Death Takes a Holiday by Elisabeth Crabtree Page B

lipstick.”
    Steve’s expression suddenly changed from pitying to comprehension. “The lipstick, of course. I should have thought of that.”
    “Right,” Kyle said with a smile.
    “She’s trying to put the blame on Sara, ‘cause she knows I like her.”
    Kyle’s smile faltered. “No.”
    Steve patted Kyle’s arm. “Good catch. I wouldn’t have thought of that. You’re absolutely right.”
    “No. Steve —”
    Steve stood up. “That’s it. I’ve got to talk to her now before Sara gets back.”
    Kyle clutched at the other man’s arm. He drew Steve back down. “I don’t think that’s a good idea, Steve.”
    “No. Don’t worry. I’ll be gentle.”
    “Yeah, surprisingly enough, I’m not too worried about that.” Kyle had no doubt Grace could handle herself. “Look, I think you need to take Grace’s warning seriously.”
    “Oh, don’t be ridiculous.”
    “Are you sure you don’t know Sara, because she seems to know you.”
    Steve drew his eyebrows together as he thought. “Well . . . we’re both from Denver.”
    “Exactly.”
    “She probably saw one of my ads. I had this big billboard at one time. I was in the local paper a few times for a couple of my cases.” He looked up. Picking up his coffee cup, he motioned for Meredith who was standing at the bar talking to Grace. Meredith scowled back at him. She stood there for a few seconds before rolling her eyes and grabbing the pot of coffee and walking towards them. “I bet that’s how she knows me.”
    Kyle felt like groaning in frustration. “I don’t think that’s it, Steve.” He covered his cup with his hand and shook his head softly when Meredith reached to take his cup.
    “ Maybe Sara’s a fan,” Steve said excitedly. “I had a lot of female interest after my billboard went up.”
    Meredith snorted as she filled up Steve’s cup. Instead of laying it back on the table, she handed it back to him, slightly tipping the cup forward. Steve yelped as the cup slid off the saucer and fell into his lap. “Oh, I’m so sorry about that,” Meredith said coolly. She pointed behind her. “Bathroom’s that way.”
     

 
     
    CHAPTER EIGHT
     
    Grace pivoted on her heel. Following Meredith behind the bar, she angrily pointed at Steve and Kyle’s table. “What was that?” she hissed.
    “What?” Meredith asked innocently.
    “Meredith you can’t pour scalding hot coffee on the passengers.”
    “Why not?”
    “You could have seriously injured him.”
    “No, I couldn’t. The coffee was cold. I forgot to turn it on. Besides, I didn’t do it on purpose.”
    Grace looked at her in disbelief. “You aimed for him.”
    “Well, this is ridiculous. How can they expect us to serve beverages on a moving train, anyway? It’s not my fault if I lost my balance.”
    “What do you have against him—besides the obvious?”
    “Oh, nothing. He just accused me of being a gold-digger and an arsonist.”
    Grace’s mouth fell open. She wasn’t sure what she expected Meredith to say, but it wasn’t that. “When did he do that?”
    “Last year,” Meredith ground out angrily. She took a deep breath. “I was innocent—”
    The sound of cutlery tapping against glass brought their attention back to the dining car.
    Felicity had arrived.
    She stood at the end of the car. One hand holding a crystal glass and the other a knife.
    “What are you doing here, Felicity?” Tracy asked. She turned to her husband. “Did you know she was going to be here?”
    Robert shook his head.
    “I can’t tell you how happy I am to see my old family. And I want you to know that I still think of y’all as family,” Felicity said placing her hand to her heart. “I’ve missed all of you and I’m so thankful to see everyone once again.” She looked around the room. “Well, we seem to be missing one person, but no mind.”
    “Did you arrange this little reunion, Felicity?” Asa Wellington asked.
    Felicity chuckled. “I’m afraid not, Mr. Wellington.” She