by Holly Quinn
“Yes, do that,” Kendra said and then ran off to catch Marilyn by waving a hand frantically to get her attention as the baker had just stepped from her car.
Sammy unlocked Community Craft and flipped the sign to OPEN while Bara sauntered inside and found his bed by the cash register. Evidently, his walk to work had just been too strenuous. Sammy snorted. He was going to have to get his spring step back in gear. Coming out of hibernation was a slow process. Even for her dog.
Immediately she called Ellie, who didn’t answer her phone. She left a message to please convince Randy to bring the grill to the store as soon as humanly possible before the road closed. Or they would have to take the chance and park out back and then haul it through the back door, through the merchandise, which would be problematic. Hopefully, she would catch him before he left for work. Randy was a loan agent for a mortgage company on the other side of town so it wouldn’t be too much of an imposition, she hoped.
As Sammy moved into her office, her phone was beeping a return call from Ellie, but she was already on the phone with the local grocer: “Yes, we need a few cases of your best homemade brats. Do you have any of the jalapenos? The cinnamon apple spice is always a hit. What about the green pepper and cheddar ones? I think we’ll buy out whatever you have in stock. I should have called ahead of time to order. My apologies.” Sammy hoped they would have enough. With everything on her mind, she had dropped the ball on ordering the food for the coach’s fundraiser. She would have to double check the refrigerator in the office to see if they had enough condiments from the last fundraiser they’d held. And hope to God the ketchup and mustard weren’t expired. “Yes, I’ll hold.”
While the grocer was checking the inventory of meat, Sammy walked purposefully to the back door to unlock and set the sign to OPEN. When the grocer came back on the line, she said, “Yes, I’ll take whatever you’ve got. Can I get a delivery? I’ll need to add buns to that order. And chips. Oh boy, if I forgot anything I’ll call you back. If you don’t hear from me, that’s all I need!”
Why didn’t she plan this better? She felt suddenly overwhelmed. She looked at Bara who closed his eyes. So not fair. I’d certainly love to curl up and sleep right about now! Enjoy yourself, puppy! If reincarnation existed, she decided she was coming back as a golden retriever.
Sammy was getting ready to work on the next task on her mental to-do list when she heard the jingle and the front door swung open. Greta Dixon stepped into Community Craft and made her way directly into the craft room. Sammy quickly followed her into the room to take the opportunity to pump her for information about her brother and the unidentified older woman who she now knew as Charlotte Dunn.
“Hey there, Greta! Something I can help you with?” Greta jumped with surprise, and her startled reaction was clear. She was on her hands and knees and bumped her head against the side of the craft table as her eyes met Sammy’s. “No. I thought I lost something. But I don’t think it’s here.” She rubbed her head, grimacing in pain.
“Do you need an ice pack? You may end up with a doozy of a bump.” Sammy offered as her face mirrored Greta’s grimace. “I’m pretty sure I have one in the medical kit in my office if you need it.”
“No, it’s really nothing. Don’t worry about it.” Greta stood and wiped a couple of random threads off her knees. Reminding Sammy it was time to run the vacuum again.
“Are you missing something? Did something fall from your purse the last time you were in? I think the lost and found box is empty, but I could double check?” Sammy gestured a thumb toward the front counter.
“No. It’s not here.”
“You know a funny thing happened recently.” Sammy chuckled. “An older lady came in and claimed a piece of jewelry from the lost and found, but I don’t think she’s even taken craft classes before and thought for sure she’d only come into the store a few times.” She eyed Greta carefully and was cautious in her tone when she uttered her next thought. “But then I saw her again with your brother at Liquid Joy…”
Greta held a stern hand out to stop her. “You’re just like everyone else in this town. Anything goes wrong, and it’s my brother’s fault. I’m so sick of it,” she spat. “My brother did not steal the locket.”
The locket.
Sammy caught the word. She’d never said it was a necklace, let alone a locket. She’d only said jewelry. “Is that what you were looking for? How do you know Charlotte? The woman who lost it? And why did you have it?”
