Free The Maestro (Cold Hollow Mysteries Book 3) by Emilie J. Howard

what it was but opted against it. Delilah’s response to the fluid was odd. Her eyes rolled, her expression brightened, and her cheeks flushed.
    As though reading Myrna’s expression, Maurice explained, “My daughter and I suffer from a particular type of anemia. This fluid helps her.”
    “Why don’t you drink it too?”
    “I’m satiated at the present time, particularly after eating rare prime rib.”
    As dessert orders were taken, Myrna watched Sarah Macy enter the establishment. Her eyes were puffy and swollen, and she was distraught. Myrna stood and followed her to the kitchen. She held her in a close embrace as Robert continued cooking other customers’ meals. Sarah sniffled, “I can’t believe Tilly is gone. They say it was an accident. She fell into a deep pit and hurt herself. I don’t know what to do, Myrna.”
    Myrna soothed her, “It was no one’s fault, Sarah. It was an accident, and accidents happen every now and then. You can honor her by remembering her smile and attending her funeral service. Have Becky make up a nice bouquet of Tilly’s favorite flowers and send it to her family.” She could feel Sarah’s tears soaking her blouse but let it go. This girl had suffered enough. Her mother had recently been murdered, then Sarah was involved in a shooting at the police station where she had shot the murderer. Sarah was still on parole from that ordeal, and now this happened to her. The girl needed to be held.
    Sarah continued weeping and asked, “Will you go the funeral with me?”
    Myrna ran her hand down Sarah’s hair and replied, “Of course I will. She was a member of this community and loved by all who happened to make her acquaintance.”
    When Robert caught up with his orders, he took Myrna’s place, held Sarah in his arms, and spoke soothingly to her.
    Myrna felt her blood pressure soar when she thought of what had happened to Tilly. She was the child of a transplanted family, one who had welcomed life in Cold Hollow with open arms. Myrna refused to think that the child’s death was an accident. She stormed from the kitchen with a look of determination on her face. Her jaw was clenched, and she sat back in her chair with a thump and glanced at her family with wild eyes.
    Adam nudged Maurice. “Boss, I don’t think she’s going to postpone a damn thing.”

CHAPTER 7
     
    After she showed the family the banquet hall and listened to some of Delilah’s and Maurice’s ideas, Myrna found her head spinning again. They added exciting suggestions to the decorating aspect but assured her that they would take care of the planning personally, so this left her more at ease. When Maurice had inquired about a bridal shower and bachelor party, Tom explained they’d decided to pass on both. They already had everything they needed for their home and didn’t want to put the added expense of both events on the bridal party’s shoulders.
    As they drove back home, with Adam, Maurice, and Delilah following them, Tom asked, “What are you planning?”
    “To go into a coma tonight.”
    Tom laughed as Liam commented, “I don’t think that’s a good idea, Mama.”
    Tom assured him, “She’s just joking, Liam. She wouldn’t dare leave us to our own devices. She’d wake up to a messy house, that’s for sure. We men are just no good at cleaning.”
    Liam yawned and replied, “That’s cuz it’s boring.”
    They pulled into their driveway. Myrna exited their vehicle and went to retrieve Liam from the backseat, and Tom retrieved the enlarged photo Delilah had gotten him. Liam was already rubbing his eyes, and when she mentioned an early bedtime, he didn’t balk.
    As they went inside the house, she carried Liam upstairs, got him prepared for bed, refreshed his glass of water on his nightstand, and turned on a night-light for him. After tucking him in and kissing him good night, she whispered, “I love you, and I hope you have nothing but sweet dreams tonight.”
    He whispered back, “I love you