Chocolate-Covered Crime by Cynthia Hickey

chocolate creams.
    “Just going over my notes.”
    “Getting anywhere?”
    “No.” I stood. The ice pack fell to the floor with a thunk .
    Aunt Eunice peered beneath the table. “What are you using the ice pack for?” She straightened. “Did you hurt yourself? Where have you been?”
    Remembering my new vow of honesty, I said, “First I went to question Larry Anderson about photos I found in Mae Belle’s apartment. During our discussion, he admitted to having an affair with my dear cousin. Then I took the pictures to Joe as evidence of Larry’s lying. I ran into Renee Richards, who said Mae Belle deserved what she got, and I fell leaving Joe’s office.”
    My aunt’s eyelashes fluttered like a moth around a flame. “You’ve been busy.”
    “And got nowhere. Everyone’s a suspect, it seems.” I limped over and sat on the stool behind the dipping machine. If making delectable chocolates didn’t calm me, nothing would. “Did you finish with the apartment?”
    “Almost. Claudia got tired.” Aunt Eunice plopped onto another stool. “Lord forgive me, but I’ll fRdTimbe glad when she leaves tomorrow. I do feel sad for her, though. I can’t imagine a child of mine dying with hateful words spoken and no salvaging the relationship.”
    “Especially when the loved one was a murder victim.” I swirled a C on the just-dipped candy. Time raced by. It’d already been a week. I’d step up my investigating and visit Larry Bell’s farm tonight. There had to be a reason that a single, reclusive farmer with no marriage prospects would’ve needed Mae Belle’s services.
    I’d go with or without company.
     
     
     
    CHAPTER TWELVE
     
    Aunt Eunice loaded the kitchen table with fried chicken, mashed sweet potatoes, and corn bread with cracklins. Complete with homemade muscadine jelly. While my tongue salivated, my backside grew larger just looking at the food.
    Aunt Claudia moped at one end of the table, her mouth forming a perfect upside down horseshoe, while the two uncles argued politics, Joe and April whispered like two love-struck teenagers, and Ethan’s smoldering eyes followed my every move as I helped Aunt Eunice. She must have been in a spat with her sister earlier, because they weren’t speaking to each other.
    Ethan’s glances warmed me, caused my face to heat and my thoughts to veer in directions that weren’t proper. Thank goodness people surrounded us. Maybe we should elope. Tonight.
    I whispered for him to stop and set a plate in front of him. He gave me a smile that started at one corner and took its time getting to the other. A dimple winked. My heart stuttered. I didn’t think it was possible for my face to burn any hotter. I prayed a look from him would always affect me this way.
    Ethan stood and pulled out the chair beside him for me to sit. “Your face is red.” His words tickled the hair at the nape of my neck.
    “Stop it.” I reached for the glass of iced tea beside my plate.
    “Stop what?” He placed his lips next to my ear. His breath tickled.
    “You know what. Behave.” I swatted him away. “What are you doing after dinner?”
    “I’m going to kiss you until you can’t stand up, then I’ve got to head home to grade papers. You?”
    “Hang out with April. Girl stuff.” I had yet to ask April. Seeing as how she giggled with Joe, I’d probably fRdT/div have to twist her arm to get her away from him.
    “Uh-huh.” Ethan moved back to his seat and lifted a chicken leg. He took a bite, his gaze focused on mine.
    “Really. We’ll most likely head into town.” There I went with the half-truths again. How could this man love me? I turned to his sister across the table. “April, do you want to hang out later?”
    She pulled her attention away from Joe. “Sure. Joe has to work.” She turned back to her love.
    I gave Ethan a smile.
    He tilted his head. “That doesn’t mean you aren’t up to something.”
    “Nothing dangerous, I promise.” I might as well come clean.