10
The Big News
“It’s been quite a day,” Mac said to the other men in the lobby. “I want to ask the three of you to keep everything that was said in the interrogation room under your hats. There will be a trial and I’m sure the lawyers will be in touch for your testimonies as needed. But I trust the three of you to not let this terrible story spread around town. Please keep everything to yourselves.”
The men agreed. Captain Pratt asked if he was free to leave Sweetfern Harbor. Mac told him he was free to leave but to let him know his whereabouts. He would be a witness at the trial and should expect to be called back soon. “You’ll be asked details of your relationship with both Scully and Eddy. The jury will have to have enough to decide what happens to him.” Wally and Pratt thanked the detective and left, still somewhat dazed. Bryce hung back to talk with Mac.
“You and Brenda did a good job, Mac. I can’t figure out why you don’t convince her to go to a Police Academy and make this a career for herself.”
Mac laughed. “She has no interest in doing this full time, but I admit she is very meticulous in picking up clues and she knows just when to act on a hunch.” They shook hands as friends and both were relieved to have cleared the air between them. Mac went back to his office when Bryce left the police station, and found Brenda in his office finishing up her notes. He smiled to see her there. She looked natural and right at home.
After the long, trying afternoon, the first glimmers of twilight were already descending over the town. “Let’s get some fresh air, Brenda. A walk will do us both good.”
She attempted a smile. “I know I initially thought Scully was the one, but now that we have heard his confession, his reasons still don’t make sense to me at all.”
“I suppose it was because he got out of control. Not a conscious decision. He admitted he has a short fuse but it still seems odd that he went so far. But we weren’t there. I suppose we’ll never know if there was something more to their fight than we were told.”
Once outside, they breathed in the breezes that carried the scent of the sea air and walked in silence for a couple of blocks.
“I have not grown tired of the fresh air here. The ocean smells wonderful,” Brenda said. “When I lived in Michigan I had no idea a place like this existed.”
“I’m glad Randolph willed the bed and breakfast to you. If he hadn’t, you would still be an assistant to that Private Investigator. Worse than that, I would never have met you.” He pulled her to his side and kissed her on the cheek.
“My uncle was a very generous man,” Brenda said. “I will always be thankful he thought of me in his will.” Her forehead wrinkled. “It is hard to believe just a few days ago the three captains were jostling with one another over who would win the race. Now, one is dead and it happened at the hands of his friend who is now booked for murder. I would never have thought they would turn on each other to the point of taking a life.”
“Jealousy is a strong emotion,” Mac said. “I’ve experienced it myself since Bryce came back to Sweetfern Harbor. He’s always been a flirt for as long as I’ve known him, but when he tries it with you, it’s almost more than I can take. I can understand jealousy turning to anger.”
“I can assure you Bryce has done nothing but harmlessly flirt with me. I can handle him and he knows it. I’ve gotten him to back off several times with ease. You have nothing to worry about along those lines, Mac. I know who I’m in love with.” Her eyes teased him.
“That’s a relief to me,” he said. “You know, Bryce was dating a very nice woman for almost a year. Her name was Susan and she was a junior attorney for a large firm. I don’t know what happened but they broke up. He pretends to be a player and a charmer, and he is, but I think he’s hiding a good heart underneath. I thought they made a good pair but apparently something was going on that those on the outside didn’t see.” He paused. “I have a feeling he’ll be leaving soon. I heard he’s up for a big promotion in his department in Brooklyn.”
By now they had walked from the station clear up the hill through town to the bed and breakfast, so they continued up to Sheffield House. Brenda sensed that Mac was reluctant to end their conversation even though it was time to say goodbye. She caught his eye. The teasing look was back.
“Where did you hide the ring I gave you?”
“I didn’t want to wear it and have to answer questions about it if you weren’t ready to make an announcement. It is hidden in a jewelry box in my apartment.” Brenda kept her fingers crossed in her pocket, wondering if his sudden good mood meant what she hoped it did.
“Go and put it on. If anyone asks you about it, tell them. I’m ready to pronounce you my girl to the whole town. You are the woman I’m going to marry.” The wide smile on her face pleased Mac and he grinned back at her. He waited while she ran upstairs to get the ring.
