I found my man, more gorgeous than ever, waiting on the living room sofa, eyes closed and stroking Tulip behind her ears.
“Here I am. All clean and warmed.”
He leaped to his feet, sending the startled cat flying. His gaze swept over me as if taking inventory. Then his eyes connected with mine, and a broad grin erased the tightness in his face.
He crossed the room in three long strides. I let him pull me into his arms and relished the softness of his beard against my cheek. We didn’t move for several moments. At last we stepped apart, our hands still intertwined.
My gaze soaked in his wonderful face. “I thought I’d never see you again this side of heaven.”
“I kept thinking the same thing, mi caramela. To think I almost lost you again.” He led me to the couch where we snuggled under a fuzzy afghan.
“I’m proud of you, hon. You’re one tough cookie.”
“I’m not so strong.” I gave him a disjointed recital of the entire incident, ending with how stunned I was to hear LuAnn’s voice out there.
He brushed a curl from my forehead. “Chief Bronson called a few minutes ago. The state police spotted Kendall’s car outside Madison. They chased him a couple miles before he took an exit onto a state route then made a wrong turn into a cornfield. LuAnn was with him. Bronson and another officer are on their way to get them.”
I sat up and stared at Marc. “I’d like to know what that creep did to entice her into helping him. Kendall better not get away with any of this.”
“He won’t. You’ll probably be the star witness.”
A sudden vision of me being badgered by a defense attorney exploded into my mind. Ordinarily, such a thought would send my head spinning. But after tonight, a trial would be nothing. Especially if it put Kendall behind bars for life. He must have promised LuAnn the moon. My gut ached for her. God had been showing me a lot about forgiveness, and it wasn’t going to stop with Marc.
“While I was out there with that hood over my head, counting the drill holes, part of a verse kept running through my mind. ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’ I can’t remember where it comes from.”
Marc tugged me back against him. “Jesus said those words when he walked to the disciples on water in the middle of a storm.”
I chuckled and shook my head. “How appropriate is that? God knew the exact words I needed.” I leaned back and looked him in the eye. “How did Kendall sidetrack you?”
He dropped his gaze. “He was the other call that came in when you and I were talking. He insisted on putting the final touches on my contract immediately because he had to leave town. He said if I didn’t sign tonight, the offer might be in jeopardy because a couple board members were against the appointment. I was to meet him at the Grand Geneva.” He ran his tongue over his lower lip. “I looked for a place to turn around.”
My heart wrenched. Marc hadn’t changed after all.
“Then I thought of you and the commitment we’d made. How you were at the boathouse and in possible danger. I told him if he couldn’t wait until tomorrow, I wasn’t his guy. He shouted something I barely understood. All I caught was that I’d be sorry.”
My spirits rose only to be tempered by another thought. “But you didn’t come.”
“As I drove toward Rescaté a huge weight lifted. So what if I lost my job, and got accused for a crime I didn’t do. I had God and you. I needed nothing more. Then I rounded a curve and came to a detour. I figured the old bluff had dropped rock since I’d gone home, so I turned on Bonner Road. I tried to call, but got your voice mail.
“When I got to Rescaté the storm was heating up. Karl and I searched for you. Then I called Kitty, and she said you had left to meet me in town. I had to tell her the truth. I’m surprised you didn’t hear her scream.” A tear trailed from his left eye, and he swiped at it with the back of his hand.
My breath caught. Never had I seen him cry before.
“I should never have let you stay at the boathouse alone.”
I took his face in both my hands. “Marc, it was my decision to go there on my own and to stay. A bad one at that.”
He grabbed my hand and kissed the palm. “We were about to contact the police when you called. I thought you were dead, but here you are.” His damp eyes searched my face. “You are so beautiful.”
“Without a stitch of makeup on? You must really love me.”
He answered with a kiss that sent tingles clear to my toes, and I happily kissed him back. Both wounded and yet surviving, we’d make it now.
I snuggled against his shoulder. “So what happened next?”
“Karl relayed the information about Kendall to the police while I called the county sheriff and asked for a patrol boat.”
“I was afraid you didn’t hear me because my phone died.”
“We’d been searching for at least fifteen minutes when we spotted you. You were moving parallel to the shore.”
“I felt like I’d been swimming forever.”
“Probably delusional from the cold. Do you remember the deputy wanting to take you to the hospital to check for hypothermia?”
“No. Why didn’t he?”
He chuckled. “You insisted you weren’t going anywhere but here, and you’d soak in Kitty’s tub. We decided with the thermal blanket around you and a hot bath, you’d be okay.”
I settled against Marc’s chest then bolted upright. “Pedro’s in the boathouse. We need to get him.”
He tugged me back to him. “Karl has him safe and sound, and you’re going nowhere but to bed for at least a day or two.”
“I’ll go to sleep, but I’m going to work tomorrow.”
“As your boss, I order you to stay home.”
“As your rebellious employee, I refuse.”
He chuckled. “I know better than to argue, but no alarm.”
