by Jolyn Sharp
Annie looked over at Mary Beth, who was nodding and beaming with pride at her protégés.
“And I have news to add,” Mary Beth said. “On a whim, I drove out to the Two Ewe farm and dropped in on the kids. And guess what?” She paused for dramatic effect. “They aren’t exactly kids anymore. Their oldest son just graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in animal husbandry, and they’ve helped him buy a small farm next door. So they’re growing and—I’m going to debut their newest line at the party!”
A twitter rippled through the group, and Mary Beth continued, “And the new line is called …” She held up her hands. “Wait for it …” She grinned. “Four Ewe! Get it?”
The group, including Megan, responded to the pun with laughter and groans, but as the women packed up their projects in their individual tote bags, they were chatting away about the exciting event Mary Beth and Laura had planned for them.
****
When the club’s meeting had concluded, Annie and Alice walked down Main Street toward the Cultural Center. Looking toward Magruder’s, Annie said, “I still need to stock up on groceries.”
“But you must be happy to be back in Grey Gables,” Alice said with a smile.
“Alice, I can’t thank you enough for putting me up through this,” Annie said for only about the hundredth time. “And for helping me get the house back into shape.”
“Oh, Annie, you know you don’t have to thank me. But are you happy to see the perpetrator now in custody?”
Annie frowned. “I feel a little relief at knowing the whole story,” she said, “but Lionel Burke just seems so sad and confused that I can’t take any pleasure in seeing him caught. If anything, I hope he’ll get some help, but I imagine that he is first going to have to deal with the consequences of his criminal behavior.”
They paused outside the door to the Cultural Center. “Well, at least it’s nice to see Hank and Gus reconciled,” Alice said. Annie smiled and nodded in agreement as she pushed open the door.
Inside, they found both men, along with a woman they didn’t recognize. “Annie! Alice!” Hank came hurrying over, smiling broadly. “Here’s someone we’d like you to meet.” But then he stepped back to let Gus make the introduction.
“This,” said Gus, “is my cousin Agnes Burke, Lionel’s sister.” She was a small, stocky woman who would have been completely unremarkable but for her air of energy and composure.
“Mrs. Dawson,” she said, “I am so sorry for the trouble my brother has caused you.” They talked for a while of Lionel’s status and prospects in court, and then Agnes turned to the embroidered map, which had now been restored to the repaired display case.
“And so this is the famous map,” she said. “Gus and Hank were just showing it to me. In fact,” she picked up a camera that she had set aside to greet them, “with your permission, I think I’m going to take my own pictures of it.” She looked at the map in a considering manner. “I’m not sure yet, but I think I’m going to paint a picture of it.”
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Copyright Page
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