The Inn at Holiday Bay: Clue in the Clam, Kathi Daley [early reader chapter books TXT] 📗

together,” Joel suggested. “I have a buddy I like to travel with, but he’s had some medical issues lately and hasn’t been up for a trip abroad. I do enjoy traveling with a friend. Maybe we could plan a trip. As friends, of course,” he added when she began to frown.

“I guess that might be something to consider,” she eventually said. “I really would love to see Rome.”

“Rome is lovely, and once you’re that far, it wouldn’t be too much more effort to travel to France and Spain.”

Emma’s gaze grew distant. “I’ll need to think on it. It sounds wonderful, but…” She let the thought dangle.

I knew how hard it could be to take a step out of your comfort zone and try something new once you’d found a way of being alone after so many years of being one half of a whole.

“I’m sure Joel would be a wonderful tour guide,” I added. “Traveling with a seasoned international traveler who’s already been where you’re going would be a lot easier. Being with someone who knows where to stay and how to get around would make the trip less stressful.”

“I guess that’s true.” She smiled. “It does sound wonderful. I’ll have to give it some thought.”

I chatted with the pair for a few more minutes, and then the dogs and I turned around and headed back toward the inn. I was sure Georgia would want to be filled in on the investigation, and I was anxious to get her take on things.

“So tell me your news,” Georgia said the minute I walked into the inn. “I can’t believe you dropped the teaser and then left, and here I was stuck with my bread.”

“Sorry. I guess I should have waited to say anything until we got back from our walk.”

“So spill. What did you find out?”

I filled her in with all the news I’d picked up since we’d last spoken.

“Wow.” Her cheeks had paled. “So, do you think there could be four more victims before this is over?”

“I think there might be four more victims before this is over. We still don’t actually know anything for certain. Colt is working on it. I know he feels the pressure to figure this out before there’s another death. I feel bad for him. I wish I could do more, but this really isn’t my area of expertise.”

“It was nice of Sydney to do what she could before she left. It must be an unusual sort of life to have a job that keeps you involved with serial killers and gruesome deaths all the time.”

“Honestly, I can’t imagine doing something like that for a living. Are you still planning to grill the fish tonight?”

“I am. The fish guy dropped off a really great selection, all cleaned and ready to go. Do you think Colt will be by?”

“No. Colt wants to stay close to town until whatever is going to happen does or doesn’t happen. If our theory is correct, the next death will occur tomorrow. At this point, I guess all we can do is hope that something we’ve done today put a kink in those plans, assuming, of course, that we’re even on the right track, which at this point isn’t a given.”

“Once I get the bread out of the oven, I’m going to run next door and change. Nikki will be by to help serve since Jeremy has been working on the pond all day.”

“Speaking of that, I wanted to check in with Jeremy. I think I’ll do that now.”

I headed outside, where the girls were still playing on the grass, and then I walked down the path to where Jeremy was working.

“Wow, you’ve made so much progress in such a short amount of time,” I said as I took in the pond, which had already been lined and filled with water.

“I was motivated to get it done. I just need to hook up the pump for the waterfall, which I plan to do next, and then the hardscape will be done. I’m going to head into town tomorrow to pick up some plants.”

“So, in addition to low-lying plants around the edge of the pond, are you going to add plants to the shelves within the pond?”

“That’s the idea. We’ll need to remove the plants when it gets cold since the pond will freeze, so they’ll remain in their containers. I’m going to build a small greenhouse where they can winter. The ferns and other water-loving plants that will be planted around the rim of the pond have been selected based on their ability to withstand the winter conditions and come back strong each spring.”

“It sounds like you’ve really done your research.”

“I have. I wanted to be sure I knew exactly what I was getting into before I started.”

“Are you going to add fish?” I wondered.

“No. At least not at this point. My goal for this season is to get the plants established and the water balanced and clear. I think there’s a learning curve with that.” He put his hands on his hips and looked around. “I’m going to add benches for reading and meditating there and there.” He pointed to flat shady places that he’d marked off. “The two trees near the pathway are large enough for a hammock, so I thought I’d add one of those as well. It might take a couple seasons before I have the area exactly the way I envision, but I think I have a good start.”

“You do, and I’m really impressed. I just hope the construction crew doesn’t stomp on your landscaping when they begin building the cottages next spring.”

“I’m going to rope off the areas where the more delicate plants will be added and make sure that Lonnie warns his guys to tread lightly.” He glanced toward the lawn area that was