Lacey rested her head against his, her shoulders trembling. Marc draped his arm around her and gave her a squeeze. Lacey turned toward him, dabbing her tear-filled eyes with a tissue, and kissed his cheek. Addie thought—no, she hoped—that she saw him flinch when she kissed him.
Organ music filled the overcrowded space, and the pastor moved toward the altar. He removed a red satin shroud from a large portrait that was set on a stand beside it, revealing a picture of June’s smiling face. A door opened off to the side of the sanctuary, and Jeanie appeared. The congregation rose to their feet, and Addie’s view was blocked. She couldn’t make out the person who accompanied her as they made their way to the front row, which was reserved for family.
The pastor moved to the pulpit and opened the memorial service by leading the gathering through an emotion-filled rendition of “Amazing Grace.” Addie couldn’t see much from where she stood, and she focused on the back of Marc’s head. Lacey leaned her curvaceous body against his as she swayed her hips in rhythm to the music. She glanced over her shoulder. Her eyes twinkled when they rested on Addie’s. A crooked smile creased the corner of her lip. She flipped her head, looked back to the front, and draped her arm casually around Marc’s waist, pulling him toward her.
Addie heaved out a deep breath.
“Sorry,” said the man standing beside her. “There isn’t much room to maneuver, let alone breathe, is there? But I’ll try to move down if I can.”
Without looking at him, she nodded her appreciation, but little did he know, her struggle to breathe wasn’t due to the fact they were all crammed against the walls like fish in a can. She gripped the handle of her purse, clutched in front of her, took a quieter deep breath to fight back the pressure building in her chest, and scanned the room. She needed to focus on anything other than the Marc and Lacey seduction drama unfolding right before her eyes.
She was startled to see that the service had swelled to the point of people standing two-deep around the perimeters. Her eyes flitted from one tear-stained face to the next. June obviously was a much-loved and well-respected member of the community.
The man next to her coughed, and she glanced at him and then stopped. How could she not have noticed him before? His sea-blue eyes were enough to melt any woman at the knees, but it was the dark curl of hair that swept down over his forehead, the square jaw, and the sharp cheekbones that took her breath away. When he smiled at her, the dimples in his cheeks made his eyes appear to be caressing hers. He was the whole package, and she gulped. Her eyes darted to the back of Marc’s head, but the stranger’s smile wasn’t something she could soon forget. She became all too aware of his arm touching hers during the remainder of the service. A rush of relief swept through her when the pastor led them in a short closing prayer.
The congregation remained seated, much to Addie’s angst. She had to fight her flight instinct to stop herself from bolting out the door away from this man and his sea-blue eyes and away from the Marc-and-Lacey show. An usher stood beside the family pew, waiting to escort them back to the side room. A man with black hair was the first to stand up. Addie didn’t recognize him, but there was something familiar in the way he carried himself. When he turned to assist Jeanie to her feet, Addie strained to get a closer look. He wore dark-rimmed glasses and had shorter hair today and a goatee, but she was certain it was the salt-and-pepper-haired man from the restaurant and in front of her shop.
She’d have to get a closer look, and as soon as the family room door closed, she pushed her way out through the throng of people exiting and dashed to the front steps of the church in hopes of catching another glimpse of him. She leaned on the railing, tapping her fingers against the cold metal, certain that Jeanie and the man would exit through the side door to the limousine waiting in the parking lot. A shoulder bumped her, and she spun around in time to catch sight of Marc and Lacey heading down the stairs past her. Lacey looked back over her shoulder and winked as she thrust her arm through Marc’s.
“I guess my afternoon plans just changed.” Serena’s abrasive tone tore through Addie’s thoughts of quietly jumping on Lacey’s back and tearing her golden locks out, one fistful after another.
“Sorry. What did you say?” Addie looked at her friend’s flushed, freckled cheeks.
“I was saying that it seems my plans with Lacey have changed. She appears to have made new ones.”
