Lethal Lily (A Peggy Lee Garden Mystery) Read Online Free Page B

old tree in the forest. She’d managed to leave her mark on it—something she wasn’t sure was possible when she’d first arrived as a young bride. So many generations of John’s family had added to the rambling halls and rooms. She’d expected to get lost in it, but it never happened.
    Some of the old furniture in the library, dining room, and bedrooms had been handmade by John’s grandfather. The antique rose china had come from John’s great-grandmother. The piano had been brought by ship from New York in 1920, pulled by horse and wagon from the port of Wilmington to Charlotte.
    Peggy knew her contribution to the house could mostly be found in the grounds surrounding it. She’d planted trees and bushes, landscaped the old roses, and added terraces and other outside features. She felt sure no one in the future would quibble with the work she and John had accomplished in their lifetimes.
    John had been an avid gardener too. Except for her specific field of study—poisonous botanicals—he could keep up with her on any gardening projects. He’d created the circular stone terrace and fountain and then filled it with tulips, hyacinths, and daffodils. He’d made beautiful benches that graced the walkways.
    She missed the understanding and appreciation of gardening that they had shared for thirty years. Many times, it was the last thing they’d talked about at night and were eager to get started on a project in the morning.
    It wasn’t something she and Steve had in common. He was good about listening to her ramble on about a new rose or peony, but she knew it wasn’t where his heart was. She smiled when she remembered how puzzled his face had been when they’d first met, and she’d started talking about various plants. He was better educated now.
    Peggy was about to go into the basement, where she kept her botanical experiments, when the phone in her pocket rang.
    “Mom!” Paul’s voice was high-pitched and excited. “We’re leaving for the hospital. Mai says it’s time.”
    “We’ll meet you there.”
    Paul had already hung up before she could say goodbye. Peggy smiled, remembering the night he’d been born. She’d thought John was going to drive into the hospital when they couldn’t find a close parking space.
    She ran upstairs excitedly and kissed Steve. “Wake up! We’re about to be grandparents.”
    * * *
    Three hours later, the hospital staff was sending Mai back home. She wasn’t dilating enough. The doctor said she wasn’t having real contractions.
    “But we’re getting ready for the big event,” he said with a broad grin on his face.
    “Sorry to drag you out for nothing,” Paul said to Steve and Peggy. “I thought for sure she’d know when the baby was coming since she works for the medical examiner’s office. She knows everything about dead bodies.”
    Peggy laughed. “It happens to a lot of people, no matter what their training. Even doctors and nurses are fooled. It’s a huge moment in your life. It’s easy to get carried away.”
    Mai stepped out of the cubicle, wearing her street clothes instead of a hospital gown. Her pretty, almond-colored face was annoyed. “I feel like a bloated idiot.”
    “You’re not any kind of idiot.” Peggy hugged her. “And maybe this is just as well since your parents are in Europe. I know they want to be here too.”
    “Thanks. I wish that made me feel better.” Mai wiped tears from her dark eyes. “I just want to get this over. I’m sorry I decided to take a leave of absence from the ME’s office before the baby was born. I’m so bored. All I want to do is eat and sleep.”
    Paul put his arm around her shoulder and rubbed her large tummy. “It’s going to happen any time now. Just be patient. Besides, we didn’t want the baby to be around all those chemicals and see dead bodies.”
    Mai faced him with no humor in her expression. “The baby has been around those chemicals for the last nine months. She knows as much about