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“Honey, would you fill the water glasses?” Peggy asked as she scurried about the kitchen.
“Sure thing.” His wife was a marvel, Bob thought as he dumped ice cubes into the pitcher. Peggy was a master gardener, homemaker and cook extraordinaire. The scent of her chicken cordon bleu wafted through the kitchen and made his mouth water. He knew she’d prepared his favorite broccoli salad and a special mashed-potato casserole as part of their meal. Peggy had made a habit of cooking all his favorite dishes since Sheriff Davis’s last visit-as if she was determined to make his last days on earth happy ones. Not that she’d admit it, he realized, but Bob knew she was worried and he humored her.
Much of the success of Thyme and Tide was due to Peggy’s skill at making people feel welcome and comfortable. Bob didn’t discount his own talents. He was a reasonably adequate handyman, but it was Peggy who held everything together, including his life.
She was busy at the sink-doing what, he could only guess. He finished his assigned duty, set the pitcher aside and came up behind her, sliding his arms around her waist.
“Bob,” she protested as he spread kisses down the side of her neck. “We have guests due any minute.”
“Hmm.”
“They’re the ones on the honeymoon, not us.”
“Does that mean you’re not interested in a little hankypanky?”
“Bob Beldon!”
“Is that a yes, you are, or a no, you’re not?”
“It’s a yes, but could you kindly wait until after our guests leave?” She feigned impatience, but Bob knew her far too well. Their marriage had gone through several stages, some good and some difficult, but through it all their love life had remained active. Peggy’s talents extended into the bedroom and for that, Bob was most appreciative.
The doorbell chimed and Bob released his wife. Peggy made a show of tucking in her blouse. This was the first week they’d been without overnight guests, and the absence of people in the house had taken some getting used to. Bob enjoyed it for a change, but he knew that before long they’d both grow bored.
“Do you want me to get that?” Peggy asked.
“No, I will.”
Peggy sighed, and Bob sensed that she was nervous. She didn’t know Olivia well, and he could tell that Peggy sincerely hoped they’d all be friends. She hadn’t worked quite this hard to impress someone in a very long while. Dinner in the kitchen would be more intimate, more casual, and definitely suited Jack’s personality. Olivia’s, too, he hoped…
Jack and Olivia Griffin stood at the front door, looking relaxed and very much in love. Jack had his arm around Olivia’s waist as if he couldn’t bear to be apart from her.
“Welcome back,” Bob said, stepping aside to let them in. “You both look fabulous.”
“We are fabulous,” Jack said, smiling down at Olivia.
Bob had to admit they made an interesting couple. Jack was by far the more easygoing of the two. Olivia held an important position in the community, so perhaps it was only natural that she’d be more formal. Yet they were good together, good for each other in the same way he and Peggy were.
“Welcome,” Peggy said as she walked into the living room. “I hope you had a wonderful honeymoon.” Jack came forward to kiss her cheek.
“We did,” Olivia told her, smiling. “Unfortunately, we have to be back at work first thing in the morning.”
“I’ve got to get out the Friday edition of the paper,” Jack said, “and Olivia’s due in court.”
“I was lucky to get as much time off as I did,” she added.
Peggy hung Olivia’s jacket in the hall closet. Jack shrugged off his raincoat and threw it over the back of a chair.
“Are we early?” he asked, glancing at his watch.
“Not at all, your timing’s perfect.” Peggy scooped up his coat and quickly brought it to the closet. “I’ve got just a few things to do and then dinner will be on the table.”
“How can I help?” Olivia asked as she followed Peggy into the kitchen.
“Most everything’s finished, but you can keep me company.”
Bob was grateful for a few minutes alone with his friend. Rather than lead Jack into the family room, he stayed in the formal living room. The last time he’d sat here had been with Roy McAfee and Sheriff Davis. That was the day he’d met Hannah Russell, the daughter of the man who’d died in his home. The daughter of a long-forgotten friend. Bob didn’t want to think about any of it, but he couldn’t ignore the dead man, either.
“You’re looking well,” Bob said. He sat in the wingback chair by the fireplace.
