Free Ghostly Graveyard (Zoe Donovan Cozy Mystery Book 17) by Kathi Daley

possible Isaac didn’t actually bring the original copy of the letter with him when he came. Or if he did, maybe he realized he was in danger and mailed it to another relative. Perhaps Duncan’s grandfather?”
    “Okay, then let’s assume Duncan came to Ashton Falls to pick up where Isaac left off. Why all the subterfuge?” Zak asked. “He had the letter, which would have given him a plausible reason to simply ask Willa, Hazel, and whoever else he may have talked to for access to the old records. Why would he come to the area, set up camp near the old mine, and get involved with the events committee? It makes no sense.”
    “Yeah, and who killed him?” Scooter added.
     
    Later that evening, after the kids were settled in their rooms, we went into the sitting area of our own room with a glass of wine. I really enjoyed this time we spent together most evenings. Life seemed to have become so hectic that we rarely had time to relax. Charlie was asleep at my feet, Bella was lying by the fire, and Marlow and Spade were curled up in the bed. It was times like these, when it was just us, that I found the link to who we were before the kids and the Academy and our wonderful but hectic new life.
    “It looks like we’re going to be totally deserted for Thanksgiving.” I brought up the subject that had been on my mind since I’d talked to Scooter that morning.
    “I take it you spoke to the kids.”
    “I talked to Scooter. He told me that he’s going to his grandparents and Alex is going with him. He also told me that Pi is going to a music event. Jeremy confirmed that he’d been invited. How come you knew all this and I didn’t?”
    Zak set his glass down on the coffee table, then turned so he was facing me. He took my hand in his before he began to speak.
    “The thing with Pi wasn’t a for-sure thing until today,” Zak began. “I spoke to a couple of the guys in the band and we worked out the details. I think the weekend will be good for Pi. It will give him something to think about besides the fact that his mom isn’t with him this year.”
    “Yeah. I guess I can see that,” I acknowledged. Pi’s mother had passed away during the past year.
    “And as far as Scooter and Alex, I planned to talk to you about it this evening. Originally, I was going to talk to you about it yesterday, but you seemed so upset that your parents weren’t going to be here that I decided to let you get used to that idea first before I brought up the situation with the kids.”
    I leaned back into the sofa. I didn’t say anything, but I was sure Zak could see the unhappiness on my face.
    “I know you’re disappointed that everyone is going to be gone. I am too. But it did occur to me that we might be able to use the fact that we’ll be alone to our advantage. As much as I love our new big noisy life, we have very little time for just the two of us.”
    I frowned. “Advantage how?”
    Zak handed me a brochure for a gorgeous resort that promised world-class skiing, spa facilities, luxury cabins with river-rock fireplaces, and full kitchens.
    I looked at him. “You want to go on vacation?”
    “The place is in the Colorado Rockies. It’s a world-class resort with first-class skiing, dining, and accommodations. We never really did have much of a honeymoon, so I thought we could drop Scooter and Alex at Scooter’s grandparents and then spend a week with no interruptions. No work, no Academy, no kids, and no murder.”
    I looked down at the brochure. The resort had sleigh rides, ice skating, and snowmobiling in addition to skiing. The cabins were situated right on a lake that was frozen over in the winter but still beautiful.
    “Just the two of us?” I confirmed.
    “Just the two of us. And Charlie.”
    “It does sound nice.”
    Zak pulled me into his arms and kissed my neck.
    “It would be fun to ski on runs that are new to us,” I commented. “Are you sure they allow dogs?”
    Zak paused and looked at me. “They do in the