A Murder in Mohair Read Online Free PDF Page A

part,” Lucy reminded her.
    Dana shrugged, trying not to smile. “Okay, you got me. But I didn’t pick it out. Jack and the boys are the cycle snobs, I guess. They bought it for me as a surprise.” When Lucy didn’t answer she added, “I think they got a good discount. I can find out the name of the store for you.”
    Suzanne glanced from one friend to the other, following the debate as she perused the open menu.
    Lucy sat back and opened her menu, too. “That’s all right. Matt’s buying me a bike for my birthday. A really good one. Custom fit.” She was not usually the type to brag, but Dana’s teasing had struck a nerve.
    â€œWow, that’s a nice gift. Very thoughtful.” Dana was clearly impressed. “You should have told me, I wouldn’t have gone on about it.”
    Suzanne put her menu down and just stared. Lucy knew her wide-eyed expression had nothing to do with bicycles.
    â€œA bike? Really? What are you . . . nine years old? How about he custom-fits a diamond ring to the third finger on your left hand? Did that suggestion ever come up?”
    â€œA good bike costs almost as much,” Dana said quietly.
    â€œAnd I don’t even like diamonds,” Lucy reminded Suzanne.
    â€œThat is so not the point and you both know it. How about a ruby? A sapphire? An emerald? Precious gems, a symbol of eternal, precious love. Sorry, honey—a bike just doesn’t cut it. Even a super-duper nice one from Italy.”
    Lucy sat back, totally put on the spot. Suzanne could be outrageously outspoken at times, but this had to be one of her all-time over-the-top moments.
    Before Lucy could reply, Dana jumped in. “Suzanne . . . what a thing to say. Where are your boundaries? It’s absolutely none of our business.”
    â€œThank you, Dana,” Lucy said quietly, completely forgiving her now for having a better bicycle.
    Suzanne rolled her eyes. “Okay . . . bad dog, Suzanne. Hit me on the nose with a rolled-up menu or something. It’s fine. I just have one tiny question, Lucy. And I ask this as a dear friend. . . . You can’t deny that you must think about it. Or don’t you want to marry Matt after all?”
    â€œObjection! Leading the witness,” Dana said, in a courtroom voice.
    Suzanne sighed. “For goodness’ sakes, we’re just trying to have a little conversation here, Dana. Get a grip.”
    She stared at Lucy again, leaning across the table and speaking in a much softer tone. “If you don’t want to answer me, it’s fine. No worries. But we are your closest friends in the world. If you don’t tell us, who can you tell? And of course you know, I only share because I care.”
    Lucy sighed. She glanced from Suzanne to Dana, who now gestured with a fingertip over her lips, as if she were zipping up her mouth.
    â€œGuys, calm down. You don’t need to come to blows. Truth be told . . . yes, I do want to marry Matt. I do think about it. A little,” she admitted. “And I think Matt does, too. We just haven’t had time to talk it all out yet.”
    Suzanne was obviously encouraged. “All right. That sounds good. For now. But you can’t wait for him to initiate ‘the conversation,’ Lucy. Men never want to do that.”
    â€œThat’s not true, Suzanne,” Dana quietly contradicted.
    Suzanne glanced at her. “Not on your planet, maybe. But here on Earth, we all know men are from Mars, and women are from Venus. Or did you miss that memo?”
    Lucy sighed. She’d never read that book and now wondered if she ought to.
    â€œTo tell the truth, I was hoping he’d do that. Or just propose or something? If I have to persuade or pressure someone into marrying me, what’s the point? That’s no fun at all.”
    Suzanne shrugged. “I didn’t say it would be fun. But at least you’ll