Addie watched the couple cross the street and then drive away in Marc’s Jeep Cherokee. “Yes, I’d say she has.” She put her arm around Serena’s shoulders. “Wanna make new ones with me?”
“Yeah, I do. Thanks.”
“Good, I’ve missed you.” She squeezed Serena’s shoulder as Marc’s taillights disappeared from sight. It tore at her how one unguarded utterance could tip the scales of life so drastically.
“Where do you want to go? Lacey and I were planning to head to Mario’s for a drink, then dinner. Want to do that?”
“Let’s go to the Grey Gull. We haven’t been there in a while.” Addie looked over Serena’s shoulder and spotted the black limousine pulling out of the parking lot. “Can we make one stop first though?”
“Sure, where?”
“I think we need to go and pay our respects to Jeanie. I overheard there’s a gathering for friends and family at her mother’s house following the service.”
The living room was overflowing by the time they arrived. Addie made a quick scan of the packed room for any signs of Marc and Lacey and heaved a sigh of relief. She took the glass of wine presented to her by a young catering server and smiled at Serena. “It looks like she had a lot of friends.” Her gaze continuing to assess the room, she determined it must be an early 1950s construction, and by the looks of the furnishings, not much had changed in here since then.
“Did you see the church today?” Serena whispered. “I couldn’t believe it. I don’t think ten people would attend my memorial service.”
“Don’t be silly.”
“I’m not, but I’d better mingle and try to recruit some more.”
“Why, are you planning on leaving us soon?”
Serena quirked an eyebrow and made her way through the throng, nodding and chatting with people as she passed by them, heading toward the buffet set up on the table of the adjoining dining room.
Addie leaned against the side wall and scanned the faces in the room. There was no sign of Jeanie and the man, so she headed down the hallway toward what she hoped was the kitchen. As she passed by a closed door, she heard raised voices, then a crash. Her hand flew to the doorknob, but it opened before she could turn the handle.
Jeanie stared wide-eyed back at her. Her face reddened, and moist beads dripped down her brow. “Addie, hello. Is there something I can do for you?”
The coolness in her voice gave Addie goose bumps, and she took a step back. “No—I thought I heard something crash, so just wanted to make sure everything was okay in here.”
“Well,” Jeanie said as she smoothed wrinkles from the front of her formfitting black silk dress, “I was trying to rest for a few minutes. It’s been such a long day. I’m sure you understand. I just bumped one of Mother’s lamps off the bedside table when I got up, and it broke when it hit the floor.” She reached behind her, pulling the door closed. Addie peered over her shoulder into the room and thought she spied a lamp intact beside the bed, but the door shut before she could make certain.
Addie clasped Jeanie’s hand. “You’ve already had such a stressful day. I’d hate to think something else had upset you or you were injured or—”
“Don’t worry about me.” She waved off Addie’s remark. “As you can see, I’m fine, just tired.”
“But I thought I heard someone yelling, too.” Addie looked back at the door.
“Oh, that,” she laughed. “I was just startled when the lamp shattered. I must have screeched louder than I thought.” She clasped Addie’s elbow and steered her toward the living room. “But thank you for your kind thoughts. I see you have some
wine. May I get you anything else?”
“It’s I that should be getting you something. You need to rest. Maybe you need to lie down again. Here, let me help you.”
“I’m fine, really.”
Addie pulled her hand up to brush hair from her face, severing Jeanie’s hold on her arm, and lingered in the hallway fixing her hair. She strained, listening for any other sounds, as she was certain there had also been a male voice when she first approached the bedroom.
“Are you coming?” Jeanie stood at the living room entrance with her arm extended, waiting for Addie to follow.
“Sorry, just trying to make myself look presentable. I was meaning to comb it before I arrived and put on some fresh lipstick.” She glanced back down the hallway.
“The bathroom is the first door there on the right. That is what you were looking for, isn’t it?”
“Ah, that’s where I went wrong. Someone just pointed me down the hall, and I must have passed right by it.”
