Bound To Be Dead: Cozy Mystery Bookshop Series Book 3 Tamra Baumann (new books to read txt) 📖

sometimes. Madge thought it’d be rude to mention that in another restaurant.” Great. Now we’ve lost Nat’s trust. It’s written all over her face.

“Okay. Well, I have to get back to work. Good luck with getting Pattie’s catering gig.” Nat shakes her head and starts to leave but stops. “The guy’s golf clothes might help you find them. The logo is weird. Like Mr. Clean with his arms crossed. I only noticed because I’m an art major. Enjoy your meal.”

Bingo. That’s my uncle’s new golf course’s logo. Pattie is most likely seeing someone from Sunset Cove. That’s why she’s so secretive. And it’s someone who probably only plays golf every other weekend.

I’m hanging on for dear life in Madge’s VW as we make our way back home. “Do golfers have to make reservations to play? Or can you just show up?”

Madge frowns. “I don’t know. But if they have to make advance arrangements, they might have a reservation book like Pattie uses in her beauty shop. Call the clubhouse and find out.”

“Already on it.” I’ve dug my phone from my purse and am looking for the golf course’s website. It’s a nice distraction from the Pacific Ocean looming right below my door every time Madge gets too close to the edge of the road.

I find the website, and a big red button says to press it for tee time reservations. “Huh. Reservations are automated. I guess my uncle has joined the current century and does it all online. There’s even an app to monitor start times.”

Madge downshifts before a big curve. “That’s good for him, but probably bad for us. It would’ve been much easier to distract someone long enough to look at the reservation book.”

“That would’ve been an excellent plan, Inspector Clouseau, but I have a better one. When I was trying to find out who shot a golf ball through my store’s window, a high school friend helped me out. He works in my uncle’s pro shop. We can just ask him.”

Madge chuckles. “That’ll work too.”

I go back to checking out the website’s tee time page. The screen has two blue buttons. One for members and one for the public reservations. It states members get priority tee times. And that they encourage groups of four golfers. “Luckily, it looks like all we have to do is find a foursome of golfers who play every other weekend. And we know this weekend Pattie is in Sunset Cove. Should be a piece of cake.”

“Let’s hope. Want me to drop you back at the store or at your house?”

My stomach clenches at the thought of the meeting with Brittany’s mother and boyfriend we’re about to have. “My house, please.”

“You want me to stay?” Madge’s hand covers mine on my lap. “For moral support?”

I would, but she needs to get back to work. “Thank you, but Gage is coming to help. He said he asked the boyfriend for proof of the adoption money. He’s also bringing some guardianship paperwork.”

Madge whispers, “In case Brittany leaves with them?”

I nod. “They’ll need the paperwork if Brittany gets sick. And to start a new school. I’m still Brittany’s legal guardian of record.” And I hope that’ll never change, but doubts are creeping in. Especially the way Brittany has been so quiet the last few days.

Madge pulls into my driveway and turns toward me. “You can always tell Brittany no. You’re the boss of her until she’s eighteen. It’s what your mom wanted.”

Great. Mom guilt. That’s all I need. “Saying no would’ve probably worked with you and your kids when they were fifteen.” I grab Coop’s leash and pack up my stuff. “I’ve been Brittany’s guardian for all of about six months. I don’t pull the same weight you do. But I’m not signing anything permanent. Gage assures me it’s only a month-to-month temporary pass of power.”

“Well, thank goodness for that. If you need to talk after, I’m here for you.”

“Thank you.” My heart swells with love for Madge. She’s turned out to be a good friend.

After I haul Cooper and me out of the little car, I stick my head back inside. “I’ll call you later and let you know how it went. Wouldn’t want you to expire from curiosity.”

“Appreciate it. Good luck!” Madge waves and then pulls out of the drive.

Gage’s sports car is parked out front on the street behind another vehicle I don’t recognize. Am I late? It’s only two fifteen, and we were supposed to meet at three.

Cooper and I hurry up the front steps. With my hand on the front doorknob, I stop and draw in a deep breath. I can do this. I’ll ask tough questions and see how Brittany’s mother responds. Hopefully, if Stella’s answers seem suspicious, Brittany will see through that too.

I open the door and release Cooper so he can run ahead and greet our guests. I should probably stop by a mirror before joining them, but I don’t know how much I’ve missed.

My belly hurts as I enter the living room and find everyone sitting on the antique red couches with strained expressions. Gage’s secretary, Amy, who will be a witness in case we sign papers, is sitting across the room studying her phone, and Cooper is hiding behind Brittany’s legs as if he’s scared. He must feel the tension too.

But where are my father and Meg? Why aren’t they here too?

Gage stands and tries to smile. “Hi, Sawyer. Brittany called and asked if Amy and I would come a little early. I’d like you to meet Brittany’s mother, Stella, and her partner, Mica.”

I want to grab Brittany and run, but instead, force myself to stick my hand out. Plastering on a pleasant smile is one of the hardest things I’ve had to do.

Stella stands and shakes my hand. “Nice to meet you.”

I’m shocked to see a woman who looks like she’s in her mid to late thirties—just a few years older than me. She must’ve had Brittany very young.

Brittany is a virtual mini