by Leena Clover
“I know,” Anna said. “But I have no idea where to start.”
“Did he sound familiar to you?”
Anna shook her head.
“If he’s an outsider, he must be staying somewhere in town.”
“Blackberry Beach has more motels than we do. The only options we have are Castle Beach Resort which is very pricey or that motel near the highway.”
“Don’t forget people letting out a room in their house,” Cassie pointed out. “Aunt Mary’s one of them.”
“Someone usually mentions something and I get to hear about it at the store.”
“What’s going on at the store anyway? I thought the cleaners were done.”
“The cleaners are gone,” Anna confirmed. “The workmen are finishing up some things today. I am going to open the bookstore tomorrow.”
“What about the café?” Cassie asked.
“We need to finish decorating, of course. I am going to round up the girls and pick up the furniture.”
“We can order online,” Cassie said. “Most big stores have their catalogs on the web now. Join the 21st century, Mom.”
“I don’t want to use them. I have other ideas.”
“Are you going to shop at the thrift store?” Cassie was aghast.
“We picked out a few antique stores. I’ve also shortlisted some good pieces people are selling.”
“Second hand furniture! Can’t you do better?”
“I want the café to feel comfortable and cozy. I don’t want it to look like those big coffee chains you have in the city.”
“Let me know if you want me to go with you,” Cassie offered, licking her soup spoon. “This soup gets better every time you make it, Mom.”
“It’s your Nana’s recipe. She let it simmer all day. I don’t have that kind of time.”
“Does Nana still cook?”
“She doesn’t have a big kitchen but I bet that doesn’t stop her.”
Anna’s mother was pushing 80. She lived in a fancy senior home in Southern California near the Mexican border. She had moved there ten years ago after Anna’s father died from prostate cancer. To Anna’s surprise, her mother had settled in well over there and made a lot of friends. Now they talked once a month and met for Christmas. Her mother had been away on a cruise at John’s funeral. Anna had never told her about the cancer, not wanting to worry her. The old woman was mostly oblivious to what was going on in Anna’s life.
“Are you going to tell her about Meg?”
Anna had kept Cassie’s secret from her mother.
“There’s no rush. She won’t be here till Christmas.”
“All these years, you never mentioned it?”
“What was I going to say? My 16 year old daughter got pregnant and then gave up her child? Nana would have wanted me to raise the baby too.”
“How many times are you going to remind me about it, Mom? You think I don’t know?”
Anna started clearing the table. Sometimes she wondered if Cassie was really as heartless as she sounded.
“What are you doing tonight?” Cassie asked.
“I forgot all about it. Charlie Robinson sent me some passes for a concert. Some young jazz singer is performing at the Castle Beach Resort.”
“Must be the same one I saw the other night,” Cassie said. “She’s good, Mom. You should go.”
“I was going to ask the girls.”
“How many passes do you have?”
“It doesn’t say. Charlie said it was up to me. I can bring any number of people I want. He had reserved a special table for us.”
“They serve champagne during the performance. And the most delicious canapés. It’s all very classy.”
“I hope it’s not too fancy. What am I going to wear?”
“What about that black dress you have with sequins around the neck? Are you taking Gino?”
Anna shook her head.
“You can come with us though, Cassie.”
“Awesome! I can use a night out.”
“I won’t ask Meg, don’t worry. I doubt she will be interested in this kind of music.”
“Your call, Mom. I didn’t say anything.”
Anna’s head sprang up eagerly as the doorbell rang. She rushed to let Meg in.
“You don’t have to use the front door, Meg. Friends and family just walk into the kitchen.”
Chapter 13
Anna brushed her hair and observed herself critically in the mirror. The breast conservation surgery she had qualified for had taken a vital chunk off her body. Could people tell her look wasn’t entirely natural?
Cassie came in behind her.
“You look great, Mom. Like a million bucks.”
“I don’t look odd?”
Cassie took her mother by the shoulders and looked into her eyes.
