The next morning was another rush to get us both out the door on time. The monthly breakfast meeting for the Small Business Association of the chamber of commerce was at eight, and I wasn’t looking forward to it. The good news was that the group finally made a decision on Christmas decorations. That meant I wouldn’t have to hear Mort Wilson talk about the psychological benefits of round shapes versus peaked ones anymore. The bad news was that everyone would likely be talking about Drew. With a sigh, I pushed myself out the door. I dropped my briefcase when I reached the sidewalk—the For Sale sign was gone from Nancy’s yard.
Entering the Iron Skillet, I hurried toward the private room where some of our meetings were held. It was busy for a Tuesday, and it seemed like every head in the restaurant was swiveled toward that room. Someone was shouting. As I neared the door, it became clear there were multiple raised voices. I couldn’t make out the words because everyone talked over everyone else. What had stirred them all up so early? I opened the door. The volume dropped so abruptly it sounded like one of those hot summer nights when the crickets stop. Several members looked at me nervously.
Lauren Stamper said, “Merry, we heard Drew is back.”
“It’s true.”
“He’s not planning on staying in town, is he? Don’t tell me he’s staying with you?”
“No. He’s not staying with me. I’m not sure what his future plans are.”
Amanda Thomas stood. “I’m sure you know this, Merry, but we consider Drew to be an unsavory element in town. Having him back will likely cause trouble. Our expectation is that you will take point on convincing him of the folly in staying here.”
I shifted uncomfortably, my coat still in my arms. I hung it on the rack and took a deep breath. “Drew and I are divorced. I suspect I will have very little sway over whether he stays or goes.” John Little, Tom Butler, and several others studied the table, signaling that they were uncomfortable with the discussion. However, more than a few people looked on with great interest. “He served his time; it’s up to him where he ends up. Needless to say, it would be more comfortable for me if he did not choose to live here.”
Amanda frowned. “So you will try to influence him?” Philip Piper, Amanda’s boyfriend, pulled on her arm to try to get her to sit. She shrugged off his hand.
“No. But I can assure you I won’t encourage him to stay. That’s all I’m going to say on this subject, so I suggest that we move on to the topics that were on the agenda.” Sitting down, I picked one up and motioned for the association chair, Will Jones, to take charge.
Amanda harrumphed, sat, and glared at Philip. Will picked up the agenda. “If everyone would look at item one. We need to start working on our annual St. Valentine’s Day dance.” He droned on.
I knew this was going to be bad. What happens if Drew stays? It looks like I will get blamed.
Somehow I made it through the meeting. As I was leaving, Amanda pulled me to the side, her eyes full of anger. “Merry, tensions are running high on Drew. It would be in his best interest to leave.” Philip stood next to her.
I wrenched her arm from mine. “I heard you the first time, and my answer stands.”
She pivoted, marched straight out the door, and slammed it behind her. Philip stayed behind for a moment. “I’m sorry, Merry. Amanda’s been a bit out of sorts ever since Drew was released.” He paused, and his gaze skittered about. “I better go.”
Tom Butler pulled on his coat. “I’m sorry about Amanda, Merry. Most of us know that you don’t have control over this situation. It’s just that there’s a lot of talk in town. It will get worse the longer he stays. I pray it just stays talk.” He nodded at me.
“Thanks, Tom.”
Other people picked up their coats and shuffled past without comment.
Andy Perkins stopped and gave me a hug. “It’s going to be okay. Don’t you worry your pretty head. They’re all talk and no bite.” I smiled up at him. Andy and his spouse, Ed, lived behind me and ran the antique shop, Tempting Treasures, a block down from my business. “Accompany you to the office?”
I hugged him back. “I’d like that.”
As we ambled, I said, “Nancy’s For Sale sign was down this morning. Have you heard anything?”
“No. The last time I spoke with her cousin, Melissa, she said she wasn’t getting a lot of interest. She had to disclose that the murder happened there, and I think that’s scaring off potential buyers. If it doesn’t sell soon, she’s going to think about renting it to pay the mortgage.”
