BIG SKY SECRETS 01: Final Exposure Read Online Free PDF Page B

prayer. Ashley was one of the sweetest people on earth, but at thirty-two she had yet to develop a sixth sense about men who spelled trouble—or if she had it, she blissfully ignored those inner warnings.
    “Was he wearing a ring?”
    “Of course not!” After a moment’s pause, Ashley added, “He really was nice, Erin. He sat a long time over coffee, making a report, and he was concerned about me ’cause I was pretty upset. You know howmuch I love that car, and that stereo system was the last gift I got from my dad.”
    “I know.” Erin bit her lower lip. “I didn’t mean to be so negative. It’s wonderful that this cop actually stopped and sought you out. Maybe there’s a chance the thief will be caught.”
    “I hope so.” Ashley’s voice lightened. “Maybe Bob will stop by again to give me an update!”
    “You have to be the happiest crime victim on record,” Erin said dryly. “For your sake, I hope this proves to be a godsend.”
    “Me, too. So how’ve you been? I haven’t heard from you since Linda’s wedding.”
    “I’ve been terrible about e-mailing and calling these past few weeks. Busy, busy with the move, getting settled and taking over the store.”
    “Still glad you did it?”
    “It was the right thing to do. Gramps is free to enjoy life. I needed a change in mine. I just need to stay afloat financially until the tourist season begins next year.”
    “With all of your experience managing Phillipe’s, you’ll do great.”
    Erin laughed. “Millie’s isn’t exactly a place for fine dining. I just hope I can appeal to the coffee-and-sweet-roll crowd now.” She hesitated over how much to say. “I’ve had a bit of trouble here, too—and also ended up renting the house to a guy with a questionable past.”
    “What kind of trouble?”
     
    “A breakin…I think. I heard someone in the store when I went in early on Wednesday. I can’t see that anything is missing, so maybe I interrupted him just as he arrived.”
    “Oh, Erin. You could’ve been hurt!”
    “I was definitely scared—the store is isolated—it’s way out by the lake to serve the seasonal crowds. Needless to say, I’ve already adopted a dog.”
    “What about electronic security?”
    “That’s next.”
    Ashley fell silent. “Are you sure you want to stay there? I mean, you could always move back here. Even after the condo sells, we could split expenses on my next place, just like before. You’re my all-time favorite roommate.”
    “Tempting. But I signed this contract. I gave my word.”
    “Surely your grandfather would let you back out,” Ashley protested. “He wasn’t convinced you should do it in the first place.”
    “After just a week? I can’t do that to him. He’s needed to retire for years, but refused to give up Grandma Millie’s beloved house and store. He’d move back in a flash if I called, and then he’d be chained to this place forever. He deserves his freedom. And I need to be a big girl about being back here. I probably only imagined there was an intruder, anyway.”
    Ashley grew quiet. “Are the nightmares back?”
     
    “No—of course not.”
    “Somehow I’m not believing you. Would it help if I came a little sooner for my visit and stayed awhile? Just until you got acclimated there? I’ve got some vacation time built up.”
    “That’s sweet of you, but I’m fine. Like I said, the past is…well, it’s in the past.”
    “And what about this bad-news renter dude?”
    Erin laughed. “You’re still working on the adolescent unit at the hospital, I take it.”
    “And I love being there…for the most part. I’m going to ask for a permanent transfer to that floor. But you didn’t answer my question.”
    “Jack and his young nephew came up from Texas for a three-month lease. His references checked out okay, but then I found some interesting headlines on the Internet about an investment firm owned by Jack and a partner.”
    “What did you find?”
    “The partner embezzled