Murder, Served Simply by Isabella Alan

will have plenty of time to talk after today.”
    Jessica looped her arm through Ryan’s. “If you have nothing to do, why don’t I show you around town?”
    â€œJessica,” I said through gritted teeth, “don’t you have to get back to Out of Time?”
    She waved away my concern. “I have my new intern working in the shop today. Between him and Cherry Cat, the shop will be well covered.”
    Ryan looked down at Jessica. “I could use a tour guide to pass the time, and you would keep me out of Angie’s way. You’d like that, wouldn’t you, Angie?” His gaze held a challenge.
    â€œSure,” I said, my voice shooting up two octaves. “It’s a great idea. Jessica will be a terrific tour guide.”
    Jessica dropped her arm from Ryan’s and scooped up her coat hanging over the arm of a sofa. “Let’s go.”
    â€œOkay,” Ryan said. “We’ll see you later, Angie.”
    I forced a smile. “Bye,” I said with as much cheer as Icould muster while hiding the tic in my right eye. “Have fun.”
    After they left, Mattie said, “Are you okay?”
    â€œOkay? Yes, I’m okay. Why wouldn’t I be okay? Ryan can do whatever he wants with whomever he wants to do it.”
    â€œAre you lying?” Mattie studied me. Maybe she saw the tic.
    â€œI hope not,” I said honestly. “Because if I am, I’m afraid of what that might mean.”

Chapter Eleven
    T he quilt show winners were chosen, and I left Mattie and Martha to adorn the winners and runners-up with the appropriate ribbons.
    â€œHow’s Oliver doing?” I asked Bethanne as I crossed the lobby.
    â€œI think he’s all right.” She smiled.
    I leaned over the counter and found Oliver holding on to a ham bone with his paws and gnawing on it with the side of his mouth. “He looks pretty content to me. You’re an excellent pet sitter. Can I give you a call if I ever need one?”
    Her face lit up. “I would like that.”
    â€œI should warn you first. I also have a kitten name Dodger. He’s a little more rambunctious than Oliver.”
    â€œI don’t mind. I love all animals. When the vet comes to the farm, he always lets me assist him.”
    â€œI will keep you in mind, then.” I paused. “I know you said she wouldn’t be in until later, but have you seen Junie yet today?”
    â€œActually, I have,” Bethanne said. “She is in the dining room. Most of the guests are finished with their breakfast now. Junie is clearing the tables.”
    â€œThanks.” I slapped my thigh. “Come, Oliver. Let’s go say good-bye to Junie before we leave.”
    Oliver shot one round brown eye at me. The other’s concentration remained pointedly on the bone between his paws.
    I put my hands on my hips. “You can’t take the bone with you. We have a quilting class going on in the shop today. We can’t have the smell of old ham bothering the ladies while they quilt their snowmen.”
    Oliver wrapped his legs more tightly around the bone. I hoped this didn’t turn into a wrestling match.
    Bethanne leaned over and took the bone from the Frenchie. Oliver didn’t fight her for it, but he gave an audible sigh when his physical contact was broken.
    She smiled. “I will keep it here behind the desk for him.”
    Oliver is such a charmer. Now he had young girls hiding treats for him.
    I smacked my leg again. “Come on, you old Casanova.”
    He grinned and trotted after me.
    The French doors opened into the dining room. The long table where I had seen the cast and crew eating breakfast more than an hour ago was empty. A few of the smaller tables had guests sitting at them, perusing the newspaper while they savored their coffee. Junie moved around the long play table with a dishpan. As she collected cups and plates, she added them to the pan. Ametal cart sat