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

was sitting at a table by the window—the best one in the house—wedding planning materials spread all around her. Most guests would have been ushered into a less public room for this type of task, but then, most guests weren’t Lila LaRue. An impeccably-pressed waiter stood nearby, poised to jump at the smallest command.

Noting Lila’s dreamy expression as she scanned over a list of table setting options, EV’s stomach dropped at the thought of disappointing her old friend. Though it had to be done, she would have preferred not to be the bearer of bad news.

“Hey Mom, can we sit?” Chloe shifted her weight awkwardly from one foot to another, almost hoping to be turned away and avoid the situation altogether.

“Of course, dear. Would you like something to eat? Or a drink, perhaps? Claude here will get you anything you’d like.” Lila cleared a space at the table for each of them, setting another pile of paperwork and samples onto the remaining empty chair beside her.

Chloe settled onto the proffered seat and held up a hand, discouraging the eager waiter. “No, thank you. We need to talk to you. It’s about Javier.” She turned to the waiter, “Could you give us a moment?”

“What about him, darling, don’t you like him?” Lila’s starry eyes every time she talked about Javier cut Chloe like a knife. This was going to be difficult. She looked to EV for support, received a gentle nod of encouragement, and launched into her story. Instead of outrage, Lila appeared bewildered by the accusation that Javier was planning to breach security.

“You’re jumping to conclusions. He’s been on the phone practically every spare minute today discussing those inaccurate break-in reports. This kind of thing happens all the time at hotels; it’s his job to investigate, and I’m sure what you overheard had to do with that.”

Chloe considered the question, but couldn’t help remembering the urgency in Javier’s tone, the mention of danger, and the comment about disabling a safe. That didn’t seem to be on the up-and-up to her. When she didn’t answer, Lila continued.

“Chloe, do you honestly think that I can’t take care of myself, after all this time? And do you really think I would get into a marriage—at my age, and with my assets—without truly knowing the man? Or without a prenup? Javier has plenty of money of his own, and we have plans to buy a beach house. That must have been what he was talking about. Now, stop worrying about me, and give him a chance. I think you’ll really like him once you get to know him. Can’t you just be happy that I’m happy? I thought you would have wanted more for me, and I’m disappointed that you’re not being supportive. You’re so dramatic, Chloe, and it’s unbecoming. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to finalize these table setting choices. I’ll see you at dinner tonight.”

Lila went back to flipping through the hand bound portfolio, pointedly keeping her gaze away from Chloe and EV’s. The fact that her reaction sounded an awful lot like one of Chloe’s own tirades did not escape EV, but she knew better than to comment. Still, she wasn’t known for keeping her mouth shut, and couldn’t help but interject.

“Lila, we’re only trying to look out for you. We aren’t here to question your judgment; I know from experience that it’s easy to believe in someone and then find out their intentions aren’t in your best interests.”

“Mother, please. I love you, and I don’t want anything bad to happen to you.” Chloe implored.

“I have it covered.” Was Lila’s response. “Now please, butt out.” And with that, she refused to say another word, forcing Chloe to retreat, pulling EV alongside.

“I don’t know what we were thinking, approaching her that way. She’s as stubborn as a mule; it’s clear where you picked up that charming trait.” A gentle hand on Chloe’s shoulder took the sting out of the accusation, though she knew EV was right. There was only one way to get through to Lila now—expose Javier. Now they just needed a plan.

Chapter 12

“I’ve seen how you look at him; how your eyes search him out!” Dalton railed at EV.

A wave of her hand dismissed his concerns, “You’re letting your imagination get the better of you.”

Fists clenched, Dalton kicked the leg of the lounge chair nearest him—a little harder than he’d meant to. It slid about a foot across the flagstones, making a horrendous screeching noise as it did.

“How mature.” EV commented, the wry twist of her lips that matched his chagrined grimace at odds with the glint in her eye.

“Mature? You’re questioning my maturity level when you’re practically panting after your high school sweetheart! Tell me, EV, has it been a strain on your arms to carry that torch all this time?” He let his voice rise up a decibel or two.

“I guess you’ll have to tell me. Is that why your wife left you? Because she couldn’t stand watching you pant after me all those years?” Her shrill words carried on the wind.

“Leave Marlene out of this. She had her own reasons for leaving, and they didn’t have anything to do with you. In fact, lots of things happen in Ponderosa Pines that have nothing to do with you! Too bad you can’t seem to stay out of anything that goes on, though.” He reached forward to poke her in the chest. She leaned into it, forcing him to pull back a little at the last second. He’d left her the perfect opening.

“Tell that to the Elders who can’t seem to do squat without running it by me first! I’ve been here four days, and they’ve called seven times to ask inane questions.” She injected, her voice rife with loathing.

“You’ve got a lot of nerve complaining about having to make decisions when it’s your control issues that make you think you’re in charge of everything. I’m law enforcement. It was my job to find Evan Plunkett’s