A few minutes later, I was jostled awake as Marc carried me upstairs. Kitty met us in the hall and led the way to my room. I have to presume that once he settled me on the bed, Kitty shooed him away and cut the light because I was gone before my head hit the pillow.
Chapter 49
The next morning, I wandered into Rescaté’s kitchen an hour later than normal and stared at the huge sacks of bagels and sweet rolls piled on the counter. But the red roses sitting next to the goodies almost caused me to lose it. I picked up the note scribbled in Marc’s handwriting.
“Mi caramela, the flowers are to say how much I love you, and the bagels and sweet rolls are for the gang. Fresh fruit is in the fridge. Let me know when you get here.
Love, Marc”
I buried my face in the blossoms and breathed in the heady fragrance. Had it only been two weeks since we reunited in this very room? My sensibilities said to slow down, but my heart said otherwise. It wasn’t as if we’d just met, didn’t have a history.
I ground Arabica beans and set up the espresso maker. Marc would get the best latte I could hope to make. As I poured steamed milk into one of the drinks, the kitchen phone rang. I set down the pan and answered.
“My, April, you sound happy. I tried your cell but got a recording.”
“Hi, Flavia. I haven’t had a chance to call since we got cut off. Sorry I didn’t call you back right away. My cell phone is history, but I have good news about Isabel—”
“I already know. Isabel didn’t kill Ramón.”
“How’d you find out?”
“She called last night and said she wished she and Ramón could have made peace before he died. She feels awful that he passed while they were on the outs. I’m sure she didn’t kill him.”
Flavia then launched into a new story about her daughter. I was waiting to get a word in when Rosemary came to the door.
I covered the phone with my hand and mouthed, “What’s up?”
“Chief Bronson is on the phone and wants to talk to you ASAP.”
He was the last person I wanted to speak with, but I excused myself from Flavia with a promise to e-mail the
cake recipe, and then waited for Rosemary to put the call through.
The phone rang and I answered with a more subdued greeting than the one I’d used with Flavia.
“What are you trying to do? Get into the detective business?” The chief punctuated his words with a laugh, but the ever-present sarcastic tone remained.
“Not hardly. I almost got killed last night.”
“But you got away after he left you for dead.” Was that a note of respect I heard in his voice? “I hate to admit when I’m wrong, but for once I’m glad I was.”
I almost dropped the phone. “I don’t know how much I contributed.”
“Thanks to Montclaire’s cleverness, we came close to arresting the wrong man.”
“Kendall confessed?”
“I’m not supposed to divulge this kind of information. But since you had a hand in nailing him, I can tell you that Montclaire told LuAnn that her usefulness to him was over, and he had intentions of killing her. When he realized the girlfriend had already confessed to us, he started talking. Good thing the state police spotted him when they did or he’d have another murder one count against him.”
“Whatever led LuAnn to this? He must have promised her something big.”
“Greed. She and Montclaire had been having an affair for months. He said she’d be mistress of the mansion once he got Rescaté out of there. Too much temptation for a small-town girl on a waitress’s salary. She’s the one who ran you down that morning. He got her to exchange the poisoned Gingko Biloba capsules with Galvez’s while he was in New York, creating an alibi.”
I let the information sink in. “Kendall thought if Ramón died Rescaté would vacate the mansion?”
“It’s a bit more complicated. I always had a hunch Darlene Montclaire had been murdered, and now we know.”
“Darlene Montclaire?”
“Montclaire’s first wife. Fifteen years ago he poisoned her after she told him she wanted a divorce and threatened to take him for all he had. He buried her in Rescaté’s dirt basement. She’s been on a missing persons list all that time.”
I stared at the floor, thankful I’d had no reason to visit the cellar.
“When his father willed the mansion to Rescaté, Kendall panicked. Galvez made a surprise visit to the mansion and found Montclaire digging up her body. To buy Galvez’s silence, Montclaire promised to donate a million bucks to Rescaté. Galvez agreed, but when the money didn’t materialize, he threatened to call the authorities. That’s when Montclaire convinced LuAnn to help him poison Galvez. He counted on Doc Fuller’s not realizing the man died of poisoning which, of course happened.”
“That explains the phone call I overheard, and I suppose he set up that roadblock for Marc last night.”
“No rocks fell at the bluff last night. We confirmed it. He figured if he couldn’t lure Thorne away by that contract talk, he’d at least have more time if Thorne had to take the long way to Rescaté. Had LuAnn set up that fake detour sign while he took care of you.”
I stared at the floor again and my neck hairs stood on edge. “Chief, I have to ask. Is the first Mrs. Montclaire . . . um . . . still buried here?”
“No. Montclaire says he actually convinced Galvez to help him and they moved the remains to a wooded area on a nearby farm. Some officers are digging over there now.”
Marc and Karl entered the room, Marc wearing a grin and Karl wearing Pedro on his shoulder. I waggled my fingers at them. “Let me know when you want me to make my statement, and I’ll be there, Chief. Are there any more questions you need answered?”
“Nope. I’ll give you a call later and set up an appointment. We’ll probably have Thorne come in at the same time for his statement.”
