Page 42 of Whispers of the Lake

She offered the container to me.

I accepted. “Why are you coming from behind the house?” I asked.

“There’s a path back there that leads from my house to this one. I actually snuck out. Alex is in one of his moods again.”

“Is he?”The lying jerk.

“I can show you the path if you wanna see it,” she offered.

“Oh—no. It’s fine. I believe you.”

She grinned, twisting her fingers together.

“Would you like to come in?” I asked.

“I’d love to.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

Rory sat at the dining table, legs crossed on the chair, eyes bright as I placed the container of brownies in front of us. “They’re still warm,” she said as I removed the lid. “Double chocolate too. I use the Ghirardelli chocolate bars and cut them into chunks. It’s so freaking good.”

“Well, come on. Have one with me,” I insisted.

“I’d love one,” she said, laughing. “I shouldn’t though. I had, like, three sugar cookies yesterday and my doctor says I should watch how much sugar I eat right now. I’ve been in remission for five months, so he’s all strict and serious about my diet.”

“Well, now I’ll feel guilty for eating them in front of you.” I laughed.

“Please don’t! I made them for you. Plus, you can give me your opinion on them. I’m actually thinking about selling them. We could use the money.”

That surprised me. “Are you guys not making enough money from renting this place?”

“It got booked, like, four or five times last year. Mostly at the beginning of fall. And so far this year, maybe about three times, including yours. There’s this writer who comes and stays for, like, two weeks so he can finish a book. I’ve never spoken to him, but I’ve always wanted to ask him a thing or two about writing.”

“What about your brothers? Do they work?”

“Yeah. Alex is a mechanic, but I mean, come on. We’re in a small town. Business isn’t exactly booming for him. Plus, he has a minor record.”

I frowned. “A record? For what?”

“Sexual assault, I think. But he swears that girl lied. They were at a party and both of them were drinking and stuff. She told the cops he took things too far. I don’t know. I was super young when it happened.”

“Oh.” That sent a cold shiver through me, but I kept my expression neutral.

“As for Damian, he works on the farm with Mr. Klinebek sometimes,” Rory went on. “Helps with the animals and at the farmer’s market on Saturdays. He brings fresh eggs home for us.” She pointed to the brownie I was about to take a bite of. “I actually used some of the eggs for that batch.”

I bit into the brownie. It probably wasn’t wise to eat a brownie from a suspect. But there was something about Rory that was innocent. Kind. If anyone were to poison me, it would likely be Alex or Damian.

“Oh wow,” I garbled around a mouthful. “These arereallygood, Rory. And you said you make these from scratch?”

She beamed proudly. “Sure do.”

“Wow. You’re gifted.”

She couldn’t contain her grin.

“Do you want something to drink? Some water? Juice?”

“Water is good,” she said.

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