LITMIR.BIZ

       Chapter 1

      The bakery owner approached the checkout counter with an anniversary bouquet and Kendra Scott’s day brightened. One of her regulars, she knew him by name. She also gave him some of her business, but not because she felt obligated. Denny and his wife made the best pastries she’d ever tasted. A big guy, his lumbering gait made him seem like a teddy bear in an intimidating body. Kendra adored her customers, especially those who showed genuine love for their spouses. She also adored them when they kept her busy or provided much needed distractions over the last few days.

      Waiting for Dark Alley Investigations to send a detective was beginning to grate on her. When would someone call? Jasper Roesch had told her he’d assign someone to her case, but so far no one had come. She was anxious to get started on the investigation into her twin sister’s murder. She called it murder but the police hadn’t. Yet. She’d get them to change their minds. Her twin sister did not commit suicide.

      Denny made it to the counter and placed the bouquet down.

      “What anniversary is this?” Kendra asked.

      “Forty-two.” Denny smiled, showing big boxy teeth that somehow matched his jean overalls over a white Henley. At first glance, he’d strike most as a local farmer, but he ran the town bakery with his wife. Kendra seldom met people married as long as them. Or as happy.

      “What’s your secret?”

      Denny chuckled. “Tolerance.”

      She laughed with him as she finished his transaction, aware of another person in line behind him. “It can’t be that simple.” No amount of tolerance would have saved her closest encounter with love. She also found that choice of word peculiar. Tolerance could be a negative thing.

      Denny sobered. “It’s about respect. If you both have respect for each other, there’s nothing you can’t weather in a marriage. If you can’t respect the person you’re with, then you shouldn’t be with them.”

      “That’s good advice.” People like him and his wife were a breath of fresh air. They never deviated from genuine honesty.

      “You’ll find it someday,” Denny said.

      She scoffed. “I’m doing just fine on my own. No hurry for that.”

      “Then you’ll get the real deal.” Denny took the bouquet. “Have a good night.”

      “Tell your wife Happy Anniversary for me.”

      “Will do.” He left the counter and the next patron approached.

      A short, skinny boy of maybe fifteen put a flowering plant and four Fourth of July ornaments onto the counter. Odd for a kid his age, not to mention the holiday was a couple of months away. She had ornaments for every holiday, all year round.

      “Nice choice.” She tried to place him but didn’t recognize him. “You from around here?”

      “My mom went to see a friend. I came in here to blow some time. We live across town.”

      Chesterville

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