Murder Checks Inn (Book 3 in the Lighthouse Inn Mysteries) by Tim Myers Page B

How do you know what I
want?” Alex asked.
    “ Come on, anybody in Elkton
Falls could order for you, Alex. Club sandwich, no tomato, fries,
and iced tea. Now tell me I’m wrong.”
    “ You’re wrong,” Alex said.
“Since you’re buying, I think I’ll start with the filet mignon,
maybe a chocolate mousse and a bottle of Buck’s finest
champagne.”
    Mor laughed. “Right. I’ll go place that
order right away, sir.”
    After he was gone, Irene said somberly,
“Alex, there’s something I’ve been wanting to talk to you about,
but I didn’t know how to go about it.”
    “ Is it about my uncle?”
Alex asked.
    “ Yes, but not in the way
you think. It’s ... well... it’s all rather personal.”
    Alex said, “I swear I won’t breathe a word.
What are you holding back?”
    Irene lowered her voice. “It’s not about the
case, Alex. Jase and I, well, we were friends. I don’t know if
you’ve heard, but we had a habit of sharing our Thursday evenings
together. He’d come over and I’d cook us a big meal, then we’d sit
in the parlor and play a few games of chess.” Irene said, “Don’t
look so surprised. Beauticians can play chess, too.”
    “ It’s not that. I know
you’re one of the smartest folks in Elkton Falls. I just didn’t
realize you were dating my uncle.”
    Alex had to look hard to believe what he was
seeing. The
    unflappable Irene was actually blushing!
“Oh, I wouldn’t go that far. We simply enjoyed each other’s
company.”
    Alex touched her hand lightly. “Irene, you
were crying when the sheriff and I came by your shop the other day,
and here I thought it was just the chemicals. Listen to me. If you
gave Jase some companionship in his last days, I couldn’t be
happier. I’m just amazed you managed to keep it a secret. I thought
the kudzu vine was impossible to beat.”
    “ Well, Jase was a crafty
old rascal. He had a real knack for keeping his private life
private, if you know what I mean.”
    Alex said softly, “And no one in town knows
you’re grieving, Irene. I’m so sorry for your loss,” he said as he
gently patted her hand.
    Tears welled up in Irene’s eye. “Alex
Winston, you are the sweetest man I know. I should be the one
offering words of comfort to you.”
    Mor came back and slid an iced tea in front
of Alex, with another for himself. He said, “Your steak will be
right up, sir, but they were all out of champagne. Anything else
from the bar while you’re waiting?”
    It took Mor a second to realize he’d
interrupted something. “I just remembered, I have a call to make,
if you two will excuse me.”
    Irene put a hand on his arm. “You’re not
going anywhere until you sit down and tell me your plans.”
    “ What plans are
those?”
    “ Mor Pendleton, I’ve been
running To Dye For nearly twenty-seven years. Do you think there’s
a chance in the world I haven’t heard what Les has
done?”
    Mor said, “Now, why am I not surprised?” Mor
looked at his tea, swirled the glass a few times without taking a
sip, then said, “To be honest with you, I haven’t decided yet.”
    Irene said softly, “Elkton Falls needs you,
Mordecai Pendleton. Don’t leave us.”
    The big man was obviously uncomfortable by
the serious turn of the conversation. “Don’t worry, you’re not
going to get rid of me any time soon.”
    Alex said, “Irene, we’ll see you at the inn
tonight for the send-off, won’t we?”
    “ I don’t know, Alex, I’m
not sure—”
    “ Nonsense,” Alex said. “I
want you there as my personal guest. I’m sure it’s what Jase would
have wanted.”
    Irene said, “I’ll be there, then.” She threw
a twenty on the table over her bill. “Lunch is on me, gentlemen,”
Irene said as she rushed out of Buck’s before the men could say
another word.
    “ Alex, my friend, your way
with women is unparalleled in the history of all
mankind.”
    “ What can I say? It’s a
gift. I just can’t believe you got out of another lunch
tab.”
    Mor