Jack claimed its twin, which was angled on the other side of the fireplace. “I don’t know why Olivia waited so long to marry me. The woman’s crazy about me, you know.” He chuckled at his own remark.
“I suppose you think Peggy and I invited you to dinner because of your charming personality.”
“Any other reason I should hear about?”
Bob went very still. He hadn’t meant to introduce the subject quite so soon, but Jack had given him the perfect opportunity. “Listen, Jack, you’re the best friend I’ve got. You know that, right?”
The smile faded from Jack’s eyes at the seriousness in Bob’s tone. “Yeah, I guess.”
“I need a favor.”
Jack nodded. “Anything.”
“Thanks, Jack.” Bob spoke quietly and hoped his gratitude was evident.
“Does this have anything to do with Maxwell Russell?”
“Yes.”
“Anything new?”
“Not really, but Troy Davis stopped by for a visit last week, and he thinks I might be in…some kind of danger.”
Jack uncrossed his legs and leaned forward. “What kind of danger?”
“He wasn’t entirely sure-no one is-but with two of the four-man squad dead, it’s a puzzle. Someone murdered Max. That much has been uncovered. Dan’s dead, too, and although he committed suicide, I wonder about the timing. There has to be some connection between these two deaths.”
“What about the fourth man?”
“I can’t say, but when Peggy was out of earshot Troy let me know that he’s warned Samuels to be careful. There are too many unanswered questions.”
Jack frowned. “What did he suggest you do?”
“He thought it might be a good idea if Peggy and I went on an extended vacation.”
Jack’s frown grew deeper. “Then what the hell are you doing here?”
Bob sat back in his chair and attempted to look as if he wasn’t intimidated by his situation. He was, though, and he hoped his acting skills were up to par. He figured he’d played enough roles in the community theater to make a passable showing. “I refuse to run away and hide. If anyone out there wants me dead, then all I can say is let him come and get me.”
“I don’t suppose Davis mentioned you have a stupid attitude?” Jack’s scowl darkened his face.
“He might’ve suggested something along those lines.”
Jack didn’t say anything for a moment. “What does Peggy think about all this?”
Bob didn’t want to discuss that. “She has her opinion and I have mine. I did agree not to take guests until this is settled. It hurts financially, but we’ll survive.”
“One day at a time?”
“Let go and let God,” Bob said, quoting a well-known AA saying.
“What can I do?” Jack asked.
“For now, nothing, but if something should happen to me…”
“Nothing’s going to happen.”
Bob wasn’t prepared to argue, but for his own peace of mind, he needed reassurance. He held up his hand. “I don’t know what the future holds, Jack. If what Davis thinks is true, I could turn up dead, the same as Max.”
“But-”
“There are a lot of things in this world that can’t be forgotten or forgiven.” Bob lived with plenty of regrets but none greater than his unwitting participation in a massacre during the Vietnam War.
“What do you need me to do?” Jack asked.
“I want you to look after Peggy for me.” He worried about his children, too. Both Hollie and Marc lived in the Spokane area. Peggy kept in close touch with both of them, and he talked to his son and daughter once a week.
“You know I’ll do whatever I can,” Jack promised.
If he were to die, Bob couldn’t see either of his children moving to Cedar Cove. They loved their mother but they had lives of their own.
He reached inside his pocket and pulled out two envelopes. “I’ve written each of my kids a letter. If the worst happens, I want you to give them these.”
Jack accepted the envelopes and nodded. “Consider it done.”
Bob glanced up just in time to see Peggy and Olivia walk into the living room. “Why are you two sitting here looking so glum? Dinner’s ready.”
“Dinner.” Bob bolted to his feet. “Why didn’t you say so?”
“I’m ready anytime,” Jack said.
Bob felt better than he had in days. No matter what happened, he could rest easy now.
Chapter Seven
Maryellen felt overwhelmed by everything she needed to do before the wedding. The last two weeks had passed in a whirlwind of activity and joyous craziness.
“Just look at these nails,” Rachel, her nail tech, said as she picked up a cotton ball to remove the old polish. “What have you been up to?”
“Moving,” Maryellen muttered, knowing that would explain everything. Her rental house was completely empty now and her belongings were all at Jon’s place, but almost everything remained in boxes. With the wedding preparations demanding all her extra time, she had yet to unpack.
