by C A Phipps
“There’s still a bit to do, but we’re are very thankful to live in such a caring community.”
“Mmmm,” he said non-committally. “I did have another matter to discuss with you.”
“With me? It sounds serious.” What now? Was what she wanted to say.
Arthur puffed out his chest. “As you can appreciate, we now have a place on the town committee available.”
Scarlett fought to keep from showing how distasteful she found him. “What does that have to do with me?”
He gave an awkward smile. “I thought you might want to be co-opted until we can have an election. I feel it’s time for some fresh blood.”
It was a significant effort for Scarlett not to squirm under his intense gaze. The word blood sounded ghoulish coming from his thin lips. The idea of being in the same room, let alone sitting near him for any length of time, would be more than she could bear. Plus, even now, with his false affability, Arthur looked like it was distasteful to be in the café he despised, let alone speak to her. This made the suggestion even harder to take seriously.
“I’m sorry I wouldn’t have the time.”
“Ridiculous. You have as much time as the rest of us. We’re all professionals, after all.”
His dismissive attitude was annoying.
“I imagine that’s true to a point, Mr. Tully. Only, I don’t believe anyone else is up at 4.30 in the morning and on their feet all day.”
His dark eyes narrowed. “We all work hard, but I get your point. I did notice that you girls don’t have a working vehicle at the moment.”
“That’s right,” she bristled at the comment while confused by the sudden change of subject.
“I have a spare one if you’d like to borrow it. For as long as you need to. No strings.”
Did he choke a little? Meanwhile, Violet and Ruby shuffled their feet, and Scarlett could almost hear their silent pleas. The hypocrisy of accepting anything from this horrible man wouldn’t let her do so.
“Mr. Tully, I don’t want to be rude, but the truth is you’ve been disdainful of my family for years. Why would you want to help us now?”
A heavy silence lasted for several heartbeats. “I think that’s an exaggeration. After all, it’s no secret that I was very fond of your mom. I admit that I haven’t always approved of your way of doing things, but I’m willing to do this in her memory.”
His sanctimony made Scarlett’s stomach roil. “We know how fond you were of mom, but wouldn’t it be fair to say that you’ve taken every opportunity to make our lives more difficult just lately?”
“I’m sure I don’t know what you mean,” he blustered,
Scarlett crossed her arms and raised her eyebrows. Arthur shuffled his feet, decidedly uncomfortable with her unspoken challenge. Then he looked around the café, and his face softened a little.
“Perhaps I could have been a little less gruff with you, but I thought you were going to ruin your mom’s business.”
Was she imagining this conversation? “Pardon?”
“Lilac worked so hard to make the shop a success, and I hated to see it crumbling.”
“We all appreciate the effort mom put into the café. We’ve done the best we could while making sure mom had all the care she needed. It was hard to do both successfully, and mom came first.”
He seemed to shrink a little. “Rightly so. I guess I may have been a bit biased.”
Scarlett could do nothing but stare at the man. It was if he’d had some kind of epiphany, but how could she trust him after all he’d said and done? Wasn’t he the one who wanted them to fail?
“So, you don’t think that we murdered Ms. Norris?”
She thought this would provoke him, but instead, he shook his head.
“Not anymore. Knowing for sure that Olivia wasn’t poisoned by your cupcakes, it seems as though I jumped to conclusions. I apologize.” He stiffened as if he’d gone too far, then something that might be regarded as a smile appeared.
This was too much to comprehend. Everything she knew for a fact was turning on its head, and Scarlett held onto the counter. Violet suddenly pushed in front of her.
“A car would be most helpful, Mr. Tully. Thank you very much. We accept your apology and your kind offer.”
Shocked, Scarlett was about to contradict her sister, but Violet wasn’t to be dissuaded or give anyone else a chance to speak.
“I could come now and collect it if that’s okay?”
Arthur looked from one sister to the others, his gaze lingering on Ruby. “Of course. It’s behind the office.”
