Home Away From Bone: Naomi & Winston Mysteries, #7

By Maddie Sutton

As Naomi finally settles into her childhood home town, her past comes back to hound her with bad dog results. And her life was going so well...

Naomi is taken aback when she spies her ex-boyfriend strolling through downtown Harmony Grove. She thought she left him behind in Charleston. With him is his best friend (and notorious troublemaker), and a girl who has mysterious connections to a shady resident of Naomi's small town.

His arrival couldn't have come at a worse time. Naomi's relationship with Chief Reed has stepped up a notch and things are getting serious. That is, until her ex's best friend is found face down at the edge of her property.

The whole drama has Winston and Daisy on alert since her ex-boyfriend can't seem to leave her alone. And people keep lurking outside her house.

Now, she's tangled in a mess she didn't ask for when her ex is arrested for the murder of his best friend, and it's up to Naomi to figure out why he was killed, and how he ended up in her back yard.

Can she find the connection between her past and her present before her ex-boyfriend upends her tranquility or is she doomed to have her past dig its way back into her life and threaten the blooming relationship with the chief?


The seventh book in the southern, small town Naomi & Winston Mysteries, Home Away From Bone contains no adult situations or gore, only fun and high jinks as the heroine solves mysteries and chases behind her perpetually confused, endearingly curious, and continuously chatty Chihuahua. This story has a light paranormal element.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Maddie Sutton
• Release date: Feb 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201295172

Book preview

1

Although there was a crisp chill in the air, it was pretty enough outside to sit and eat lunch with my best friend at my favorite restaurant. Jolene and I were here for serious barbeque. As it was a lovely day, even if on the tad chilly side, Winston and Daisy were dining alfresco as well.

We sat at one of the tables in the front of the restaurant. Daisy’s leash was tied off on the table leg and Winston’s to my chair. Not that I was afraid my dogs would wander off. Daisy was very responsible, and Winston—well, Daisy would be responsible for him, too.

Surprisingly, before I was struck by lightning and developed the ability to talk to animals, Winston was a bit of a Lothario about town. When his owner had been murdered, he ended up living with me, and that appeared to cure his desire to go on walkabout around Harmony Grove.

Although, his curiosity got the better of him on occasion. It didn’t happen often. Having them tied off made everyone else comfortable so that’s what I did.

So, I don’t get it, Jolene said, waving a fry around before she popped it in her mouth. Why are there two types of mayors?

I don’t know, I confessed. I only heard about it the other day when Priscilla was talking to Mom about it. I always thought a mayor was a mayor.

Huh. With pursed lips, she wiped her fingers and looked it up on her phone.

While she read, I watched as the tourists strolled along the square. They enjoyed the nice weather, paused at the various shops to peer in their windows. A few of them even ducked into Jolene’s donut shop, the Hole In One.

She was up to two employees now, one full-time and one part-time, giving her a bit more freedom. Not that she ever appeared to stay tied down to her shop. Gerri was so competent that it allowed Jolene much more freedom.

I was pleased to see her shop doing so well. Like Gramma said, it was hard to mess up donuts. Most everyone loved a good sugary pastry full of empty calories. In fact, after we finished eating, Jolene’s shop was our dessert stop.

A girl’s gotta have her sugar fix.

Well, are you going to tell me or do I have to guess?

One, called council-weak, is more ceremonial. It’s the council that holds the ruling power. The other is council-strong, which has the mayor with all the administrative duties and the council handles the legislative, she said, waving her pinky over the screen before she took a drink of her iced tea. Which one is Priscilla?

I think it’s council-strong. I can’t imagine that she would have run for a position only to be relegated to ceremonial duties while someone else held the power, I mused.

No, I don’t see that either. She’s much too strong-minded for that. How is your uncle handling it?

Which part? I asked.

Dating a woman as strong-willed as she is. One who just got elected mayor. One who is on her way to becoming a career politician, Jolene said, ticking each one off on her fingers.

I shrugged. I don’t know. He seems okay with it. He campaigned hard for her, he’s been to almost every event she had to make an appearance, ate at every spaghetti supper and pancake breakfast alongside her. I’d say that’s a pretty good indicator that his ego can handle her being mayor.

I’m glad. You just don’t know how people will react. Being a politician’s spouse is kind of like being a minister’s spouse. Sometimes it wasn’t something they signed up for and it’s a different life, now.

