by Mel McCoy
Larry nodded, crossing his arms. “Yeah, we’re all going to miss him, but at least he’ll get to go back to his rightful owners. We need to do what’s best for him.”
“I know,” Sarah said, crouching down to pet Winston. “I guess I should call them and see what they have to say.”
Rugby came over to her as well, and she gave both of them a bone.
With phone in hand, Sarah dialed the number back, and in two rings, heard the man’s voice. “Hi, this is Zach.”
“Hi, Zach. This is Sarah—I had the ad in the paper about the lost corgi, Winston.”
“Of course,” Zach said. “So glad you found him. We’ve been looking everywhere for him.”
“I’m sure Winston will be glad to be reunited with his owners again.”
Zach cleared his throat. “Well, he doesn’t have any owners at the moment. We’ve been housing him, waiting for someone to adopt him and hopefully give him his forever home.”
Sarah looked over at Larry, her eyes wide with excitement.
Into the phone, she said, “I…I was thinking I could adopt Winston.”
“Have you adopted before?”
“Yeah, I have a yellow lab I adopted a few years ago, and he and Winston get along so well together. He’s practically become part of the family here…”
“That’s great! Of course, you’d have to come by with Winston so we can interview you and see if you and Winston are a good fit, and there’s a bit of paperwork you’d have to fill out.
I’m sure you understand the process if you’ve adopted before.”
“Of course,” Sarah said. “When can I stop by?”
“How about tomorrow?” Zach asked. “Are you available?”
“Let me check,” she said.
To Larry, she said, “Is it okay if I go tomorrow morning? I know it’s the first day of busy—”
“No problem,” Larry said, waving dismissively.
Sarah said into the phone, “I can stop by first thing tomorrow morning.”
“Great,” Zach said. “I’ll see you then.”
Sarah looked down at Winston, who was sitting at her feet, watching the bustle in the boutique. She thought about the first day she saw Winston. How he followed her, and how he quickly became a part of the family. He chose her. She reached down and pet his head.
“Welcome home, Winston.”
The next day, Sarah rose early. She ate a bowl of cereal and got a shower, then once dressed, leashed up Rugby and Winston to get ready to head to the Cozy Beachside Rescue Center.
On her way toward the door, she saw Emma, who stretched groggily.
“Are you ready?” Sarah asked.
Emma nodded, and smiled. “Sure am. You said we'd make it back in time, right?”
“Yeah, Grandpa insisted that he'd be okay for the first hour or two running the boutique if we didn’t make it back in time.”
“Okay,” Emma said. “Let’s get a move-on.”
In fifteen minutes, they were driving along in Sarah’s Corolla, all the windows down. In the back, Rugby and Winston were enjoying the warm air cascading through the car.
“There’s Jacobs Manor,” Emma said as they drove past the hulking structure.
Sarah thought of the events that had passed and sighed. What a week, she thought. But she had gotten to the bottom of the incident of John Jacobs and she hoped nothing bad like that ever happened again in the little town she enjoyed visiting every summer.
“So, you’re only staying for one more week?” Emma asked.
“Yeah.”
“It’ll go by quick.”
Sarah nodded as they made their way out of town, traveling along the two-lane road. Between dunes, she saw the ocean off to her right as they headed north. She thought about the fact that she’d be heading even farther north before she knew it. The summer would pass by quickly, and she’d be back at the school wishing for the next summer to come.
“Everything goes quick. Especially back in New York City.”
“Things go at a snail’s pace down here,” Emma said. “Why do you think I stuck around? Get to work alongside grandpa and bring his business into the twenty-first century.”
“You mean the website?”
“Yeah. The busy season is hectic, but once things calm down again and all the tourists leave, then the days will be long and we’ll probably be able to get the online orders packed and shipped before lunch. Then I can relax on the beach and read a good whodunit mystery novel.”
“Okay, now I’m getting jealous.”
Emma laughed. “You know, you could just move down here?”