Violet slipped off her apron and, without a backward glance at her sisters, left with their sworn enemy.
“What has got into her?” Scarlett asked, still reeling from the mayor’s about-face.
Ruby shrugged. “I think the question is, what’s got into him?”
“It is very odd.”
“Odd? That’s one word for it.” Ruby gave her a sorrowful glance. “I’m sorry, Scarlett. I really want the car too.”
“I know. It just seems so wrong after all the trouble Arthur’s caused us over the last year.”
“He loved mom. I don’t think he’s been right in the head about that.”
Scarlett nodded. “But she did not love him.”
“Unfortunately, he’s not particularly lovable. I wonder if he’s trying to change?”
Shaking her head, Scarlett sighed. Trying to look past Arthur’s faults and see his good side was part of who Ruby was and the way she viewed the world. Her sweetness was always on display.
Perhaps that’s why Arthur favored her?
At that moment, Nate burst through the door, and Scarlett’s pulse leaped as she went to meet him in the middle of the café.
“I just saw Arthur leaving with Violet.”
He looked so severe, and now she was more nervous. “She did. What’s wrong with that?”
“Nothing bad,” he assured her. “I’m just checking, did he come to see you about a car?”
Ruby nodded from beside Scarlett. “He’s going to loan us one.”
“Darn. I meant to get here first. I spoke to Arthur and suggested he needed to make amends for his bad-mouthing.”
Scarlett shook her head in dismay. “I wish you hadn’t said anything.”
Nate shrugged. “Actually, he was the one who came up with the car as a way of apologizing. To be honest, I thought it was brilliant, and not what I expected his reaction to be.”
Scarlett frowned. “Still, I don’t want to owe him anything.”
“Okay.” Nate shifted awkwardly. “Well, I am sorry if I overstepped, but I can’t say I’m not glad about you having reliable transport.” He tipped his hat and left.
“Maybe, Arthur is changing?” Ruby suggested.
Scarlett raised an eyebrow. “Mmmm.”
It was good that Arthur wanted to make amends, but it was also a mystery why. More importantly, why now?
Chapter Twenty
A horn sounded at the back door. Ruby was serving a customer, so Scarlett went outside to see what tired excuse for a car Arthur Tully had loaned them. She came to a halt on the top step.
Beaming, Violet exited the silver SUV. “Isn’t she a beauty?”
“That car isn’t old,” Scarlett retorted. “In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever seen Arthur driving a car like that.”
“If five years is old, then I suppose she is,” Violet laughed as she walked around the car several times.
“Five years?” Now Scarlett was even more confused. “Why would he loan us a practically new car and not keep it for himself? You know, I’ve never driven a car that wasn’t at least a couple of decades old.”
“You don’t have to drive it if it upsets you,” Violet smirked.
Scarlett joined her beside the vehicle. Thinking about how she should react the whole time Violet was gone didn’t help at all. “What upsets me is taking something from Arthur when he’s been so awful to us, and knowing mom didn’t care fo
r him at all.”
“We can’t to shoot the gift horse.” Violet’s mouth turned down.
Ruby interrupted to tell Violet about Nate’s visit.
“There’s your answer,” Violet retorted.
“I get that we need a car. Only, it seems so wrong to be beholden to him, and now he wants me on the committee too. Arthur doesn’t usually do things for no reason. I’m wondering why all of a sudden, we’re worthy of his help?”
Violet glared. “Stop looking for the downside. Can’t you just accept that we’ve had a little bit of good fortune for once?”
“If it was anyone but Arthur, I’d be a lot happier. Besides, you’re the one who can’t stand the man. What’s made you suddenly change your mind?” Scarlett desperately wanted Violet to appreciate her concerns with no success.
“He owes us, and he knows it. I still don’t like him, but we can’t like everybody. Besides, you should have heard him in the car. He must have apologized a hundred times. And you’ll always find a reason not to accept help from anyone.”
