Sprinkles and Skeletons

by Leena Clover

  “It’s up to you, Barb,” Jenny said. She grabbed the opportunity to get something off her plate. “You have more experience about these things.”

  “Don’t worry,” Barb consoled her. “You’ll be a pro at this too, once you have chaired a few committees.”

  “Do you have any specific ideas for the fund raiser?” Molly asked Dale.

  “I do,” Dale told her. “But I prefer to give everyone a chance. Let’s see what the people in your town come up with first.”

  “Isn’t that idiotic?” Molly burst out after Barb and Dale left. “If he has some suggestions, why not come out with them right now? What’s the point in wasting time?”

  “He’s so full of himself,” Heather complained.

  She had lost all interest in Dale after spotting his wedding ring.

  “Calm down, Molly,” Jenny soothed. “He’s just milking the situation. Let him. I don’t mind giving him credit if he has concrete ideas.”

  “Forget about Barb for a moment,” Heather said. “What are you going to do about those missing women?”

  “I’m not sure, Heather. I’m open to ideas.”

  “Start with the phone book,” Star advised. “It’s an old fashioned way of finding someone but it still works.”

  “That’s so quaint,” Heather scoffed. “I can look them up online right now.”

  “Do you expect to find their social profiles?” Molly asked Heather. “They are missing, remember?”

  “You both have a point,” Jenny told them. “I need to determine if they are still missing. I think I am going to track down their families. Go and talk to them.”

  “I’m up for a road trip any time,” Heather whooped. “Now I have to get going. I have a lunch date in Cape Charles.”

  “Who are you meeting this time?” Jenny asked.

  “A gorgeous stud muffin,” Heather crowed. “Here. I’ll show you his picture.”

  “Character is more important than looks,” Betty Sue preached. “You should know that by now.”

  “I’d rather have both,” Heather said smugly.

  She picked up her fancy new handbag and skipped down the café steps.

  “Did she have her bag with her all this time?” Betty Sue asked the ladies, looking bewildered. “Who’s going to take Tootsie for her walk?”

  “I’ll do it, Betty Sue,” Molly offered.

  “No. You get back to your desk. Don’t give anyone a chance to point fingers.”

  “What’s the use? I’m losing my job anyway.”

  “Don’t give up yet, Molly,” Star said. “Barb Norton’s taken up your cause. She’s sure to raise a storm and get you those donations.”

  Molly looked surprised.

  “We might give her a hard time, Molly,” Petunia spoke up. “But Barb gets the job done.”

  Jenny added her two cents.

  “She won us that Prettiest Town award, didn’t she? Save our Library is in good hands.”

  Jenny pushed her notebook toward Betty Sue. She didn’t want to waste time looking in phone books if there was a quicker way to get that information.

  Betty Sue picked up the notebook confidently. “I know the old Eastern Shore families. Some of them have been here for generations. James Morse, my ancestor, was known to be a very social man. He invited sailors like him from neighboring towns for an annual barbecue.”

  “So?” Jenny asked hopefully.

  Betty Sue peered at the names and shook her head.

  “None of these sound familiar.”

  “I have a stack of old phonebooks,” Star told her. “I’ll dig them out for you.”

  “You think one of these women is Mrs. Bones?” Molly asked.

  “I hope not, Molly,” Jenny sighed. “I hope they were all found long ago and are living happy, healthy lives with their families.”

  “What are the odds of that?” Molly asked.

  None of the women had an answer to that question.

  Chapter 7

  Jenny dredged fresh slimy oysters in seasoned flour and fried them. She had already made her special tartar sauce.

  “These oyster po’boys are going to be a big hit,” Petunia said confidently.

  “You really think so?”

  “Of course. We have all tasted them. They are delicious.”

  The aroma of the frying oysters wafted through the café and on to the street. There was a sudden influx of customers asking about the day’s specials.

  Jenny got busy assembling the sandwiches and served them as quickly as she could. She spotted a familiar figure at a small window table, taking a big bite of her sandwich.