Sarah sighed, knowing what her cousin had suggested was a possibility. But still, she was scared.
Sarah furrowed her brow. Scared of what, though?
“I…I don’t know. I mean, I doubt Grandpa needs anyone to—”
“Grandpa was actually talking to me a few days ago about how, if we have a great season, he’s actually going to take my advice and use some of the money to start his own line of products.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, really. And since you cracked the case just in time, I bet we’ll have an excellent summer after all. Then, we’ll need to hire another full-timer to help with the Larry’s Brand rollout—he wants to sell his products in boutiques all over the country, and we’ll need all hands on deck.”
“Wow,” Sarah said, raising her eyebrows.
“Yeah. Too bad you aren’t staying longer to help…”
“I doubt Grandpa would want me to—”
“Are you kidding? He’s been egging me on to ask you to stick around. Said he couldn’t bring himself to ask you himself…”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything. Picking up and moving is not something you should decide now, while driving,” Emma said, laughing. “Just think about it, and let him know if you’re interested. He knows you have a life up in New York, so no hard feelings…”
“Okay,” Sarah said, seeing the signs for Filbertsville. “I’ll let him know what I decide.”
Chapter 24
Peak season began without a hitch, and business at Larry’s Pawfect Boutique was better than they’d seen in years. Over the first week, Sarah noted many new and familiar faces alike. Those first few days were a litmus test for how the rest of the season would fare, and Sarah considered the initial days to be a success.
On the night before she’d planned to go back home to New York City, Sarah joined Adam, Emma, and Larry at the Banana Hammock Bar and Grill. Inside, she saw Kacey was overwhelmed.
“Good thing you got a reservation,” Kacey said. “We’re bursting at the seams here.”
“And if history serves as any indicator,” Larry said, “I’ll be bursting at the seams by the time I leave this place.”
They were seated toward the center of the restaurant, and Sarah saw that nearly every table was full. Business was hopping everywhere now, and it would only get better.
The waitress came over, pep in her step. “Hi there, I’m Flo. What would you all like to drink?”
“Do you happen to have any Dunham Vineyards wine?” Larry asked.
“Of course,” Flo said. She brought them a wine list and they made their selection. “I’ll give you a few minutes to look over the menu.”
Flo strode away, and Sarah looked down at her menu. She scanned the selections, unsure of what to get. She considered the Fish Tacos, a blackened catch of the day wrapped in a grilled flour tortilla. Her mouth watered as she read the rest of the description, which featured bacon, lettuce, and tomatoes. Of course, the meal was also served with their famous tortilla chips and home-made salsa.
She scanned down the page with her index finger, hearing her Grandpa’s voice: “I’m thinking of getting the Banana Hammock Seafood Combo.”
“You aren’t going to try the Cascade BBQ Burger?” Adam asked. “That’s my go-to at this place.”
Sarah spotted the listing on the menu for the burger
. “Oh my,” she muttered. “Stacked with bacon, cheddar cheese, shredded lettuce, and the famous Banana Hammock BBQ sauce.”
“Heard they bottle that stuff for people to buy,” Emma said.
“They do,” Adam said, grinning.
Flo brought the wine over to the table and, after uncorking the bottle and pouring each of them a glass, asked, “Are we ready to order any appetizers?”
“I think we’re ready to order our meals,” Larry said, getting the consensus from the table.
Everyone nodded, and Emma was the first to order.
“I’ll take the Cascade Burger,” she said.
Sarah looked at its listing on the menu. It had American cheese, lettuce, and tomato, and she was tempted to change her mind and copy off of Emma.
“And you, ma’am?” Flo asked.
“Uh,” Sarah started. “I think I’ll go with the Fish Tacos.”
She figured she could try Emma’s burger and perhaps get it another time.
Flo regarded Adam and said, “And your regular?”
“Yeah, BBQ Burger.”
“And for you, sir?” Flo asked Larry.
“I’ll have what he’s having,” Larry said, smiling.