“Listen to me. Back in Hollywood, people pay a big bundle of money to get this kind of work done.”
Anna grimaced.
“I didn’t ask for this, Cassie.”
“Of course you didn’t. But it’s all worked out very well. Why don’t you wear those pearls Dad got you for your 20th anniversary?”
Anna’s eyes softened as she pulled out a black box from her jewelry drawer. Cassie could be so likable when she wanted. Anna wondered why her daughter chose to be as prickly as a hedgehog most of the time.
Julie and Mary were also going to the concert with Anna. They were going to meet the Butlers directly at the resort. The full moon hung over the water in a clear sky as Cassie drove up the hill leading to the Castle Beach Resort. It was a beautiful night, Anna thought. She had cheered up after her talk with Cassie and was eagerly looking forward to the evening.
Charlie Robinson stood in the large foyer to welcome them. Dressed in a tuxedo, he looked like he had stepped out from some vintage drama.
“So this is it,” Anna said, looking around admiringly. “I think you did a good job here, Charlie.”
Charlie Robinson had knocked down a 100 year old door to create a massive and imposing entrance to his hotel. John Butler, head of the local Historic Society had been strongly against it. Charlie and John Butler had fallen out on the issue. Anna decided she wasn’t going to let it bother her now.
A young girl dressed in a glittering frock escorted them to the grand ballroom. Julie and Mary were already seated at a table near the stage. The usher pulled out their chairs and offered them champagne. Anna thanked her and accepted a glass of bubbly.
“This is the real deal, Anna,” Julie said approvingly. “Drink up.”
“What is she doing here?” Cassie hissed, jerking her neck toward the door.
Anna turned around to find the girl from the hotel escorting Meg into the room. Her face lit up when Meg spotted her and waved. Anna waved back.
“Did you tell her we were coming here?” Anna asked Mary.
Meg was renting a room over Mary’s garage.
“I’ve hardly seen her in the past two days,” Mary replied.
Anna saw the girl was ushering Meg to a small table for one set in an alcove. Meg sat down and typed something into her phone. Anna’s phone dinged.
“She says her new friend invited her. She had no idea we were coming here.”
“Her friend’s handing out passes to a fancy concert?” Cassie scoffed.
“Hush, Cassie,” Julie warned. “The show’s about to begin.”
Charlie Robinson stepped on the small stage and welcomed his guests. He gave a brief introduction.
“We are so proud to have the ‘Young Ella’ staying with us for a while. She has graciously agreed to do a few shows while she’s here. Ladies and gentlemen, let me present local California girl and our very own prodigy, Ashley Morton.”
There was some polite applause. A young girl dressed in a dazzling red gown came on stage and began singing. Anna found herself mesmerized by her voice. Ashley belted out one hit song after another, captivating the audience. She started off with ‘How Deep is the Ocean’ by Etta James, we
nt on to Natalie Cole’s ‘Cry Me a River’, then ‘My One and Only Love’ and ‘Summertime’ by Ella Fitzgerald.
Anna’s eyes glistened with unshed tears and her heart welled up with sweet memories of her husband John. They had both loved these songs, played them on the turntable and danced to them in the candle light when they were first married. Ashley ended her set with ‘Dream a Little Dream’ and the whole room erupted in applause.
A team of waiters descended on the room, carrying platters loaded with delectable bite sized treats. Charlie Robinson came to their table with the young Ashley on his arm.
“These are my special guests, Ashley.” He was staring at Anna with a knowing look in his eyes.
“What a fabulous performance!” Julie exclaimed.
“Brava!” Anna nodded. “You have a gift. My husband and I loved these songs.”
“Old is gold,” Ashley said sagely. “I love singing them.”
“Have we met before?” Anna asked. “You look a bit familiar.”
“Are you the lady from that bookstore? I came there a few days ago, remember?”
“Oh yes!”
Ashley waved at someone. Meg walked up to them, looking a bit hesitant.