“I hope we get someone nice in there who likes to garden. It would be such a shame to see all of Nancy’s work go to waste.”
“I agree.” We halted in front of my door. “This is your stop. Have a good day and try not to worry.” He gave me a quick hug.
Cheryl, my assistant, greeted me. “The phones have been busy this morning. Clients want to know what Drew is going to do. We’re telling them what you instructed, but I think a few of them need some reassurance. I’ve left their names and numbers on your desk.”
“Thanks, Cheryl. I’ll handle it. Did Rob call?”
“No. Were you expecting a call? Do you want me to interrupt if he does?”
“That’s okay. I was just wondering.”
I walked into my office and carefully shut the door, feeling Cheryl’s curious eyes on my back. After hanging up my coat and stowing my purse, I glanced at my phone to see if any texts had arrived. Seeing none, I sighed and sat in my chair. I was going to have to make the first move with Rob. It was clear he wasn’t going to call me.
Chapter 3
Patty texted me at four: “Sprung for a couple of hours. Patrick took Jenny, Cindy, and the kids to the movies. Want to meet at the Pickled Herring at five for a drink?”
“Works. See you there.”
I smiled. Patty didn’t get many chances to go out on her own, so I knew she’d be in a good mood. Maybe this is just what I need to take my mind off things. Making some last phone calls, I straightened my desk and headed over to the bar.
The town looked so festive with Christmas wreaths adorning the light poles. Most of the shopkeepers had already decorated their store windows, and the town tree was being decked out in the square. My mood lifting, I hummed as I turned the corner to the Pickled Herring. Patty was already sitting at the bar. She had a glass of red wine in front of her and faced one of the booths in the back.
I came up beside her. “What are you looking at?”
She jumped about a foot. “You scared me.”
I laughed. “Most people look toward the door when they’re waiting for someone. That way they don’t get startled. Plus, then they can actually welcome the person they invited to join them.” I pushed her shoulder. “What’s so interesting?”
Patty nodded toward where she had been so focused. My mouth made an involuntary oval. Rob sat in one of the booths, and he was not alone. Amanda Thomas was with him, and she was practically sitting in his lap. Rob must have said something amusing because her laugh tinkled across the room as she leaned toward him and stroked his shoulder. Her long brown hair gleamed in the bar’s soft light and cascaded down her thin frame.
I climbed up on the stool next to Patty and motioned for the bartender. “Ann, I’d like a glass of the house Pinot.”
“Coming right up, Merry.” Ann looked nervously over at Rob and Amanda. “Everything’s okay, isn’t it?”
“Just peachy.”
“What are you going to do?” Patty asked.
“Nothing. I don’t have a ring on my finger. He’s able to see whomever he wants, even if she’s supposed to be seeing someone else. And if he wants to sulk about an ex-husband I have nothing to do with, I can’t change that either.”
Patty turned me to face her. “Who are you and what have you done with my friend Merry?” I didn’t reply. “Do you want to leave?”
“No. I have as much right to be here as he does. If I spend my life avoiding both Rob and Drew in this town, pretty soon I won’t be able to go anywhe
re.” My drink arrived, and I toasted Patty. “To us.”
She smiled. “Through thick and thin.” Twirling the wine, I put the glass to my lips and took a big gulp. She laughed. “I don’t think you have to aerate the house wine.” Whispering she said, “It’s not that good.”
I took another gulp. “Doesn’t matter. It tastes good enough.” I sighed. “The chamber meeting was this morning.”
“And?”
“Amanda was very direct in telling me that it was my job to make sure Drew leaves town.”
“Your job! Why does she think it’s your job? Doesn’t she know you’re divorced?”
“I shared that fact with her.”
The back of the bar was decorated with an antique mirror. I realized I could look straight ahead and see what Rob and Amanda were doing behind me. I frowned. Amanda was still sitting way too close to Rob for my liking. And she touched his arm.