“I wish you could just stay out of it!” Greta snapped. “Why don’t you mind your own business?” Greta pointed a warning finger in Sammy’s face. “Leave me and my family alone.”
Sammy opened her mouth to respond, but then quietly closed it again.
Greta stepped past her, over the threshold, and bolted out the front door, leaving Sammy stunned and even more curious about the woman with the locket. She wished she had more time to ponder all of this, but so much work lay ahead before the big event. If she didn’t sideline this train of thought now, she wouldn’t accomplish anything. Desperately trying to refocus on her mental to-do list, she stood in limbo, unable to move forward, feeling completely dazed by what had just occurred.
Just as she was feeling sorry for herself and completely overwhelmed, Heidi came bounding through the back door wearing black yoga pants and a lime green sweatshirt. Her newly colored hair hung in two low ponytails framing her face. She looked like she’d just stepped out of a Jillian Michaels workout video.
“Guess who has the next three days off with no shift at the hospital?” Heidi said as she displayed her famous jazz hands.
“You! I guess,” Sammy mirrored her enthusiastic pose.
Heidi slung an arm around her cousin’s shoulder. “I know I don’t often offer, but I’m here to work. I can help tomorrow too if you want.”
In response, Sammy practically jumped into her cousin’s arms to tackle her with a hug. “Thank you so much! Your timing is absolutely perfect. I’m ready to rip my hair out!”
Bara jumped from his slumber in all the excitement, and Sammy regarded her dog. “Yeah, he’s not much help at all.”
Heidi laughed as she leaned down and stroked Bara along his back. “But he’s really cute! Isn’t he a good doggie?” Her cousin hugged the puppy closer.
“That’s really great, Heidi. Right now, I can use all the help I can get.” Sammy blew her bangs away from her face with a large puff. “We’ll be ready,” she told herself, but didn’t honestly believe it. “We. Will. Be. Ready.” She said it again, hoping the words would stick.
Sammy didn’t know why she worried about getting everything done, as Ellie appeared in record time along with her husband to deliver the grill. Tyler rushed through the front door and beelined through the merchandise to tackle his aunt with a squeeze. Ellie trailed behind her son and jerked a thumb back to the front door. “I’m going to go help Randy unload if you can watch Ty-baby for a second?” Ellie started to walk toward the front door and then turned, a sharp finger pointed in her sister’s direction. “Do not give him candy. He’s on his way to preschool,” she added firmly before heading out the door.
Heidi laughed and then turned to the little boy. “You’re growing fast, huh?” she ruffled the top of his head, and he looked up at her before glancing at Bara.
“I’m going to help them unload the grill so they can get going.” Heidi walked to the front of the store and left Sammy with her nephew.
“Can you make sure they put it on the left side of the window?” Sammy hollered after her.
Heidi turned before stepping out the door. “You bet.”
Sammy refocused on her nephew. “Are you going to have fun at school today?” She noticed Tyler’s bright round eyes were wide with wonder. He nodded his head vigorously, sending the soft curls on his head bouncing as he said, “Yep. Yep! Lol-ee?” The toddler pulled his aunt’s hand toward the office.
“Not today, sweetheart. But if you come tomorrow for Spring Fling, I’ll be
sure to have one with your name on it.” She popped him on the nose with one finger and then pulled him in close in an embrace. “Alright, kiddo.”
Sammy noticed Ellie at the front of the store motioning to her son. “Come quickly, Tyler. We’re running late.”
Sammy took Tyler by the hand and led him toward the front of the store where Ellie took over. “I’ll be back after I drop him at preschool. I have a few errands to run but can help later.”
“Have I told you lately how much I love you?”
Ellie huffed. “Not often enough,” she chuckled as she manipulated her son out the front door.
Sammy followed them into the morning sunshine and waved to Randy, who was already seated behind the wheel in the extended truck. Ellie opened the back door and helped Tyler into the safety seat while Randy rolled his window down.
“Thanks, guys.” Sammy tapped Tyler’s window as Ellie quickly jumped into the front passenger seat and they sped away. Tyler’s little hand fluttered out the window.
Heidi, who was across the street with Douglas, yelled across Main between traffic. “Coffee?”
