The same day that Annie had discovered her first dead body, she and Rory found a second in the barn. Then, Annie had almost become a dead person herself when a madman tried to make Annie disclose the plantation’s greatest secret--the location of a long-lost treasure that dated back to the seventeen hundreds. Yes, Annie had seen lots of bad things during her short time at Rosewood Plantation, but it only steeled her resolve to make the grand old house the success that she knew it could be.
Annie loved every inch of the antebellum plantation house, from its warm wooden floors to its dark and winding hallways and its cozy rooms filled with faux antiques from markets up and down the state. She’d left a very nice apartment in New York when David had died, but she didn’t miss it. Somehow, despite living in the city for nearly twenty years, it had never truly felt like home to her.
She had made a handful of friends there, and she did miss spending time with women her own age. A few had kept in touch with her, calling out of the blue every now and then to share a bit of gossip. One or two had even taken the address of the plantation and promised to visit, though none actually had.
She supposed that it was the great cultural divide--South Carolina seemed like another planet to some of her born and bred New York friends--but she didn’t blame them. In fact, she didn’t really even miss them that much, not as much as she thought that she might. No, her life with Bessie, Devon, and Rory felt just right. She wasn’t losing sleep over the so-called friends who hadn’t kept their promises to visit.
Now Annie had come full circle, back to her hometown, but she had embarked on a brand new life that was more exciting than she’d ever hoped it could be.
Annie, did you clean the downstairs toilet yet? Bessie’s voice brought Annie back to attention once again.
Well, she lamented inwardly, it’s not all excitement, all the time…
No, Mama, but I’ll get it done. First, I’m going to have another cup of coffee and enjoy this quiet afternoon.
No sooner than the words had left Annie’s lips, there was an almighty crash and bang, a cacophony of noise that shook the trio and roused them from their chairs.
Oh, my stars! What on earth… Bessie’s eyes were wide. Did someone just fall down the stairs?
Annie and Rory rushed to check the situation on the staircase. It was with a mix of relief and anger that they discovered the smashed remains of a tray that had once held the breakfast dishes that Bessie had taken up to the Wallaces. At the top of the stairs on the landing, the deceptively cherubic face of Joshua Wallace smiled down at them.
I helped, he announced proudly.
Annie gritted her teeth.
Rory started to say something, but the look on Annie’s face told him that that would be a very bad idea. I’ll go and get the broom, he offered, slipping away before Annie could form a response.
4
Dishbreakers and Heartbreakers
Annie stared in dismay at the broken dishes on the floor at her feet. They weren’t anything fancy, but it would be a pain having to replace them. She looked back up at Joshua’s smiling face.
I helped, he repeated. I want to be a helper, he added, his smile wavering as he studied Annie’s face. Are you mad?
Annie took a deep breath. Joshua, where is your Mommy?
Sleeping. He sat down on the top step of the lower part of the staircase. I got bored, and I wanted to help, but the tray was too big.
As the owner of Rosewood Place, Annie knew very well the importance of providing a great experience for her guests. After all, they were the lifeblood of the business. Bessie had only been trying to make the Wallaces stay more pleasant by providing them with a meal in their room, but Annie couldn’t help but wish she’d just made them come downstairs to eat.
Annie watched the boy pick at the hem of his jeans. She wanted to be angry, to scold him for doing something so foolish, but she was having a hard time holding onto her anger. He looked so small, and he reminded her then of Devon at that age. Oh, how Devon had driven her mad trying to ‘help’ all the time. Stepping over the tray and broken dishes, she sat down a few steps below him.
I’m not mad. But you shouldn’t have tried to carry that big tray by yourself, and you definitely shouldn’t have left your room without your mommy. She’ll be worried about you when she wakes up.
As if on cue, Melody’s voice began cascading down the stairs. Joshua! Sweetheart, where are you? An edge of panic made Melody sound as if she was singing. Honey...sweetie!!!
He’s here, Annie replied, calling out to calm the anxious mother. On the stairs, but be careful, there’s broken glass.