When she came downstairs, she handed him the sparkling jewel. “Let’s start all over again. Act as if I never had this beautiful stone on my finger in the first place.” Mac obliged and led her to the quiet library room in the back of the Sheffield. As they walked hand in hand, Brenda could feel her heart beating loudly in her chest.
In the twilight, the library had one single lamp glowing on a low table, and the polished wood of the bookcases gleamed in its light. Mac knelt down on the soft carpet on one knee and asked her to marry him. She said yes and he slipped the ring on her finger. Brenda had not been this happy since the first time he did it, but this time she knew it was more real, more solid, and more tested by time. His kiss on her lips warmed her entire mind and body.
When they pulled back from one another and were finally ready to exit the library together, Brenda made an observation.
“This place seems quieter than it should be. I wonder where everyone is.” Her face clouded with confusion as she peeked into the hall. Even Allie was not at her post to greet guests who came in. She walked over to her office and glanced in. “I wonder where Allie could be. She should be here taking care of business.” Brenda fidgeted a little bit, disappointed that she couldn’t spill the good news right away.
Mac repressed a smile. “I’m sure they are all busy with important business, you can tell them soon enough. Come here, Brenda. I have something very important to say.” She turned back to him. “I want to apologize for how I hurt you when I said we should keep the engagement quiet. Well, you are the light of my life and the woman I am going to marry, and you deserve a big announcement. You deserve that and so much more.” His smile was tender as he held her in his arms. “So I have a surprise for you.”
“What kind of surprise?” Brenda was a fan of surprises but his words puzzled her.
“You’ll see.” With that, he asked her to cover her eyes and he carefully led her through the house. She sensed they were walking toward the kitchen or the back porch, she wasn’t quite sure. Then he leaned in close to her ear and whispered, “Okay, you can look now.”
When Brenda opened her eyes, she was standing at the threshold of the door to the lawn, and she gaped. Lights were strung around the perimeter of the garden, twinkling in the darkness. Their light enclosed a large group of people from Sweetfern Harbor. Every staff member stood on the front edge of the crowd. Allie lit the last candle on a large cake on a table in the middle before joining her co-workers.
“Surprise!” they yelled. The crowd cheered and clapped as Brenda covered her mouth in amazement and blinked back happy tears. She hugged Mac and gazed out at the beautiful gathering. Together they stepped onto the lawn toward the cake that read ‘Congratulations on your engagement Mac and Brenda’ in fancy curly script with fondant roses around the edge. She recognized Hope Williams’ handiwork immediately and felt encircled by the love of everyone in Sweetfern Harbor.
Phyllis hurried over to Brenda and gave her a big hug. “Congratulations Brenda, you are getting a good man. Now let me take a quick look at that diamond.” Brenda held her hand out amid more bursts of joy that came from every
one who came up to embrace her and shake Mac’s hand with happy wishes for the future couple.
“That’s some stone, Mac,” said Hope with a grin. “That must have set you back.” She gave him a mock punch in the shoulder and laughed at her humor.
“I’d pay one hundred times that and more for the woman I love.”
As soon as she got a chance, Brenda turned her face up to Mac. “I’m thrilled. I can’t believe you thought of all of this. I love you, Mac Rivers.” They kissed until someone shouted it was time to cut the cake and get the party going.
Music started to play from one of Brenda’s favorite bands. Mac took her hand and led her to the dance floor set up under the trees. Everyone watched happily as they danced gazing into each other’s eyes. Mac then waved his hand toward them all and invited them to join in on the dance floor. Soon it was filled with dancing couples. Brenda noticed Bryce when he stumbled a couple of times as he moved across the floor with Allie. She smiled to herself. Allie had hoped the handsome detective would one day take her in his arms and Brenda had to smile that the teenager’s dream came true. She made a mental note to caution Allie later in regard to not taking flirty Bryce seriously. As for now, she reveled in the arms of the man she loved.
After a few dances, Jenny pulled her father and Brenda toward the table laden with a variety of food. Hope Williams, true to form, had brought not only the sumptuous cake but also decorated cupcakes to be placed at the end of the table. She told them congratulations again and hugged Brenda.
“I want to personally welcome you to our family, Brenda.” Jenny’s happiness was genuine. “I’m glad my father finally made it all public. You’ll have to nudge him once in a while.” She laughed and kissed her father’s cheek. “You know how to choose a good woman, Dad.” Brenda was happy to know that along with a husband came a daughter like Jenny.