Patty poked me. “I was talking to you.”
“I’m sorry.” I gestured at the mirror.
“Ah, that’s easier and less intrusive than turning around.”
“Sure is.”
“Do you think she could get much closer to him?”
“Only if he became her second skin. But it doesn’t look like he’s uncomfortable with it.”
“Maybe he’s just talking to her about a story.”
I caught Patty’s eye in the mirror. “Uh-huh.”
She had the good grace to blush. “Well, that might be all there is to it.”
“I’d feel better about it if she wasn’t such an attractive, single lady.”
“Uh-oh.” Patty gestured toward the mirror. I looked again. Philip Piper approached Rob and Amanda’s table.
“This should be interesting.” It took all my willpower not to turn around and to settle instead for the mirror view. Philip reached the table, and luckily his voice was loud enough that it carried.
“Amanda, you were supposed to meet me at six. I’ve been waiting for you.” Philip towered over their table.
Amanda didn’t seem to be in any rush to get up. I couldn’t hear her reply, but Rob shifted in his seat. He scooted from behind the table, and I could just make out him saying, “It was time for me to leave anyway. Thanks for the information.” Rob shook Amanda’s hand. I might have been mistaken, but her brown eyes looked disappointed.
As Rob was putting on his coat, his eyes met mine in the mirror. He left it unzipped as he came up to the bar. “Merry, Patty, what a nice surprise. When did you come in?”
Patty was still focused on the drama behind us, so I replied, “About a half hour ago. You must have had your mind on other things.”
He glanced back at the table where Philip and Amanda argued. “Oh. I met Amanda to talk about the fashion show she’s putting on to promote the new spring lineup at her store, Shades of Gray.”
I looked at Patty. “Aren’t spring lineups supposed to be colorful?”
Patty snorted. “Don’t do that when I’m drinking.”
I laughed. Rob scolded, “You shouldn’t make fun of the show. It’s for a good cause. Some of the proceeds are going to fund breast cancer research.”
“I know. I think it’s a great cause. That’s why Jenny and Cindy have agreed to be volunteer models for the show.” Patty caught my eye, and I looked again in the mirror. Philip and Amanda were arm in arm as they left the bar. I shrugged. Must have made up.
Rob put his arm around me. “I’ve missed you. I’m sorry I haven’t been in touch, but I’ve been busy catching up on some things. Dinner tomorrow? You and Jenny?”
“That would be great.”
He kissed me. “I’ll pick you up at your house at six.” He waved as he left the bar.
Patty threw her cocktail napkin at me. “You really play hard to get.”
“I’m getting too old for games.”
My phone dinged with an incoming text from Andy Perkins: “Talked to Melissa. Drew’s renting Nancy’s house.”
I grabbed my wine glass and drained it. Putting my head down on the bar, I stiff-armed the phone to Patty.
“Oh no.”
Chapter 4
The next day arrived far too early for me. Patty came back with me after we left the bar, and we finished an entire bottle of wine as I bent her ear about Drew. At least I only need to get one person up and out the door. Patty has four. Stretching and downing two aspirin, I hopped in the shower. Turning the pressure up, I increased the heat and let the water play on my back. Feeling slightly better, I toweled off and padded down the hall to Jenny’s room. I knocked once and poked my head in. “You up?”
One eye opened. “Yes, but I’m surprised you are.”
“Smarty-pants. Don’t forget, we’re going to dinner with Rob tonight.”
She wiggled her eyebrows. “Are you sure you don’t want to be alone?”
“No. He invited you specifically.”
“Oh, so he doesn’t want to be alone with you.”
“Whatever. Get up.”
I started the coffee maker and fed the cats. Something seems off. What is it? There is something I need to do. I poured my coffee and took a sip, trying to clear my brain. Then I remembered. Crap. Drew’s moving in next door.
Climbing back upstairs, I sat on the edge of Jenny’s bed to wait for her to come out of the shower.
A moment or two later, she came back into her room toweling her hair and jumped. “I thought you left.”