Sammy held her hand to the side of her mouth and yelled back, “Sure.” She gave a thumbs-up before retreating into the store, where she stepped into the window display to rearrange the items yet again. The carved bear mailbox that Miles had crafted had been sold and removed, leaving a hole in the display. She tapped her finger on her lips as she decided what to put in as a replacement piece. After a few minutes contemplating, she finally settled on a white- washed farm side table with a small wooden drawer and a large pottery vase. A trip to Blooming Petal, the flower shop next to the bank, would be next on the agenda. She could send Heidi on that errand. Fresh flowers in the pottery vase would sure finish off the look beautifully for the event.
As she stood in the display rearranging the small pieces of furniture, she gazed out the window and noticed Heidi talking with Tim in front of Liquid Joy. She held two coffee cups, one in each hand. He must have caught her on the way out. Tim kissed her on the cheek and then Heidi headed across the street. With her cousin’s hands full, Sammy opened the door wide for Heidi to step back inside.
“How did the display window look from outside? I’m wondering if you wouldn’t mind running to Blooming Petal for a spring bouquet?” Sammy pointed to the vase. “What do you think?”
Heidi handed her the coffee from Liquid Joy. “Sure. But I have something to tell you first. You’re not going to believe it.”
Sammy paused at Heidi’s tone of voice. “What’s that?”
“The police let Miles Danbury go. For now…”
“What?” Sammy couldn’t hide her surprise. “Why? I mean, it’s great news. But why?” She secretly wondered if her conversation with the detective had anything to do with it.
“Let’s just say an alibi came forward.” Heidi gave an exaggerated wink.
“What do you mean came forward? Why didn’t Miles tell them right away when the police questioned him? Before he was arrested?”
“It’s a little bit complicated.” Heidi’s eyes darted around the store to verify if there were any lingering customers.
“No one’s in here yet. It’s early.” Sammy encouraged her to keep talking.
“Annabelle Larson is the alibi.”
“What was he doing with Annabelle Larson that he didn’t want anyone … Ohhh.”
Heidi nodded her head. “Apparently, he didn’t want to expose the affair. Annabelle’s husband isn’t very happy I hear.” She cringed.
“Ohhh.”
“I think at this point, Miles is wondering if prison might have been a better option. Have you ever seen the size of Annabelle’s husband? It’s strange to think of Miles and Annabelle together? I mean, it certainly goes to show you affairs are not about looks. Annabelle’s husband is a much better-looking guy than Miles, don’t you think? Anyhow, the police department has enough reasonable doubt to hold the arrest … For now.”
“Ohhh,” was all Sammy could say.
“Your wheels are moving, but your lips are not. Spill it. I thought this news would make you happy. You have been all Team Miles all the way! Haven’t You? Why the sudden change?”
“No. I mean, I don’t know. Honestly, I’m not sure if it is good news. I have reasonable doubt, but if he can hide an affair from everyone, maybe he is capable of hiding a murder? I think I feel worse about the situation now.”
“What do you mean? Now you think he did do it? Girl, you really have me totally confused.”
“I don’t know now. What about the coffee cup that places him at the scene of the crime? It had his fingerprints on it. And it was fresh, because it was still steaming. Obviously, the murder wasn’t premeditated. What if Ingrid was going to expose their affair? In my opinion, it makes him look even more guilty.” Sammy’s wheels were turning fast.
“Wow. I thought you’d be happy to hear this news. Especially after you chewed out the new detective.”
“How did you hear about that?” They hadn’t spoken about it at Ingrid’s memorial, or the ride home for that matter.
“Um, hellooo … Who’s my boyfriend? He talked to Tim about it. I guess you upset the guy pretty bad. He’s still reeling.”
Sammy found this mildly interesting. She didn’t think her little outburst would have had any effect on Detective Liam Nash.
“That surprises me,” Sammy said and then took a sip of her coffee.
“I don’t know what I was thinking sharing this information with you. I bet now you’ll be smack-dab back to investigative mode.” Heidi threw up one hand in defeat and then drank some of her coffee. “I think I’ll go buy those flowers now. I’ll take my coffee with me.”