“You won’t regret it,” Adam said with a chuckle.
Flo swept their menus off the table and sauntered away.
Larry then led the way in raising his glass and everyone else followed suit.
“To Sarah and Adam,” Larry said, “for putting two baddies behind bars and bringing justice to Cascade Cove.”
Then Larry looked over at Sarah and asked, “Want to toast anything?”
“To another wonderful busy season at Cascade Cove!”
They clinked their glasses together and everyone took a sip.
“Love this wine,” Adam said, admiring the label on the bottle, which sat in the middle of the table.
“What do you think of this one?” Sarah asked Emma.
Emma nodded, then took another sip. “I…I kind of like this one.”
“Really?” Larry asked. “I thought you weren’t keen on Dunham wine!”
“I’m coming around to it.”
Out of the corner of her eye, Sarah saw a familiar face. “Speaking of Dunham,” she muttered.
Yes, it was Marigold Dunham, out with Charlotte again.
Marigold and Sarah exchanged glances, and then Marigold approached their table.
Marigold said her hellos and made small talk for a few moments. Looking at Sarah, she said, “I wanted to say how sorry I am about the other day, and how I lost my temper.”
“No, Marigold. I’m sorry,” Sarah said.
“Oh, please. I wasn’t really cooperating—I was just trying to protect Charlotte. She’s my best friend and has been through thick and thin with me.”
“I understand. But I shouldn’t have accused you of something as heinous as a murder like that.”
“Honestly, now that I understand your side of it, I would have thought it was me too.”
Charlotte approached the table and said, “Thank you again for capturing the men who did this to my husband.”
Emma asked, “How are you holding up?”
“I’m doing fine. Better knowing that my husband’s murderers are behind bars. Even though we were in the middle of a divorce, he still didn’t deserve what happened to him.”
Emma nodded, and Charlotte continued, “Interesting thing is, he wore that locket all the time—I never knew there was a key in it. He just told me that it was a family heirloom.”
Before anyone could reply, the waitress came with their food.
“Well,” Marigold said. “Charlotte and I should let you go.”
“Oh, Charlotte,” Sarah said. “I heard you brought the rent back down for your tenants.”
“What John did was unnecessary—there was no reason for it,” Charlotte said. “We have plenty of funds coming in. And besides, it’s the least I could do—the people of Cascade Cove are like family to me. Anyway, enjoy your meals—got to love that they use all homemade ingredients here.”
“Yeah, can’t wait to dig in,” Larry said, and the two women walked back to their table.
Over the next hour, they ate while talking about the weeks that had passed and the weeks to come.
After they finished and were waiting for the check, Sarah felt a tap at her foot under the table. She looked over at Emma and furrowed her brow.
Then a flash of realization struck her. It was time to break the news!
“Grandpa,” Sarah said, “I have something I wanted to tell you.”
“Oh yeah?”
“I’ve been thinking all week about my life back up north, and realized that my two weeks down here is the best part of my year. I heard you needed help rolling out your new brand of dog paraphernalia…”
Larry smiled and nodded, letting his granddaughter continue.
“…and if it’s okay, I’d love to stick around for the rest of the summer and help out with the family business.”
“Oh, Sarah,” Larry started, and Sarah could see his eyes had reddened. He reached into his trousers’ pocket for a handkerchief and dabbed his eyes with it. “That’s the best news I’ve heard in a long time. Your grandma will be thrilled as well.”
“Where is Grandma?” Emma asked.
Larry looked at his watch. “She should be getting in soon.”
“Does she need someone to pick her up?” Adam asked. “I could run over and get her. Haven’t seen Mrs. Shores in a long time.”
“Thanks for the kind offer,” Larry said, “but she’s an independent woman—she has her own car parked at the port. She might even be back by the time we wrap up here.”
“Can’t wait to see her,” Sarah said.
They paid the bill and left the restaurant, the sound of dozens of conversations melding into one with interspersed sounds of clinking glasses and silverware.
