Just what Blake had hoped for.
Chapter 33
Bea’s viewing would draw much of Pelican Harbor, so Paradise had come with the family as soon as the doors opened. Even so, ten people lined up ahead of them. Isaac clung to her hand while Blake corralled Levi.
Abby had come with Quinn, and Drew stood in the line with them. Quinn’s eyes glistened with tears. She’d had Bea as a teacher at church for years. She was only a year older than Paradise had been when she lost her parents, and she well remembered that state between childhood and her teen years when she’d struggled with grief on her own. Quinn had her mother though, and she’d be fine.
Paradise caught sight of Abby’s red-rimmed eyes. Maybe there was more to Quinn’s grief besides the death of a beloved teacher. Paradise passed Isaac’s hand to Jenna and mouthed that she needed to move back for a minute, then made her way to Abby. “You okay?”
Tears escaped and rolled down Abby’s face. She took Paradise’s hand and drew her to a quiet corner out of the line. “I told Quinn about her dad’s remarriage. She was devastated and thinksshe won’t get to see him much. The bad thing is, I think she’s right. She’s not even invited to the wedding. They’re flying to Jamaica and getting married there without any guests. Not even his daughter. He’s such a slimeball.”
Paradise squeezed her hand. “I’m so sorry, Abbs.”
She waved off Paradise’s sympathy. “I’m fine. I’m glad to be rid of his cheating, contemptuous behavior, but it’s hard to watch Quinn’s pain. It makes me wonder if I should break off whatever is happening with Drew. I don’t want to go through anything like this ever again.”
“Drew isn’t like Jason. He was cheated on once too. You can trust him.”
Abby gulped back a sob. “He was? He said he’d been hurt, but I haven’t heard the details.”
“I’m sure he’ll tell you about it. I think being a detective has made him even more perceptive and empathetic. He’s seen the worst of human behavior and yet he still fights for justice. My brother is a pretty awesome person.”
“So’s his sister.” Abby hugged her. “We’d better get back in line.”
They rejoined their group, and Paradise nudged her when she spotted Drew with his arm around Quinn talking to her. Quinn had her gaze fixed on his face, and her tears had stopped.
“Told you,” Paradise whispered.
Blake took her hand. “I think that’s Bea’s daughter at the casket.”
“She has two. The other one might be talking with other visitors.” They stepped to the casket and took Bea’s daughter’s hand. “You look so much like your mother. She was a wonderful woman.”
The woman’s gaze lingered on Paradise’s hair. “You’re the new vet, the one investigating my dad.”
“Well, not really. Your dad had nothing to do with the murders. At least we were able to assure your mom of his innocence.”
Tears welled in the woman’s eyes. “I can’t believe she’s gone. The police have no leads as to who did it or why. Do you know?”
“I’m sorry, but I don’t. Your mom hadn’t told us anything that would make someone come after her.”
The woman swiped at her eyes. “Our attorney, Scott Foster, has something for you. He told me to have you call.”
“I—I don’t understand.”
“Neither do I, but he said if you came by that I should tell you Mom left something for you.” Her attention went over Paradise’s shoulder to Jenna, and she smiled. Dismissed, Paradise and Blake moved past, taking a moment to linger over pictures of Bea’s family.
“I think Bea’s daughter didn’t want to talk to us,” Blake said.
“I can’t blame her. Someone shot her mother, and it could be related to our investigation. She could have been holding something back that she isn’t telling us.”
They walked outside into the drowsy hum of bees hovering over the flowers flanking the path from the street to the church. “We could take a walk while we’re waiting for everyone.” Blake pointed out a line of storefronts. “There’s an architect in that office. I think he has samples of his work in the windows.”
They walked across the street to the building painted hunter green. Rogers and Shaw Architects. She lingered over the pictures of homes the firm had designed. In the center of the big pane of glass was the home of her dreams. A single story so similar to what she’d found that she caught her breath.
“See something you like?” Blake’s breath stirred her hair, and he pressed a kiss on her temple.
“Doesn’t this look like that one I found online?” She traced the floor plan with her finger. “Even the rooms are the same.”
“I think you’re right.” He glanced at the hours. “They’re closed now, but we can make an appointment and come back. I’ve heard good things about this firm. People say they work with your budget and guide you on ways to build most economically while getting the house you really want. They work with good contractors.”