“You came!” Ashley crowed as she hugged Meg. She took Meg by the shoulder and pushed her forward. “This is my friend, Meg. She’s visiting Dolphin Bay too, just like me.”
Anna nodded at Meg but said nothing. She wanted to tell everyone she already knew Meg but that would lead to questions. Cassie hadn’t batted an eyelid. She stood there, calmly sipping her champagne.
“You’re staying for dinner, aren’t you?” Charlie asked Anna. “Mother is so eager to meet you.” He nodded at Cassie and the Firecrackers. “You are all invited, of course. Anna’s family is always welcome here at Castle Beach.”
“We don’t want to impose,” Cassie murmured.
“I’m already full,” Anna said. “I think I had a dozen of these tiny snacks.”
“Ashley still has a couple of sets,” Charlie said. “It’s all arranged.”
“You don’t want to miss it,” Ashley whispered. “Dinner out on the terrace on a full moon night … it’s out of this world.”
Anna agreed to stay. It would have been rude to decline after such a cordial invite.
“You’re staying for dinner too, Meg,” Ashley said.
“Any guest of Ashley’s is my guest,” Charlie added. “See you at dinner, young lady.”
The couple walked off to talk to the other guests.
“He’s flirting with you, the scamp!” Julie muttered. “What did I tell you?”
Julie wasn’t too fond of Charlie Robinson. He had a certain reputation. Rumor had it the Robinson family had been smugglers. Julie was sure Charlie earned his fortune by nefarious means. Anna didn’t agree with her. The Robinsons were just a notch above the people in the town, different enough to arouse curiosity and encourage gossip.
Anna took Meg’s hands in hers.
“You look pretty, dear. Is this the new friend you were talking about?”
“I had no idea she was such a big deal,” Meg said brightly.
Anna watched Cassie glowering at them. She ignored her. A tall man dressed in a suit came over and nudged Cassie. He was accompanied by a pale young woman. Anna realized she was one of the cashiers at the local Paradise Market.
“Dylan! I barely recognized you.”
“How are you, Anna?” Dylan smiled. He nodded at Cassie. “Hey Princess!”
“What are you doing here, Dylan?” Cassie’s eyes had widened in surprise.
Anna prayed she wouldn’t say anything nasty.
“Enjoying an evening of song and dance, just like you.”
The band had started playing some music and many couples had started dancing.
“Have we met?” Dylan asked, looking inquiringly at Meg. “I’m Dylan Woods.”
“Dylan is an organic farmer,” Anna told Meg. She smiled broadly at Dylan. “This is Meg, my…”
“I work at Bayside Books,” Meg interrupted her. “Anna hired me for the summer.”
“I’ve seen you around town,” Dylan nodded. “Come over to my farm sometime. It’s strawberry season. You can pick as many as you want.”
“We’ll make a day out of it,” Anna said eagerly. “Take a picnic and have lunch on the hill at Daisy Hollow Farms.”
“That’s a great idea, Anna,” Dylan said.
Ashley joined them and put an arm around Meg. She was looking hungrily at Dylan.
“Who’s this handsome stranger?”
Anna introduced Dylan again.
“I’m staying here at the resort all this month,” Ashley crooned, looking seductively at Dylan. “Do you want to get dinner sometime?”
“Sure,” Dylan said. “I’d like that.”
He complimented Ashley on her performance.
“Do you write any songs yourself?”
“I do. But I am not allowed to sing them here. Just some stupid contract, you know. My album releases next month and I am going on tour after that. I will be able to sing them at that time.”
“Surely you can sing a line or two for us?” Dylan asked.
Ashley simpered and said she might make an exception.
Anna knew how the local women fawned over Dylan. He enjoyed the attention but never crossed a line. Ashley looked like she could take care of herself anyway. Anna wasn’t that sure about Meg.
She noticed how Meg hung on to every word Dylan said. From Anna’s point of view, it looked like Meg was developing a big crush on him. Was she allowed to remind her granddaughter how old Dylan was?