They strode back along the main strip, Larry and Emma leading the way, with Sarah and Adam walking side-by-side behind them.
“So how was work this week?” Sarah asked.
“Things have definitely calmed down.”
“Officially off desk duty?”
“Yeah,” Adam said, “and you’ll never believe this—Captain promoted me.”
“Congratulations, Adam!”
Sarah gave Adam a hug, and it lasted a little longer than usual.
After their embrace, Adam said, “So the—”
Adam’s cell phone rang suddenly, and he pulled it from his pocket.
“I have to take this,” Adam said. “Even though I’m off duty now, I’m never actually off…”
Adam stopped, and motioned for them to go on without him.
Sarah made her way between her cousin and Grandpa, and reached the boutique.
Out front was parked an old, light-pink Cadillac, complete with tail fins.
“Grandma’s here,” Sarah said, smiling.
Emma and Sarah bounded up to Larry’s apartment, taking the steps two at a time.
They rushed in, and in the kitchen, saw their grandma. Always a fashionable woman, she wore half-inch heels that made her look taller than she already was. Her slender, tanned arms were a stark contrast against her white top and bright red lipstick. Her sunglasses sat atop her head and a big grin was splashed across her face.
“Grandma!” Sarah exclaimed, rushing toward the woman she hadn’t seen in such a long time.
“Sarah! Emma!”
Both of her granddaughters hugged her simultaneously, and Grandma chuckled. “Happy to see me, are you? What, did Larry put you through the wringer down in the shop?”
“Of course,” Emma said.
Sarah laughed.
When Larry came in, Grandma and her granddaughters had concluded their embrace, and the woman sauntered over and gave him a hug.
“Lawrence,” Grandma said, “thanks for holding down the fort—I see there’s no signs of a kitchen fire this time.”
“That was onl
y once, Ruth,” Larry said. He turned toward Emma and Sarah. “I swear, I’ll never hear the end of it.”
Grandma laughed. “You almost burned the whole building down making quiche.”
“Exaggeration, much?”
Emma walked over and took her seat on the couch. “Was that the Quiche Quandary you told us about, Grandma?”
Sarah and Emma both laughed.
“Sure was,” Grandma said. “So, did you girls enjoy the brownies I left you?”
Sarah and Emma glanced at one another, confused.
Grandma looked at Larry. “Lawrence, you told them about the brownies, didn't you?”
Larry stumbled over his words. “I…uh, what are you—”
Grandma waved her hand dismissively. “The ones I put in the freezer, remember?” She walked over to the refrigerator and opened the freezer section. “Oh, they’re all gone. So, you did serve them…”
Larry’s face was glowing red. “Yeah, I did.”
He looked over at his granddaughters and shrugged.
“Now it all makes sense,” Emma said. “The mystery of how Grandpa made brownies as good as Grandma has been officially put to bed.”
“Case closed,” Sarah chimed in.
The door to the apartment opened, and Adam rushed in. He said hello to Grandma, his face still neutral. Previously, he had been ecstatic to see the crazy, globetrotting grandma again, but now he was oddly reserved…
What was on Adam’s mind?
Before Sarah could ask, Grandma spoke up: “What’s wrong with you, Adam? Cat got your tongue?”
“I can’t stay long,” Adam said. “I just wanted to say hello to you, Mrs. Shores.”
“What’s going on?” Sarah said, stepping toward Adam. She could see that something was indeed wrong.
“They found a body,” Adam blurted out.
Grandma’s eyes grew wide, matching everyone else’s expression.
“Another body?” Sarah asked.
Adam nodded. “At the Beachside Bed and Breakfast.”
Larry said, “Looks like you and Sarah have more baddies to put away.”
“Seems that way,” Adam said. “But I don’t want to spoil the party. I’ll see you later, everyone. And Sarah, I’ll be in touch.”
Adam let himself out, and Sarah stood shocked. Another killer was on the loose in Cascade Cove. She knew what she had to do.