Melody came to a halt on the landing behind her son. Annie smiled reassuringly at her, but she doubted the woman even registered it. Melody’s blonde hair was sticking up on one side, her face still had lines on it from the pillowcase, and a trickle of drool had dried along the lower part of her left cheek. Her mascara looked as though she’d been crying.
Melody glanced down the stairs and saw the mess. Oh, she stated simply. Her cheeks flushed. Did Joshua…
It’s okay, Annie interjected. I think he was trying to be helpful, though I did tell him that he shouldn’t have left your room without telling you.
Melody dropped to her son’s level and scooped him up. I’m so sorry that he made a mess. I’ll pay for the damages, she added.
Annie thought that Melody seemed different today than she’d been over the past few days. The woman who’d arrived at Rosewood had been brash, a little bossy, and quite annoying. This woman, Annie realized, was completely different. This woman seemed demure and apologetic, maybe even a little broken.
No worries, Annie replied. I keep plenty of extra dishes in case of accidents, she lied. Why don’t you take Joshua outside to see Karma? I’m sure he’d love to help Rory feed him some treats.
Rory returned just as he was being volunteered for babysitting duties. With only the slightest hint of a scowl, he passed the broom he carried to Annie. Sure, he smiled, but it was a little too forced. I’m sure Karma would love the attention.
Melody and Joshua followed Rory out through the front door and down the steps. Annie set to work cleaning up the mess made by the ‘helpful’ child. She wondered what her mother would have to say about the broken dishes, but Annie ultimately decided that she wouldn’t let the incident bother her. After all, the little boy had only been trying to help.
She carefully picked up the broken shards of crockery, blotted up spilled milk, and brushed the remnants of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich into the dustpan with her broom. She frowned when she noticed that the tray had left a scuff mark on the edge of the two bottom steps--it must have been the pressure from the tray’s contents shifting as it slid down to its disastrous final destination.
Annie ran her finger across the scuff and tried to buff away the scratches, but all she got for her efforts was a splinter.
Oh, good grief! Annie cried out louder than she’d meant to, and she suddenly hoped that Melody and Joshua weren’t near enough to hear her. She made a mental note to keep her frustrations in check in the future. The last thing she wanted was for her guests to feel unwanted, especially when they were only little boys.
Annie put her finger to her mouth and sucked at the splinter but it wouldn’t budge. It was long and dark, easy to see, but impossible to get at without long fingernails, which Annie didn’t have, or a pair of tweezers.
Everything alright?
Annie didn’t recognize the voice at first. It was deep and drawling, slow and soft. She spun, nearly losing her footing on the stairs and found herself struggling not to fall over. She was, she imagined, the epitome of clumsiness as she tried to see who had crept up behind her. A firm hand gripped her arm securely, steadying her on the stairs.
The arm was attached to Bo Michaels, who now spoke with a hint of concern in his voice. Ma’am, are you okay? I heard a loud crash just a minute ago. I would have come out here sooner but I was just getting out of the shower.
His wet hair glistened in the dim light of the stairwell, and Annie couldn’t help but notice how beautiful his hazel-colored eyes were.
I’m fine, Mr. Michaels, but thank you for helping me get my footing, she replied, pulling her arm away gently. One of our guests had a little accident with the tray, she explained.
Ah, would it be that little fella I saw playing in the hallway earlier? He was pushing a car up and down the hallway a little while ago. I guess he decided pushing the tray might be more fun? Bo flashed a blinding white smile. Annie felt a little like a schoolgirl standing next to the most popular guy in school. Bo Michaels was the closest thing to a celebrity that had ever been in Rosewood Place, and until now, she hadn’t given it much thought. Now, caught off-guard by the handsome guest, she wasn’t sure what her feelings about him were.
Ah, what? Oh, yes...yes, it was the little boy, Joshua. He was just trying to be helpful, she added, suddenly defensive of the child.
Bo grinned again. Looks like he did a fine job, he said through a mild snigger. Sorry, I shouldn’t laugh. It’s a lot like something I would have probably done as a kid. Here, let me help you with that. He reached down and lifted the tray filled with debris. Where would you like me to take this?
