by R A Wallace
“You’re thinking someone got into his garage when he was working on his car?” Dan asked. He wanted to dismiss the thought, but he found instead that it kept circling around his brain once Emmet had said it.
Megan took another deep breath and tried again. “Listen, I know that losing your friend so suddenly was difficult. The funeral is this afternoon and that’s also going to be difficult, not just for his friends but also for his… wives.” Megan frowned at her own choice of words. She looked up at Dan. He appeared to be considering the older men.
“Will you at least think about it?” Daryl asked. “I mean, everyone will be at the funeral. Including his second wife. Maybe you could just ask some questions?”
Now Dan was looking at her expectantly also. Megan looked back at the four men. “Let’s see how the afternoon goes.”
Chapter Nine
The lunch crowd was arriving a little earlier than normal. Although Holly hadn’t been filling in for Bert long enough to learn all of the trends as the seasons passed, she had a few weeks under her belt and had gotten used to the ebb and flow of the customers. She wondered if something unusual was happening in town today to cause the slight change in their pattern.
The customers weren’t the only ones who had changed their pattern. Holly looked over her shoulder at the back door for a moment before turning back to the grill. Someone else hadn’t arrived on time either. She wondered if something had happened. She hoped not. She’d gotten attached to the scrawny furball that had been begging for food every morning when she arrived.
The tiny cat hadn’t been there today. Holly tried to tell herself that it didn’t matter. She’d never been able to have pets as a young girl. Her parents had lived like nomads, traveling the country and working in food trucks at various venues like county fairs. It was where Holly and her brother, Tyler, had learned to cook. They’d learned everything else from their parents also. Because of their travels, their parents had home schooled them.
Holly had always wanted to live in a house like normal people. Although she’d loved her parents and missed them now that they were gone, she was hoping that both she and Tyler could put down some roots in Teaberry. Maybe get a house and some pets. Having the tiny cat relying on her for food every morning had made her feel needed. Holly glanced at the rear door again. Not that it would matter. She certainly couldn’t see through it, even if the tiny cat happened to be on the other side.
“You okay over there?” The gruff voice behind her caught her by surprise. She’d forgotten he was back there. Danny Ortega, the dish washer, was an older man. Holly guessed he was somewhere in his forties though he looked much older. He’d been in the stock room, getting some supplies.
“Yeah, I’m good. Thanks.” Holly looked up as Tyler came over and pinned another order on her wire. It was a procedure that Bert had always used and Holly hadn’t wanted to change it. She had to admit, it did allow her to keep track of the orders, especially when it got busy.
Tyler didn’t hang around at the window. He returned to the floor to continue waiting on customers. The window was large and had a counter where Holly set the food waiting for pickup by Tyler or one of the other waitstaff. Holly worked at the grill or other units along the same wall as the window. The wall separated her from the customers, but the window allowed her to look out on the floor.
In a lot of ways, it reminded her of working in one of her parents’ food trucks. Except that the kitchen behind her was huge in comparison and the seating area was inside, not out in the elements. It was a different dynamic, and one that she had grown to love very quickly.
“I’ll go check on it,” Danny’s voice growled behind her. Holly suspected that he really wanted to go out for a break but if he managed to find the stray cat at the same time, she was all for it.
Holly continued to work on several more orders. She was so busy, she forgot about Danny and nearly jumped when he growled behind her again.
“Found her.” Danny didn’t bother to stay and chat. He went over to his area and began working on the dirty dishes that had been brought into the kitchen in his absence.
Holly threw a glance behind her. “Her? How do you know it’s a her?”
Danny scratched at the stubby beard on his chin. “The kittens gave it away.”
Holly whirled around. “She had kittens?” No wonder she hadn’t come to the door this morning.
Tyler came back to the window to pin up another order. Holly turned pleading eyes to Tyler.
Tyler shook his head. “Holly, you know we can’t take a litter of kittens to our trailer.”
They’d yet to make enough money to find a more permanent place. They were still living in their camper out at the Teaberry Campground. Tyler was hoping they’d have something more permanent before winter hit.
Holly’s shoulders slumped. She knew that. She didn’t like it, but she knew it. It was the same answer she’d received all through her life. Pressing her lips together stoically, she returned to filling orders.
Tyler knew that look. It was the one she’d always gotten when her parents announced it was time to move on again. Right after Holly had finally made friends somewhere, she’d have to leave them behind and start all over in a new town.
Tyler shook his head again, picked up an order, and headed for the table of diners with the plates in his hands. On his way, he passed the town vet, Casey, coming into the diner.
“Hey, Dr. Adams. Take any seat you can find.” Tyler placed the dishes in front of the diners and turned to take more orders from the next table.
Casey found a seat at the counter right by the cash register and grabbed it. He didn’t need to study the menu, he’d come for the Friday special. Glancing over at the window, he saw the new cook working on orders. She didn’t have her normal smile. When Tyler came over to take his order, Casey mentioned it.
“Yeah, she’s been feeding a feral cat in the alley behind the restaurant. We just found out it had kittens this morning. There’s no way we can take them home with us and I’m not sure the mother cat would adapt to being near people anyway. I’m sure Holly’s worried about them though. It’s getting pretty cold outside.” Tyler filled Casey’s coffee cup and took his order.
