Under Suspicion, With Child. Elle James
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her to arm’s length, her hands gripping her upper arms hard enough to bruise. “Honey, I don’t give a rat’s you-know-what who laughs at me. However, I do care about this town and the people who live here. I can’t stand by and let the evil consume my home.”
Jocelyne’s belly tightened painfully. Drawing on her yoga training, she pulled in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Okay. I know you have to do what you think is best.” Extricating herself from her mother’s grasp, Jocelyne stepped back, bumping into the bag of potting soil. “You’re going to trip over that, if you’re not careful.”
Her mother smoothed her hands down her dress, her shaky chuckle warming the damp air. “I’ll trip over it or you will?”
A smile twitched Jocelyne’s lips. “Okay. I’ll trip over it, if I’m not careful.” She stared down at the bag. “Are you using potting soil in your potion?”
“Oh, no, sweetie.” She shook her head. “Mr. Gibson brought it down the stairs for me just before you came down. I meant to tell him to stack it over by the grow lights, but my pot started to boil over about that time.” She stirred the contents of the cauldron and sniffed the brew. “Helpful man. I hate to ask, but he doesn’t seem to mind.”
“Don’t worry about it, I’ll get it.” Jocelyne bent to lift the bag, but when she tried, the muscles in her sides and back protested. Just another reminder that she was pregnant and unable to do things she normally had no problems with. “Sorry, Mom, no can do. It must weigh fifty or sixty pounds.”
“That’s why I asked Mr. Gibson to carry it down, dear. It was too bulky for me to maneuver down those narrow old steps.”
“I’ll see about getting someone to move it for you.” In a minute or two. First she wanted to find out more about the comings and goings of the guests and employees of the inn. “Mom, who, besides you and Alex Gibson, comes down in this basement?”
“I’m the only one who comes down on a regular basis.” She set the spoon on the stove top and switched the burner off.
“I know you do. But does anyone else ever come down?”
“Well, let’s see.” Her mother tipped her head to the side and tapped a finger to her chin. “Leah comes to the basement for the linens that go on the dining table. She also helps me with the cooking and occasionally comes down for pantry staples and spices.” Her mother stared across the room at her. “Why do you ask?”
Jocelyne wasn’t sure what she should tell her mother. What did she say? The henbane plant in your basement might be the source of the drug used on the Seaside Strangler victims? Jocelyne decided less was better. “Just curious. Do your guests ever come down?”
“Some do. Mr. Gibson delivered the potting soil today and has come down a time or two while I’ve been mixing remedies. He’s quite interested in natural healing arts and learning more about Wicca. A veritable sponge of knowledge, that man. Other than him…I don’t recall. My boarders have additional storage in the old stables out back. Don’t worry. I keep my Book of Shadows locked in a chest when I’m not down here.” She propped her fists on her hips. “Now, my turn. Tell me about the man Leah told me helped you with breakfast this morning.”
“What do you know about Andrei?”
“Only that he’s a nice young man. Are you two seeing each other?”
Jocelyne’s face heated and she scrambled for a reason to escape. “I really should get back to my work. I have several orders to fill and mail out today.”
“So it’s okay for you to question me, but I can’t question you?” Her mother’s brows rose. “You like him, don’t you?”
“He’s bossy and entirely too…much of a man.” Her face burned hotter. Now was the time to turn and run.
Her mother’s quizzing look softened. “I’m glad he was there for you when you found Angela Wheeler.” Her mother crossed to her and engulfed her in a hug. “I love you, Josie. Don’t ever forget that. Now, go get something to eat. I won’t have you starving my granddaughter.”
Jocelyne blinked back tears, amazed at how emotional she’d been throughout her pregnancy. “How do you know it’s a girl?”
Her mother turned back to her potion, casting a mysterious look over her shoulder. “I have my ways.”
When Jocelyne reached the top of the basement stairs, Leah met her with a note in her hand. “There you are.” She handed her the paper. “Andrei Lagios called while you were down there. He wants to meet you at The Cove Café at six.”
A flood of heat thrilled through her system as she clasped the note in her hand. “Thanks, Leah.”
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