Murder, She Barked

He glanced at the house behind him. “I better get busy before Miss Foyle catches me taking a breather. You two stop in at Hair of the Dog while you’re here, and we’ll catch up.” He pointed at Holmes. “You owe me a basketball rematch. I’ll get you this time.”

Oma and Rose joined us, and after a polite exchange of greetings, we finally walked to The Blue Boar.

Oma walked up the stairs slowly, with Holmes’s help. I hung back with Gingersnap so she wouldn’t trip Oma. My phone played the jingling notes that always made me think of a fairy waving her wand so that magical sparkles appear. A text! It had to be about my dog.

Sixteen

Oma turned with alarming speed. “Get rid of that thing,” she hissed.

Rose pointed at a sign mounted near the top of the stairs. Cell Free Zone.

From their horrified expressions, I gathered that didn’t mean it was a free Wi-Fi zone. The Blue Boar appeared to be an upscale restaurant. I didn’t blame them for banning cell phones. It would be nice to dine without ringtones pealing, people talking on their phones, or texting. It was sort of old-fashioned, but it appealed to me.

“I’ll just check to be sure it’s not about my dog.” Calling to Gingersnap, I hurried away with her so I wouldn’t offend anyone.

I swept the phone open. The little message bubble contained the cryptic words, marE me?

It took a second for me to sound it out and realize it meant marry me? I looked up at the restaurant seeking out Holmes. They had already been seated on the deck. He laughed at something Oma said.

Ohhh, that was a very bad sign. I’d looked for Holmes before I gave Ben a single thought. I checked the message again. Of course it was from Ben.

Had he lost his mind? Who would say yes to a proposal like that? We weren’t übercool kids. This was . . . well, positively offensive. He didn’t have to get down on one knee, but it would be nice if he had given it a little bit of consideration. He’d shown more enthusiasm about picking a movie to watch.

It wasn’t as though I had never considered marrying Ben. He was a solid, steady man. Great job, great prospects. We would have a good life together.

Rose’s silly questions from the morning floated back to me. Did he make me laugh? Did he make my toes tingle? Honestly! What was wrong with me? Real life wasn’t like those fairy tales. Fireworks didn’t shoot off. Real people didn’t quiver when their one and only soul mates drew near.

But even if I was being completely sensible—a texted proposal? With a humph loud enough to worry Gingersnap, I turned off my phone and marched up the stairs to join Oma, Rose, and Holmes for dinner.

A dashing gentleman with a broad smile and a heavy dose of salt in his hair held out his arms to Oma and kissed her on both cheeks. “Liesel, I have only just heard about your terrible accident. You should have called me. Should I bring a footrest for you?” He snapped his fingers in the air, and like magic, a footrest appeared.

“I’m fine, Thomas.” She pronounced his name Tow-mas, with emphasis on the first syllable.

He clasped her hand in both of his. “I make you a special dinner tonight.”

Oma introduced me.

I also received the hug and double cheek kisses. “I imagine Liesel looking just like you when she was young. I am so happy you have returned to Wagtail—”

Unless I was mistaken, either Rose or Oma kicked him under the table at that point.

He clapped his hands together. “Special dessert to celebrate? You like chocolate? Of course you do. Everyone does.”

He scooted off, and a waiter descended upon us for drink orders. I stayed with plain old iced tea, not the kind with alcohol. After the long drive last night and my early morning, liquor would surely put me to sleep. Besides, that little kick had served as notice that something was definitely afoot. Tomorrow I would have to confront Oma. She had brought me here for a reason. It was time she told me what.

“I believe Thomas might be sweet on you, Oma.” I watched her carefully. Her cheeks had flushed, she’d taken care with her appearance, and except for the twisted ankle, she didn’t appear to be in any pain. Whatever was going on, I hoped it wasn’t her health.

“Don’t be silly.”

But the twinkle in Rose’s eye and the slight nod of her head told me otherwise.

The waiter arrived and set a small white plate before each of us. Thomas had a flare for presentation. Two scallops gently seared until they bore light caramel-colored tops had been drizzled with a golden sauce and accented with a tiny basil leaf. The robust scent of garlic wafted up to me.

“Thomas is so thoughtful,” said Oma. “He knows this is my favorite appetizer.”

For a moment, we ate in silence, savoring the rich flavors. I thought I detected a hint of lemon.

“Poor Ellie,” said Rose. “I can’t imagine losing a child.” Her hand slid over to rest on top of Holmes’s hand. “Or a grandchild. It would be unbearable.”

“Our Dave has a big problem on his hands. There wasn’t anyone in town who didn’t run up against Jerry sometime,” said Oma.