“Just tell Fran to add it to my tab. Oh, and can you tell her the flowers at the memorial were absolutely stunning. She did an amazing job, didn’t she?” Fran was the owner of Blooming Petal and often came to various craft events and fundraisers held at the store. Sammy wondered if she too felt completely overwhelmed by preparations for Spring Fling.
“Better yet, why don’t you go and tell her? I can mind the shop. Go ahead. Then you guys can catch up. I know you don’t get the opportunity to leave the store too often. Sometimes I forget that. You go.”
“Are you sure?”
Heidi gave her a light one-handed shove in the direction of the door. “Go.”
Sammy welcomed the opportunity to stroll along Main Street in the sunshine. Feeling the warmth of the rays hitting her face, she felt encouraged that winter might finally take a hike for good. She sipped her coffee along the way and didn’t rush the journey. With all she had to finish to prepare for the event, she realized she needed to calm down. It would all come together in the end, and if she missed something, oh well … Life goes on. As she became fully present and was thoroughly enjoying the stroll down Main Street, she caught sight of the unfamiliar, tall, thin-haired man she’d seen that day outside the credit union. Her memory jolted to Coach lying in the road after the incident. This stranger had been there. Watching. Her eyes followed as he quickened his pace and turned down a side street. Something in her gut prompted Sammy to trail him. Her stride quickened to not lose sight of him as he turned onto Second Avenue. He was moving at such a rapid pace that she almost lost him. Sammy’s pulse quickened, and her breath caught in her throat. In the distance, she watched as he pulled away from the curb in a familiar dark blue car.
Chapter Eighteen
The mood was electric, and a palpable feeling of jubilation filled the air. Finally, the town of Heartsford was coming out of the winter blahs. So far, the weather looked as if it would cooperate and give them a full cloudless day to celebrate Spring Fling. That alone was something to celebrate. Sammy had risen early in the morning, and she and Bara were at Community Craft by seven AM. The aid from Heidi and Ellie the previous afternoon made Sammy feel well prepared for the day’s events. Community Craft was restocked with loads of fresh spring merchandise. Out with the winter scarfs and hats, and
in with the handmade purses crafted by the quilting group in vibrant spring colors. New smocks, aprons, and dresses were ready for the spring fashion season, created by talented seamstresses. The store had a renewed appearance, and a new line of fragrant spring and summer soaps filled the air with a lovely fresh scent.
Sammy stepped into the office and narrowly avoided bumping into Carter. He was loading packages of bratwurst that the grocer had delivered into the refrigerator. As he heard Sammy ruffling through papers on the desk, he spun in her direction.
“You got a minute?”
Sammy stacked the papers and then gave the teen her full attention.
“Coach asked why you left the memorial brunch so fast. He wanted to speak with you. I told him we were holding a fundraiser today on his behalf. He really wanted to thank you for helping him. What happened? You didn’t say hi to Mom or Dad either. Did we do something?”
When Sammy noticed the look of disappointment that spread across his face, she reached out and touched his arm with one hand. “Oh, Carter, I’m really sorry about that. Please give my regards to your folks. I had to get back to the store to relieve Ellie, and Heidi was my ride. I have no excuse for not saying hello, and I should have paid my respects to Coach … I’m sorry. I was rushing as usual.”
“Okay. I just wanted to make sure it wasn’t something I said the other day when you mentioned Deborah working here.”
“Oh, my goodness, honey! No.” She forgot how sensitive Carter could be. She reached for his shoulder, gave it a light squeeze, and then instantly let go. “Carter. You are my little brother. I could never be mad at you and not speak to you, I hope you know that. I was in my own head that day. It had absolutely nothing to do with you or anyone else. I’m really sorry I didn’t say hello, and if I offended you. I really need to pay more attention to my behavior.” Sammy held a hand to her heart. “You are the last person in the world I’d want to hurt or offend.”
“I’m just glad we’re okay.”
“We’re always okay. And I’m so glad you came to talk to me. We can talk about anything. Okay? Please don’t hold this stuff inside. You can always talk to me anytime.”