I doubt that will bother Uncle Solly. I think he’s content working with my dad.

Is he ever going to propose to Priscilla?

That was the question on my entire family’s mind. The only thing I’ve gotten out of him is that now isn’t the time. He hasn’t said anything more than that.

Jolene frowned. What does that mean?

I think it means he doesn’t want to overshadow Sarah’s wedding.

That’s silly.

I think it’s sweet. He doesn’t want anything to take away from Sarah’s big day. I’m sure once she’s married, he’ll pop the question.

Jolene didn’t look convinced. I couldn’t say any more. It was just a gut feeling I had.

Neither of us were anxious to get back to work, so we sat and enjoyed the sunny weather long after our server, Lucy, cleared our table. Don’t you ever get tired of barbeque? Jolene asked.

I clucked my tongue at her. Perish the thought. What is this getting tired of barbeque you speak of?

You’re obsessed with Harvey’s pulled pork.

This is tru—

Across the street I saw a familiar face, an unwelcome ghost from my past, just strolling by. It was surreal—and upsetting. My blood ran cold and my skin tingled with dread.

Jolene leaned forward and wrapped her hand around my wrist to shake me. What, Naomi? she asked.

I um…I’ll be right back. Watch Daisy and Winston? I lurched out of my chair and almost darted out in traffic. Luckily for me, traffic was kept light around the square in downtown Harmony Grove, to maintain our folksy hometown charm.

The closer I drew, the tighter the knot tied in my stomach.

Paul Mason, I said sharply.

2

He turned at his name and smiled when he saw me. Naomi Cooper.

There was a time when that smile would work its charm on me. If I was angry that he’d forgotten a promised dinner, or an important holiday, he would just smile with his boyish charm and with empty promises that he’d make it up to me.

And for years, I bought it. Like a sucker.

It took that long for me to realize I was nothing more than a pleasant distraction. In fact, I couldn’t even be sure about the pleasant part anymore. Until we had ‘the talk’.

The ‘it’s not you, it’s me’ talk.

He broke my heart.

Not long after that, I made the mistake of turning my back on a show dog I was there to support when someone snipped the champion’s top knot off and I was forced to leave Charleston in disgrace.

So seeing his smiling face brought up memories. Not very pleasant ones.

The only thing that prevents me from pushing your face in is because there are witnesses, I said instead.

My vehemence must have startled him. He blinked at me stupidly for a moment. Then he smiled broadly and took a step towards me. It’s good to see you too, baby.

Don’t call me baby, I said, poking him on the chest to get him to keep his distance. Why did you follow me here?

Oh, he said in mock surprise, is this where you were from?

"See, that may have worked before, but that comment lets me know you were at least listening when I talked about my hometown. You’re not here by accident, Paul. You never do anything by accident."

Looks like she’s still upset, another voice said. I turned to see his best friend strolling up with the same smug smile on his face. I told you that you should have called before just showing up. How are you doing, Naomi?

If I dreaded seeing Paul, I loathed seeing his sleazy friend, Kirk Evans. Kirk was sleaze on steroids. Sleaze and smarm and just gross with his slick grin and perfect teeth. I couldn’t come up with another adjective. Kirk was pure sleaze. There was no room for anything else. Used car salesmen looked positively saintly next to Kirk.

From the table, Daisy and Winston were barking.

My day just got worse, I said. What possible attraction could Harmony Grove hold for you two?

Paul told me you were from this area and how you used to talk about how great it was, Kirk said, spreading his hands. And I figured, as hard as we’ve been working lately, why not take a vacation? It’s conveniently located to several tourist attractions, the slower southern pace will be a balm for our souls.

Good heavens this guy was so full of it. They both were.

I shook my head. Well, you’ve seen it. This is pretty much all there is to Harmony Grove. So now you can leave.

My gut was roiling by this point. It was a strange mixture of fear, loathing, and anxiety that I couldn’t sort through. All the emotions mixed together as one, creating this tight lump in my stomach.

Then, Kirk did the worst possible thing he could do.

He put his hand on my shoulder. As if we were friends. Worse, as if we were good friends, implying a familiarity that wasn’t there.

His grip was like the hand of a corpse. The cold seeped through my shirt sleeve and I shuddered in revulsion. It was a natural reaction to flinch away from him.

Oh, come on, Naomi, don’t be that way, he said. We’re just trying to be friendly. Why are you being a bitch about it?

