“Which means it’s perfect the way it is,” Andrea teased.
Ruth wandered in a few minutes later and slid into the last empty seat. “Whew! I hope Brian’s memory returns soon and he re-opens the hardware store. I’ve never heard so many people grumble and gripe because it’s closed.”
“Never mind how Brian almost lost his life,” Gloria said as she shook her head. “Speaking of that, is Brian being released from the hospital today?”
Andrea averted her gaze, shifting her focus on the donut and the plate in front of her. “Yes. His parents are there now. He should be home by noon.”
She went on. “So far, he hasn’t remembered anything else.” She gave Rose a quick glance. “We’re hoping once he gets home, familiar surroundings will jog his memory.”
Andrea’s lower lip began to tremble and she sucked in a breath. “Before I left, he asked me to give him some space. He said he’s confused and needs to spend time alone.”
A small tear trickled down Andrea’s cheek. “If his memory doesn’t return soon, I’m going to officially call off the wedding.”
Chapter 18
“Call off the wedding?” Gloria blinked rapidly. “I…” She turned to Lucy, a look of helplessness on her face.
“Are you sure you want to do that Andrea? I mean, you’ve already ordered the dress, picked out the flowers, settled on a caterer and musicians,” Lucy argued. “You’ll lose deposit money on the photographer.”
The tears freely streamed down Andrea’s cheeks and Gloria’s heart broke for her young friend. She reached out and squeezed her hand. Not long ago, she had been in a similar situation where Paul had to leave town unexpectedly days before their wedding and Gloria had become despondent.
“Oh dear,” Eleanor reached for her water glass, her eyes watering, too. “Such a shame.”
“We’re going to get to the bottom of this,” Gloria vowed. “Andrea. Give us a chance to dig into this case. Don’t do anything for…” her voice trailed off as she gazed at her friends sitting around the table.
“A week,” Dot said. “Give Gloria a week.”
“Okay. I guess it won’t matter,” Andrea’s shoulders sagged. “I’ve decided to take a break myself. I’m going to visit my parents in Nantucket. They vacation there every year.” Andrea swiped at her tear stained cheeks with the back of her hand. “I’m leaving in the morning.”
“What a wonderful idea. Some sea breezes and sunshine will do you good.” Gloria said. “Why don’t we pray?”
The women joined hands and bowed their heads. “Dear Heavenly Father. We pray this morning for our dear friend, Andrea. Lord, you know the situation, you know Andrea’s heartbreak over Brian and how she’s thinking of calling off the wedding. Please guide us Father. Give us the wisdom and the tools to find the person or persons who attacked Brian and robbed him of his memory. We also ask you return Brian’s full memory…soon. Thank you for your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ.”
“Amen” echoed around the room.
Andrea attempted a half-hearted smile. “I feel better already.”
Lucy pushed her chocolate covered donut across the table to Andrea. “Here. You can have my donut. Chocolate always helps, at least for me it does.”
The conversation shifted to the investigation. Gloria told the girls what she had discovered, how Walter Tompkins had recently escaped from prison and that Brian had reviewed his case.
She also told the others how Brian had placed a help-wanted ad in the Green Springs Gazette and Andrea had said he had started interviewing potential employees.
Dot nibbled the end of her glazed donut. “Is there any way we can find out if anyone had been scheduled to come in for an interview the morning of the robbery?”
“Yes.” Andrea nodded. “Brian keeps a black appointment book at home but now that he doesn’t want me around…” Her face crumpled and tears threatened a second time.
Lucy patted her shoulder. “Stay strong, Andrea. We’ll help you through this,” she encouraged.
Andrea sucked in a breath. “With the way his mind is working right now, I’m not sure he has even thought about trying to figure out who did this to him.”
“We could break into his house,” Ruth suggested.
All eyes turned to Ruth.
“What? It’s not like we haven’t done that before,” she pointed out.
Rose, who had been sipping on her coffee, began to gag. “You break into people’s houses?” she choked.
“Only when absolutely necessary,” Margaret assured her.
“Which has been just about every single time,” Dot groaned.
“Lord have mercy!” Rose slammed her open palm on the table. “Have you ever been caught…arrested?”
“Yeah,” Gloria sighed. “Both, unfortunately. It’s a hazard of the job, I’m afraid. My first arrest was a murder charge, not breaking and entering.”
“Oh my goodness gracious,” Rose gasped. “Good thing you’re married to a police officer.”
“Retired,” Gloria corrected. “I’ve never tested it, but he would probably leave me in jail if I got arrested for breaking and entering.”
“Nah!” Ruth waved her hand. “Paul would post bail.”
“Eventually.” Gloria changed the subject. “If we don’t break in, I could go visit under the guise of checking on him to make sure he doesn’t need anything,” she offered.
“Nope.” Andrea shook his head. “He said he wanted to be alone, as in everyone leave him alone. He even named you specifically…Ginger.”
