Chapter Twenty-Five

Annie was determined to put murder out of her mind and get to know her new hometown. The funeral was the day after tomorrow, and she wanted this chunk of time to feel like herself again. Unless the police showed up again, the murder didn’t exist. Today, she was just a girl who’d moved to town almost two weeks ago and had yet to find all ten coffeehouses.

Heading out from the gated complex, she was grateful she didn’t have to stop and chat with any neighbors. The perks of having a work from home job when others didn’t. Losing her laptop for a couple of days hadn’t put her behind.

If anything, she just became more in demand. Vivian’s boss, a nightclub owner where she did publicity and marketing, wanted to hire Annie for some rebranding. She’d enjoyed her conversation with Vivian that morning. She’d caught her friend up on all the events of late and realized she knew more neighbors here than she ever had in Portland.

The main road outside the gated complex was busier than a lot of other areas in town due to its beach access. Annie took the sidewalk that wove a path parallel to the ocean. She could see people down in the sand flying kites and chatting with others. No one was in the water that she could see, but there were boats dotting the blue. After looking at a map, she knew if she took the first side street, she’d be able to wander down to the marina. Not today. Today she’d find the coffee shops, visit the bookshop, and get her bearings.

Annie loved living in Portland. With the bookstores, the restaurants, and easy access to everything, she’d felt very connected. The seagulls squawked overhead, dive bombing creatures she couldn’t see. It surprised her that she felt connected here as well. In a completely different way. Stopping at the crosswalk, she took in the scenery. The Marina diner was just down to her left. Spotting an aging sandwich board sign just past the diner, she grinned when she read the words: Marina Coffee. One. She knew if she kept going, she’d hit the high school, elementary school, and Gill’s dealership.

No thoughts of Gill. The light brought the traffic to a stop, so Annie could cross. The people in the cars waved and smiled, so she returned the gesture, giggling a little to herself. Small towns were a bit weird. But she could get used to weird. Portland had its share.

The other side of the street had a few houses that probably got tired of the traffic in the area. She was grateful her parents’ home was not only gated but set back from the road, unlike the ones that faced the street.

Going from memory, she made her way to Center Street. Seeing the row of shops was exciting. She planned to check out each of them thoroughly, though maybe not all today. Wondering if the street came alive at lunch hour when people had a break, she waved to an older couple walking a large dog as she passed.

Shelby and her babies had been in good spirits this morning. Well, the kittens had been loud. They might not be able to see just yet, but they had no problem getting to the spot they wanted, even if it meant climbing over another’s head. Would Mira want them all at Gill’s house as soon as they could be moved?

No Gill. Harder than she thought. Annie passed a real estate office that was closed; a small clothing boutique that was open; and stopped outside Tiny Trinkets, which appeared to be a souvenir shop. From where she stood, she could see Just Coffee.

That one, the Marina, Cuppa, and the Perfect Cup. Four out of ten. Almost halfway there. The bookstore, What to Read, with its window display of new releases beckoned her in. She didn’t need much of a nudge.

Opening the door, she smiled at the little jingle that announced her arrival. A counter with computer tills sat in the center, surrounded by tables and book racks taking up most of the floor space. Along each of the three walls—the fourth one being the entrance and a wall of windows that displayed more books—the shelves were lined from ceiling to wood floor with books. For a small store, it was well stocked. Annie decided to start from the outside left and work her way in.

“Welcome to What to Read,” a woman said behind her.

Annie startled, turned and pressed a hand to her chest. “Oh, I didn’t see you there.”

The woman had short blond hair and a cherub-style face with rounded cheeks. Annie was terrible at guessing ages, but she figured they were in the same range. “My bad. I was grabbing more bags from underneath. I’m Kasey. Let me know if I can help you find anything.”

Annie nodded, grateful she didn’t get the expected, Are you new around here?

The first wall held biographies, memoirs, and history books. Moving along, feeling the contentment slip over her like a glove, she reached the back wall. New releases, staff picks, and award winners. Annie spent some time in that section before moving to the final wall, which was romance and mystery, her go-to genres. She picked up Candace Havens’s newest book in the Ainsley McGregor series. Annie didn’t usually need a reason to buy new books, but if anyone deserved a break from real life, she did.

“That’s a great one,” Kasey said, joining her at the wall to shelve the books in her arms.

