The Gift Read Online Free PDF Page A

wasn’t a question. She shook Beth’s hand, but it was a halfhearted effort at best. Her dark gaze met Ty’s over Beth’s shoulder. “And…?”
    “Ms. Dearborn is here to investigate Lorilee’s death,” Ty explained. “She wanted to see the last place anyone saw her alive.”
    “Well, I reckon that would be here.” Pearl took a step back and lifted her chin, her expression fierce. “My Lorilee didn’t run off, Ms. Dearborn. She’s dead, pure and simple as that. And it’s time—way past time—for her to rest in peace.”
    Several seconds of silence stretched between the two women. They were testing each other. One thing Ty knew for sure, these two were more-than-worthy adversaries.
    Maybe—just maybe—between them, they would learn what happened to Lorilee once and for all. Why he believed an insurance investigator might bother with the details of his wife’s death, he didn’t know. Foolishness, maybe. But his gut said otherwise.
    “My job is to find the truth, Mrs…?” Beth broke the silence first.
    “Montgomery. Pearl Montgomery.”
    “Mrs. Montgomery.” Beth’s pencil scribbled more notes across her pad of paper. “How long have you worked for the Malones?”
    Pearl’s full lips pulled into a tight, thin line. “I’ve been with Lorilee’s family since before she was born.”
    Ty moved close to Pearl and placed a supportive hand on the African-American woman’s shoulder. “Pearl raised Lorilee after her mother died.”
    Pearl sighed and looked up at him. “She was likethe daughter I never had.” She covered Ty’s hand with her own. “And when she married this fine man, I came here to work, and so did that ornery foreman of yours.”
    “He couldn’t let you out of his sight.”
    Pearl swatted him playfully with her dish towel. “He’d better mind his manners if he knows what’s good for him.”
    “So you’ve known Lorilee all her life?” Beth interrupted, still writing.
    “Knew,” Ty corrected. “Past tense.”
    “Yes, so you said before.”
    “And I’ll keep saying.”
    The greenish cast in Beth’s hazel eyes sparked to life when she met and held his gaze. He caught his breath. This woman was like a chameleon, constantly changing. He couldn’t read her, and that worried him.
    Even knowing who and what she was, he still wanted her as much now as he had back when she’d been nothing more than a sexy, stranded motorist.
    Maybe more.
    Beth was in deep shit. First, the possible spirit encounter, and now the reminder of her attraction to this man. Between her raw emotions and her rioting hormones, she couldn’t think straight. She mentally shook herself and squared her shoulders, then dragged a hand through her hair.
    Back to business, Dearborn. Breathe in, breathe out. Easy does it.
    “Would it be possible for you to make some time to talk with me about Lorilee, Mrs. Montgomery?” she asked. “Since you know—knew—her so well?”She quirked her lips at Ty’s arched brow when she changed her tense. Humor them. Whatever it takes.
    “Yes, of course.” Pearl glanced nervously in Ty’s direction.
    Beth noted Ty’s nod of approval. Pearl might have practically raised Lorilee, but she was still an employee asking permission to speak to the enemy.
    “Thanks. I appreciate that. Right now, though, I’d just like to look around the house, if that’s okay.”
    “Sure. Fine.” Pearl twisted the dish towel in her hands. “I’ll just get back to my chores.”
    “Thanks, Pearl.” Ty kissed the older woman’s cheek. “What’s for supper?”
    She rolled her eyes. “Chicken and dumplings.”
    “Mmm.”
    “Men.” Chuckling, she returned to the kitchen.
    Beth tried not to admire the way Ty had handled Pearl Montgomery, but she couldn’t help it. He’d known exactly how to soothe her, exactly how to defuse an awkward situation. Or maybe all this had been staged for the expected insurance investigator. Sooner or later the truth would surface. It always did.
    She just