A Dead Sister (Jessica Huntington Desert Cities Mystery) Read Online Free PDF Page A

the bottle of green liquid as Peter reached over and, in one fell swoop, scooped up the bottle from the table and the luxuriant bouquet from Jessica’s lap. Jessica felt a sense of loss as she let Peter take the flowers from her. “You’re going to drink it, right, Jessica?” Brien asked, seeking reassurance.
    “Of course, Brien,” Jessica said with more certainty than she felt. Peter-the-giant was a devotee of health foods. So far he had not taken her too far afield from her own preference for mostly healthy, but more mainstream cuisine.
    Peter and Bernadette headed toward the house with Jim leading the way. Before Jim even touched it, the patio door slid open. Jim stopped and backed up abruptly. He was almost run down by a stunningly hand some man, as tall as Peter, but less bulky. That didn’t mean he wasn’t in great shape, as evident by the t-shirt and tight jeans he wore. Instead of the rugged soldier of fortune look that Peter sported, Jerry Reynolds had the classic good looks of a movie idol. He was the sort of man you could describe as beautiful without taking anything away from his masculinity.
    Jerry’s hair was a light shade of brown, his eyes a dazzling green. His face, a marvel of symmetry, was set off by a smile that revealed a perfect set of gleaming white teeth. He conjured up images of the glamorous stars that had made the Palm Springs area their playground for decades like Randolph Scott, Cary Grant, Rock Hudson or, more recently, George Clooney. Just because Jessica wasn’t ready to put herself out there on the dating scene again, did not mean she no longer appreciated the male form. He was a joy to behold. Jerry, however, preferred men, and was madly in love with one of her dearest friends. But Jim didn’t need to know that either. Let him wonder.
    “Oh, excuse me, I didn’t see you. My eyes are still adjusting to the sun. I should slow down,” Jerry said, towering over Jim and flashing that dazzling smile. He slipped the sun glasses perched on top of his head back down over his eyes. Jerry stepped around Jim, gave a little “hey” to Peter, and then wrapped his arms around Bernadette. He brushed her cheek with a kiss and spun her around, making her giggle like a schoolgirl. She gave him a little push.
    “Jerry, stop that. Go see how our girl is doing. Brien says she’s looking a whole lot better.”
    “I don’t doubt it. A day or two without tangling with desperados has got to be good for her. It’s a whole lot better for the desperados, too.” The smile that spread across his handsome face radiated warmth. His eyes danced with good humor as he gave Bernadette a last little squeeze. Then he hustled over to the chaise just vacated by Peter and sat down.
    “Brien and Bernadette are both right. You are looking much better, Jessica.” With that, he took her hand and planted a gentle kiss on her palm before leaning back on the chaise. The trio waiting to get into the house made another move in that direction. The patio misting system came on, cooling the patio instantly. Tommy Fontana, Jerry’s paramour, burst from inside the house.
    “Hi, everybody, let’s get this party going.” He stopped as he caught sight of Jim. “You, what are you doing here? If you’ve done anything to her, I swear you’ll have to deal with me. She’s been through enough this week. Jessica, are you alright?” He rushed to join Jerry and Brien at Jessica’s side.
    “Tommy, sweetie, I’m fine. Jim was just leaving. Congratulate me, I signed those papers and I’m single again.” A spontaneous cheer rose up among the little group assembled on the patio. Jim Harper plunged through the mist and disappeared into the house and, hopefully, out of her life for good.

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER 2
     
     
    It had been two weeks since that encounter with Jim Harper . Despite her bravado, Jessica was still struggling with the idea that her marriage was over. Her wrist had healed faster than her heart.