  “Hello,” Jenny said tentatively, going over to greet Keith. “How’s it going?”

  “Your food is so tasty,” Keith Bennet said, giving her a thumbs up. “Almost like my mom’s.”

  “That’s the biggest compliment you could give me,” Jenny beamed. “Does your mother make these a lot?”

  “She used to,” Keith said, sounding morose. “She left us.”

  “Oh,” Jenny exclaimed. “I’m sorry about that.”

  “Why should you be sorry?” Keith laughed.

  His eyes shone with a strange light and his laughter sounded a bit crazed to Jenny.

  “Enjoy your meal,” Jenny told him as she topped up his sweet tea.

  “Have you moved into your new home?” Keith asked.

  “Not yet,” Jenny said.

  “Good for you.”

  “I beg your pardon?”

  “Seaview’s not going to do you any favors.”

  Jenny ignored him and walked to the next table. There were two big groups of tourists who were tasting the local oysters for the first time. Jenny glowed as they complimented her food. She had cooked multi course gourmet meals for her husband and his rich friends, but they had never taken the time to praise her cooking. Jenny rubbed the heart shaped charm around her neck, thinking about her old life. She had come a long way from the suburban housewife who scrambled to fulfill her husband’s slightest whim.

  Petunia handed her a slice of carrot cake when she went back to the kitchen.

  “That thug ordered this.”

  “Who, Keith?” Jenny asked. “He’s a bit rough around the edges, huh?”

  Keith was sucking his tea through a straw, making a gurgling noise.

  “I hear you turned the top floor into a studio?” he called out to Jenny.

  “What?”

  “Those skylights are cool, aren’t they? And the view from those windows is priceless.”

  “How do you know that?” Jenny asked in alarm.

  Keith shrugged and attacked his carrot cake.

  “Have you been inside Seaview?” she pressed.

  “I’d say that,” Keith shrugged.

  “How? When?”

  Jenny looked at Keith’s scruffy beard and noticed the slight tremor in his hands. She pictured him sneaking into her house, touching everything.

  “It was a while ago.”

  “How is that possible? Seaview has been locked up for several years.”

  Keith scratched his beard and looked a bit uncertain.

  “Let’s say I managed, okay?”

  Jenny put her hands on her hips and glared at him.

  “Did you break into Seaview, Keith?”

  “Didn’t need to,” Keith said with a mouth full of cake.

  “What does that mean?”

  Keith looked over his shoulder and leaned toward Jenny. “I had a key.”

  “Did the realtor give you one?”

  Keith shook his head.

  “I used to live there.”

  “What?”

  Jenny collapsed in a chair and stared at Keith.

  “Who are you, really?”

  “My grandpa planted that garden at Seaview,” Keith told her. “He chose every detail, right from the wainscoting to the drapes at the windows. Didn’t live to enjoy it though, poor guy.”

  “You are related to old man Davis?” Jenny asked, her
eyes round with surprise.

  “Yes Ma’am.”

  “You’re Lily’s son,” Jenny said in a rush as she connected the dots.

  “Guilty as charged!”

  “What are you doing in Pelican Cove?”

  Keith looked around the café meaningfully.

  “Enjoying my summer, like everyone else.”

  “Do you come here often?” Jenny asked curiously.

  Keith shook his head. “I’ve always wanted to visit. But I never made it back, until now.”

  “How long is your vacation?” Jenny asked.

  “It’s kinda open ended. I don’t need to rush anywhere.”

  “Would you like a tour of Seaview?” Jenny asked generously. “The police should let me move in any day now.”

  “About that …” Keith muttered. He rubbed his eyes and frowned. “Seaview belongs to me, actually.”

  “You mean Seaview will always be home for you?” Jenny quizzed.

  “No. I mean it’s my house. I own Seaview.”

  Jenny laughed.

  “Nice try.”

  “What’s so funny? Seaview belongs to me.”

  “I bought Seaview with a big chunk of money,” Jenny said gently. “My lawyer did all the paperwork. I am the legal owner of the house now.”