Ruth snorted. “He thinks Gloria’s name is Ginger?”
Andrea nodded. “Yeah. I have a key but he’s probably on his way home and I’m leaving in the morning.”
“There has to be a way to get inside his house and track down the black book without him finding out what we’re up to,” Gloria swiped an imaginary crumb off the table.
Ruth leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms. “I have an idea, but I need to mull it over, work out the details first.”
Gloria watched as Sally Keane, the Quik Stop corner grocery store employee, passed by the large front picture window. She held up a hand. “Wait! Has anyone thought to talk to Brian’s employees to see if perhaps Brian mentioned something to them?”
Andrea stared at Gloria blankly. “Why didn’t I think of that?”
All eyes turned to Ruth. “You’re not going to clue us in on your idea?” Lucy asked as she reached for her iced mocha.
Ruth gazed around the table at the eager faces. “Like I said, I have a couple details to work out first. It’s still in the planning stages.”
Whatever it was, Gloria was onboard. Ruth was an expert in her field of spy and surveillance so she was certain whatever it was involved her arsenal of equipment. She glanced at her watch and jumped out of her chair. “I better get going. Paul and I are having a date day and I don’t want to be late.”
“I’ll give Eleanor a ride home,” Margaret offered.
Gloria had completely forgotten about poor Eleanor. “Thanks Margaret. That would be great.” She reached for her purse, still next to her chair. “I’ll make my rounds tomorrow morning to talk to Brian’s employees,” she promised before heading out the door.
Chapter 19
Paul and Gloria spent the afternoon in Green Springs watching a matinee movie, munching on popcorn and enjoying a little down time. The movie, a mystery thriller, was one Gloria had been anxiously waiting to come out for months. Parts of the movie reminded her of the classic, Murder on the Orient Express.
After the movie, they wandered in and out of the quaint shops in the heart of Green Springs, the apothecary, a dime store that still sported the creaky old wooden floors and a gift shop. Their last stop was a thrift store where Gloria found a vintage orange metal coffee mug tree straight out of the 70’s that would fit perfectly in the corner of her kitchen counter.
When they finished window-shopping, they wandered back to the loaner vehicle. Paul held the door while Gloria climbed in
to the SUV and reached for her seatbelt.
She watched as he made his way around the front of the vehicle and slid behind the wheel. “Where did you say you were taking me for dinner?”
Paul buckled his seatbelt and smiled at his wife. “I didn’t. It’s a surprise.” He eased the SUV onto the road and they drove to the next town, Rapid Creek, and to Lake Harmony.
“Are we going to do the dinner boat cruise again?” Paul had surprised her with a romantic dinner boat cruise last year. It had been a wonderful evening.
He shook his head. “No. Close, though.”
He turned onto a small paved drive and a narrow, winding path. They rounded the corner and straight ahead was a large, Victorian manor. “This…this is the Garfield place,” Gloria guessed.
The Garfield place was a well-known, historic home in Montbay County. It had a colorful history…some would say deep and dark, with whispers of mafia ties, money laundering and murder.
Gloria had never been inside the stately home. Several years ago, rumor had it the place had fallen into disrepair and the owners were considering bulldozing it.
The Rapid Creek historical society had stepped in, vowing to save the manor. They spent several months raising money to restore the grand home to its original splendor.
After the restoration, the city, hard up for cash, had put it up for sale and an unknown party had purchased it. It was the last Gloria had heard of the home…until now.
“I did a little research to find the perfect place for a special dinner and found this was now not only a bed and breakfast, but they also serve dinner.” Paul pulled into a parking spot, shifted into park and turned the SUV’s engine off.
“So far it’s getting rave reviews.” He climbed out of the car, walked around the front and over to the passenger side. Paul opened the door and held out his hand. “I figured you would love the mystery and intrigue of the place.”
“Oh yes!” Gloria squeezed Paul’s hand. “This is perfect,” she gushed. They wandered down the cobblestone sidewalk and onto the spacious front porch.
The home, a stormy blue gray color with stark white trim and corner turrets, looked haunted. A corner bay window graced the front and an expansive porch welcomed guests. Porch lights blazed brightly.
Gloria gazed at one of the small windows in the peak of the roof and the hair on the back of her neck stood up. “That must be the attic,” she mumbled under her breath.
They made their way through the front entrance and over to the hostess station. “Kennedy, party of two,” Paul told the woman.
She studied the open guest book in front of her and then nodded. “Follow me.”
Gloria’s heels clicked on the gleaming mahogany floor as she followed the woman, all the while studying the sparkling chandeliers and elegant tables for two and four. “I think I’m under-dressed,” she whispered to her husband as she gazed at the other diners.
“You look fine,” Paul reassured her as he placed his hand on the small of her back.
The hostess stopped in front of a table for two near a tall window. At the top of the window were panes of stained glass. The window overlooked an expansive garden.
