Ben stopped them before they stepped outside. “So who’s the friend you wanted to set me up with?”
Thinking she had him on the hook, Reagan’s eyes lit up. “She’s the new librarian. I met her when Jax went to a story time the town library was having. She’s very cute. Petite. Sweet. Has a great sense of humor.”
“I know. I’ve dated her already.”
Reagan blinked in surprise. “You did?”
Ben nodded. “Not long after she moved to town. We went out to dinner twice. She’s pretty and very nice. But she smacks her lips while she eats because she chews with her mouth open.”
He knew the trait was a particular pet peeve of his sister-in-law, so he waited for her to digest the information.
“Enough said. Come on, Jax.”
Ben waved after them as they headed to the car. He was pleased that he had effectively shut down Reagan’s matchmaking for now. He had a feeling the reprieve wouldn’t last long, but he wouldn’t worry about it. He had a case which needed his attention.
He went to grab his bag holding enough clothes and essentials for a few days away from home. He needed to get on the road if he was to make his meeting with the client — a school teacher who suspected a little boy in her class of being abused by his single father. The authorities investigated and determined there wasn’t enough evidence to prove abuse, but the teacher felt certain something was wrong. She was worried for her student, and he suspected the teacher tugged at Reagan’s heartstrings with her story. As the mother to a son, Reagan didn’t have it in her to dismiss the teacher’s concern as quickly as local law enforcement had.
After Reagan briefed him on the case, he wasn’t so sure the authorities missed anything. The teacher had been in the game long enough to know the signs of abuse, but Ben already suspected she was wrong in this case. His brother Luke had hacked the system and secured the report on the investigation. After looking it over, Ben discovered the authorities had been thorough.
Deep down, Ben felt they should have turned down the case, but he wasn’t about to argue the point with Reagan. If she wanted him to look into it, he would sacrifice a few days to satisfy her concerns.
Chapter Two
Charlotte Redding moved the dust cloth over the top of the reservation desk until the surface shone. She repeated the movement on the other furnishings in the motel’s lobby until she was satisfied with how everything looked. A glance at the digital clock on the reservation desk showed her she was right on time.
Tossing the cloth on her maid’s cart, she removed her plastic gloves and tossed them into a trash bag. She moved over to the coffee station the motel kept stocked for guests and went through the motions of preparing a fresh pot, just as she did every morning.
Charlotte’s schedule was routine, and while it was monotonous at times, she appreciated the ease of always knowing what to expect each day. As the only overnight lodging option in Ivy Springs, Georgia, the Skyline Motel stayed surprisingly busy. Motels often had a bad reputation for being less than ideal, but the Skyline was not run down or unsafe. The owner, Nolan Wallace, prided himself on maintaining a quality establishment, and he was particular about many things, such as providing amenities while keeping the nightly rates reasonable.
He also took a chance on hiring Charlotte when she had no experience, no references, and nowhere else to go.
Charlotte started her shift at the motel at seven in the morning with the same tasks every day. She cleaned the common areas, reserving one day for a thorough dusting, one day for cleaning and polishing the floors, and another day for freshening the furniture. Every day had her cleaning bathrooms, restocking the fruit, drinks, and snacks for the guests, and keeping the coffee pot full.
The coffee wasn’t anything special, but for some reason, Wally — as her boss was called by just about everyone who knew him — preferred how she brewed it. Since he was the one who drank most of it, even when they had guests, she was happy to fill the coffee pots during her shift.
Giving guests time to rise or check out, she would refresh any empty rooms, polishing surfaces, disinfecting bathrooms, and changing out linens if needed. Then she did her work in occupied rooms, checking the common areas in between, and would call it a day, only to repeat the process during her next shift.
She’d completed her work in the lobby by the time the coffee finished brewing, filling the lobby with a rich aroma she never tired of. As if on cue, Wally’s key turned in the lock at the back, giving him access through his private office. Soon, he appeared behind the reservation desk with a ready smile for her.
“Charlotte! How’s my favorite employee this morning?”
Charlotte rolled her eyes at the familiar greeting. He used the same words in some form or fashion every morning she worked. The bar wasn’t set very high for the honor of favorite employee. Wally spent the majority of his days at the motel, so he oversaw reservations, billing, and general maintenance. There was a part-time housekeeper who’d been working at the motel since itopened, but since her attitude was sour at best, she and Wally butted heads so much that Charlotte was surprised Wally hadn’t fired Betsy.
“Good morning, Wally. Coffee’s ready.”
“Great. I could use a mug full.”
Charlotte smiled as her boss shuffled over to the coffee pot, his favorite mug clean and ready to be used. Wally made her think of a grandpa in a television sitcom. His light brown hair was thinning up top and graying at his temples. His thick mustache was a combination of white and brown hair. She judged him to be in his sixties, and though his frame was trim and fit, he moved as if a touch of arthritis affected his knees. His eyes were the most fascinating — hard as steel when needed, warm and friendly when he saw Charlotte, soft and loving when he was with his longtime girlfriend.
“How’s Mona this morning?” she asked about said girlfriend.
“Woke up sick, but dammit, she’s going to work anyway. Like there’s going to be a rush on the flower shop today if she’s not there.”
Mona Hillyard owned Ivy Florals and was as much of a workaholic as her boyfriend, but Charlotte had a strong fondness for both. They were her first friends when she came to town, and she trusted them more than anyone in her life right now.
“If you want to check on her later, let me know. I’ll man the office for you.”
“You don’t have to, but I appreciate the offer.” Wally blew across the surface of his coffee and took a sip. “Damn, that’s good.”
