Caught in the Frame (Ponderosa Pines Cozy Mystery Series Book 3) by ReGina Welling (novel24 .TXT) 📕

“When can I see you again.”

When I can ski in hell.

One elegantly clad shoulder lifted skyward before EV turned and walked away. She felt his eyes on her the whole time. Under his gaze, she forced her feet to take slow, even steps until, without a backward glance, she turned the corner and he could no longer see her. EV slipped off the torturous heels Chloe had made her wear, and lengthened her stride to a fast walk. She welcomed the distance each step put between her and the restaurant.

Replaying the scene back in her head, EV looked for clues she might have missed the first time. A telltale eye twitch, a firming of the lips—anything to build on the next time she had to sit across from him.

Nothing about Remy screamed criminal mastermind, though tonight EV had seen the ego-driven, status-seeking, spoiled brat Dalton had described. Without the filter of infatuation clouding it, her vision of him cleared. She saw her past—their past—through new eyes. He’d craved adoration and she’d given it to him, until the new life in her belly had drawn enough of her attention to leave him feeling left of center. He’d turned then—shown her his true self: a petulant child jealous of anything and anyone in his way. Even his unborn baby.

Forward motion slowed while EV processed the information. Her heart, already closed to him, hardened more. He would not use her again. Ever.

Chapter 10

In the false darkness cast by heavy draperies, EV pulled on her favorite running shoes. There was probably time to get a few miles in before Chloe rose like a specter from the covers EV assumed were currently yanked over her head. Lila’s excuse of wanting them both close by hadn’t fooled EV one bit. She’d been turned into an unwilling chaperone—a pawn in Lila’s game of keep Chloe and Nate apart.

No amount of logic revealed Lila’s reasoning for stashing Nate in a room as far away from Chloe as he could be while still remaining inside the castle. EV had thought Lila approved of the match. Worse, it meant sharing a suite with lousy acoustics. Sounds had a way of amplifying from one bedroom to the other. Odd considering the no-expense-spared construction elsewhere in the castle. Given the way sounds echoed, EV had to be quiet in the morning so Princess Lazybones could sleep in.

On her way out the door, EV snagged a bottle of water from the fridge, and her favorite new jacket made of some lightweight, water-resistant material. It kept her dry and warm without making her overly sweaty. Good thing, since the one quick peek she’d risked outside had reveald a lowering gray sky, and the balcony coated in a fine mist.

Following directions in the brochure on her nightstand, EV spent the next hour jogging along the soggy hiking trails located on the west side of the castle. By the time she made her way back to the rooms, the only dry part of her was under that jacket. Too bad it hadn’t come with matching pants.

Tossing the wonder garment over a chair, EV grabbed her robe and made a beeline for the bathroom. Chloe was up and gone; probably off somewhere with Lila. That ought to leave enough time for a shower and some breakfast. Just inside the door, she stopped short.

It looked like half a department store makeup aisle had exploded across the small counter. Bottles, brushes, and tubes spread out like casualties after a bombing. Two wet towels lay in a heap on the floor, and in the shower, a complimentary bottle of shampoo leaked its contents down the drain.

Slob.

Ignoring all but the mini-shampoo, EV turned on the shower. At least the water was hot and plentiful, even if the messy room made her eye twitch.

Slamming doors and lilting female voices signaled Chloe’s return, letting EV know she wasn’t alone. Lila’s unmistakable tone penetrated the door as she called out, “Hurry up in there EV, we’ve got bridesmaid dresses out here.”

Whoop-de-doo. EV mentally and physically rolled her eyes. Growing up together, EV remembered Lila’s tastes running to pastels, ruffles, and lace—completely opposite from EV’s preference for bold colors and simple lines. Still, that was a long time ago. No hoop skirts. Please, let there be no hoop skirts. Or pink. Or purple. Or lace. On second thought, let me out of this altogether.

Why did Lila want EV in her wedding to begin with? Yesterday’s heart to heart proved how far they’d grown apart over the years. A few phone calls—while nice—didn’t a close friendship make, even if the bones were still there. Wasn’t there anyone in Lila’s swarm of social butterflies who counted a close friend?

Dread kept EV in the bathroom longer than her normal ten minutes. She straightened up Chloe’s mess and generally dawdled until Lila could stand it no longer. Fists pounded on the raised panel, “Get out here or I’m going to pick a dress that makes you look like Barbie’s grandmother goes to cotillion.”

That did it. EV stepped into the room to see three rolling racks hung to bursting with zippered plastic dress bags.

“Grandmother? I think you mean maiden aunt.” EV yanked the door open. “A well-preserved one at that.” Her mock glare turned to a genuine grin. “Come on, show us what’s in the bags.”

Watching Lila open each cocooned bit of froth with such tender excitement made EV’s throat tighten with a surge of emotions. If Javier turned out to be the kind of man Chloe was afraid he was, Lila would be devastated. He hadn’t scored high on EV’s hogwash meter, so she hoped Chloe was wrong. No one could fault him for the way he acted toward Lila—gentle and protective. The only time he had not been forthcoming with information had to do with his family, not with his feelings for Lila.

Shooting a sidelong glance at Chloe, EV pried, “Is Javier’s sister going to be in the wedding?”

“Hmm? No, she’s not going to be able to