Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 20394 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 102(@200wpm)___ 82(@250wpm)___ 68(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 20394 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 102(@200wpm)___ 82(@250wpm)___ 68(@300wpm)
I nod as I take the first bite. "Mm, this is good. Yes, I guess you can say that."
She tilts her head to the side and watches me. “It’s good, isn’t it?”
I let out another little moan. “Yes, it’s soo good.”
She laughs and grabs on to her waist. “Yep, that’s probably the reason that I can’t lose any weight, but it’s too good to pass up.”
I take another bite and then another. I’m making a pig of myself, but I don’t care. “Yeah, I understand that. But honestly, if I have to choose between being skinny or eating this cake, the cake would win every time.”
She laughs. “Well, I'm Violet, and my husband and I own this diner. Welcome to Whiskey Run."
I answer her as I take the last bite and chase it with a sip of water. "Thank you. I don't think I'll be here long, but it seems like a nice town."
She nods, and we sit and chat for a few minutes. She talks about the town, and when she finds out that I volunteer at a library back home, she talks about her library here in Whiskey Run. My guard is let down, and it's then that she asks me, "So what about your husband? Will he be joining you too?" It's then that I realize that she's looking at the wedding ring on my finger.
My thoughts go to the last couple of days and how he died. I look over at the entrance of the café, wondering if whoever is after me is going to catch up with me here. I’m horrible at this. I eat a piece of cake and lose all sense of self-preservation. I’m fair game here in front of the big bay windows.
Lost in thought, I don’t even realize I’ve said it until Violet gasps. "My husband is dead." When her eyes widen, and she stares at me, speechless, I start to cry. I haven't shed a tear since the day I found him in the living room of our home. But now in front of this stranger, I lose it. Violet gets up, her eyes wide on her face, and comes around to sit next to me. She wraps her arms around me, and I lose it even more. I can only imagine how I’ll be the talk of the town by nightfall.
"I'm so sorry, Allison. I had no idea. I wasn't even thinking. He must have been a really good man."
I pull myself together, lifting the napkin away from the silverware and wipe my eyes and nose. I shake my head side to side with a laugh. "No, he really wasn't. He was a horrible man."
I know she doesn’t understand, not someone like her. I was drawn to this diner because of the love shining from her face. No, she wouldn’t know what it’s like to be married to someone like my husband.
I search her face, and I don't know why I do it—I don’t know why I trust her—but I tell her everything. I tell her about how my husband was a congressman in our state’s capital. I tell her how he’s nothing like the image he portrayed on television or in the polls. I go on and on, letting it all out, knowing that I’m overwhelming her, but I just can’t stop. "He was murdered, and whoever did it, I think they’re after me now."
Violet raises her head and looks around the restaurant and out into the street through the big windows. Her voice is calm when all I feel is chaos.
"Have you called the police and told them?"
I shake my head. "No. You see, I'm the one that found my husband, and I'm a suspect."
I know that I've said too much. "Violet, I probably need to go. I need to pay you and go on my way."
I reach for my purse, ready to dig out my change, but stop when she grabs both of my hands. “I know people that will help us.”
I grab on to her hand and plead with her. "Please. I'm not sure who I can trust anymore. I need to figure this out. If I can just lie low ..."
Violet interrupts me and pats my hand soothingly. "I'm not going to call the police on you if that’s what you think. But there’s a reason you came in here today. Obviously, after everything you’ve told me, you trust me, Allison, and I'm not going to betray that trust. So now that you've had cake, why don't we get some real food into you? I always think that food helps you think better."
I grab on to the edge of my purse, ready to run. "No, I need to go. I need to move on."
Violet blocks me from scooting out of the booth. "Now see, I can't just let you walk out of here. I'll worry about you forever. I have friends, friends that I know can help us. Can you trust me to call them? I promise that they can help you."