Reservations for Murder - Tim Myers [33]
As Alex grabbed a sheet and started folding, he said, “I’m just happy to be alive today.”
“My, you’re in a particularly good mood, especially with Elise gone.”
“Emma, I can’t do anything about that. But this is my home, and there’s no place in the world I’d rather be.” He chuckled slightly as he put the folded sheet onto the pile and grabbed another one from the basket.
“Alex Winston, sometimes you don’t make any sense at all.”
He patted her cheek and said, “Just sometimes? Emma, I thought you knew me better than that.”
She couldn’t help joining him in his laughter; his mood was that infectious. “You’re an odd bird, Alex Winston, you know that, don’t you?”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
They were just finishing up the last of the laundry when Shantara came in. “There you are. I’ve been looking all over the inn for you.”
Alex realized he’d forgotten to put the proper sign on the front desk in case one of his guests needed him. He had a whole batch of ready-made signs telling them where he was, including one that said, I’m in the Laundry Room if You Need Me.
Shantara’s eyes, usually so deep and intense, had a very worried look about them.
“What is it?” Alex asked, his good mood suddenly gone.
“It’s over, Alex, I can’t fake this anymore. I’m canceling what’s left of this disaster right now before something else bad happens.”
Chapter 13
“You can’t cancel the fair,” Alex said. “Shantara, people are counting on you.”
She looked ready to burst into tears. “What’s the use, Alex? This entire weekend is going to be remembered forever as the Murder Fair.”
Alex suddenly felt his blood turn to ice. “Has something happened to Marilynn Baxter?”
Shantara shook her head. “I haven’t heard anything about Marilynn. She’s probably safe at home by now. I’m talking about Jefferson’s murder. Surely that’s enough, isn’t it?”
Emma said calmly, “Shantara, if you shut the fair down now, whoever killed Jefferson Lee will most likely get away with it. What are the odds the sheriff is going to be able to track down the killer if the majority of his suspects fly the coop? You can’t let that happen, not while it’s in your hands.”
“Mrs. Sturbridge, how can I ask people to pay to see a young blacksmith who may or may not show up, a pottery team who’s doubtful, and another blacksmith gone because he was murdered on the spot? The only exhibitors I know I can count on are Jenny and Rachel. It’s not much of a show with just the two of them.”
Emma said, “Shantara, I’ve told you before, call me Emma, please. You’d better believe all of Elkton Falls will come out here today! If nothing else, they want to see what’s going to happen next!” She cut off Shantara’s protests with a raised hand. “I’m not saying you should cater to their base desires, but I certainly think you have every right to continue your fair. I, for one, have been looking forward to seeing Jenny Harris do her weaving demonstration this afternoon. Not only that, but I missed Rachel Seabock making a Shaker chair yesterday, and I want to be certain I see it today.” She turned to Alex and winked so Shantara couldn’t see. “In fact, Alex and I were just discussing that very thing, weren’t we?”
“Absolutely,” Alex said. “You can’t disappoint the people who really care about the old-time crafts. That was one of the reasons you did this, remember?”
“Well,” Shantara wavered, but Emma steamed on.
“Tell you what. Why don’t I walk around the grounds with you, and we’ll make certain everything’s ready for the paying guests. You don’t mind if I skip out for a few minutes, do you, Alex?”
“Go right ahead. I’ve got everything here under control.”
Alex nodded his approval as the two women left. He had liked Emma Sturbridge from the moment he’d met her as a guest at the inn. There was such an air of confidence about her, a sheer and utter serenity that made him feel that nothing could go wrong whenever