Crewel Intentions (An Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mini-Mystery) (6 page)

***

Erica invited Mr. Buckwalter into her home and served him a cup of coffee and a plate of cookies. After several phone calls, she tracked down his daughter Ruth.

Fifteen minutes later Ruth arrived to pick up her father. “I’m sorry he disturbed you,” she said. “My mother grew up in this house. Her name was Rose Salzwedel. In my father’s mind, he must have gone back to his youth when he and my mother first met and dated.”

“That explains the gifts and cards,” said Erica.

“He brought you gifts?”

“I thought I had a stalker. Someone keeps leaving me cards and presents. Only I didn’t know my mystery suitor was your father until this morning.” Erica retrieved the box from the pantry and showed her the contents.

Ruth recognized the embroideries at once. “My mother made these.”

“That explains all the roses,” I said, “and signing the cards with a drawing of a rose.”

“But why would your father secretly give me these gifts?” asked Erica.

“Don’t you see?” I said. “He thought you were Rose. He was wooing his wife all over again, giving her—you—presents that would mean something to her.”

“Oh.” Erica looked across the table to where Horace Buckwalter munched on a cookie. He stopped chewing and smiled at her. “You always did bake the best oatmeal raisin cookies, Rose.”

No matter that Erica had served him from a bag of Oreos. In Horace’s mind, Rose had baked him oatmeal raisin cookies. Erica reached across the table and squeezed Horace’s hand. “I’m glad you’re enjoying them, Horace.”

***

I left that evening knowing that for now, at least, Erica was safe. No one had stalked her, and no hit men had arrived in Oakmont to settle a score for her father.

“Remember,” I said when she dropped me off at the airport, “you promised me you’ll tell your WitSec handler about Darren.”

“I will.”

I doubted she’d keep her promise.

“We can’t have any further contact,” I said.

“I know.”

I gave her a hug before heading into the terminal. I had a feeling Erica wouldn’t keep that promise, either.

A Note from the Author

Thanks so much for taking the time to read
Crewel Intentions
. I hope you enjoyed it. If so, please consider writing a review and also telling your friends about the book. I’d truly appreciate it.

If you’d like to learn of new Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery releases as well as other books by me and my Emma Carlyle alter-ego, you can sign up for my newsletter by clicking here:
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Finally, typos and errors are the bane of every author’s existence. No matter how many times this book was proofed, one or two (hopefully no more!) may have slipped past me and those who helped edit this book. If you find a typo, please let me know. The beauty of e-books is that errors can be corrected very easily. You can email me at
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Happy reading!

Lois Winston

About the Author

Lois Winston is an award-winning author, crafts designer, and literary agent. She currently writes the critically acclaimed Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery series featuring magazine crafts editor and reluctant amateur sleuth Anastasia Pollack who
Kirkus Reviews
dubbed, “North Jersey’s more mature answer to Stephanie Plum.” Lois is also published in romance, romantic suspense, humorous women’s fiction, and non-fiction. As Emma Carlyle, she writes romance, romantic suspense, and chick lit. Visit Lois at
http://www.loiswinston.com
, visit Emma at
http://www.emmacarlyle.com
, and visit Anastasia at the Killer Crafts & Crafty Killers character blog,
www.anastasiapollack.blogspot.com
. Connect with Lois on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/Anasleuth

Table of Contents

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THREE

FOUR

FIVE

SIX

A Note from the Author

About the Author