“But don’t worry. You look lovely as is, my dear.” Jeanie placed her hand on Addie’s back and all but pushed her into the living room.
Addie stumbled and banged into Serena. “There you are,” Serena said, regaining her footing. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
Addie watched Jeanie over Serena’s shoulder as she made her way through the crowded room, stopping to receive condolences from everyone she passed.
“Hey, I’m down here.” Serena tugged on her wrist.
“Sorry, I was just looking at . . . Never mind. What’s so urgent?”
“Have you seen the new guy in town?” Serena swooned. “He’s soooo yummy, I just want to—”
“That’s great. Can you do me a favor?”
“Umm, sure, but don’t you want to hear about him?”
“Yeah, later, but for now I need you to keep Jeanie out here. There’s something I have to check out.”
“You’re not going snooping around, are you? Addie, she’s just lost her mother.”
“Don’t worry, it’s okay. I just have to find someone who I think is here, but I haven’t seen him yet.”
“Marc?”
“No,” she said, shaking her head emphatically, “but just promise me you won’t let her leave this room.”
“Okay, I’ll try, but—”
Addie headed for the bedroom, but before she could reach it, the door that Jeanie had come out of was flung open. She grabbed the first door handle she could find, pushed it open, and slid inside. The bathroom, and thank God, it was unoccupied. She leaned her ear against the door and waited to hear the one to the adjacent room click shut. Footsteps padded past her, and she opened the bathroom door and peeked out just in time to see the black-haired man, briefcase in hand, slip out the front door.
She dashed toward the door and slammed right into Mr. Blue Eyes as he stepped out of the living room into the front hall. Addie grunted as she bounced off his chest. She leaned her hands on her knees, gasping for air.
“That’s it, breathe slowly. Long, deep breaths.” He rubbed her back as she struggled to fill her lungs. “You’re just winded. It’ll be fine, just breathe.”
She nodded and stood up when the burning in her chest had subsided. “Thanks.”
“Thanks for helping, or thanks for knocking the wind out of you? I’m so sorry though—didn’t expect to find someone running the halls out here.”
“I was just . . . Oh, never mind.” She rubbed her diaphragm to try to ease the spasms gripping at her whenever she forced air into her lungs.
“Let me get you a drink. It’s medicinal and will help relax the muscle spasms.”
“How did you know I was having—”
“Addie, I see you’ve met the man I was telling you about,” Serena chirped from behind her.
“This is him?” Addie croaked.
“Hello,” he said, extending his hand. “Simon Emerson.”
“Dr. Emerson.” Serena wedged herself between him and Addie. “He’s just moved here from New York City.”
Addie extended a trembling, limp hand. “Hello, pleased to meet you.” Her eyes met his sparkling, deep sea-blue pools of . . . pure . . . “Delighted to meet you.”
“Addie and I were just heading over to the Grey Gull for an early dinner,” Serena cooed and fluttered her eyelashes like crazed bat wings. “Would you like to join us?”
Addie stifled a giggle. Serena’s attempt at coquettishness and the wing-beating blur of eyelashes made it apparent that she’d spent too much time with Lacey lately. Too bad she hadn’t yet mastered the art of dripping honey from silicone lips or the subtle effect of eyelash batting. Then again, maybe she had. They did look remarkably similar giving the same performance. Addie refocused and looked back at her friend. She wanted to take her finger and tip Serena’s mouth closed. Her next vision was of her wiping drool from Serena’s chin as she waited, mouth gaping open, for Simon’s response.
“The inn? Sounds great. I’d love to join you.”
“Perfect. Do you know the way, or would—” Then Serena’s voice cracked, and she gave a rather unladylike throat clearing. “Or would you like me to be your guide?”
Simon’s eyes sparkled, but he was obviously too much of a gentleman to show his amusement with her not-so-subtle and failed attempt at seduction. “Actually, I’m staying there until I find a place. I have a couple of stops to make, so I’ll see the two of you”—his eyes flicked to Addie—“in about an hour.”