  Keith shook his head.

  “That’s where you are wrong. As a direct descendant of Grandpa Davis, I have an equal right to the property. I am part owner of Seaview. And I didn’t give permission to sell.”

  “I don’t know about that,” Jenny said, beginning to lose her cool. “There’s a piece of paper that says I am the new owner. Seaview is my home now and no one is going to take it from me.”

  Keith was equally agitated.

  “But I didn’t give permission to sell.”

  “Maybe you should see a lawyer,” Jenny bristled.

  She pulled out a small notepad from her pocket and scribbled Jason’s name on it.

  “Here’s my lawyer’s information. Feel free to discuss this with him.”

  Keith’s face had settled into a pout.

  “I didn’t say they could sell,” he repeated. “I’m an heir too. I have rights.”

  “Goodbye, Keith,” Jenny said, getting up.

  “I don’t like lawyers,” Keith mumbled, reading the piece of paper Jenny had slapped on the desk.

  He struggled to his feet and shuffled out of the café. Jenny stood staring at his back until he was out of sight. She was trying hard to keep her chin up. Seaview seemed to present a new problem every day. Jenny was beginning to believe the place was jinxed.

  Barb Norton came in with Dale. They ordered the oyster po’boys.

  “Jenny here has put our town on the map,” Barb boasted. “It’s October, but the tourist season is still going strong.”

  Jenny blushed furiously as Dale gave her an admiring look. She sensed he was a bit of a player. He looked very handsome in a blue shirt and neatly pressed khakis. Like Heather, Jenny noticed his wedding band and sighed.

  “Does your wife like to read?” she asked politely.

  “Our whole family loves books,” Dale gushed. “My wife and I read to our girls since they were babies. My youngest started reading at three.”

  “Is that why you started lobbying for the library?”

  “I believe in giving back,” Dale said a tad pompously. “The library has given us so much. I want every family like ours to utilize the same benefits.”

  “Dale and I went through some of the fund raising suggestions,” Barb interrupted.

  She needed to be the center of attention all the time.

  “Oh yeah,” Jenny said. “I’m sorry I missed the first meeting. I couldn’t get away.”

  “If you have any input, you can give it to me now,” Barb conceded. “I’ll make an allowance for you this time, since you started this whole effort.”

  “You’re the expert, Barb. I’m sure you will choose the best option. Just put me to work when the time comes.”

  Barb narrowed her eyes and questioned Jenny.

  “What do you think about setting up a concession stand outside the library?”

  “Is that going to be enough?” Jenny asked doubtfully.

  “You will just be selling food to the people that come to the main event,” Barb explained. “Every little bit helps.”

  “I need to talk to Petunia about this,” Jenny considered. “But I think we can do it at cost. We will donate any profit we make to the library fund.”

  “That’s great,” Barb beamed. “Now let me taste these oysters the whole town is raving about.”

  She took a bite of her sandwich and moaned in delight.

  “Charge double for this,” she ordered. “It’s for a good cause.”

  Petunia came out and handed her a basket.

  “Delivery for the police station.”

  “Good,” Jenny said. “I need to talk to Adam anyway.”

  “I packed your lunch in there too,” Petunia smiled. “Don’t rush back.”

  Adam Hopkins rummaged through the basket and pulled out two sandwiches. He offered one to Jenny.

  “Care to have lunch with me?”

  Jenny sat down with a sigh. Her feet ached and she had a blister which was beginning to hurt a lot.

  “Delicious!” Adam pronounced as he bit into his po’boy. “This sauce is the real deal, Jenny.”

  “Do you know the family that lived at Seaview?”

  “Barely,” Adam told her. “The girl was much younger. The boy went to our high school for a semester. Didn’t really hang out with him.”

  “He’s here and he’s giving me a hard time.”

  “Who is?” Adam asked with a frown.

  He unwrapped two giant cookies and bit into one.

  “Keith! Remember I told you about him?”

  “You mean the guy you were complaining about two days ago?”