“Why don’t you introduce us to your date, Dylan?” Cassie asked in a silky voice.
Anna didn’t know if Cassie was jealous or being protective of her daughter. The ploy worked and the group broke up.
“He’s chill,” Meg sighed, leaving Anna wondering what she meant.
Chapter 14
Anna looked around her new café proudly.
“The place looks fabulous, Anna,” Julie said. “You did a good job.”
“We all did,” Anna said, arranging her orange thyme cupcakes on a fancy cupcake stand she had bought in a specialty store in San Francisco.
A deep brown couch sat at one end, surrounded with a couple of overstuffed armchairs, a wing chair and a low bench Anna had found at a yard sale. A leather Chesterfield was placed in another corner, with matching chairs and ottomans. There was a rustic table fashioned out of a tree trunk. A few other tables were spread around the space, with comfortable chairs placed around them. It was a space you could relax in for the day, browsing through books and drinking endless cups of coffee.
The large wooden counter had been custom made. A Tiffany lamp rested on it at one end and it was Anna’s pride and joy. She planned to fill the space with different kinds of lighting fixtures. And flowers. Fresh flowers!
“Are you planning to name the café?” Mary asked.
“I think it will be Bayside Books for now,” Anna said.
“You should call it Anna’s and be done with it,” Julie advised. “People coming in directly through the café need some kind of sign on the door.”
They discussed other things related to the café, like printing the final menus and sending invitations for the grand opening.
Anna glanced at the clock on the wall and gave her friends a questioning look.
“It’s almost noon. Do you think they will come?”
“The ladies never miss a potluck,” Mary said. “Of course they will come.”
The monthly potluck was a tradition with the local women. Anna had been so busy she had completely forgotten when it was until Julie suggested they have it at the café. It would be a chance to get some early feedback about the ambience.
“I don’t know, girls. Lara Crawford’s really been on the warpath these past few weeks. Most of the potluck ladies ignore me on the street now.”
The bell on the door jingled just then and Sally D
avis came in, carrying a slow cooker. She was a teacher at the high school and was a firm believer in Anna’s innocence.
“Slow cooker chicken wings as requested.”
Mary guided her to a side table they were going to use for the food.
Sally circled the room, exclaiming at everything.
“This place is beautiful, Anna. You did a good job!”
A few more women came in and soon the potluck was in full swing. Anna’s cupcakes were tasted and approved by everyone.
“I can’t wait for the café to open,” a woman said, eating half a cupcake in one bite. “I’ll be ordering a dozen of these for Sunday dinner.”
Many of the women were also in the Garden Club. They wanted to know if Anna was participating in the upcoming Rose Show.
“I’m planning to,” Anna told them.
A couple of hours passed quickly. The Firecrackers collapsed on the leather couch after all the women had left.
“I think that was a success,” Julie declared. “You got some free advertising, Anna. These ladies will spread the word about the café.”
“Cassie told me about your meeting with Rory,” Anna said to Mary. “I didn’t get a chance to thank you.”
“It was nothing, honey,” Mary dismissed. “Rory will do anything for my banana cream pie.”
“I don’t blame him,” Julie laughed. “Why don’t we have some more of that pie?”
“We never got a chance to discuss this,” Anna said. “I think there may be one more suspect.”
She told them about the man who had been following William Parker.
“How are we supposed to track this guy down?” Julie groaned. “Did this Bertha woman tell you anything specific about him?”
Anna shook her head.
“She just described his car. A battered blue sedan with a dent in the passenger door, chipped paint and some kind of colorful sticker on the rear windshield.”
“What kind of sticker?” Mary asked.
“Doesn’t matter.” Julie sat up, her eyes gleaming. “I know that car.”
“How?” Anna and Mary chorused.
“I’m almost sure I have seen it parked outside the Yellow Tulip. Not once or twice, several times.”