Casey looked over at Holly. He understood how she felt. He didn’t want to leave them out in the cold either. Rubbing at his chin, he considered it while he waited for his food. A blast of cold air when the front door opened helped him with his decision.
Rhys walked into the diner and noticed immediately that it was packed. He was glad that he’d called in their lunch order. Jerry was back at the police station waiting for Rhys to return with it. He recognized the guy near the cash register and moved over to chat while he waited for someone to bring him his food.
“Dr. Adams. How’s it going?”
Casey had been staring into space, thinking about the strays. “Not bad. You wouldn’t happen to need a kitten, would you?” He knew it would be weeks before the kittens were old enough to leave their mother but he also knew from experience that the earlier you began looking for homes, the more success you had.
Rhys smiled. The vet asked him to take a pet every time he spoke with him. “I don’t really have the time to spend with it. Doesn’t seem fair to the animal.”
Casey agreed with him, but had another idea. “What about your girlfriend?”
Rhys didn’t bother to deny that he had a girlfriend. Although they’d been taking it slow, it had been steady. He wasn’t sure how Ava felt about pets though. He doubted she would want one in the small space she shared with Bella on the second floor of a house. Then again, he didn’t really know. A kitten might help to keep Bella company.
“I’ll ask her.” Rhys paid for the lunch and then held the door open for an older gentleman that he also recognized. He realized with a jolt that he actually recognized most of the people in the diner. Maybe Teaberry was feeling like home.
“Hello, Mr. Parker,” Rhys said.
“Afternoon, Rhys.�
�� Emmet walked into the diner and looked around. He found a small table with two empty chairs and moved quickly to grab them. A few minutes later, Amos arrived and took the seat across from him.
“Busy in here today,” Amos commented.
Emmet looked around. “Looks like everyone is happy with Bert’s replacement.”
Amos nodded his agreement. He noticed that he and Emmet weren’t the only two wearing dark colors. He wondered how many others would be at Colin’s funeral in the afternoon.
“Did you talk to Megan?” Amos asked.
Emmet leaned back as Tyler came over to fill their coffee mugs. Both men asked for the Friday special and waited for Tyler to put their orders in.
“Yes. I’m not sure she’s going to do anything, but we did ask.”
“I can’t say that I blame her. I mean, it does look like an accident.” Amos wanted to believe it was an accident. He just wasn’t sure.
Emmet let out a frustrated sigh. “I know, but I just think there’s something there. He complained about someone following him. What else could that mean? Then a second wife shows up. There was obviously a lot to Colin Boswell that we didn’t know about.”
“Good point. He was definitely leading a secret life.” Amos considered it. “There could be all kinds of things we don’t know about him. What else was he hiding?”
Emmet looked over at the door when it opened. Cy Douglass was holding it open for a woman who looked familiar. For a moment, Emmet thought it was Hilary Boswell. Of course, it couldn’t be her. She wouldn’t be at the diner just before her husband’s funeral. His eyes widened when he realized who she must be. He stuck his foot out under the table.
“Ow. Watch it!” Amos grumbled at Emmet.
Emmet pointed with his chin. Amos twisted around slightly to look at the door then quickly turned back to Emmet.
“She looks just like Hilary,” Amos hissed.
Emmet remained silent. The woman was looking around for a seat and he didn’t want her to figure out that they were talking about her. She finally chose a seat at the counter at the opposite end from Casey. She was now too close to Amos and Emmet for them to speak without her hearing them. The men shared a look and remained silent as they waited for their food.
Cy Douglass made a beeline for the seat next to the vet. It was one of the few available seats left in the diner.
“Hey, Casey. What did you order today?”
Casey shot another look at Holly. “The Friday special.”
Cy caught Tyler’s eye across the room and motioned that he wanted what Casey had. Tyler nodded and put in the order, then brought over a pot of coffee.
“Tell Holly that I’ll check on the kittens for her,” Casey told Tyler.
A smile split Tyler’s face. “Thanks, Doc. She’ll be really happy about that.”
“I can’t make any promises, but if I can get the mother to allow me to take look at them, I’ll give it a try.” Casey didn’t have the facilities to take in every stray animal that he came across. He wished he did.
“Kittens?” Cy asked.
Casey explained the situation with the feral cat. Tyler came back with Casey’s order and added his own comment.
“I had to tell my sister that we couldn’t take them all. We’re still living in a camper. Hopefully, we’ll find a place before winter gets here.”
Cy watched Tyler dart off to wait on customers then turned back to Casey.
“You can drop them off at my place. I haven’t been staying there much, but I can always use a good mouser in the barn. I get over there every day to take care of the animals and I can keep an eye on them.” Cy had recently married the love of his life. His new wife, identical twin Jill Swindell, had her own farm and Cy had yet to decide what to do with his.
Casey was familiar with Cy’s barn. He’d been out there to treat Cy’s farm animals many times over the years. They’d be much more protected inside the barn than out in an alley in winter. It might be a good option for the kittens if the mother could be convinced to stay there. In the meantime, he’d keep asking around for other possible solutions.
