Secrets Among the Cedars (Intertwined Book 2) Read Online Free PDF

something. You didn't deserve that."
    "Water under the bridge. Life goes on. And all those other clichés people say. Right?"
    Kathryn shrugged. "I suppose so. It still had to hurt a lot. Rejection stinks."
    "Yeah." He steepled his fingers on top of the table and drummed their tips against each other. "If I remember correctly, forgive me if I'm wrong, you had a boyfriend at the time."
    Kathryn didn't want to talk about Zeke. Not with Phil anyway. It had taken her a year to recover from their break-up. She blew out a big breath. "Yes, I did. That was a long time ago though." She stood. "So…I need to let Sadie take a walk before I head back to the condo."
    "I'll walk with you, if you'd like. There's a path along the water's edge."
     
    Kathryn pulled her keys out of her front pocket as they approached her car parked in front of the city park. "Well, I had better get back before the sun goes down."
    "Oh yeah, you want to see the sunset." Phil cut his eyes sideways at her.
    "Right. And I don't want to be out after dark." She brushed a stray strand of hair away from her face.
    "Maybe you should give me your number."
    "In case you need me to come rescue you?"
    "Ha!" He stepped back.
    "I'll call you if I need anything. Thanks." After Sadie jumped into the car, Kathryn climbed in after her and shut her car door. She looked up into those caramel eyes for what she hoped was the last time. Her heart couldn't handle all the fluttering this man caused. What did it matter though? He was Maria's ex, which made him off limits.
    So why couldn't she stop thinking about him now?

Chapter Four
     
    Kathryn parked in the side lot of the grocery store and left Sadie in the car. A grilled steak for dinner and a swim in the pool afterward might cheer her up since she hadn't solved the case yet. She walked along the mural-covered wall of the store, stepping around the front of a beat up yellow pickup truck.
    Kathryn tugged the glass door open and stepped up into what looked more like a convenience store instead of a full-fledged grocery store. The prices were probably sky high. She grabbed a battered blue plastic basket and found the produce section to her right. She chose a large potato to bake and a bagged salad then headed for the meat department all the way in the back. After she picked out a t-bone the size of Texas, she strolled up and down the rest of the aisles and let her thoughts drift back to the case.
    How would the charges against Louie Ezzo stick if his gun couldn't be located? Maybe she could stay here a few more days. She'd be cutting it close if she remained any longer since the trial was in two weeks, but she needed more time here to find the gun. If only Ezzo’s defense attorney hadn’t asked for an immediate trial based off the fact that the weapon hadn’t been found and Ezzo was sure there’d be no conviction, she’d have years to work on this case. But everyone was entitled to a speedy trial, and that clock had already begun to tick.
    Kathryn found her way to the front of the store to check out. Three men stood near the register, encircled by the odor of cigarettes, and stalked her with their eyes. The one with greasy brown hair lifted his chin and gave her an arrogant smile. Another winked at her with beady dark eyes. The third man studied the floor. Could one of these suspicious looking guys be behind the threats?
    Kathryn hurried to the register and placed her basket on the counter. "Hi. How are you?"
    "Good." The skinny man behind the counter with tattoo sleeves running down both arms took her items out of the basket and scanned them with the barcode wand. He didn't seem too eager to make her feel welcome at all.
    "This seems to be a place a lot of people in town would visit. And I’m guessing a lot of vacationers come here too. Have you heard anyone talking around town about a Cedar Key connection to a murder in Georgia?"
    He shook his head and placed her salad and potato in a bag.
    "How about anyone trying to unload