“Perfect.” Serena glued her eyes to his back as he headed out the door.
When it closed, Addie grabbed the wall for support; the laughter that had been building up inside her since Serena’s mating ritual dance started almost knocked her to her knees.
Chapter Seventeen
Serena laid her head back on the headrest of Addie’s car and moaned. “He’s coming for dinner. Can you believe it? Wow.” She sat straight up. “Lacey won’t. I should text her and tell her.” She pulled her cell out of her purse.
Addie grabbed it from her fingers. “Hold on there. It’s just friends going to dinner with someone new in town.”
Serena huffed and looked out the side window, holding her hand out. “Can I have my phone back?”
Addie handed it back to her and started the car. “And, speaking of Lacey . . .”
“Yes?”
“You aren’t her, and maybe at dinner, I could suggest a more subtle approach if you want to catch his interest.”
“It works for her.”
“Well, I guess it does, after the show I watched today,” she all but spit out, “but as your friend, maybe just hold back a wee bit. Be yourself.”
“Okay, but I saw him first. Hands off.”
Addie held the steering wheel with her thumbs and flashed her fingers up in resignation. “Yup, he’s all yours. I’m done with men.”
“Is that why Marc has renewed his interest in Lacey again? You thought about what I said and decided they are perfect together and dumped him?”
Addie swallowed hard as she turned into the Grey Gull parking lot and pulled into the first spot she saw. “Yes, something like that.”
“Did you tell him last night? He must have been at your shop. I did see the makeshift plywood door and then heard you’d been broken into again.”
“Yes, it was last night.” Addie grabbed her purse off the back seat and opened her door.
Serena panted, catching up to her across the parking lot. “He called Lacey first thing this morning, so I guess what I said about them still being in love is right. Glad you both finally saw that.”
Addie’s face burned. She put her head down and marched toward the restaurant door. It was nice to know that he had gone home and slept comfortably in his own bed, that he had already cleared his head of her and moved on to someone else today, after she’d tossed and turned trying to get a few winks while crammed into one of the chairs in her shop. Where he’d left her stranded for the night. She’d hated having to call Paige at seven to pick her
up and take her home, and she cursed living in a town without regular taxi service. Well, she could always start her own taxi company, considering both she and Paige might soon be out of jobs, since it looked like her shop was going to be forced to close. When she had spoken with Paige at lunchtime, not one customer had been in, so she had sent Paige home. Marc and Lacey could just go and . . . no. They’d probably already done that, and she was a lady, as she kept reminding herself.
“This is nice. Feels like a long time since we were here. And that delicious waiter is still working.” Serena motioned over her shoulder. “I hope we’re sitting in his section.”
“You’re incorrigible. One to-die-for man at dinner isn’t enough for you? You want two?” Addie laughed.
“A girl has to hedge her bets.” Serena winked.
“There, that’s the person I want to see tonight. Not that other ghost of a creature that keeps crawling inside your head.”
Serena’s harrumph turned into a giggle.
“Speaking of who’s been inside your head lately,” Addie said, then took a sip of water the busboy had just poured, “I know Marc has asked you in great detail about this, but I’m curious about the box you gave me that evening at my house.”
Serena’s face paled, and she set down her glass without taking a sip.
“I’m just wondering,” Addie said, shifting in her seat, “do you remember seeing it at Lacey’s place anytime?”
Serena picked up her glass, glared at Addie over the rim, and took a big gulp of water. “Yes, as I’ve told my brother, she had one like that, and she gave it to me to take to my shop to use as a decorative package for a customer if one wanted to give an elegant box of tea as a gift.” Water slopped over the edge of her glass when she set it down. “Anything else, Counselor?”
“I didn’t mean it like that. I’m just trying to figure out how it made its way out of Lacey’s possession.” She bit her lip. “Why didn’t you recognize it when you saw it on my porch?”
“I thought it looked familiar,” Serena said, her jaw clenching, “but gift boxes are not uncommon.”
Prologue to Murder Page 11