“I needed to tell you something before you heard it elsewhere.”
Looking worried, she sat on the bed next to me. “What?”
“Your dad is going to rent Nancy’s house.”
“What? Why would he do that?” She frowned at the bedspread and traced the pattern with her finger. “I’m not sure how I feel about that. What will people say? Will they think we wanted him here?”
I hugged her. “Let’s figure out how you feel first and then worry about everyone else.”
She shrugged. “I guess it will be handy to have him next door so I can get to know him better.” A snowblower started up outside. “On the other hand, what if we don’t end up liking each other? He’ll be too close for comfort.” She put her arm around me. “How do you feel? Won’t Mr. Jenson feel weird?”
“First, your dad loves you. He’s going to be happy to see you anytime. Second, it might be a little weird having him so close at first, but I’m sure we’ll get used to it. I just want to make sure you are okay. You can take getting to know your dad again as fast or as slow as you want.”
She stood. “I need to get going. I don’t want to be late for school. Is it okay if we talk about this later?”
“You bet.” I hugged her. “See you tonight.”
As I left, Melissa came out of Nancy’s house, cleaning supplies in hand. “Melissa, wait a minute.” She paused, and I joined her on the porch. “I heard you’re renting the house to Drew.”
Shifting from one foot to another, she nodded. “No one wants to buy, and he had cash upfront to rent, so I took it. I’m sorry if it’s going to cause problems for you, Merry, but I need to pay the mortgage.” She talked even faster, seeming to sense that I was less than happy. “Plus, he’s taking it furnished, so I don’t need to make any quick decisions about what to keep and where to store everything.” Taking a deep breath, she held my arm. “I’m sorry, Merry, but what was I supposed to do?”
“It’s not your fault, Melissa. Needless to say, I would have preferred that he found a place far away, but that didn’t happen.”
“Word is spreading that he’s staying and that I’m renting the place to him. I received several angry phone calls already last night.”
I hugged her. “Hopefully it will all die down once people get used to having him back. When is he moving in?”
She shot me a nervous look. “Later today.”
Eyes widening, I took a step back. “Today?”
“He didn’t have anywhere else to go, and I needed the money.”
I groaned. �
�It will be fine. We will make it fine. I need to go now. Have a good day, Melissa.”
“You too.”
I trudged to work. Today. That means that he’ll be in the house when I get home tonight. And he’ll be here when Rob comes to pick us up. Ugh.
Somehow I made it to the office. Cheryl greeted me with coffee. “I heard about Drew moving in next to you.” She handed me the mug. “Or do you need something stronger?”
I groaned and sat at my desk. “How am I going to make it through this?”
She sat in the chair opposite me. “You are the strongest person I know, and you have the town behind you.”
“I hope you’re right on both counts. And, now, I guess I should at least pretend to work.”
She gave me a worried glance and then went through the list of items that needed my attention.
My mind wandered. What is Rob going to think? I better text him before he finds out from someone else. Who am I kidding? He already knows.
Cheryl stood, and my attention snapped back. “You haven’t heard a word I said.”
“Yes, I did.”
“No, you didn’t, but I expected that, so I printed off a list.” She handed it to me.
“What would I do without you?” She smiled and shut the door behind her.
I texted Rob, “Drew renting house next door.”
“I heard. Talk tonight.”
I next texted Jenny, “Will pick you up after school.”
“Why?”
“Just will. No biggie. Talk then.”
Feeling slightly better, I turned my attention to Cheryl’s list and worked steadily on the more urgent items. When it was time to leave to pick Jenny up, Cheryl knocked on the door. “You need to leave now if you want to be on time.”
“I’m going. I just want to take a few things home.” She helped me gather everything together and then gave me a quick hug. “It’ll be okay; you’ll see.”
The hike over to the high school seemed way too short, even though it was cold out. Jenny bounded out the door surrounded by her friends. I had to wait till she said goodbye to each and every one of them.
Murder So Festive Page 2