“So when’s the big day?”
“Monday,” Maryellen said.
“Memorial Day?”
She nodded.
“That’s one way to help your husband keep track of your anniversary,” Rachel said with a laugh. Apparently she’d forgotten that the actual date changed from year to year. “In my case, however, the first thing I’ve got to do is find a husband.” The exasperation in her sigh said it all. For as long as Maryellen could remember, Rachel had wanted to get married. All the women at Get Nailed were single and, during each appointment, Maryellen could count on the main topic of conversation revolving around the lack of decent husband material in Cedar Cove.
“Did you hear the big news?” Rachel asked, rubbing furiously at the old polish.
Maryellen shook her head.
“The animal shelter’s holding a dog and bachelor auction.”
“With some men, it’s one and the same,” Terri shouted from the other side of the room. “The men I’ve dated have been real dogs.” She laughed at her own joke, then returned her attention to her client.
Even before Maryellen’s engagement, such an event would never have interested her, but she knew the girls at Get Nailed would leap at the opportunity to meet eligible men.
“I’m surprised you haven’t heard about the auction. Everyone in town’s talking about it.”
“Just as long as everyone knows Jon is out of circulation,” Maryellen teased.
“Honey, from the moment Jon Bowman looked at you, he was a goner.”
Maryellen grinned. At one point-during her avoidance phase-she’d attempted to match Jon up with one of the nail techs. Her plan had backfired and as a result, Maryellen had come to realize how strong the attraction between them was. Then, a few months ago, she’d managed to convince herself that Jon was involved with someone else. The thought of him with another woman had nearly destroyed her. Only later did she learn that he was completely committed to her and Katie.
“Are you excited about the wedding?”
Right now, Maryellen was too tired to be excited. With their jobs, they’d both been working twenty-hour days in an effort to have the house and yard ready for the ceremony. Jon had spent countless hours doing yardwork and planning the reception. Thankfully the guest list was small, under thirty.
Friday was his last day at The Lighthouse restaurant, where he worked nights as a chef. He was ready to make the transition and dedicate all his time to photography. Maryellen would continue working at the art gallery until the end of the year-or until she became pregnant again. After that, she’d serve as Jon’s agent, marketing his pictures and negotiating with galleries around the country.
The thought of a second baby made her feel weak with longing. They’d managed to avoid physical lovemaking, but it had been a strain on both of them. Still, she felt that waiting until they were married was the right decision-for emotional reasons rather than rational ones-although she’d never guessed it would be this difficult.
As soon as Rachel was finished with her nails, Maryellen drove to her mother’s house to pick up Katie.
“Leave her with me,” Grace insisted. “You’ve got enough on your mind.”
“You’re sure?”
“I love having her.”
Maryellen and Katie were staying with Grace for the next two nights. “Then I think I should drive out to Jon’s and see what I can do to help him get things ready.”
“You go ahead.”
Maryellen left, grateful her mother had been so understanding. Just as she suspected, Jon was working in the yard, spreading beauty bark around the base of the rhododendrons and azaleas. Both were in full bloom and shockingly vibrant in color. Jon had counted over a hundred blooming rhododendrons on his property. Of them all, Maryellen’s favorites were the bright red ones.
When she pulled in the long gravel driveway, Jon walked over to the car and opened her door. “I came to help,” she said and although she was tempted, she resisted wrapping her arms around his waist and kissing him.
“I thought you were getting your nails done?”
“I already did.” She held out her hands for his inspection. The pale rose polish sparkled in the sunlight. “What can I do?”
“Nothing out here. I wouldn’t want you to risk damaging one of those fingernails.” He leaned on the shovel. “Why don’t you unpack? I’ve got boxes shoved in every conceivable corner.”
“Out of sight, out of mind?”
“Not exactly,” he said with a chuckle.
Maryellen took his advice and decided to start in the master bedroom. The kitchen could wait; besides, that area was Jon’s domain. He was the cook in the family, although she was willing to do her share of meal preparation. Marriage to her was a partnership, and Maryellen had every intention of being a good wife. If that meant chopping pounds of onions, well…she’d do it. In fact, she’d do anything to make her marriage as strong and healthy as possible.
