Free A Murder In Milburn Book 2 Death Of A Deputy REVAMPED June 2016 SCRIVENER by Nancy McGovern Page A

Nora again. There was a smile on her face, but it rather resembled the bared fangs of a tiger.
    Harvey glared after the boy and turned to Nora. “What are you hanging out with him for?”
    “I caught him in the woods,” Nora said.  
    Harvey raised an eyebrow. “Doing what, endangering species with his wanton destruction?”
    “Funny, Harvey.” Milly whacked his shoulder teasingly.
    “Why are you here?” Nora asked. “Come to see the new cops?”
    “Yep,” Harvey said. “I wanted to know, as is my duty if I could help in any way.”
    “Harvey just wanted the latest gossip.” Milly laughed. “You won’t believe how he loves to poke his nose into things.”
    “Nora knows me well enough,” Harvey said. “Besides, she’s the official town Miss Marple.”
    “Old lady who snoops about?” Milly asked. “Don’t be mean, Harvey, she’s not that old.”
    “I didn’t mean--”
    “You two have a good day,” Nora said, unable to bear it any more. “I’m going to go see how Sean is doing.”
    It was the truth, but she had to admit there was a different reason as to why she’d said it.
    Harvey stood looking at her a second longer as she walked away from him, and Nora could feel his gaze burning into her.
    Why did it have to be this way? she asked herself. All she really wanted was to run back and jump into his arms. Instead, she had to will every particle of her body to walk away from him, and look as neutral as possible when Milly put her arm around him.
    As soon as she was away from him, though, her thoughts wandered back to Ricky. He’d run away as soon as he had seen Harvey. Was there a reason behind that?
    Was Harvey the one he’d been trying to extort? Or was she reading too much into it?
    Harvey’s face, of course, had given away nothing at all. It never did.

    *****

Chapter 17
    Sean was all too pleased to see her again.
    His home was on the large ranch his father had left to him. It was beautiful and wide, with lavender trimmings and a porch wrapping around it. A green garden with neat rows of lemon trees stood in front, and two comfortable rattan chairs were placed invitingly on the porch, with a low stool between them, and a jar of mint lemonade on it.
    “Welcome to my home,” Sean said with a smile. “I believe it’s the first time you’ve been? I can give you the grand tour if you’d like, but I warn you, my room’s rather messy.”
    “No thanks,” Nora smiled. “I’m fine sitting out here.”
    “Well, my mother’s out of town at the moment, and my sister’s in Jackson,” Sean said. “She works there as a lawyer and comes home each weekend. But for now, I’ve got the house to myself.”
    “You live with your mother and sister.” Nora smiled. “I didn’t take you to be a domestic animal.”
    “Did you picture me living in a cave with a few bears?” Sean raised an eyebrow. “Well, I tried renting an apartment in town a few years but, to be honest, once I got over the stigma of living with my mom and sister, I realized it’s really nice to have all the housework taken care of so I can focus on being sheriff. Besides, I got a nice separate entrance to my room.” He waggled his eyebrows at her, and she blushed.
    “Sean, don’t be gross.”
    “I was going for smooth,” Sean said, sounding glum. “Oh well. Have some lemonade?”
    “No thanks.” Nora sat down, and he sat down next to her. They stared ahead in silence for a few moments, admiring the garden and the grounds in front of them. To their left were the stables, with six chestnut horses now safely ensconced, eating oats out of their bags.
    “Your father was very successful,” Nora said.
    “My entire family built this ranch up,” Sean said. “Ma handles it now and she keeps telling me it’s my duty to handle it someday. Between you and me, I think it should go to Julie. She’s the one who loves it. For me, it’s just the place I come to sleep.”
    “But you’re happy here,” she said. It was true.