“That’s not true. We got most of the house painted.” Scarlett protested, trying not to let out how annoyed she was. Plus, she didn’t believe that Arthur had won Violet over with kindness. It was all about having the freedom a vehicle could provide.
“That decision was made by Olivia, and you couldn’t refuse once they were all there. But you sure wanted to. Could you think about Ruby and me for once? With a car, she can get to the library in Harmony Beach without spending all day on buses, and I could get away from here now and again.”
Scarlett flinched. It sounded as though Violet wanted to get away from her. It hurt. Sure, she’d placed a lot of importance in the café, but to the best of her ability, she’d also taken care of her sisters and given them some room to do their own thing. Hadn’t she?
“The library will be open soon,” she dangled a carrot, knowing that this wouldn’t help Violet’s feeling of being trapped, but at a loss of what to say to appease her.
Violet snorted. “Not without a librarian. Stop being so stubborn. Don’t drive the car if it affects your sensibilities, but I want it, and I know Ruby does too. Or is this no longer a democracy?”
Scarlett could feel a wave of anger creep over her as she headed back to the kitchen. “Let’s ask Ruby if that’s how she feels. Which is more than you did when you took off with Arthur.”
“I only did that because you were determined to say no,” Violet argued.
They stomped up the steps and into the kitchen to wait impatiently for Ruby to finish with a customer. When she was finally done, Scarlett called her to come to join them out the back.
Violet took the lead, much to Scarlett’s annoyance.
“Ruby, the car is wonderful. You’ll love her.” Violet continued to cite the positives, like making library trips and other outings more feasible, while downplaying where the car came from.
Ruby couldn’t contain her excitement as she turned to Scarlett. “As long as you’re okay with it? This will make all our lives so much easier.”
Scarlett sighed. How could she disappoint Ruby? Or, Violet, for that matter. With only a couple of years between each sister, she could hardly tell them what to do, but this was going to stick in her craw if she said yes.
“You really want to keep it, even though it came from Arthur?” she finally asked.
“I see no point in making life harder than it needs to be,” Violet stated coolly
“Driving to and from work would make life so much better for all of us,” Ruby added. “I really think the mayor is trying to be nicer.”
Since there was no spare money to fix their mom’s old car in the foreseeable future, if indeed it could be fixed, and she could see all the benefits her sisters pointed out, Scarlett nodded. “If you both want it so badly, then you go ahead and use it. I won’t stand in your way—but I’m not using it.”
They gaped at her.
“Will, you at least come home with us?” Ruby pleaded.
Scarlett shook her head. “No, thank you. I don’t want to get used to it since it has to go back at some stage.”
Ruby looked sad, while Violet shrugged.
“That’s your call,” she said and went out to the café to clean tables.
Scarlett didn’t like the way they’d left things but feeling justified in her decision, this couldn’t be helped. What might Arthur expect in return? First the car, then a position on the committee. Why either of those things? With no idea what the man was up to and knowing how cunning and manipulative he was, she needed to find out the answers as soon as possible.
She was also beginning to wonder if being on the committee might be advantageous.
What was the saying? “Keep your enemies close.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Mable’s nephew flew in from Portland that week. The café customers who’d already met him said he was nice-looking, personable, and smiled a lot. To all accounts, he was nothing like Mable.
Scarlett didn’t have to wait long to meet him. At the supermarket for detergent, she noticed that he was getting a cold drink and a bottle of milk. It had to be him because he was the only good-looking stranger in town. When he caught her watching him, he smiled widely.
“Hello. I’m Brent Norris.”
She took the outstretched hand, and he shook hers firmly.
“Pleased to meet you. I’m Scarlett Finch. I’m sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you. Did you know my aunt, Scarlett?”
“Yes, I did. Unfortunately, I was the person who found her.”
“That must have been a shock. Mable was an . . . an interesting woman, wasn’t she?”
