Heavenly Highland Inn 05 - Suffocating the Sunflowers Read online

  “You were around,” she smiled and kissed his cheek. “You made sure Aunt Ida was safe,” she reminded him with a glimmer in her eye.

  “Yes, I think I'm still going to pay for that,” he laughed at that as Ida glowered at him from beside the pool where she and Rex were having an afternoon in the sun.

  “I just wish all of this hadn't happened,” Vicky admitted with a sigh.

  “It's terrible that someone's jealousy had to lead to such a tragedy,” Mitchell shook his head as he watched the women happily sample the cake.

  “It is,” Vicky agreed as she recalled Sandy's certainty that Gerald had been having an affair. She had been right to suspect him, but he wasn't the most dangerous person in her life. “You know, after the way he spoke to Carolyn, I almost believe that he really wasn't ever going to leave Sandy, and not just because of her money. He seemed heartbroken that Sandy was dead.”

  “Perhaps he realized what he had far too late,” Mitchell suggested as he brushed a strand of Vicky's hair back from her eyes.

  “All I know for sure is that the inn isn't going to be held responsible, even though the peanut oil was found on the food. Peter has confessed to going into the shed, refilling the bottle with peanut oil, and adding the fatal dose to the food before the meals were delivered,” Vicky sighed and took Mitchell's hands in her own. “So, Henry's job is safe as well. Now, if only we can do something about your job,” she smiled a little.

  “Well, I hope I'm finally back in Sheriff McDonald's good graces. He was not exactly impressed with the voicemail that Ida left on his phone, but he did say that anyone who dared to write her a ticket was impressive,” he grimaced a little. “We'll see how long that lasts.”

  “Well, I think Aunt Ida is going to be a little busy with her new beau,” Vicky grinned. “Hopefully she won't give you too hard a time.”

  “So, Ida didn't mind a little protection after all?” Mitchell asked with a light smile as he wrapped his arms around Vicky's waist.

  “I guess it just had to be the right hero coming to her rescue,” she smiled warmly and leaned up to kiss his cheek. “We all need just the right hero.”

  “So, should I dismiss the ticket?” he asked as he met her eyes.

  “Not a chance!” Vicky laughed out loud and shook her head. “I wouldn't miss out on witnessing the scene she's going to put on in that court room, for anything!”

  “You do realize that I'm going to have to be there too, right?” Mitchell asked with a soft chuckle.

  “Which is exactly why you're my hero,” Vicky grinned and kissed him gently.

  As they both pulled back from the kiss a cheer went up from the women who were gathered around the lace-covered tables in the middle of the gardens.

  “Sounds like someone else is a hero, too,” Mitchell chuckled as he watched Sarah beam in response to Melissa's happy shrieks as she opened the envelope and read the card explaining that the inn was going to host her wedding for free.

  “Sounds like the inn is going to have some more good memories to look back on,” Vicky smiled as they walked towards the tables together. “Oh, and by the way, at the wedding, I already have a dance partner,” Vicky smiled happily.

  “What?” Mitchell pretended to be shocked. “I'm going to miss out on bruised toes?”

  “Henry is going to teach me to be graceful,” Vicky smiled.

  “Ah well, there's the real hero of the day then,” Mitchell laughed loudly and ran off across the grass as Vicky chased after him.

  The End

  More Cozy Mysteries by Cindy Bell

  Bekki the Beautician Cozy Mysteries

  Hairspray and Homicide

  A Dyed Blonde and a Dead Body

  Mascara and Murder

  Pageant and Poison

  Conditioner and a Corpse

  Mistletoe, Makeup and Murder

  Hairpin, Hair Dryer and Homicide

  Blush, a Bride and a Body

  Shampoo and a Stiff

  Heavenly Highland Inn Cozy Mysteries

  Murdering the Roses

  Dead in the Daisies

  Killing the Carnations

  Drowning the Daffodils