Annie had let her stinging finger drift up to her mouth without thinking, She pulled it away long enough to point towards the kitchen. Sorry, she apologized, I got a splinter on the step there and I can’t believe how bad the darned thing stings. I haven’t had a splinter in years--guess I forgot how much the stupid things can smart.
Bo flashed another smile before disappearing into the kitchen. He returned just a moment later carrying a pocket flashlight and what looked like a Swiss Army knife.
Here, let me see your finger. I’ve got tweezers and I’m not afraid to use ‘em.
Annie found herself offering her finger to Bo gingerly. Can you see it? she asked, squinting her own eyes.
Bo clicked the tiny flashlight on. Oh, yeah, that’s a whopper, he replied. But I can see the end sticking out. I should be able to get it, no problem. You hold still now, and I’ll have that big, bad splinter out in no time.
Annie was positive that she was blushing. She hoped that the dim light of the foyer wasn’t enough to let Bo see her glowing cheeks.
There, all done, he said after a moment. Look at the size of it...I think you had half the stair-step in there, he teased her.
The splinter was a big one, and Annie was glad that it was out. But now she felt weird and awkward, standing there in the semi-darkness with Bo. From somewhere in the kitchen she heard her mother’s voice. Annie took a half-step back away from Bo.
Thank you, Mr. Michaels. That was certainly, well, it was certainly a bit awkward. I mean, I don’t usually make it a habit to have my guests clean up after each other and I certainly don’t expect them to perform minor surgical procedures, she added with a laugh.
Now Bo blushed. Aw, now, it was nothing. And I kind of feel like I’m at home here, not a guest, so much. I mean, you and your mother have made this place feel so welcoming and homey, I reckon that’s why people must like it so much. He looked around admiringly. I love what y’all did with the place, he added.
Annie was surprised by his compliment. You’ve been in here before?
Oh, yeah, loads of times. When I was a kid, he clarified. Of course, half the times I came into this place, it was empty and I was on a dare.
Annie tried to imagine Bo as a child. I didn’t know you grew up around here. Did you live nearby?
He didn’t answer immediately. Sort of. For a while, anyway. I used to come up here looking for that white lady everybody talked about.
White lady? What’s that all about?
Oh, you know, the plantation’s resident ghost. They say she wanders around here looking for her lost lover, or maybe that buried treasure everyone seems to think is hanging around here. Now that, I’m sure, is a myth, but I swear I believe I’ve seen that white lady creeping around the place.
Annie stiffened. She had never seen any ‘white lady’ or any other ghostly specter, but she knew without a doubt that there was a real buried treasure on the property. She’d discovered its whereabouts not long after she’d moved into the house when she’d stumbled upon Rose Cooper’s diary hidden beneath one of the house’s floorboards. She’d also discovered a letter from Rose’s brother, John, in which he confessed to burying a bunch of stolen gold in Rose’s grave. To this day, as far as Annie knew, no one outside of her family and Emmett knew where the gold was located, and she intended to keep it that way.
Well, I know it’s cute for old houses like this to have ghost stories attached to them, and to have a legend about a lost treasure is even better, but I’m sorry to say that I haven’t seen either of those things. She could honestly say this because there was no way on earth that Annie was willing to dig up a grave just to search for stolen gold. She had found a gold coin with John’s letter, but Annie was willing to pretend that it was simply a lucky find--a relic from bygone days that could have belonged to anyone.
You must have known some of the previous residents here, or maybe the neighbors? I’ve only ever met Mr. LaRue myself. I have no idea who owns the land on either side of this place. Annie suddenly remembered that Mr. LaRue didn’t live behind her anymore. She started to say something about the morning’s events, but she noticed a strange look come across Bo’s face. Worried that she was coming across as too nosy, Annie changed the subject.
I’m sorry, Mr. Michaels. I just keep droning on...I have forgotten my manners. Can I offer you something to eat or drink to thank you for your help? We are having dinner brought in tonight, so Mama hasn’t been cooking, but I know she’s got some cookies in there that were just baked yesterday.