  “He says he owns Seaview.”

  “That’s ridiculous,” Adam said. “Didn’t Jason handle your deal? I’m sure he checked all the boxes.”

  “I have full confidence in Jason,” Jenny said. “But I have a feeling Keith is going to be a nuisance.”

  “Maybe he just wants to see his old house.”

  “I offered him a tour. But I guess he wants more.”

  “More what? Money?”

  “He looks quite uncouth,” Jenny said. “You should bring him in.”

  “For what? He hasn’t done anything wrong … yet.”

  “You don’t agree he’s suspicious?”

  “Where do you meet these people, Jenny?” Adam grumbled. “I think you go looking for trouble.”

  “He just walked into the café one day. How am I to know he’s the prodigal son?”

  “You’re giving him too much importance.”

  “He calls himself the heir of old man Davis.”

  “So he is.”

  “That doesn’t mean he can threaten me.”

  “Has he really threatened you??” Adam asked patiently. “We might have some grounds to bring him in if he has.”

  “Not really,” Jenny admitted. “He just keeps talking about Seaview.”

  “Ignore him.”

  “That’s what I plan to do,” Jenny said meekly.

  Secretly, she decided to give Keith a piece of her mind. Then she realized she had no idea where he was staying.

  “Did you go to the Save our Library committee meeting?” she asked Adam.

  “Is that the latest of Barb’s projects?” Adam laughed.

  “Laugh all you want. Molly’s about to lose her job.”

  Adam sobered at the thought.

  “Those ladies are always up to something,” he explained. “Sign me up as a volunteer. I will help any way I can. But no frivolous meetings.”

  “When can I have my house back?” Jenny asked next.

  “I was saving the best for dessert,” Adam smiled.

  He pulled open a drawer and took a key from it. He handed it to
Jenny.

  “All yours, Madam. You can move in whenever you want.”

  “I hope you didn’t mess up the place too much?”

  “It could do with a cleaning,” Adam grimaced. “I can pitch in.”

  “We need an army of people to clean a house that size,” Jenny sighed.

  Jenny felt exhausted just thinking about it.

  “Let’s meet there at six,” Adam suggested.

  “It’s been a long day,” Jenny yawned. “I guess the cleaning can wait till tomorrow.”

  “Weren’t you badgering me all this time about getting that house back?” Adam asked. “Just meet me there at six. And don’t worry about dinner.”

  Jenny walked back home, grumbling about how unromantic Adam was. A group of people greeted her at Star’s cottage. Heather, Molly, Chris, Jason and Star stood around, armed with buckets, mops and cleaning supplies.

  “Let’s get this party started,” Star cried.

  Seaview sparkled like a jewel a few hours later. Jenny sat on the carpet in the great room downstairs, eating pizza with her friends.

  “Welcome home, Jenny,” Adam said softly, feeding her a slice of pizza.

  He was just a different kind of romantic.

  Chapter 8

  “How are you settling in?” Betty Sue asked Jenny, her hands busy knitting something new.

  “It’s a bit different from Star’s cottage,” Jenny admitted, “but we’re loving it.”

  “We sure are!” Star exclaimed.

  She hadn’t moved all her stuff into Seaview yet but she had been living there with Jenny.

  “I might give in and rent out my cottage after all.”

  “No suspicious sounds at night?” Heather needled. “Weird lights?”

  “None, thank you,” Jenny said lightly.

  “You can be honest with us,” Heather persisted. “Are you saying you aren’t afraid at all? Not even a tiny bit?”

  Jenny rubbed the tiny horseshoe hanging around her neck.

  “I’ve been so tired, I’m out like a light. And Star’s there to keep me company.”

  “Is Nick coming this weekend?” Petunia asked with a smile.

  She had grown fond of Jenny’s son.

  “Oh yes,” Jenny said with a smile. “He can’t wait. He’s struggling through his mid-terms but he’ll be here soon.”

  “Has Adam visited you there yet?” Heather asked with a wink. “What does he think of your room?”