Kari Lee Townsend - Sunny Meadows 04 - Perish in the Palm by Kari Lee Townsend

suddenly my psychic ability kicked in.
    Everything around me narrowed to tunnel vision like it always did when I fell into a trancelike state. “I’m outside in the garden,” I said out loud and smiled. “He’s here. I can feel him behind me. My rock. This is our special place. I knew he would come. He wraps his arms around me and I feel safe, loved, wanted. I can get through anything as long as he’s by my side. He kisses my neck and a warm familiarity engulfs me like I’ve known him for a long time. My eyes flutter closed as he turns me around and kisses me deeply. It’s not the first time, and I want him more than ever. When he pulls away, I smile tenderly as I start to open my eyes so I can look into his and see—”
    “Enough!” Mrs. Theodore barked.
    I blinked, startled, and came out of my trance. Our eyes met. No words were necessary in the silent conversation that passed between us. She knew that I knew that this man wasn’t her husband, and she now believed no matter what she might say. I could see it in her eyes even though I was pretty sure she would deny it all.
    “But don’t you want to know who you are going to fall in love with?” Zoe asked. “It’s so romantic.”
    “My husband just died.” The widow’s face grew flushed. “I’m not going to fall in love with anyone anytime soon.”
    “But that doesn’t mean you didn’t already,” Jo said. “That’s a guilty face if ever I’ve seen one, and I’ve seen plenty in my line of work. That reading wasn’t from the future, was it, Sunny? That was from the past, and I’m guessing the man of your dreams wasn’t your husband.”
    “This is outrageous. You don’t know what you’re talking about.” Mrs. Theodore surged to her feet, albeit a bit unsteady. “Do whatever you want with Peirce’s reading, but leave me out of it.”
    “Except if we find money, right?” Jo eyed her knowingly. “I’ll bet you want to be in it then, won’t you, Mrs. Theodore?”
    Regaining her composure, Linda hardened her jaw and said through her teeth, “Everything on this property belongs to me. Of course I want whatever you find. I hope I make myself clear.”
    “Oh, I think it’s pretty clear,” Jo said.
    “Does this mean you’re a believer?” I asked with a quiet voice, seeing if she would admit it out loud.
    “Let’s just say I’m no fool. Now if you’ll excuse me, it’s getting late. You can come back tomorrow. I will inform the staff. Good night, ladies. I trust you can find your own way out.” She left the room with a calm outward appearance, but she wasn’t fooling anyone. My reading had rattled her big-time, and I couldn’t help but wonder what other secrets she was hiding.
    “Was she really having an affair while Mr. Theodore was alive?” Innocent Zoe looked shocked.
    “She sure was,” I said.
    “Did you see the man’s face?” Jo asked.
    “No, and I was so close.” I met their curious gazes. “But it definitely wasn’t her husband. When I talked to the staff the other day, a few had said there were rumors Mr. Theodore was going to fire someone. Maybe he found out who she was having an affair with, so her lover killed him before he could follow through.”
    “Maybe. Especially if this person knew she had taken out a life insurance policy. Do you think that was the secret that lies within the walls of the inn?” Zoe asked.
    “I don’t know,” I responded. “Somehow the reading gave me the feeling the secret was something bigger than a mere affair, but at least Mrs. Theodore gave us free reign to dig into that mystery.”
    “An unsolved mystery and a new murder suspect, if only we could figure out who it is,” Jo mused. “Not bad, ladies. Not bad at all. This is the exact kind of distraction I need right now to take my mind off murdering a certain man in my life these days.”
    “Amen to that. Count me in.” Zoe grinned with excitement.
    “Whoa, wait just a minute,” I said. “Mitch is going to kill me, not