Bo gave an awkward smile. That’s alright, Miss Richards. I actually need to be going--I’ve got to meet with someone about some work--but I’m sure I’ll see you later. I’ve decided to stay on here a few more days if that’s alright. I’m enjoying the quiet, the nice people, he finished, causing Annie’s cheeks to flush again.
Why, it’s just fine, Mr. Michaels. You just let me know if you need anything while you’re here. She watched him turn and walk through the front door and down the porch steps. He paused at the bottom, turned, and waved back at her. She returned the wave and was about to close the door when Rory appeared, ushering a crying Joshua and a flustered Melody back inside.
Somebody got stung by a fire ant, Rory explained. He let his eyes follow Annie’s gaze as she watched Bo’s car make its way down the driveway. That the music man? he asked.
Uh-huh, she replied. He seems like a nice guy, she added.
Rory frowned. Well, now, that’s not what I wanted to hear.
Annie gave him a puzzled look as he moved past her, leading the youngster towards the kitchen and the hydrocortisone cream that would quell the burning and itching on the boy’s foot.
5
A Tiny House and a Tiny Mystery
The afternoon drifted lazily into the evening, and by the time Devon arrived home with the pizzas, the residents of Rosewood Place were settled in comfortably for the night. Annie had been only mildly surprised when Melody asked if she and her son could stay for ‘a few’ more days. Annie likely would have told her no, but the woman paid for her first three nights prior to asking, so she let the impromptu extension slide. After all, she didn’t have a shortage of rooms or an overabundance of guests scheduled right then, and it really didn’t pay to turn away business.
Let’s just eat out on the veranda, Annie suggested. There’s a nice breeze blowing out there and besides, there aren’t any guests eating with us. Mr. Michaels isn’t back yet and Melody plans to eat in her room again.
Annie had managed to have another brief chat with the woman in the kitchen earlier. She’d seemed so sad and frustrated that Annie had felt sorry for her. It couldn’t be easy being a single parent to such a rambunctious little boy, and there was obviously something going on in Melod
y’s private life that was causing her some serious stress. Annie hoped that Melody would take her up on her offer to have a mom to mom chat before she left. It might just help make Melody feel better to know that most little boys like Joshua grew up just fine, even when they only had one parent caring for them.
Melody and Joshua took their pizza upstairs and borrowed a few DVDs from the house’s library. Devon barely took enough time to kiss his mother and retrieve Karma from his doghouse before disappearing upstairs into his attic bedroom. Annie, Rory, and Bessie found themselves alone, apart from the company of one very friendly orange cat, on the veranda overlooking the front lawn.
The sun had begun to set, streaking the sky with pinks and oranges that penetrated white clouds, turning them into ever changing pieces of artwork hanging in the ether. Annie chewed a slice of pizza thoughtfully, wondering if Emmett had managed to find any of Frances LaRue’s family members in order to notify them about his death.
Who do you think will get the land? She posed her question to Rory, but it was Bessie who replied.
Well, if that brother of his is still alive, I reckon he’ll come sniffing around here for it. But you know that mean old man had a son who left town years ago--Emmett told me all about it. From what I hear, nobody much liked Frances LaRue. I just hope that whoever inherits the property isn’t as big a jerk as Frances was, God rest his mean old soul.
Annie shook her head in disbelief. Trust you to know everything about it, Mama. But what if he doesn’t have any next of kin? Do you think it would just go to the state then? Maybe we could buy it. She still hadn’t given up on the idea of expanding the inn’s property. Hopefully, one day it would be more than just a dream.
I think it’s no good getting our hopes up until we see what Emmett turns up. For all we know, LaRue has a whole slew of relatives just waiting for a chance to get their hands on the land. I mean, I know it’s not much, but you know this land will be worth something sooner or later. Look at how the town has spread out these past ten years or so--it won’t be long before developers come sniffing around out here, buying up land and building those godawful strip malls. He shuddered at the thought. I just hope that whoever gets it is either willing to sell it to you or unwilling to part with it for any price. I’d hate to be neighbors with a shopping center.
Greed & Deadly Deceit Page 3