“She certainly was.” Scarlett refused to be drawn, but he seemed to expect more from her. “I hear that the funeral is tomorrow?”
“Yes. Will you be attending?”
He sounded hopeful, and she nodded.
“My sisters and I will be there.”
Despite the gravity of the situation, he smiled again. “Good. It will be nice to see a friendly face.”
His warm smile elicited one from Scarlett. “Don’t worry, there will be plenty of those. Cozy Hollow is a small town and very welcoming.”
“So I see. It didn’t take me long to get the lay of the land when I arrived,” he joked.
“That’s good. I guess you’ll be staying the night in town?” she nodded at his purchases.
“Maybe several. I hired a car, but I have to see my aunt’s things and her house, so it makes sense to stay.”
“Of course. Your mom couldn’t make it?”
“No, she’s an invalid.” His smile faded. “Which is why it’s taken me so long to get here. Like my aunt, Mom has a weak heart, only hers was considered far worse than Mable’s. Odd that Mable went first when she’s younger by several years.”
Mable was a very private person, so Scarlett knew nothing about her history. “So, you know how she died?”
“Her heart simply gave up, so the autopsy said. I daresay it was a quick way to go. Poor thing. I think she was very lonely and missed her sister. My mom hasn’t been able to travel for years, so Aunt Mable really has been alone all this time. She had an open invitation to come visit but always found an excuse.” Brent shook his head as if he didn’t understand. “Even during the holiday seasons.”
Scarlett felt guilty. Mable had never been remotely kind to her, but no one should be alone. Death, in her opinion, made the people left behind, wonder if they could have done more. This was no exception. He’d made no mention of poison, which was odd, but she pushed that down. There was no point in upsetting him.
“My sisters and I run the café down the road. Please stop by for coffee if you’re at a loose end, and if we can, we’d be more than happy to help in any way we can.”
Mable might not appreciate it, but this man looked out of his depth, and the Finch women knew how that felt.
He grinned. “That’s an incredibly kind offer. To be honest, I have no
idea what I’m supposed to be doing. When the sheriff rang to tell us the news, mom was too upset to worry about the details, so I’ve given the funeral home carte blanche. I hope they’ll do a decent job.”
“I can set your mind at rest there. They’re awesome people. It’s a family business, and they take pride in having everything just so.”
“That’s a relief. Mom wants a detailed account of it. I’d hate to have to lie,” he told her sheepishly.
Scarlett warmed to him the more they spoke. “Where are you staying?”
“In my aunt’s house.”
He didn’t look happy at the prospect, but with Mable’s house close to Main Street, it was a natural thing to do rather than pay for a room at the small hotel on the edge of town
Scarlett noticed Daisy watching the exchange with interest, so she introduced them. Daisy was a harmless if terrible flirt.
“Nice to meet you, Brent. I’d heard how cute you are but wasn’t sure if it was true. I’m happy to report that I concur!”
He blushed slightly. “I think the good people of Cozy Hollow need glasses and should get out more, but thank you for saying so.”
Scarlett laughed. “Well, the offer stands, so hopefully I’ll see you later today.”
He relaxed and smiled. “You should count on it.”
Scarlett paid for her purchase and walked quickly back to the café. It would be their lunchtime rush soon and the shopping she’d just done was for the house, not the café. Buying it now meant that Violet and Ruby could take it home in the car, and Scarlett wouldn’t have to carry it. Yes, it was in contradiction to what she’d said about the darn thing, but Scarlett justified it that she could walk home faster without it, and therefore, supper would be on the table that much quicker.
Back at the café, Olivia was waiting for her daily coffee and ordering a cupcake to go.
“Early lunch?” Scarlett asked her.
Olivia nodded enthusiastically. “I had to eat early today. There’s a bus group from the retirement community coming by at 1pm. They’ll love the new yarn I have in. Hopefully, I’ll make some good sales.”