"I'm showing Alisha to her room. She can help herself to stew later." Denton led me out of the kitchen. We stopped just outside the door.

He turned me toward him, showing no mercy to my wound. "You must heed my words, Patricia. You will not survive if anyone suspects you are not who I say you are."

I shook off his grip. "Sorry." I cradled my arm. "She got so defensive. I didn't want her thinking I was here permanently."

"Perhaps you are here permanently. We won't know for some time." His lips pursed under a bushy moustache. "I warned you about Miss Rigg. I specifically asked you not to help her."

I thought back to his parting words in the car and couldn't remember him saying anything along those lines. "I had no idea she'd be so offended. I was just trying to help."

"Now you know. Don't help."

I stared at a mole on his cheek. Denton certainly offered asylum-as in loony bin, not sanctuary. What had Brad been thinking? When I found the body in my basement two projects ago, the killer had been behind bars within six months. Could I last around here for six months?

I sighed and followed Denton. It wasn't as if I had a choice.

Nicole Young resides in Garden, Michigan, with her children, cats, and tiny Yorkie. Home renovation is a way of life for the author whose first project was converting a Victorian in lower Michigan into a thriving bed & breakfast. She returned to Michigan's Upper Peninsula in 2001, where she owns and upkeeps vacation rental homes. Nicole plays fiddle and sings with two local bands and enjoys horseback riding on the beautiful Garden Peninsula.

Books by Nicole Young.

Patricia Amble Mystery series.

Love Me If You Must.

Kill Me If You Can.

Kiss Me If You Dare.

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