She climbed the stairs to the bedroom, then paused in the doorway, hands on her hips, as she surveyed the room where she’d soon be sleeping. The photograph Jon had taken of her months earlier hung on the wall by the bed. It showed her in a rocking chair nursing Katie when their daughter was a newborn. He’d managed to capture the wonder and awe and love she felt, holding this tiny being in her arms. She’d hardly been conscious of Jon’s presence at the time, so absorbed was she by Katie.
It gave her immeasurable joy to place her clothes in the closet next to Jon’s. She carefully pushed his shirts aside and her hand lingered there. In two days’ time, she would be Jon Bowman’s wife. She felt a renewed sense of anticipation-and a surge of love for the man who’d fathered her child.
She opened the dresser drawers and started rearranging his things and making room for her own. That was when she found the letters. Tucked in with old receipts, maps and loose change were a number of envelopes. Most had been opened but a few remained sealed. Curiosity got the better of her and she pulled out a sheet, but then she paused. She refused to begin her marriage with an act of deception-snooping through letters that were addressed to Jon, not to her. Unsure what to do, she stacked them in a neat pile and set them to one side.
She heard the front door open and Jon calling up the stairs. “I’m ready for a break. How about you?”
She walked out of the bedroom to stand at the railing and looked down. “Be with you in a minute. I’m just finishing up here.”
“Okay.”
“I found a bunch of letters in a drawer. Is there any place you want me to put them?”
He frowned, hesitated and then shrugged. “Toss ’em.”
“In the garbage?”
Nodding, he turned and walked into the kitchen.
“Who are they from?”
“No one important,” he shouted back.
“An old girlfriend?” she pressed.
He snickered loudly enough for her to hear him all the way up the stairs. “Hardly. Just get rid of the whole bunch.”
Maryellen dumped the letters into the plastic garbage bag, but then she couldn’t resist. She plucked out the top one and looked at the return address. It was from the small coastal town of Seal Beach, Oregon. Years ago Maryellen had driven through it along Highway 1. She’d stopped for gas and lunch, and for some reason she’d never forgotten the town.
“Who do you know in Seal Beach?” she called down, reluctant to drop the matter. She began to descend the stairs, still clutching the letters.
Jon stepped out of the kitchen. “You aren’t going to let this rest, are you?”
She slid her hand down the smooth oak banister as she walked. “I can’t help being curious. You’d feel the same if it was me.”
Jon shook his head, scowling. “I should’ve ditched those a long time ago. They’re from my parents.”
“Some of them haven’t even been opened.”
He stared up at her. “My father and stepmother are out of my life, Maryellen. They made their choice and I made mine. I want nothing more to do with either of them. Now, please just get rid of those letters, and don’t mention them again.”
“But-”
“Maryellen, please.”
“If you insist.” And this time she buried the letters in the bottom of the bag.
An hour later, her clothes hung next to Jon’s in the big closet. The dresser drawers were full. At first glance it seemed as if she’d always lived with Jon, always been part of his home and his life. That gave her a feeling of contentment and somehow made their coming marriage even more real.
They ate dinner together, and sipped wine on the upstairs balcony that overlooked the water. Completely at ease, Maryellen laid her head against his shoulder. Jon’s arm was around her, his long legs stretched out in front of him. The moment was so tranquil, she didn’t immediately realize Jon had fallen asleep.
It was just as well. She needed to get back to her mother’s house, spend some time with Katie. By now her daughter would be cranky, and Maryellen didn’t want to take advantage of her mother’s generosity.
Kissing Jon on the cheek, she slipped out of his arms and sneaked down the stairs, making as little noise as possible. She hated to leave, but in two days she’d be with Jon forever…
Just as she’d predicted, Katie was difficult and unreasonable that night, and her mother was exhausted. As soon as Maryellen reached for Katie, the baby settled against her shoulder, put her thumb in her mouth and promptly fell asleep. Maryellen rocked her for a few minutes, gently rubbing Katie’s back.