After chatting about the series for a few minutes, Annie picked up a couple of other books and headed to the checkout.

It wasn’t even quite dinnertime, but her stomach grumbled. Her culinary choices in direct sight included the bakery or a sandwich shop, but her heart was set on Cuppa, so her stomach would have to endure a bit of a walk.

Cuppa was fairly busy. Almost all of the chairs were taken, but there were a couple free stools at the counter. Annie slipped onto one, setting her purse and bag in front of her.

When Ashley looked her way and said, “Be right there,” Annie smiled and waved.

Ashley did not. She continued making the order she was working on, passed it to the customer without a smile, and then came to Annie. “What can I get you?”

Annie was caught off guard by the abrupt greeting. “I’ll have a London Fog and a cinnamon apple muffin. Are you okay?”

She narrowed her gaze. “I’m fine. Why?”

It clicked then. Annie laughed. “You’re Stephanie.”

The woman looked at her like she was a few cards short of full deck. “I know.”

Annie laughed again. “I’m sorry. I met your sister the other day. She was really nice and invited me to a games night this weekend.”

Stephanie’s smile finally made an appearance. “That makes more sense. Ash is the friendly one. Everyone says I have resting bit—”

“Annie!” Ashley came out from the swinging door that separated the work and kitchen areas.

“Nice to meet you, Annie. I’ll grab your order,” Stephanie said, tapping her hand on the counter.

“How are you?” Ashley asked when she reached the counter.

“I’m good. I think I just creeped your sister out though. I thought she was you.”

Ashley laughed. “Trust me, there’s no way to count how many times that’s happened. Steph, you have her order?”

“On it, social butterfly.” Stephanie winked at her sister.

“You guys are a lot busier than many of the shops I’ve passed today,” Annie said.

Ashley leaned on the counter. “We’re off the main strip, which locals like. Especially as the tourist season picks up.”

Someone approached the counter, pulling Ashley’s attention. “I have to help. You coming Saturday?”

“I am. Looking forward to it.”

Ashley started walking toward the customer but turned back. “You coming alone?”

Now why on earth were her cheeks getting hot? “With a friend.”

Ashley’s snort of laughter caught the attention of others, and Annie knew she resembled a Maine lobster at the moment. “Guess who her friend is, Steph?”

Steph brought over Annie’s order, set it in front of her. “Hmm. Let’s see.”

“Ben,” Ashley said, not giving her sister any time.

Stephanie’s gaze widened. “Uh-oh. That should make Chrissy take the train straight to Crazy Town.”

Annie groaned. She wanted to drop her head to the counter, but she focused on her drink instead.

While she ate her muffin, sipped her tea, she got filled in by Ashley and her sister about the women who were crazy about the “Triple Threat Trio.” According to the sisters, this was the name assigned to their older brother, Levi; Ben; and Ryan. All three had been popular in high school and returned to the small town successful, single, and sexier. A triple threat.

When the sisters got busy, Annie’s brain did what it always did—wandered. What had Gill been like in high school? Was he a charmer? Did he have friends? Grow up in Rainbow Falls? Could someone from his past have wanted him dead?

“What are you doing tonight?” Ashley asked, pulling her out of her thoughts.

Annie smiled, realizing she’d totally zoned out. “Reading.” She lifted the bookstore bag.

Ashley glanced at her sister, who gave a subtle nod. Leaning across the counter, the barista whispered, “Stick around.”

Annie laughed. “Why? Am I being initiated?”

Ashley’s grin was too wide. “Sort of. We like you. You’re good people, and you need a break from all this murder stuff.”

Brows pushing together, Annie stared, trying to figure out of the woman was messing with her. “Thank you? I like you, too.”

“We have a special meeting on Thursday nights. It’s fun. I think you’ll enjoy it.”

Annie wondered if she was supposed to agree without learning details. “Is it legal?”

Stephanie snorted with laughter behind them. “She should definitely come.”

“What is it?”

“You’ll see. You love to read, so you’ll fit right in. It’s our version of a girl’s night.”

Annie checked her phone. The shop closed in twenty minutes. She didn’t have other plans. And truthfully, what other trouble could befall her? She’d kind of hit the mother lode of bad luck this week. Whatever the sisters had planned might be fun. Plus, she needed some friends.

“Will I be sorry?”

Ashley grinned. “You’ll see.”