Free Death Among the Doilies by Mollie Cox Bryan Page A

floors. Wait until you see the main fireplace. I live in the carriage house out back. Even there, the workmanship is exquisite.”
    â€œThis is a Tiffany window,” Jane said as they stopped on the landing. “You wouldn’t think to see it in a small town like this, but the family were admirers of fine art and craftsmanship.”
    â€œIt’s a Celtic goddess, Brigid,” Jane said. “Goddess of poetry and crafts.”
    â€œVery appropriate,” Jude said.
    As Jane and Jude walked farther up the stairs and out of listening distance, Ruby appeared with Jude’s coffee.
    â€œHe’ll be back down,” Cora said. “He’s a bit entranced with the place.”
    â€œHe’s entranced with something,” Ruby snorted.
    â€œMost men are.”
    â€œYou ain’t so bad yourself,” Ruby said. “Why don’t you have a guy?”
    Cora shrugged. Go out and get a guy, like you were picking apples. As if it were that easy. She thought of Cashel, momentarily, but then immediately erased him from her mind, while his mother stood in front of her.
    â€œI just . . . haven’t met the right guy, I suppose.” She thought she had once—but Dante was history.
    â€œYou’re young and pretty,” Ruby said. “You should be out experimenting. You know, getting laid.”
    Cora felt her cheeks flush—and hated herself for it. It was one of the many scourges of being a fair-skinned redhead.
    Ruby cackled, noticing her flush. “I’m sorry—didn’t mean to embarrass you. I’ve got some sorting to do in the cottage,” she said after a moment of uncomfortable silence had passed. “I do hate to leave and miss that eye candy. But I’ll catch you later.”
    With that, she was gone. Ruby knew how to disappear out of a room.
    Jane came back down the stairs. “Jude asked for his coffee in his room. Says he needs some time to get organized. He’ll be down for lunch.”
    Cora handed Jane the mug of coffee, and Jane headed back up the stairs.
    â€œI had no idea he was so, um, hot,” Jane said over her shoulder with a grin.
    â€œBehave yourself,” Cora called back. That was all she needed—a love-struck Jane. They had talked about how it was not a good idea for Jane to get involved with anyone quite yet. How she needed to give herself some time alone. But a voluptuous woman like Jane had to beat back the men sometimes.
    When the doorbell rang, Cora thought it might be Mary-Laura Johnson, who was bringing gourds over for the gift baskets. But when she opened the door, she was distressed to see two police officers, different ones than had visited the carriage house earlier.
    â€œCan I help you?” Cora asked.
    â€œI’m Officer Glass and this is Officer Shimer. We’re looking for Jude Sawyer. Is he staying here?”
    â€œMr. Sawyer is a guest here, yes,” Cora responded, wondering what this could be about. How did they even know Jude? He was from Tennessee. “He’ll be teaching a class here this weekend.”
    â€œThat’s what we thought,” Officer Glass said. “We need to talk with him. Where is he?”
    â€œIn his room.”
    â€œAnd where is that?”
    â€œI don’t think it’s appropriate for you to bother him in his room, Officers. I will be happy to bring him to you,” Cora said.
    â€œNo problem, Cora,” Jude said as he came down the stairs. “I’m here.”
    â€œIs there someplace private we could talk?” Officer Shimer asked.
    Cora sent them all into the paper-crafting room. Before she shut the door, she stood back and took in the contrasting sight of the big uniformed police officers surrounded by beautiful paper, ribbons, and sparkly embellishments.
    She couldn’t resist standing outside the closed door and eavesdropping. Why were the local police here to see her guest teacher? She sort of had a right to know,