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Because that’s what kind of person throttles an outsider. A murderer.
She felt a shiver start and quickly tamped it down. Maria refused to let the old nerves rise up. The locks and all of the security measures that Lucas installed after Mack Turner were virtually impenetrable. So long as she didn’t leave Ophelia, she had nothing to worry about.
“I’ll stay in,” she promised. “But you take care of my deputy. I… I’m very fond of him.”
It might not be what he wanted, but it was enough for now. “Buzz me later, okay? We’ll talk some more.”
“I will.”
Sly slipped in one more, “Love you,” before disconnecting his call.
The radio went silent. She stared at it for one moment, regretted all the things she couldn’t say, set it down on the counter. A quick glance at the kitchen clock revealed more than five minutes had passed since Lucas buzzed her. She’d worry about Sly later.
For now, she had a guest.
A guest!
Hurrying from the kitchen, Maria headed straight for the Lavender Room. She promised Lucas she would get the room ready for his surprise guest. The bed needed to be turned down, the windows open, the space aired out. Fresh flowers. She needed fresh flowers.
There was something in Lucas’s voice. And then what Sly had told her.
Definitely fresh flowers.
Her hands were shaking. She couldn’t tell if it was from excitement or nerves. Finally, she was going to have another guest. An outsider—and one who was in need. Maria knew all about that. Most of Hamlet still eyed her warily after what happened with Mack Turner, almost as if they expected her to break any second.
What would the curious town think of this poor, unfortunate outsider?
What would Maria think of her?
What would she think of Ophelia?
One thing was certain. A spark of anticipation lit up her pale blue eyes.
She couldn’t wait to meet this Tessa Sullivan.
