Lost Legacy (A Zoe Chambers Mystery Book 2) Read Online Free PDF

hotel within twenty miles of this place.”
    A hotel. Now there was a thought. Zoe made a mental note for their next visit.
    Then again, if history were any indicator, that wouldn’t happen for another ten years or so.
    Tom tucked a bag under each arm, plus caught the handles of the other two, one in each hand. “Lead the way, Sweet Pea.”
    “Oh, Tom, you don’t have to take them all in one trip,” Kimberly said. “Let Zoe carry some.”
    “ You could take one,” Zoe said to her mother, knowing full well that wasn’t going to happen.
    Kimberly looked appalled at the suggestion.
    “I can handle them,” Tom said.
    “I’ll help.” Zoe wrestled two of the bags from him and started up the stairs. When the house had been a single-family unit, Zoe’s staircase had been the back one. It was enclosed, narrow, and steep. Tom followed and the clop of Kimberly’s high heels indicated she was bringing up the rear.
    “Oh, dear,” Kimberly said. “Spider webs. And it’s so dark. You should put more lights in here.”
    Zoe suppressed a string of sarcastic remarks. “Yes, Mom.”
    The thump thump thump of a miniature stampede mingled with a shriek, as Jade and Merlin, the two cats, raced up the stairs brushing past their ankles.
    The top of the stairs opened into Zoe’s bedroom. “I’ve cleared a couple of drawers for you. And there’s space in the armoire.” She’d moved a bunch of her things into the office downstairs.
    The cats had taken possession of the double bed, daring the interlopers to make them move.
    Tom dumped their bags on the floor. “I’m sorry we’re putting you out.” He crossed to the window and looked toward the view of the barn and rolling pastures. “Wow. No wonder you like it here.”
    Kimberly tested the mattress’s firmness with her fingertips, while keeping an eye on the felines. “I didn’t realize you had such a small bed. And these cats won’t have the run of the place the whole time we’re here, will they?”
    Tom spun, a dark scowl on his face. “Kimberly, stop.”
    Zoe bit her lip to keep from smiling.
    “But—”
    “But nothing. This is a lovely old house and your daughter is bending over backward to give you a place to stay. So stop your bitching.”
    Pretending she didn’t notice the storm clouds gathering in her mother’s eyes, Zoe set the bags she’d been carrying in the middle of the floor and pointed at the door opposite the staircase. “That’s the bathroom.”
    Kimberly cleared her throat. “You mean you’ll have to come through here to use the facilities?”
    “Kimberly...” Tom’s voice was a low growl.
    “I’ve arranged with the Kroll’s to use their guest bath while you’re here.”
    Kimberly’s eyes lit up, the storm clouds gone. “Is it nicer than this one?”
    Tom closed his eyes and shook his head.
    “It’s only half as big.” Zoe nodded at the door. “Mine has a big claw-foot tub and a shower.”
    “Oh. Well. This’ll be fine then.”
    Zoe headed for the stairs, but remembered the one thing she wanted to talk to her mother about. “Can I ask you something?”
    “Of course. Anything.” Kimberly’s body language said otherwise.
    “Do you remember the Engle farm?”
    Kimberly turned her back to Zoe and popped the latch on one of the suitcases. “You mean the old Miller farm.” It wasn’t a question, but a correction.
    “Yeah. I recall you telling me something about your uncles being killed there. What was that all about?”
    Tom had been examining the armoire. “This is interesting. Where did you get it?”
    “Yard sale,” Zoe said without looking away from her mother’s back. “Mom?”
    “My uncles Vernon and Denver Miller owned that farm. They were a couple of bachelors. One morning, they were found dead out in the barn. One was shot, the other hanged.”
    “Kimberly, do you want to unpack now?” Tom interrupted. “Maybe you want to lie down and take a nap first.”
    Zoe scowled at her stepfather. What was up with