Deadly Décor (A Caprice De Luca Mystery) Read Online Free PDF Page A

know. I’ll deal with that on Sunday. But he’s there so rarely. I don’t think it’s going to be a problem.”
    “Can I tell you what I honestly think without you getting all upset?”
    “I don’t know because I’m probably not going to like it.”
    No, she probably wouldn’t. “I think you’re heading for trouble. What if Joe finds out you’re meeting Bob?”
    “Maybe he should find out.”
    The rebelliousness in Bella’s tone signaled that she’d like Joe to be jealous, that she’d like him to show her he cared, that she wanted to know she was still loved. But, on the other hand, Caprice didn’t believe Bella would really want to see the fireworks if Joe discovered her plans.
    “You realize you could be purposely damaging your marriage?”
    Suddenly, Bella’s chin rose an inch or so. “I’m tired of feeling sad and bearing the brunt of Joe’s resentment about my pregnancy. And I’m beginning to think . . .” Her voice trailed off as she got choked up, showing Caprice the hurt that lay beneath all the rest of her emotions.
    “What are you beginning to think?” Caprice asked gently.
    “I’m beginning to realize Joe married me in the first place because he had to, not because he wanted to.”
    Caprice was trying to decide the best way to respond when she suddenly saw the tomato plants jiggle. Bella saw the foliage move and heard the rustle too.
    “What is it? Do you think there’s something in there?” She sounded almost panicked, as if a squirrel hearing their conversation would cause a scandal.
    The tomatoes rustled more earnestly now. Before Caprice could part the plants, two buff-colored paws appeared, then a wet nose and a scraggly head. It looked like a bedraggled cocker spaniel.
    She automatically hunkered down. “Oh, my goodness. What are you doing in there?”
    The dog was panting now, panting more than it should be.
    “I don’t believe this,” Bella said mutinously. “We’re having a serious conversation and we’re interrupted by a . . . a . . . dog. You’re a stray animal magnet!”
    “Bella, I can’t help you right now, but I can help her. She looks scared and dehydrated. Could you please get her a bowl of water while I see if she’s okay?”
    Caprice held her breath, hoping Bella wouldn’t explode.

Chapter Three
    Minutes later, Seth was the one who carried a bowl of water outside.
    Bella hadn’t exploded . . . simply stalked inside. Caprice shouldn’t be surprised Seth had come to her aid. After all, a doctor was a doctor and . . . he was the kind of man who cared.
    He spotted Caprice with the buff-colored cocker and hunkered down beside her, slipping the bowl in front of the dog. “She was under the tomato plants?”
    “For cover and protection, I guess. Look at her. She’s so thirsty.”
    “You’ve already decided this is a girl?” he asked with a smile, knowing that with the dog crouched down like that, they wouldn’t be able to tell.
    “She looks like a girl, and she feels like a girl. I mean her aura or something does.”
    He laughed. “That’s a scientific approach if I ever heard one.”
    The cocker looked up at them with soulful, dark brown eyes, and Caprice knew the dog would be staying at her house tonight. In the garage, though, so Sophia and the house didn’t get infested with fleas. She knew the drill after taking in as many stray animals as she had.
    “How old do you think she is?” Caprice asked.
    “I’m no vet, but I’d say over a year and under five.”
    “She looks like Lady from Lady and the Tramp . That’s my favorite Disney movie,” Caprice confessed.
    The dog stopped drinking, and Caprice reached out her hand so the cocker could smell it.
    When it came to animals, Caprice followed her instincts.
    The dog smelled her hand and then licked it as if she understood she’d found someone who could help her.
    “Bella seemed out of sorts when she came in,” Seth remarked.
    “Our conversation was interrupted. But that might not have