Gunpowder Chowder by Lyndsey Cole

eight ball, before she hung the cue stick back on the wall.
    “Nice game,” a new voice said from behind her back. “It didn’t take you long to find the local watering hole. Where’s your sidekick?”
    The hairs on her arm prickled as she turned around to see Chase staring at her. “How about a game in exchange for the rent Cal owes you?” Hannah asked.
    “Nothing like a dame to rescue a prince charming in distress. And when I win? You sell your property to me?” Chase smirked.
    Hannah kept her poker face in place, one thing she had perfected from playing cards with her father. That, and her pool talent. “I’ll pass.” She knew she couldn’t wager something she couldn’t deliver on, even though she had no expectations of losing the bet.
    Chase laughed. “Just what I thought. All talk and no action.” He racked up the balls and pointed his pool stick at Herb. “I guess you’ll have to do instead.”
    Meg pulled Hannah back to the far end of the bar. “Be careful. Chase is the last person you want to be in debt to. You may be a good pool player but it’s not worth it to risk being in Chase’s clutches. Besides, Cal is a big boy and he can handle his own problems. Don’t let his good looks fool you.” She signaled to her brother for refills.
    When Michael arrived at the end of the bar with the beers, Meg asked him, “What rumors have you heard around here about Vern having a girlfriend?”
    “Only that he had at least one. Kelley was fit to be tied trying to get the scoop on what he was up to.”
    Hannah asked, “Angry enough to kill him?”
    “Sure,” Michael said, “but she was only one of many. What’s your interest anyway?”
    Meg said, “Hannah inherited Caroline’s business. She doesn’t want to end up like Vern.”
    Michael leaned close to Hannah. “Better watch your step. What I heard is that Caroline made a deal with Vern. She was pretty disappointed that you hadn’t shown more interest in her and her business.” He wiped the counter with a damp rag. “Whoever knocked Vern off has an agenda to get that property one way or another.”

Chapter 11
     
    Meg huddled closer to Hannah. “Why show up now and not when Caroline needed the help? Are you sure you’re up to the challenge of taking over her business?” Her tone was challenging and gruff.
    Hannah stared at Meg. She knew this question was a test and that she wanted Meg on her side. This no-nonsense woman had an inside track with the locals, she had been Caroline’s right hand helper, and at this point, Meg was exactly who Hannah needed. But she had to play her cards just right to gain Meg’s loyalty.
    “My plan, and Caroline knew this, was to finish my education before moving here. Caroline was independent, not exactly a hidden quality. She never asked me for help.” Hannah finished her beer. “I don’t know what she said about me to everyone around here, but she never pressured me to come and help. I believe that Caroline thought everyone should figure out their own path, and she was a firm believer in a good education. Maybe only as a backup plan, but still, she valued my choice. And I had no idea she was leaving her business to me. Not until I got the call from her lawyer.”
    Meg slouched against the counter. “Well, I’ll be. All along I assumed you were an ungrateful, spoiled, no good kid—just waiting for her to die so you could waltz in here and relax on the beach.” Meg slapped Hannah on the back. “So, what’s your next step?”
    “I won’t be selling, if that’s what you’re beating around the bush trying to figure out. I’ve heard the question, ‘are you up to the challenge’, at least three times in the last two days. Do you want to know the answer?”
    Meg nodded, leaned back, crossed her arms and let her lips twitch up into a grin. “Can’t wait. You’re full of surprises.”
    “I don’t know if I am ready or not, but there’s only one way to find out. Sometimes you’re faced with a fork