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* SMASHWORDS * KOBO |
Readers will always find afternoon tea in The Jillian Bradley Mystery Series. Here is an excerpt from:
"The Ghost Orchid Murder"
Book 2
At precisely four o’clock,
there was a knock on my door. When I answered, Yvette stood in the doorway and
smiled. Room service was right behind her. I motioned for her to sit down on
the sofa by the fire as the server placed the tea tray on the table in front of
her. I signed the bill and thanked him.
Teddy was yipping,
trying to guard me from whoever entered his territory.
Yvette’s face
brightened.
She looked
surprisingly young for her age which I judged to be about forty-five to fifty. Her
firm handshake confirmed that she was self-assured. She sat straight on the
sofa with her ankles crossed. Although she was pretty in a country sort of way,
the lines around her eyes told of a difficult life, not one of privilege.
High cheekbones
spoke of her French ancestry. Like many Europeans, Yvette wore no makeup, only
a little lipstick and yet her color looked quite healthy. She wore her shoulder-length
blond hair straight and simple. Her clothes flattered her medium built figure.
I wondered if Rene had been like her.
Teddy was yipping
in the bedroom, trying to guard his territory from the present invader.
“Would you like
some tea?”
“Thank you, I’d
love some. Just plain, please.”
I took my time
pouring the tea and stirring in the sugar for mine. I offered her a slice of
decadent chocolate cake or a chocolate chip oatmeal cookie. She took the cookie
and white linen napkin. We sipped our tea and she told me again how much she
appreciated the invitation.
“I would love to
meet your dog, Jillian.” She placed her cookie on her saucer.
I walked over to
Cecilia’s room and let Teddy out. He immediately ran over to Yvette and jumped
into her lap.
She smiled and
began to pet him.
“He’s adorable.”
She rubbed his ears gently and stroked his fur. “I could never give Rene a dog
because A.J. said we couldn’t afford one. Of course I regret it now, like so
many things.”
“Is A.J. your
husband?” I was glad Teddy was taking to her so.
“He was my husband. A.J. died when Rene was
a teenager.”
“I’m so sorry. What
did your husband do for a living?”
“He was a logger.”
She sighed. “Six days a week he’d take logs from where they fell and load them
onto trucks that took them to the mills. A.J. would work twelve hours a day and
when he got home, all dirty and hungry, Rene would disappear into another room.
The two didn’t really mix.
“A.J. and I would
have a little time over dinner together where he recapped his day. Then to sleep…early…7
o’clock sharp every evening. The same routine started all over again the next
morning.”
“He seems to have worked
hard to provide for his family. I’m sure you miss him.”
Teddy licked her
hand as if to say he was sorry she had suffered two deaths now.
“You’re a good dog,
Teddy. Thank you.” She stroked his fur. “Please have your friend come in and
have some tea. I feel like I’m encroaching.”
I stood. “I’ll ask
her if she’d like to join us.”
I introduced
Cecilia. Yvette seemed comfortable sharing her personal life in front of her. I
think she sensed I had her welfare in mind and trusted me.
She was hungry to
talk to someone, so Cecilia and I listened sympathetically.
Yvette talked for
some time, unfolding her life story as we drank tea together. I made sure her
cup stayed full.
Have a lovely week, dear readers!
~Nancy Jill
