Free Book Fair and Foul (Ashton Corners Book Club) by Erika Chase Page A

days.
    Lizzie shook her head and tried to focus on her surroundings. It was too beautiful a morning to waste being stuck in her head. She concentrated instead on the sights of an Ashton Corners morning. She headed straight to the river path and allowed the morning mist rising from the river to shroud her in a cloak of anonymity and serenity. The early morning path was hers alone and she tried to keep her mind on the number of steps she was taking, rather than letting it dwell on what had happened the day before. She stopped rather suddenly at the sight of a deer that had wandered down the bank on the opposite side of the river for a drink. Lizzie looked around, hoping there wouldn’t be a jogger with a dog running along the other side or, worse yet, a hunter.
    After a few minutes, the deer raised its head and looked around before scrambling back up the bank and leaping away into the woods. Lizzie remained standing in the same spot for a few more minutes, drawing in the beauty of the morning. She finally started moving at a slower pace, building back up to full speed by the time she reached Glendale Park. Thirty minutes more and she turned onto her street.
    By the time she opened the kitchen door, she felt ready to face the day, Sunday anyway. Mark sat at the kitchen table reading the copy of the
Birmingham News
that had been delivered. He had a cup of coffee in front of him and Patchett at his feet.
Domestic bliss.
    Lizzie gave him a quick kiss on the top of his head as she headed for a glass of cool water. After drinking two, she sat down across from him.
    “Man and dog. Right off a calendar page.”
    Mark grinned. “Did you have a good run?”
    “I did. In fact, I’m so energized, I may even make you breakfast,” she said.
    “Now, I hate to pass that up but I thought I’d take you out to Oscar’s for breakfast.” He looked hopefully at her. Oscar’s was his favorite breakfast spot.
    “Sounds like a plan,” Lizzie said, standing. “I’ll shower and get ready. What about Patchett? When will you walk him?”
    “I’ll do that while you’re getting ready. Just a short walk and then a longer one later.” He reached out for her hand and pulled her over. “How are you feeling today?”
    “Like I said, energized.”
    “I mean about the Ashley Dixon thing. No lingering upset or dwelling on bad memories?”
    “No. I’m good,” she said and meant it, as long as she didn’t give Ashley a thought.
    He gave her a quick kiss on the back of her neck as she tamped some freshly ground coffee into the holder for her espresso machine.
    She drank her espresso slowly, as she did each time, trying to get the most enjoyment before it was finished. All too soon. She rinsed her cup out then ran upstairs to her bedroom. Both cats sat on the bed and gave her an apprehensive look as she entered.
    “Just me, darlings. The other two have gone for a walk, so you’re free to roam. Then we’ll all be out of here and the house will once again be yours.”
    Mark had made the bed. Housebroken, she thought with a smile. She laid out her black jeans and long-sleeved yellow-striped blouse on the pillow shams so the cats wouldn’t curl up on them, then headed for the bathroom.
    By the time Mark got back, Lizzie had showered, dressed and treated herself to another espresso.
    “I’m assuming we’re dropping Patchett off at your place first?” she asked.
    Mark glanced at the cats, both sitting on the backrest of the love seat. “I think that’s advisable. Are you ready?”
    She grabbed her small clutch bag and followed him out the door, Patchett leading the way. By the time they arrived at Oscar’s, the place was packed. Mark had thought to phone ahead and reserve them a table by the side window, overlooking a small courtyard that was also full. Lizzie sat back and relaxed, enjoying the din of happy customers and busy servers. Cheerful red-and-white-checkered tablecloths and seat covers complemented the casual look of pine walls and