Chapter Ten
The atmosphere in the funeral home felt heavy. No doubt, it was her imagination Hilary thought as she stood alone in the visitation room gazing at her husband’s coffin. She had spent the previous night railing at him after discovering that he’d married another woman. After the miserable night vacillating between anger and hurt, she’d wondered what she would feel in this moment. Now she knew. No matter what else had happened, she truly had loved her husband. And she was going to miss him.
Taking a deep breath, Hilary turned around and nodded to her sister. She was ready to face the afternoon. She knew it would be a difficult one. The loss of a loved one is always hard. But her loss was coupled with the drama and intrigue of bigamy. She knew her friends would stand by her. She believed the rest wouldn’t matter. Let them think what they will. Hilary lifted her head and straightened her spine as the ornate grandfather clock in the greeting lobby struck two. It was time. She walked out to join her sister and wait for the onslaught of mourners and gossips to descend.
It didn’t take long. The long line of people passing in front of her quickly became a blur as they paused to offer their condolences before the next one took their place. Hilary had no clue what most of them said. Her own responses were automatic. She only knew that her sister was by her side to offer the stability that she so desperately needed.
At some point, Hilary was shaken from her routine with a slight ripple of murmurs in the room. Turning toward the door, she saw that Colin’s second wife, Alaina, had arrived. Uncertain of how to deal with it, Hilary snapped her attention back to the person in front of her and was relieved to find it was Amos.
Amos followed her gaze and then murmured something to her. Hilary gave him a confused look but nodded her agreement. Amos smiled at Linda then turned and headed toward the woman at the door. He hadn’t considered what he was going to say when he reached her. But he could tell by the look on Linda and Hilary’s faces that they were uncomfortable with the situation. He only wanted to help.
“Are you Colin’s… wife?” Amos asked. Mentally, he winced at his words. He should have really thought that through.
Alaina lifted her chin. “Yes. Alaina. Alaina Boswell.”
Amos offered his condolences and introduced himself. His gaze met with Linda’s across the room for a moment. She nodded her thanks and gave him a ghost of a smile. Feeling more comfortable, Amos turned back to Alaina. He was joined a moment later by Daryl, Emmet, and Vince. The three men talked about their friendship with Colin for several minutes before returning to the other side of the room. Amos remained with Alaina. Although he was impressed with how well both Alaina and Hilary were holding up under the circumstances, he could tell that the woman next to him was both pale and tense.
Hilary was vaguely aware that she could finally see the end of the line of mourners. She had been greeting them for what seemed like hours. As she began mentally steeling herself for the next phase of the afternoon, she smiled in genuine relief when the next person in line was Megan. She had been there when Alaina had first arrived at Hilary’s house the previous day, and her solid presence and calm demeanor had helped both Hilary and Alaina through a difficult time.
Hilary smiled at Dan and then reached out and took Megan’s hand. “Megan. Thanks so much for, well… everything.”
Megan returned the light pressure on Hilary’s hand and was about to murmur her condolences when she saw a look of alarm on Hilary’s face. The hand holding hers began to squeeze.
Linda felt her sister stiffen and turned quickly toward her. Seeing the look of horror on Hilary’s face, she then turned to follow Hilary’s gaze to the entrance and felt her own mouth fall open.
Amos heard a small commotion over by Hilary and Linda. When he glanced over to see what was wrong, he found both women staring at the entrance. He turned to check out what had them so fixated. When he did, Al
aina automatically turned to look also. He heard her utter an odd sound just as she began falling toward the floor. Grabbing her in time to cushion her fall, he knelt down next to her prone body and then looked back at the entrance. Slowly, Amos looked down at the woman in front of him, then turned toward Hilary.
There was total silence in the room as everyone else did the same thing. There, at the door, stood another woman who looked just like Hilary and Alaina.
Megan turned back toward Hilary and wondered what was keeping her upright. The color had completely drained from her face but the hold on Megan’s hand was vice-like.
“Hilary!” Megan said quietly.
Shocked eyes turned toward Megan. Hilary mutely shook her head at Megan.
“I’ll go speak with her. It’s okay. You continue with the line. I’ll take her to another room.”
Linda nodded her understanding and wrapped her arm around Hilary. Then she motioned for the next person in line to join them.
***
Megan put another log on the fire then returned to the couch. Curling one foot underneath her, she settled into the cushions and picked up her knitting. With three babies due any day, she’d been knitting a lot lately. In addition to tiny mittens so the babies wouldn’t scratch themselves, she’d also made hats, sweaters, and blankets for them.
She was working on another pair of mittens when she heard Dan return to the house. She smiled to herself. She knew he’d been out in the barn working on his project again. She wondered what it might be. She still hadn’t decided on a present for him.
Dan came into the room a few moments later and went over to the fire. “Getting pretty cold out there.”
“They’re not calling for snow yet.” Megan glanced up from her knitting and caught Dan staring at her. “What?”
“What are you making?”
“Mittens for the babies.” She picked up a completed mitten from the couch beside her and held it up. “See?”