Free Lyndsey Cole - Lily Bloom 01 - Begonia Means Beware by Lyndsey Cole

anything. I’m dying of curiosity. I was very close to Clifton, you know. Don’t you think Melinda has a right to know what happened?”
    Lily paced. “I understand your emotions , but I don’t have any information for you. I am wondering about the loan Clifton made to help Geoffrey start his business. And Geoffrey doesn’t have to pay it back now?”
    Tamara sputtered. “Clifton was a generous man. He helped a lot of people in town. He held the mortgage for Billy Owens when he wanted to buy the Misty Valley Market. Yes, Clifton was helpful. And no one in town seems to give him credit for that.”
    “What about his family? I haven’t heard anything about his parents or siblings? Have they been notified?”
    Tamara wiped a tear away. “Sadly, he has no family. Melinda was going to be the new start for him.”
    The phone rang and the front doorbell jingled. Lily tried to extricate herself from Mrs. Biotchi who seemed to be oblivious to the activity surrounding her. This woman is so self-centered. “Excuse me for a minute.”
    Iris was on the phone, all excited about something. “Just come here and tell me. I can’t talk now.” Daisy arrived , followed by Candy.
    Tamara looked up at Candy . “Mrs. Biotchi. Just the person I’ve been trying to get in touch with.”
    “Yes? Who are you?”
    “I made the cake for your daughter’s wedding? Candy Clarke? Candies Cakes and Catering?”
    “Of course.”
    “I have the beautiful cake done. What do you want me to do with it?”
    Tamara stared blankly. “The wedding is cancelled.”
    “I’m so sorry about that. But you already paid for the cake. Would you like to donate it to the hospital charity?”
    “That’s a splendid idea. Perfect. I’ll make sure the right person is notified.”
    Candy whispered to Lily. “Crazy?”
    “Something. Not sure what though. At least your cake problem is sorted out.”
    Iris rushed in dripping wet and bubbling with excitement. “Lily. I need to talk to you.”
    They went to the back of the store. “I found this.” Iris held up a wallet. “Do you know whose it is?”
    “Rosie found that. It must have fallen out of my tote when I stayed at your house.”
    “But, do you know whose it is?”
    “No. I never remembered to look at it.”
    Iris looked around and whispered in Lily’s ear. “It’s Clifton’s wallet.”
    Lily stepped back, eyes wide. “What?”
    “Clifton’s wallet.”
    “What’s in it?”
    “Not too much except this ‘call in case of emergency card’.”
    “Tamara told me he didn’t have any family. I wonder who that number is.”
    Lily checked that no one was paying any attention to them. Especially Tamara Biotchi, who was still in her chair talking to Daisy and Candy. “Can you call the number? Find out who it is. Then we’ll make a plan. I have to stay here.”
    “Of course. This could be exciting. I’ll call from my house and let you know if I find out anything.” Iris strolled to the front of the shop. “How’s everything Tamara?”
    Big sigh. “As well as can be expected. We’re all in such a state of shock. Poor Melinda. She just doesn’t know what to do with herself. And Clifton with no family. I’ll have to arrange the funeral on top of all my other responsibilities.”
    Iris sat next to Tamara. “I guess you won’t be able to make it to the hospital charity?”
    “What? Of course I’ll be there.”
    “Really? That would have been a conflict if there was still a wedding.”
    “Of course, the wedding was much more important.”
    “Of course.” Iris stood up. “I’m heading home now. Braving the weather.”
    “Are you driving that ridiculous scooter in this downpour?”
    Iris snorted. “No. I have my car.”
    Daisy managed to escape Tamara’s presence and find Lily working in the back. “She wants to talk to you about Clifton’s funeral flowers.”
    Lily arranged the royal blue delphinium with the white roses and added some eucalyptus. “There, that’s done. Can you