They sat at a long table. Phyllis sat next to Brenda and the two women shared a look of deep excitement and joy at having each found the man they loved. “Phyllis, you must agree to be my Maid of Honor.” The words caused a sudden tear to trickle down Phyllis’ cheek. She nodded agreement since no words were possible due to the lump in her throat.
Brenda turned to the other women. Jenny sat next to her father. Allie and Molly were across from them with Hope and David Williams. Brenda pointed to each of the women one by one and said. “You will be my Bridesmaids.” All of them, unlike Phyllis, found words. Allie made several enthusiastic suggestions about the wedding and Hope joined in. Brenda became aware that as long as she told them how she wanted it all to transpire, they would get it done.
“I don’t know about a big fanfare like that,” said Mac warily. Everyone shouted him down good naturedly and he put his arms around Brenda. “I’m defeated. I surrender!” Everyone laughed and told him he had no say in any of it. Jenny jabbed him on the arm and told him to just make sure he showed up the day of the wedding.
Brenda felt someone come up behind them and turned to face her fiancé’s old friend.
“Congratulations to you both,” said Bryce. “I’m really happy for you. Just know you’ll have to keep Mac in line, Brenda.”
Laughter spilled out again. “Sit down and eat with us,” said Mac. He felt secure and comfortable with Bryce now that Brenda was his so publicly. Perhaps there was something to living life in the public eye, he reflected.
Bryce retrieved food and joined them. “I have some news of my own,” he said. All eyes moved to him. “I’m going to stick around for quite a while. I’ve just been hired by Chief Ingram. He told me he needed a new detective since the town has been taking in more tourists than ever before.” He looked around for responses.
“I think that’s great,” said David. “With everything going on around here I’m sure the police are stretched more than they used to be. We’re not quite the tiny little village we used to be.” He reached across the table and shook hands with Bryce.
Bryce turned to Mac. “I’ll be moving back up to Sweetfern Harbor. Now I’ll get to work with you all the time.” Mac visibly rolled his eyes. Bryce winked at Brenda.
“I’m sure Mac will enjoy working with you,” she said. Mac rolled his eyes again. She had a feeling they would be friendly competitors and, hopefully, spur each other to work better out of love and not spite.
“Maybe we will get a chance to do a night on the town one day after all, Brenda,” Bryce said.
“Maybe as a double date, Bryce. But not with Allie,” she teased. “She’s not even eighteen yet. You really should find someone your own age and not rob the cradle.” Bryce tried to defend himself as Allie blushed.
“Allie, you’d never be able to trust this one anyway, you’re not missing out,” Mac said playfully. “And, Bryce, you have to admit that Brenda’s got you there. And don’t get any ideas about my fiancé anyway. She belongs to me and me only.”
Brenda changed the subject before the old jealousy returned. Nothing was going to spoil a night like this one. Several more friends from the town approached their table to offer congratulations to the happy couple. Then William Pendleton came up to shake Mac’s hand, and his eyes landed on Phyllis with a smile. He turned back to Mac saying, “Sorry I’m late to the party, Mac. I am so happy to celebrate with you both.”
“Where have you been all evening?” Phyllis asked him. “You missed the good news.”
“I know all about the reasons for this celebration. I was caught longer than expected in New York City and just got back.” He congratulated Brenda and Mac. Phyllis pulled up a chair next to her. He filled his plate and sat down.
As they chatted some more, Phyllis and William soon appeared to be in their own world and everyone around them became secondary. They gazed adoringly at each other. Brenda leaned toward Mac and whispered, “Do you think we will still be so in love when we are that old?”
“I have no doubt at all about that.”
“You’re right. Our love will surpass all time.”
Their eyes locked with notable passion. Suddenly, they were the only two people in the yard.
Dear Reader,
Hi there. Thank you for reading.
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Thanks again,
Wendy Meadows
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About the Author
Wendy Meadows is an emerging author of cozy mysteries. She lives in “The Granite State” with her husband, two sons, two cats and lovable Labradoodle.
When she isn’t working on her stories she likes to tend to her flower garden, relax with adult coloring and play video games with her family.
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