Free A Seamless Murder by Melissa Bourbon Page B

boots. Looking at the other women in the room, I knew I could have dressed down in jeans and a T-shirt and still fit in fine. But since I ownedand operated a custom dressmaking shop, I was a walking advertisement for my business. If I didn’t wear my creations, and wear them well, how could the townsfolk I hoped to woo with my style have any confidence in me?
    At the podium, I faced the nine people assembled at the front of the room. I felt Will’s gaze on me and drew strength from his support in the same way I drew strength from knowing that Meemaw was still with me. Each of the council members had their attention glued firmly on me. I cleared my throat and launched into my impromptu speech.
    “If there is any house in Bliss that should be on the historic registry, it is 2112 Mockingbird Lane. As Janice said, the house has been in the Cassidy family for six generations now, and will be for many more to come. The Cassidys have our roots in Bliss, and we’re not going anywhere. From the moment the house was built, it was magical.” I thought of Meemaw and added, “It still is.”
    The air in the room grew still. It was common knowledge that my family was charmed, but it was a don’t ask, don’t tell kind of thing. Most everyone in town was aware of the magic that surrounded us. Mama’s special orchids, which she grew in the greenhouse on her property, were in high demand. She was called on to fix dying lawns and raggedy plants, and people seemed to ignore the fact that she never brought tools or soil enhancements to do a job. Nana’s charm wasn’t as widely helpful, but to anyone with a goat, she was a goddess. The cheeses she produced were celebrated for their wonderful variety. And me? Buttons & Bows had acquired a reputation as the place to get custom designs that would change your life.
    “The house,” I continued quickly, “is everything to myfamily. Loretta Mae wanted it designated as a historic landmark to share the history of it with the community. I’m here to make that happen.”
    As the words left my mouth, I could feel my body relax, the nervousness easing out of me.
    One by one, the people on the committee nodded. “Not everyone has your passion, Ms. Cassidy,” the woman sitting next to Will said.
    “I love the house,” I said, “and I believe it should be preserved as part of Bliss’s Historic District.”
    With that, I sat back down next to Coco and blew out the breath I’d been holding. She patted my knee. “You did good, Harlow. You’re a natural. Loretta Mae would be proud.”
    The group voted. One by one, their hands went up. It was unanimous, and 2112 Mockingbird Lane was named a historic landmark. I’d get my own little circular black and gold plaque to hang up on the front of the house. I sat a little taller because I knew Coco was right. Meemaw would be thrilled to know that I had completed what she’d started.
    After three more agenda items, the meeting was adjourned. It was now or never. I summoned up my sleuthing moxie, ready to start ferreting out the truth about Delta’s dealings with the council.
    Coco had wandered off to chat with Zinnia James, and I headed straight for Jeremy Lisle. I’d been so busy worrying about speaking in front of the group that I hadn’t really looked closely at him. Now that I did, I saw that he was balding, but had the cool look of Bruce Willis or Vin Diesel. Tanned skin, even on the top of his head, slight stubble that gave him an edgy look, and one earring in his left lobe.
    Not your typical small-town Texas mayor. I wondered ifhe’d win the election in the fall, or if the incumbent, Richard Radcliffe, would.
    Jeremy Lisle wore khakis and a white button-down shirt, undone at the top. No tie. No jacket. I couldn’t tell if this state of casual cool was really authentic or if he was trying hard to maintain his youth. I waited for an image of him to appear in my mind, some other attire that would help me define him, but nothing appeared.