I shrugged his arm off me.

A…did he just call me a….?

Just like that, it was like nothing had changed. The thinly veiled hostility between us was just as strong as ever.

Paul stepped up next to me, draping his arm over my shoulder. Would this nightmare please come to an end?

Come on, Kirk, I’m sure it’s a shock to see me, right, Naomi?

Shock wasn’t the only word. I shrugged his arm off my shoulders with a frown. It was a mistake to have even approached Paul. Sadly, there was no easy way to get out of this without a scene.

A shriek across the street drew all of our attention. Jolene gripped the table, shouting, Oh my fluff, Daisy! No! Bad girl! Naomi! Help!

The table lurched and jerked in her grip as Daisy barked. I didn’t need to understand her to hear the deep menace in her vocalizations. She was unhinged, straining against her leash in an effort to get to me. Each lunge forward dragged the table further out of Jolene’s grip until it finally broke free.

Daisy’s powerful body dragged the metal table along behind her as she raced across the street. You stay away from Naomi. You don’t touch her. She doesn’t like you and I don’t like you!

The table, now unbalanced as it was dragged across asphalt, tipped to its side, rolling and bouncing behind Daisy as she continued to plow forward. The off-balance table hardly impeded her movement.

Regardless of how I felt about Paul, and let me state for the record, it wasn’t good for him, and certainly not for his sleazeball friend…I didn’t think they deserved to fend off a protective pit bull.

Judging by her stubborn progress, she was more likely aiming for a body check, getting between us while growling a lot, but that kind of stress isn’t good for her. Or for me. I pushed Paul away and raced across the road to meet Daisy before she hurt herself. A car screeched to a stop and the driver laid on their horn. I held my hand up, half in apology, half in communication that I was trying to get control of the situation.

Daisy charged forward in an effort to get between me and the two men. Her leash was tangled in the table legs and every lurch caused the table to roll and scrape, causing it to get wrapped around the center post.

Jolene raced up, carrying Winston. You stay away from Mary! he barked viciously at the guys. She doesn’t like you. I don’t like you either!

With a truly spectacular leap, Winston was out of Jolene’s arms. No! Winston! she shouted.

Get them, Winston! I’ll be right there! Daisy encouraged him.

You’ll be sorry! Winston raced over to the two men, snarling viciously at them.

To my horror, I watched as Kirk lifted a foot. Everything slowed down as my worst possible fear was moving into reality.

That jerk was going to kick Winston. No! Paul, please stop him! I shouted.

Why did I actually think that Paul would do anything to help? He stood there and shrugged helplessly. Of course he wouldn’t intercede. He never had the spine to back Kirk down from anything.

Silly me.

Daisy had made further progress towards the sidewalk in the meantime. You stay back from Winston or I will eat your face, so leave him alone. Don’t hurt my friend!

Jolene grabbed the table and leaned back, using her body weight to prevent further progress. Go, Naomi! she said. I got her. I think.

I dashed towards Winston who danced around Kirk, dodging his attempts to kick at him. It was a miracle how Winston managed to stay just out of reach, lunging in only when Kirk was regaining his balance and winding up for another kick.

Barreling between them, I shouldered Kirk out of the way, tripping over his feet as I plowed into him. We both went down to the ground and I landed heavily on him. I didn’t have the leverage to beat him but I gave it a good effort. Don’t you lay a hand or foot on my dog, I shouted at him.

Naomi. The voice was distant and familiar. Hands grabbed my arms and lifted me effortlessly to my feet. Now that I had the reach, I kicked out at him while Kirk stayed on the ground.

Whoever had pulled me off now moved into view. Officer Simpson. Denny. He had me by both arms and gave me a gentle shake. Naomi, he repeated. Calm down.

I bent to pick Winston up to get him out of harm’s way. He shook violently in my arms, his lips curled from his teeth in a mean growl. "Calm? Calm? He was trying to kick Winston!"

I was protecting myself from that beast! Kirk said as he struggled to his feet. He pushed up close behind Denny and pointed an accusing finger at me over his shoulder. She’s crazy! She’s nuts! It’s a good thing you dumped her, Paul. She would have killed you, eventually!

Me? I was shouting now. I wasn’t trying to attack a Chihuahua! Are you so weak you couldn’t deal with a dog that is one percent of your body weight?

Denny turned to put