“I can’t believe one tiny baby could have so much energy.” Grace sat down in her favorite chair, head thrown back, eyes closed. Opening them again, she said, “You look at peace.”
“I am at peace, and so much in love.”
Grace’s eyes grew moist. “I hope you’ll always be as happy as you are now.”
Maryellen lowered her gaze.
Her mother understood her perfectly. “What is it?”
“Jon. I found a stack of letters, several of which he hadn’t even bothered to open.”
“Letters? From whom?”
“His parents. I badly wanted to read them but I didn’t. Jon told me to throw them out.” Her mother knew about Jon’s situation and the way his parents had betrayed him.
“Did you?”
Maryellen nodded. “I didn’t want to start our marriage off by being dishonest.”
“It seems to me that if Jon has no feelings for his family, he wouldn’t have saved those letters.”
“I felt the same thing.” Maryellen gnawed on her lower lip. “I didn’t need to read them to know what they said. Jon’s their only family now and they want his forgiveness. They want their son back.”
“They have a granddaughter they don’t know anything about.”
“Yes…”
“And you, Maryellen. They’ll be your in-laws.”
It hurt her to think of Jon rejecting his parents’ attempts at reconciliation-less for their sake than for his. Jon would never be free of the past until he could find a way to forgive his parents.
Her mother seemed deep in thought. “I couldn’t bear the idea of anyone keeping me from my grandchildren,” she said softly.
That was another point she should consider. Jon might not want anything to do with his family, but his parents had a right to know about Katie. And Katie had a right to know her grandparents.
That evening, Maryellen wrote Jon’s family. The letter was brief. She’d memorized the post office box number and the zip code, and that was all she needed. She included a picture of Katie and a short message about how well Jon’s career was going. Wanting to be sensitive to her husband’s feelings, she stated that it would be best if they didn’t contact her. She did promise, however, to send them occasional photographs of their granddaughter.
The next morning as Maryellen drove to the post office, she wondered if she was doing the right thing. On the one hand, she knew Jon would disapprove; on the other, she felt his parents deserved some compassion. And what about Katie? What about her future happiness?
The letter slid into the mailbox slot, and whether she was right or wrong remained undecided. Either way, it was too late.
Chapter Eight
The Dog and Bachelor Auction had already generated a lot of interest in Cedar Cove. Grace Sherman displayed a large notice in the library and Janet had asked her to deliver posters to the businesses around town. Thursday afternoon, the first week of June, Grace dedicated her lunch hour to making sure the community had all the relevant details.
The Lighthouse restaurant was her first stop. She waited at the hostess’s desk for the young woman to return from seating a couple. Staring out the large windows she admired the view of the water and the Bremerton shipyard on the other side of the cove. Several people were in line ahead of her, but Grace wasn’t really in a rush. She needed to speak to either Seth or Justine to confirm that she could place the large poster in the front window and to finalize some details concerning the special menu being created for the event. For now, she was simply enjoying the vista of sea and vibrant blue sky, with the snow-capped Olympic Mountains in the background. Seth and Justine had done an impressive job of reflecting their surroundings in the architecture and decor of the restaurant.
The door opened behind her, but Grace was so absorbed in the view that she didn’t pay attention.
“Hello, Grace.”
Her heart leapt into her throat as she turned to greet Cliff Harding. “Hello, Cliff.” He was as attractive as ever, with his broad shoulders and dark eyes. He wore jeans and a tan jacket with one button fastened. His cowboy hat rested slightly forward, shading his face.
They stared at each other as if neither knew what else to say. Grace wanted to talk, but her tongue felt as if it had grown twice its normal size and refused to cooperate. It’d been weeks since she’d last seen Cliff. In that time she’d grown accustomed to being alone. Accustomed to filling her days and nights with charity projects and anything that kept her mind off what she’d done to destroy their relationship.
“You’re looking well,” he said after an awkward moment.
“You, too.”
He smiled regretfully. “So Maryellen and Jon were married last weekend.”
Moisture found its way into Grace’s mouth and she nodded. “Yes. The ceremony was lovely. They held the wedding on Jon’s property. My daughter was a beautiful bride.” These slightly stilted, staccato sentences were the best she could do.
“I wish them both my very best.”