Matrimony & Mayhem: A Made in Savannah Cozy Mystery (Made in Savannah Mystery Series Book 11) Hope Callaghan (small books to read .TXT) 📖

curled up and napping on the dining room chair. He stalked into the kitchen and waited patiently for Violet to offer him a treat.

“How would you like to take Rambo for a walk?”

“Okay.”

“I’ll go with you,” Mercedes said. “The fresh air will do me good.”

“It’s time to change out of your dress,” Carlita told the child.

Violet gave Carlita a skulking look. She reluctantly carried her backpack to the bathroom to change.

“We’ll wait for you in the hall.” Carlita led Rambo out of the apartment.

Mercedes joined them. She scowled when she noticed Sam Ivey’s apartment door was ajar. “He keeps his door open all of the time.”

“So?” Carlita shrugged. “Does it matter?”

“Yes. It’s weird. He’s weird. He has very unusual habits, and it gives me the creeps.”

Chapter 11

“Mercedes,” Carlita chided. “Sam is a nice man. I don’t know why you dislike him so much.”

“You’re blinded by his insincere niceness.” Mercedes pulled her mother closer. “I think he’s spying on us.”

“And you think I’m being paranoid?” Carlita scoffed. “Maybe he’s spying on you, keeping an eye out, so he can harass you.”

“I wouldn’t doubt it,” Mercedes muttered. “Anyways, I think it’s weird.”

“I’m ready.” Violet hopped into the hall.

“Let’s go.” Carlita and Rambo led the others to the bottom of the stairs and into the alley. “Which way?”

“I want to wave to the Waving Girl,” Violet said. “Can we ride the free boat?”

Carlita lifted her eyes. Although the summer sun was starting to set, there was still enough time to visit the Waving Girl. If they hustled, they would be able to squeeze in a quick boat ride to Hutchinson Island and back.

She wasn’t sure when Vinnie and Brittney were returning, but she didn’t need to be around to let them in. She’d given Vinnie a key to the building and the efficiency. “I don’t see why not.”

“I guess we’re going to Morrell Park,” Carlita told her pooch.

Violet held tightly to Mercedes’ hand as she chattered on about the Waving Girl, the ferry and how she couldn’t wait to go swimming in the hotel’s pool.

Carlita was careful not to mention Shelby or Tony, thinking she might be sad her mother was gone. Violet was the one who brought her up. “Mommy and Tony are going to bring me a surprise.”

“They are?” Mercedes asked. “What kind of surprise?”

“I don’t know. A good one,” Violet assured them. “But only if I’m a good girl.”

When they reached the park, they made a beeline for the statue. Violet and Rambo made a game of running circles around the Waving Girl.

Carlita and her daughter basked in the mild evening temperatures as they sat on a nearby bench to watch.

Rambo was the first to call it quits. He plopped down at Carlita’s feet and began panting.

“You wore poor Rambo out. Shall we head to the ferry?” Carlita pointed to the river. “I see it coming now. If we hurry, we can catch this one.”

The trio and Rambo cut across the lawn and joined the long line of passengers waiting to board. The free ferry was the fastest way for Savannah visitors to reach Hutchinson Island. Guests who were staying at the large, luxurious resort used it, as well as others who planned to visit the convention center.

They were among the last to board and the only seats left were in the back. Violet sat near the window and peered out while Rambo settled in at Carlita’s feet.

It was a quick ride across the river. After arriving, they waited until the other passengers got off before making their way up the ramp.

There wasn’t much to do near the dock, other than walk around the convention center and the hotel grounds. The trio looped around the hotel and then returned to the boarding area to wait for the next ferry.

After finishing their ferry ride, they circled Walton Square, passing by the Book Nook, Colby’s Corner Store and finally, the Shades of Ink tattoo shop.

“Maybe I should get a tattoo,” Mercedes said.

“I want a tattoo,” Violet said.

“It hurts…a lot,” Carlita told her. “It’s like a thousand bee stings.”

Violet’s eyes grew round as saucers. “I never want a tattoo.”

“That’s what I thought.”

When they reached the apartment, Carlita found a note from Vinnie, telling them Brittney was tired and they’d gone to bed early but promised they would see them in the morning.

“I guess we’re on our own.” Carlita crumpled the note. “Leftovers it is, and we have plenty.”

While they ate, they chatted about the pirate adventure.

“I gotta be up early to catch the seven o’clock trolley,” Carlita reminded her daughter.

“Violet can stay here with me since you’ve got some errands to run,” Mercedes said. “I thought I would get up kinda early, to check on Josh and the pawnshop. Violet can go with me.”

“Thanks. I shouldn’t be too long,” Carlita glanced at Violet, who was having a hard time keeping her eyes open. “It’s getting late. Time for us to hit the hay.”

“I’m not tired,” Violet whined.

“But Nana and Aunt Mercedes are. So is Rambo.” Carlita pointed to the sleeping dog. “We have a busy day tomorrow.”

*****

Carlita woke early the next morning. She was careful not to wake Violet, who was sleeping on a cot in the corner, as she slipped out of bed to get ready.

The skies were still dark as she crossed the street to the trolley stop. Thankfully, there was only a short wait before Reese, and the Big Peach stopped to pick her up.

“You’re right on time.” Carlita struggled to carry her bulky box up the narrow steps.

“For heaven’s sake. What have you got inside there? An elephant?”

“Decorations I rented from Savannah Rental over on the other side of City Market. I need to drop