Davis, Krista - Murder, She Barked - A Paws & Claws Mystery (A Paws and Claws Mystery)

Oma and Rose joined us, and after a polite exchange of greetings, we finally walked to The Blue Boar.

Oma walked up the stairs slowly, with Holmes’s help. I hung back with Gingersnap so she wouldn’t trip Oma. My phone played the jingling notes that always made me think of a fairy waving her wand so that magical sparkles appear. A text! It had to be about my dog.

Sixteen

Oma turned with alarming speed. “Get rid of that thing,” she hissed.

Rose pointed at a sign mounted near the top of the stairs. Cell Free Zone .

From their horrified expressions, I gathered that didn’t mean it was a free Wi-Fi zone. The Blue Boar appeared to be an upscale restaurant. I didn’t blame them for banning cell phones. It would be nice to dine without ringtones pealing, people talking on their phones, or texting. It was sort of old-fashioned, but it appealed to me.

“I’ll just check to be sure it’s not about my dog.” Calling to Gingersnap, I hurried away with her so I wouldn’t offend anyone.

I swept the phone open. The little message bubble contained the cryptic words, marE me?

It took a second for me to sound it out and realize it meant marry me? I looked up at the restaurant seeking out Holmes. They had already been seated on the deck. He laughed at something Oma said.

Ohhh, that was a very bad sign. I’d looked for Holmes before I gave Ben a single thought. I checked the message again. Of course it was from Ben.

Had he lost his mind? Who would say yes to a proposal like that? We weren’t übercool kids. This was . . . well, positively offensive. He didn’t have to get down on one knee, but it would be nice if he had given it a little bit of consideration. He’d shown more enthusiasm about picking a movie to watch.

It wasn’t as though I had never considered marrying Ben. He was a solid, steady man. Great job, great prospects. We would have a good life together.

Rose’s silly questions from the morning floated back to me. Did he make me laugh? Did he make my toes tingle? Honestly! What was wrong with me? Real life wasn’t like those fairy tales. Fireworks didn’t shoot off. Real people didn’t quiver when their one and only soul mates drew near.

But even if I was being completely sensible—a texted proposal? With a humph loud enough to worry Gingersnap, I turned off my phone and marched up the stairs to join Oma, Rose, and Holmes for dinner.

A dashing gentleman with a broad smile and a heavy dose of salt in his hair held out his arms to Oma and kissed her on both cheeks. “Liesel, I have only just heard about your terrible accident. You should have called me. Should I bring a footrest for you?” He snapped his fingers in the air, and like magic, a footrest appeared.

“I’m fine, Thomas.” She pronounced his name Tow-mas , with emphasis on the first syllable.

He clasped her hand in both of his. “I make you a special dinner tonight.”

Oma introduced me.

I also received the hug and double cheek kisses. “I imagine Liesel looking just like you when she was young. I am so happy you have returned to Wagtail—”

Unless I was mistaken, either Rose or Oma kicked him under the table at that point.

He clapped his hands together. “Special dessert to celebrate? You like chocolate? Of course you do. Everyone does.”

He scooted off, and a waiter descended upon us for drink orders. I stayed with plain old iced tea, not the kind with alcohol. After the long drive last night and my early morning, liquor would surely put me to sleep. Besides, that little kick had served as notice that something was definitely afoot. Tomorrow I would have to confront Oma. She had brought me here for a reason. It was time she told me what.

“I believe Thomas might be sweet on you, Oma.” I watched her carefully. Her cheeks had flushed, she’d taken care with her appearance, and except for the twisted ankle, she didn’t appear to be in any pain. Whatever was going on, I hoped it wasn’t her health.

“Don’t be silly.”

But the twinkle in Rose’s eye and the slight nod of her head told me otherwise.

The waiter arrived and set a small white plate before each of us. Thomas had a flare for presentation. Two scallops gently seared until they bore light caramel-colored tops had been drizzled with a golden sauce and accented with a tiny basil leaf. The robust scent of garlic wafted up to me.

“Thomas is so thoughtful,” said Oma. “He knows this is my favorite appetizer.”

For a moment, we ate in silence, savoring the rich flavors. I thought I detected a hint of lemon.

“Poor Ellie,” said Rose. “I can’t imagine losing a child.” Her hand slid over to rest on top of Holmes’s hand. “Or a grandchild. It would be unbearable.”

“Our Dave has a big problem on his hands. There wasn’t anyone in town who didn’t run up against Jerry sometime,” said Oma.

“Why didn’t you kick him out of office and elect someone else?” I asked.

The waiter removed our empty scallop dishes and replaced them with a salad. Apples and walnuts rested on a bed of red cabbage. I dug in right away. The vinaigrette had been sweetened with honey.

Oma sipped her wine. “It’s complicated. Wagtail would never have been such a success if it weren’t for Jerry. He worked hard at obtaining the grants that enabled us to spruce up the town and improve the pedestrian zone. You have to be tough when everyone in town wants something that will be solely to his or her own benefit.”

“He might be responsible for our economic success but the man was a menace. He treated us all with pompous disdain, like we were servants.” Rose broke a piece off a crusty artisanal roll and slathered it with creamy butter.

“Oma, did you have a conflict with Jerry?” I asked.

Rose nearly choked on her bread. “Do you know anyone more outspoken than Liesel? She stood up for everyone in the community.”

“Come now, Rose. Jerry and I agreed on many things, too. It won’t be easy to find a replacement for him. You have to have a thick skin to be in that sort of position.”

Thomas reappeared with a waiter in tow who set plates before us.

“This is rosemary and Parmesan-encrusted lamb with my special harvest mushrooms in wine sauce, and mashed potatoes.” He patted Oma’s upper arm. “Enjoy, my friends.”

The waiter set a small dish in front of Gingersnap, who didn’t wait for the rest of us to start eating. It appeared that she had also been served lamb and mashed potatoes, but instead of mushrooms in wine, she scarfed cubed sweet potatoes.

“Do I detect an accent when Thomas speaks?” I asked.

“He grew up in Austria and moved to the States as a young man,” said Oma. “But he returned to Switzerland for culinary training.”

Rose murmured with delight. “Mmm. Fantastic, as always.” She whispered, “I think the accent is a bit of an affectation, but he’s an incredible chef. He could work at any five-star restaurant. We’re lucky to have him here in Wagtail.”

“Holly, did you get news about your dog?” asked Holmes.

“No, I wish I had. It was a marriage proposal.”

Oma choked.

Rose dropped her fork.

Holmes raised his eyebrows. “In a text?”

I nodded in the affirmative. “Oma, are you okay?”

She waved a hand in the air and drank water, hacking. “From the Ben?”

She could not have asked with more distaste. I hated it when she called him the Ben , like he was an object.

“Why, why . . . Holmes! Don’t you ever propose that way!” Rose shook her finger at him.

“Don’t think that’s likely, Grandma. I’m already engaged.” Holmes suppressed an amused smile. “Is Ben a techie type?”