Page 73 of It's a Wonderful Knife
“No. Unfortunately, I couldn’t hear details.” Lucas wrinkled his brow. “Then Leo came over and led Mona away.”
“Really?”
“Yes. He was trying to calm her down, I believe.” Lucas sighed. “It’s really none of my business, but after what happened to Santiago, I thought I should mention it.”
“I’m glad you did.”
River snorted. “It’s like the Real Housewives of Giggly Elves Farm around here.”
“I’d feel better if I had eyes on them,” Max said.
“You and me both.” I continued to search the room.
“There’s Leo,” River said, pointing. “He just came in from outside.”
I glanced over and saw Leo with an armful of firewood. He dropped it on the hearth and began feeding some wood into the flames. “Okay, that’s one of them.”
“I guess nothing too dramatic is happening if Leo is bringing in wood.” Max met my gaze.
“I just figured it was best to let you know what was happening.” Lucas shrugged.
“I’m glad you did.”
Max muttered, “What do you suppose Jax is holding over Mona’s head?”
I frowned. “I can’t imagine.”
“Maybe deep dark family secrets.” River rubbed his hands together. “Perhaps Mona knocked off her old man so she could take over the farm.”
“I find that pretty hard to believe,” I said. “Besides, she married Ezra, and her dad gave her the farm.”
“God, but having to marry Ezra couldn’t have been easy.” River twisted his lips. “Do you think she actually was in love with Ezra? Or was it her way of holding on to the farm?”
“Who knows?” Max frowned. “Charles probably preferred the farm stay in the family. She was Charles’s only heir.”
“As far as we know.” Eyeing the portrait of Charles Preston over the fireplace, Lucas murmured, “Maybe the old coot had ten illegitimate children and he kept them in the cellar.”
River laughed. “I doubt it. He doesn’t look like a wild womanizer. He looks like he’d have bathed with his clothes on.”
Lucas smiled. “True.”
I gulped down another cup of coffee before Max even finished his first. While I was at it, I ate a few gingerbread cookies. I’d worked enough late nights to know caffeine and sugar would help me stay alert during the interviews. It might come back to haunt me once I tried to go to bed later though. I’d worry about that then.
Max went over to check on Amelia. She seemed tired, but then everyone seemed tired. When he returned to me, he said, “Who do we talk to next?”
“I’m leaning toward Gianna.”
“Okay. I don’t think we should talk to Amelia tonight. She needs sleep.” He frowned. “Realistically, how many more people can we interview? We’re all pretty fatigued.”
“I’d like to talk to Gianna, Mona, and Ezra for sure.” I massaged my tight shoulder muscles. “Maybe I should let everyone else go back to their cabins for the night.”
“What about people who will be alone?” Max frowned.
“They should pair up. No one can be alone right now.” I glanced over at Amelia. She was pale and hunched on the couch. “Gianna plans on rooming with Hermina. What should we do about Amelia?”
River said, “Our cabin has a queen-sized bed and a pullout couch. She could stay with us. We haven’t used the couch, so the sheets are clean.”
I met Max’s shrewd gaze, and he raised his brows.
