The Diva Digs up the Dirt Read Online Free PDF

Nina.
    “It’s just an old print of some ducks.”
    “It’s a two-hundred-year-old hand-colored engraving of an Audubon—worth roughly one hundred thousand dollars. Possibly a bit more. It’s in excellent condition.”
    “I knew Roscoe had money, but that’s twenty-five thousand dollars a duck!” Nina marched up to the print and peered at it.
    Francie scratched her head. “I always liked Roscoe. In spite of his wealth, he’s so down to earth. An everyman’s man. Did you know that each office in his headquarters is the same? The corner rooms with extra windows are conference rooms, lunchrooms, things like that, which everyone uses. He and Olive could have moved to a fancy place, but they stayed right here, in the house Roscoe’s parents bought before he was born.”
    “Like throwing a low-key picnic for families instead of a formal event at night,” I murmured.
    “Exactly. It was a huge disappointment when Roscoe dumped Olive for that minx Mindy.” Francie’s tone emphasized her bitterness.
    I opened the door Audie had used earlier, and we stepped out onto the slate patio.
    “Whoa!” Nina cupped her hand over her nose. “That’s brutal.”
    “Manure.” I sighed. How many times would I have to explain?
    Francie smiled. “I think it’s wonderful!”
    “At a party?” I asked.
    Her smile grew.
    “Why do I think you might know something about this?”
    “Me? Don’t be silly.”
    In past years, the picnic had been held in the expansive garden. This year, only a few brave souls wandered out to the pond in the back.
    Nina waved her hand in front of her face. “This is terrible. Where is everybody?”
    We followed the sound of voices to the far side of the house. Matt had set up the buffet in the grass. Not an ideal location, but the breeze didn’t seem to carry the stench to that part of the lot. Old oak trees offered shade, but I worried about what might drop onto the food.
    The clang of a cowboy triangle dinner bell rang out, and the crowd turned to look at Roscoe and Mindy, who stood on the porch overlooking the side yard like they were the king and queen holding court.
    “First, I want to thank you all for coming, and I apologize for the strong farmyard scent,” said Roscoe. “I’m grateful to all my employees for another banner year, and I’m equally grateful for the friendship everyone here has extended to me. This picnic is always the biggest highlight of my year.”
    Mindy nudged him.
    “Oh! I guess this year the picnic has to be the second highlight. Marrying Mindy takes first place.”
    Laughter rippled through the guests.
    “Now, you know I’m not one for speechmaking, but there’s been a lot of speculation about my retirement. Audie there can’t wait to move from heir apparent into my seat. But I want you to know that I’m not planning to retire just yet. I’ve got a new wife to support! However, I have been listening to my new sweetheart and Audie, who keep telling me it’s time for me to take up golf and leave work behind.”
    I looked around at the faces. Audie focused on his dad expectantly.
    “I bought a retirement home! Yup, and I want all of youto come visit with us. We won’t be there full time yet, but I know you’re all going to love it, and there’s room for plenty of visitors.”
    Mindy’s mouth dropped open. “Sweetheart! Did you buy the house in Palm Beach?”
    “I did you one better, honeybunch. I bought us a five-hundred-acre bed-and-breakfast lodge in the best hunting and fishing wilderness in the mountains! We’re headed there later this week.”
    Clearly not adept at hiding her initial reactions, Mindy looked as though she had taken a bite of a luscious éclair only to find glue inside. Her head bobbed with shock. She recovered quickly, forcing her thin lips into a smile as the crowd applauded and whistled.
    An elbow poked me in the ribs. Nina stood beside me and cocked her head toward the woods in the back of the house.
    A woman had dressed to blend