Death on the Coast, M Comley [book club books TXT] 📗

Christine’s name, it was with a sarcastic tone. I waited for her to share the details, but we never got that far.”

Lucy gave her an encouraging look. “It wouldn’t hurt for you to ask around. I know it doesn’t matter a lot now because neither one of you can apologize, but it might help you deal with your loss. And, if you do discover that she was behaving strangely with others, I’d like to know about it. It would certainly help me in tracking down her killer.”

About that time, Sally came around from behind the counter, a cup of coffee in her hand. She joined the girls at the table. “I wish I had time to do some kind of crafting,” she commented, nodding toward Lucy’s embroidery. “I watch the others when they bring their crafts in. It seems to make people feel so relaxed.”

“It does the trick for me,” Lucy agreed. “Do you do any crafts, Kathy?”

“I crochet. I pick up yarn scraps from the thrift stores and make dog blankets for the shelter.”

“Really?” Sally responded, looking interested.

“Yes, Cecilia got me involved. You know she can be a little crusty from time to time, but her heart is generally in the right place.”

Sally nodded in agreement. “It’s surprising how many people are givers. Sometimes, you think you’re all alone in the world and that no one could have the same problems as you. Then you reach out, and suddenly people are reaching back, pulling you out of your difficulty. I think it’s wonderful what you’re doing for the shelter. There are so many potential pets just waiting for someone to claim them. In fact, now that I think of it, I’m going to have a talk with Cecilia myself. I’d be willing to make sugar cookies in the shape of dogs and have the proceeds go toward her shelter.”

“Really? Oh, Sal, that would be so generous. I know everyone would buy them, but are you sure you can donate that much of your income and your time, of course?”

Sal shrugged. “You’re right. As soon as that came out of my mouth, it occurred to me. Dan will kill me for offering. He’s been wanting to add another room onto our house, and this will make him feel like I’ve put the dogs ahead of his wishes. I know. I’ll tell you what I can do. I don’t have to do it every day, but what if I do it one day a month? That will still raise some much needed money, it won’t interfere with his plans, and it might actually be good for business in the long run.”

“There you go, Sal. Your business brain is showing.” Kathy chuckled. “And on the days when you offer the doggie biscuits, I’ll make it my business to be here and crochet blankets at the same time. Maybe we could set aside one table, and everyone could do their individual crafts, but the beneficiaries would be the dogs. How’s that?”

Lucy smiled. “Ladies, you amaze me. The only way I know to contribute is to eat your cookies, Sal.”

“That’s exactly what we need,” she laughed. Sal gave a little start and reached beneath her apron into her shirt pocket, and removed her phone. “It’s my youngest, Felicity. She probably needs a new dress or wants to have a sleepover for her girlfriends. I guess she’s pretty popular in school for her sleepovers. We bring all the day-old stuff home, and the girls go on sugar highs.” She answered her phone and as she spoke, she moved away from the table and back into her kitchen area.

Lucy looked up at Kathy, and the two of them exchanged a smile.

Kathy leaned forward over the Formica table, placing her hand on Lucy’s. “Do you think you and Mark will ever have children?”

Lucy shrugged. It was a painful subject.

“Just tell me to butt out if you want.”

“No, it’s okay. We’ve been married four years now, and naturally, we should be starting our family. After all, we both have decent jobs and a beautiful home…”

“Want to talk about it?”

She lowered her voice and peered over her shoulder before she answered, always keen to avoid her news becoming the latest gossip in the café. Her privacy was paramount to her. “He’s behaving strangely, to tell you the truth. Distant, uninterested, maybe even a little depressed. Part of me thinks he’s guilty of something, and then the other part says not to be ridiculous, that it’s all in my head.”

Kathy nodded. “I can relate.”

“How about you?” Lucy asked. “Anyone special in your life?”

Kathy smiled, akin to that of the mysterious Mona Lisa. “I’ve had a few sweethearts in my life, but none of them have stuck around. Like you, I’m at that time in my life when I should be settling down and starting a family, but the right person just hasn’t come along.”

At that moment, the door opened and Greg Dewhurst strolled in.

Lucy looked up from her needlework and nodded toward him. “There you go. If I wasn’t married…” She let the thought hang there.

Kathy turned in her chair to take a peek and quickly turned back. “Oh my God. Why… I mean who is he, and why is he here?”

“Steel yourself. He’s here for Angie’s funeral. I’m not sure how close they were, but he’s available now, that’s for sure. He came in the other day while I was here, and there wasn’t a woman in here who didn’t swoon, believe me.”

“Now, there’s a word I haven’t heard in a very long time, but it fits perfectly.”

Lucy waved at him. “Hello again, Greg. Would you care to join us?”

Kathy’s eyes bulged and her posture instantly straightened. The only available chair was next to her.

Greg turned in acknowledgment and gave a half wave back. “Be right over.”

“Good Lord, why on earth did you do that? I look just awful. If I’d known…”

“Oh, calm down. He’s only a handsome sailor, that’s all. I’m sure he’s seen much worse than the