A Crouton Murder Read Online Free PDF

another and laughed.
    “She’s a test, yeah?”
    With a sigh, I nodded.
    “Are you back to holding classes in the evenings?” he asked.
    “Not yet,” I answered. “Though I’ve had a call from a past student or two, I’ll give it some time before I begin them again. Our rent is affordable at the moment, no one is trying to scam any of us renters out of more money, and the bakery is making a profit. I think we’re in good standing financially.”
    “Then you’re able to go out with me tonight?”
    His invitation brought a thrill of anticipation with it. I caught the mischievous sparkle in his eyes, wondered what he was up to, and nodded.
    “Good, I’ll pick you up at seven,” Aidan said as we walked toward the storefront.
    Holding the door open, I said I’d be ready and watched him saunter toward South Main Street. I thought how different our cultures are. In other countries, people walk as much as they can due to the cost of fuel or they use public transit. In America, we drive nearly everywhere and usually dislike using public transit.
    I’d just locked the store entrance when BettyJo dashed through the rear entry. This was becoming a habit.
    “You look like the devil is on your heels. Is your father okay?” I asked worriedly.
    She ignored the comment and question with a grin and asked, “Was that Aidan who just walked across the street?”
    “He’s here on business.”
    “Some business,” she said with a snort of disbelief. “I think you’re the business he’s interested in, Melina. Has Seanmhair seen him?”
    “She did and even pitched the idea of us moving to Scotland and opening a bakery.” I groaned. “As if that’s ever going to happen. She has no clue how difficult that would be,” I remarked with a sigh.
    “Is she serious or daydreaming?”
    “She’s beguiled by the whole idea of living in Scotland. She hasn’t any concept of what her change in lifestyle would be, let alone the amount of work it would take to establish a bakery there.”
    “Maybe she thinks you’d marry Aidan and wouldn’t need to be a baker,” BettyJo suggested in a pensive tone.
    “Not happening, no Scotland bakery and no marriage. End of story,” I said adamantly.
    Her hands up, BettyJo laughed and said, “Sure, sure, no problem.”
    To change the subject, I asked, “How are your readings going? You haven’t been by all day.”
    “They began at eleven this morning and just ended. I start again tonight around six and have clients lined up for a few hours. I’m booked for weeks, isn’t that great?” she asked excitedly.
    “Indeed,” I agreed. “How’s Franklin today?”
    “He’s home from the hospital and quite miffed over the medical insurance issue. I picked him up early this morning. He says he’ll return to work tomorrow. I didn’t argue. It wouldn’t do any good.” BettyJo wandered the rooms in the same manner as she had the night before. I watched and waited for her to settle across from me once more.
    When she sat, BettyJo took a deep breath and said, “I think someone’s been following me. If that’s not bad enough, I also think Ezra and Corinda tried to kill my father.”
    I gaped at her for a time and asked, “Are you sure? I mean, about someone following you.”
    “It’s just a feeling I get when I’m out. When I turn around quickly, nobody is there, or if there are people around, they aren’t paying attention to me in particular. It’s creepy.”
    “Not long ago I mentioned Vinnie Esposito to you. She’s a criminal justice instructor who, on occasion, works with the local police. She can give you some pointers on personal safety. I’ll give her a call if you’d like.”
    “Don’t bother. I’m probably just imagining the whole thing. My father’s situation has me a mite jumpy.” BettyJo sighed, ran her hand across her brow, and asked, “What do you think about Ezra and Corinda?”
    “I’m not sure,” I said with a shake of my head. “I don’t know enough