Free Murder in the Boonies: A Sleuth Sisters Mystery (The Sleuth Sisters Book 3) by Maggie Pill

and Faye made sure she had enough of everything. Daisy sat between Dale and Faye, and Buddy plopped himself next to her chair. From time to time I heard sounds that indicated he was eating, and Daisy’s delight with what she thought was a secret was all too obvious. Iris tried to signal her to behave herself, but Daisy was having too much fun to notice. Catching Iris’ eye I winked, and she relaxed a little.
    Once we finished the meal, the girls began what seemed to be a familiar routine for them, clearing the table and stacking the dishes in the sink. Iris ran hot water in the sink and began washing. Pansy rinsed the dishes and set them on a clean towel. Little Daisy put the ketchup, ranch dressing, and barbecue sauce into the refrigerator and gathered up the placemats, shaking the crumbs into the garbage.
    “We have a dishwasher,” I protested.
    Pansy glanced at the appliance as if it were an alien likely to zap her with a death ray. “Faster this way.” I guessed she hadn’t used one before.
    “I often do dishes that way myself,” Faye said. “It’s restful, having your hands in warm water, and quiet, too, because everybody leaves you alone for ten minutes.”
    While the girls worked, Faye brought out the bag she’d packed for a night at the farm. Daisy seemed nervous about her departure, but Faye told her, “I have to leave Buddy here. Can you watch him for me?”
    Daisy happily agreed, and Faye showed her where his food and treats are stored, cautioning that he didn’t need as many as he thought he did. “We don’t want him to get fat,” she said, and I rolled my eyes just a little. Faye spoils the dog, and Dale tries to curry his favor by sneaking him treats. Buddy wouldn’t get any fatter under the care of a six-year-old than he does with his mom and dad.
    Faye signaled me after she said goodbye to the girls, and I followed her onto the back porch. “Don’t worry,” she told me, though it was obviously she who was worried. “Rory’s bringing the sheriff over in the morning.”
    I smiled at the idea that Rory and the sheriff were my relief squad. “We’ll be fine. Take the time you need with your horses.”
    “Cramer is bringing his stuff out tomorrow after work, so we plan to spend the day clearing the bunkhouse out for him.” She frowned. “We might not get back until late. I don’t know about supper—”
    “Faye, that’s what Pizza Hut is for. One phone call and they bring supper right to your door.”
    She didn’t argue, but I guessed she thought I didn’t fully understand the nutritional needs of growing children. Dale was already in the car, so she gave me a quick hug and hurried around to the driver’s seat. As she got in, he handed her a pair of sunglasses, which she put on. It was after six, and they were heading east. I didn’t think she needed them, but apparently Dale did.
    Back inside, the girls had cleaned the kitchen and swept the floor. Despite my assurances to Faye, I had a moment of doubt. What time should they go to bed? Was I supposed to suggest activities? Board games? Reading? I had no idea what today’s kids do with their evenings.
    Pansy solved my problem. “Do you have cable?”
    “Um, Faye does. I don’t watch much TV.”
    “We’re not allowed to, either.” Daisy spoke as if some adult had forbidden television to me. “But when we get to, we like Nickelodeon.”
    “Well, you’re welcome to see if you can find it.”
    Minutes later, I stood in the doorway to the guest room while Pansy scrolled through the TV offerings with an ease everyone under thirty seems to possess. She found the station, which was playing a show I was vaguely familiar with, SpongeBob Squarepants . I stood for a few minutes watching them settle on the bed together. Pansy controlled the remote, Iris took Daisy under her arm, and Buddy jumped up beside her and settled in with a sigh.
    “We’re good,” Pansy assured me. “Do whatever you usually do at night.”
    Telling myself