raised his eyebrows, she stood on tiptoe and planted a kiss on his bald head. “Yeah, right.”
    Once Megan was satisfied they’d met Rose’s hospitality requirements, she carried everything to the dining room. Justin held onto Rose’s elbow, escorting her to the table. He even held Rose’s chair for her. However, he avoided Rose’s apple cake with ice cream, and took only one gingersnap. She caught Rose’s frown. He’d lose points for that one.
    She gazed across the table. “So, Justin. What brings you to Mapleton?”
     
     
     

Chapter Two
     
    Justin finished his cookie and accepted a second glass of lemonade. “Vacation,” he said to buy time as he pondered the best answer to Megan’s question.
    “There’s something wrong with my gingersnaps?” Rose’s interruption was welcome. “You don’t like my apfel kuchen?”
    “Of course, Oma.” Justin patted his stomach. “I’m still stuffed from