I hung up and grinned at the men. “What’s this all about?”
Karl came forward. “Hold out your arm.”
I did and the bird hopped aboard. “What’s for breakfast?”
“Certainly, not chocolate. But I think we’re buds for life.” I stroked the bird’s head. “Aren’t we, pretty boy?” I lifted a wing and peeked under it, seeing nothing but green feathers.
“What are you doing?” Marc’s voice held a tinge of wariness.
“Kendall seemed to think Ramón hid information on the bird, but I don’t see anything.”
Marc lifted Pedro’s other wing. “Nothing here either.”
I shrugged. “Guess Ramón had the last laugh on Kendall.”
“I’d say you did,” Marc said. “He left you to die, and here you are.”
The bird bobbed his head. “Pedro is a good boy.”
I looked at the bird still perched on my arm. “You sure are.”
“I’ll take him back now.” Karl patted his shoulder, and Pedro hopped on.
“Hey, Karl, I’m cooking my to-die-for chili tonight at Kitty’s. Why don’t you join us?”
Marc’s eyes widened in surprise. Who could blame him? I didn’t know I was cooking either until the words left my mouth.
Karl thought for a moment. “Sounds good, but I can’t. I’m going to that meeting with my buddy.”
“No problem. We’ll do it another time.” I tossed him a wink.
Marc shut the door after the pair left and gathered me off the stool and into his arms. “You were inviting another man to dinner?”
I scrunched my nose. “I intended to invite you too.”
“Then I accept. If your chili is still as good as it was before. . .”
“It’s even better.” I glanced at the flowers. “Thank you for the roses and food.”
He kissed my nose. “Did you look inside the flowers?”
“I rubbed my face in them.”
“Look again.”
I stepped over to the roses and spotted the small burgundy box nestled among the stems. Was I getting my ring back? With shaking hands, I flipped the case open. A silver heart-shaped pendant decorated with a tiny diamond glistened against a dark velvet background.
Marc came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. “Recognize the stone?”
“From the ring?”
“I wanted you to have it, but as a promise for another ring to come. One I hope you’ll never throw at me.”
I ran my fingertips over the small stone as a lump filled my throat. “Will you put it on?” I handed him the necklace, then turned and waited for him to hook the chain.
He closed the clasp then brought me back around until our lips found each other. I was kissing the boss, and I didn’t care one bit. Let the rumors fly, because they’d all be true.
Chicken George
As prepared by April Love in Thyme for Love
Recipe Adapted by Pamela S. Meyers
Ingredients:
Extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil
10 oz. Sliced Baby Bella mushrooms (also called crimini mushrooms)
1 medium chopped onion
1-1/4 cup sour cream (can use nonfat or low-fat)
1-1/4 cup low sodium chicken broth
½ cup regular sherry (not cooking sherry)
6 boneless chicken breasts
8 oz. sliced Swiss cheese
8 oz. herb stuffing mix (or make your own dry seasoned bread for stuffing)
¾ cup butter
Set oven for 350 degrees.
Sauté sliced baby bellas and chopped onion in olive oil.
In medium bowl blend sour cream and chicken broth with either an immersion blender or hand-held mixer until smooth.
Add sautéed mushrooms and onions, along with the sherry, and mix together.
Arrange chicken breasts on bottom of 9 x 13 inch pan.
Layer the cheese slices over the chicken.
Pour mushroom, onion, and sherry mixture over the chicken.
Mix herb stuffing with the butter or margarine and drop in large spoonfuls over the layers.
Cover and bake at 350 degrees for one hour. Remove cover and bake an additional half hour.
Author Note
Dear Reader,
Thank you for reading Thyme for Love. It is my prayer that you enjoyed reading April and Marc’s story and that you have your appetite whetted to read more about them in the next book in this series, Love Will Find a Way.
When I first set out to write Thyme for Love, I knew I wanted it set in the beautiful area of southeastern Wisconsin where I grew up. For ease in writing I did not set the story in a real town, but loosely based it on the many small lake towns that can be found throughout Wisconsin. The village of Canoga Lake is fictional, but placed close enough to my hometown of Lake Geneva that it could be included in several scenes. I had great fun writing those scenes and giving Marc and April personal histories that included the lake and town.
One of my interests is cooking and I had a blast testing recipes to include in April’s cooking scenes. I’ve included the recipe in this book for Chicken George, the dish she makes for the memorial service buffet. The original recipe was given to me by a coworker years ago and called for canned soups instead of making it from scratch. Of course, a trained chef like April would never consider using canned soups in a recipe, so I developed my own version. It’s a dish I’ve served to guests and have given it away when a family from church is in need of meals. I’m often asked for the recipe.
If you would please leave a review of this book on the site where you purchased it, it would be very helpful to me, as I intend to have the next book in the series out soon. You can keep up with news of when my next book, Love Will Find a Way, will be available for purchase, by visiting my website or my Facebook Page.
Until next time, many blessings and happy reading!
Pam
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Thyme for Love (Cooking Up Trouble Book 1) Page 24