Buried (Twisted Cedars Mysteries Book 1) by C. J. Carmichael Page B

heard her father predict that he wouldn’t. “I’m not sure,” She made herself smile. “But speaking of the wedding, shouldn’t we go inside and try on our dresses?”
    That was all the encouragement Cory needed. Quickly she unsnapped her seatbelt and jumped out of the car, running so she could be the first to knock on the door.
    It turned out that the dresses fit perfectly. While Cory was in the bedroom, changing back into her regular clothes, Stella said quietly. “You just missed your brother. He popped in to say hello.”
    “I saw him leaving.”
    “Did you two make peace?”
    So Dougal had told Stella they had argued. “I was still in my car. He didn’t notice me. He seemed preoccupied.”
    “Dougal always did spend too much time living inside his head. I guess that’s what makes him such a good writer.”
    “Have you read his books?”
    Stella nodded. “Haven’t you?” As she zipped a fabric bag over Cory’s dress, Jamie did the same with her gown.
    “Yes. But if he wasn’t my brother, I wouldn’t. They’re pretty dark.”
    “He says he’s working on a new one. He’s planning on renting the Hammond cottage on the Old Forestry Road and writing it here.”
    “Really?” Maybe he hadn’t come to town for her wedding, after all. Maybe it had been about his book all along. She wondered what grisly serial murderer he was writing about this time. “Why would he want to rent the Hammond cottage? It’s five miles from town and he could have the trailer for free.”
    “Knowing Dougal, I’d say he prefers the isolation.”
    Or maybe he still hadn’t gotten over the humiliation of growing up in a trailer park. Jamie frowned, her annoyance at her brother mounting again. “I guess he must be rich now. He can afford to stay wherever he wants.”
    “Hm,” Stella said noncommittally as she put away her measuring tape. Her sewing room, like the rest of her home, was meticulously clean and organized. “Has he talked to you about his new book? He had some questions about Shirley Hammond, the old town librarian. I was wondering if she had anything to do with the reasons he’s planning to stay.”
    “All we’ve talked about so far is my wedding—which he disapproves of, by the way.”
    “He probably feels it’s his role to protect you. Especially now that your mother’s gone.”
    “Yeah. Maybe.” But protect her from what? He couldn’t seriously think Kyle would hurt her. She didn’t want to think ill of her brother, but it was almost as if he’d come back just to stir up trouble.

chapter nine
     
    now that she was in the midst of it, Charlotte wondered why she’d felt guilty about having dinner with Dougal. He’d barely spoken to her since they’d met at Doris’s Fish Shack on the wharf. And since their meals had been served, he hadn’t looked up from his plate.
    She flaked off a piece of her trout. The food was delicious and fresh, as usual. Too bad she couldn’t enjoy it.
    She’d canceled her usual Friday plans with Wade for this. She’d called him earlier, and as she’d expected, he hadn’t been upset. “Having a busy day?” she’d asked.
    “Oh, you know, the usual excitement. Just finished approving a new pump grinder for the jail sewer system.”
    “Who knew a sheriff’s job was so glamorous?”
    He’d chuckled. “How about you? Anything earth-shattering happen at the library?”
    She’d had to take a deep breath. “Not quite earth-shattering, but interesting. I’ve been helping Dougal Lachlan with the research for his new book.”
    “Really?”
    “He’s planning to write it here, in Twisted Cedars, so he’s looking for a place to rent. He’s asked to see the Librarian Cottage. In fact, he wants me to show it to him tonight. Would you mind?”
    “Not at all. Do you want to grab a bite, first?”
    “Actually Dougal suggested stopping at the Fish Shack on our way out of town...”
    Wade had been silent a moment, digesting all that. “Hope he doesn’t go