Paul waited for Gloria to sit and pushed her chair in before settling into the seat across from her. The hostess handed them each a menu. “Your server will be right with you.”
“The dinners must cost a fortune,” Gloria said as she reached for her reading glasses.
“You’re worth every penny.”
Gloria slipped her glasses on and studied the menu. The selection was limited but varied, with offerings of fish, steak and seafood.
The server arrived with two glasses of ice water, easing them next to the wrapped silverware. “I recommend trying the three-course dinner,” she said.
Gloria decided on a wedge salad with blue cheese crumbles and buttermilk dressing to start. For an entrée, she chose pan-fried perch while Paul chose the house salad and rack of lamb.
The server jotted down their orders and told them she would return shortly with their salads. “A toast.” Paul lifted his glass of water. “To the most beautiful woman in the room.”
Gloria lifted her glass and tapped his lightly. “To the best husband a woman could ever ask for.” She sipped her water and set the glass next to her plate.
“How is Andrea doing?” They hadn’t yet discussed Brian’s current situation. Paul listened quietly as Gloria told him Brian needed some “space,” and wanted to be left alone.
She also told him Andrea was threatening to call off the wedding but promised Gloria and the girls she would postpone her decision for a few days. In the meantime, she was heading to Nantucket to spend time with her parents and take a much-needed break from the tragic situation.
Gloria was certain her young friend had gotten little sleep after spending the last couple of nights at the hospital. Perhaps it was best if Brian and Andrea spend a few days apart.
She started to tell him how Rose posed as a nurse to get Brian to take her special potion, but stopped short, convinced he would not be pleased that Rose had impersonated a nurse.
Instead, she told him she intended to chat with Brian’s other employees the following day.
Their salads arrived and the conversation paused. Gloria shifted her plate and studied the wedge of lettuce. “I should eat more salads,” she said.
Paul unfolded his napkin and placed it on his lap. “It probably wouldn’t hurt either of us.”
Gloria sliced a wedge of lettuce and dipped it in the dressing. “How did Allie’s interview at the Montbay County Sheriff’s Department go?”
Paul told her Allie had gotten the job and would be starting the following Monday. He could see the wheels turning in his wife’s head. “Don’t get any bright ideas of dragging Allie into your investigations,” he warned Gloria.
“Me?” Gloria batted her eyes innocently. “Why I wouldn’t…” she trailed off, unable to promise him she wouldn’t involve her new stepdaughter. “I’ll try,” she finished lamely.
Their entrees arrived not long after they finished eating their salads. Gloria sliced a small piece of the perch and chewed thoughtfully. “This is delicious. Try a bite.” She sliced off a second piece and held the fork out for Paul to try. He agreed it was delicious before offering her a bite of his lamb, which Gloria had never tried before.
She nibbled a small piece and thanked him for sharing. It was an acquired taste she decided and declined another taste.
The dinner portions were the perfect size and Gloria must have been hungrier than she thought because she cleaned her plate, leaving not a single morsel of fish or bite of potato wedge behind.
The server cleared their table and returned a short time later with an array of mouth-watering desserts. She lowered the tray so that Paul and Gloria had an unobstructed view. “Vanilla crème brûlée, white chocolate cheesecake, toasted coconut and caramel cake, and molten lava cake with a side of vanilla bean ice cream,” the woman rattled off the desserts on display.
The molten lava cake caught Gloria’s eye and she quickly chose that dessert while Paul opted for the white chocolate cheesecake. “Coffee?”
“Yes, please,” he nodded. “Decaf though.”
The server shifted the tray and nodded. “I’ll be right back.”
Gloria watched the woman leave and then turned to her husband. “The food is delicious. I wonder if they offer tours of the estate. I would love to take a tour of this place.”
When the desserts arrived, Gloria posed the question to their server, who told her that on Tuesday afternoons, they hosted a high tea and after tea, the owners offered a guided tour of both the home and grounds.
“I should bring the girls,” Gloria decided. “Perhaps when Andrea returns from her trip, we can plan an afternoon here. This might give her some great ideas for her tea room.”
Andrea had planned to open a tearoom, but the plan had been put on the backburner after her recent engagement to Brian.
Gloria
dug into her dessert, filling her spoon with a small piece of cake and topping it with the chocolate. She closed her eyes, savoring the spoon full of warm, creamy melted chocolate. “This is one of the best desserts ever.”
They sipped their coffee and shared their decadent desserts as they discussed the movie they had watched earlier. Finally, it was time to leave. Paul paid the bill and they stepped out onto the porch.
When they reached the sidewalk, Gloria noticed another path leading around the side of the magnificent manor. “I wonder if we can take a look at the lake.” She didn’t wait for Paul to answer as she started down the path.
The sprawling rear yard was lush and green, and the smell of lilacs filled the air. The lake was smooth as glass. A small boathouse jutted out into the water and the setting sun cast a glimmering path.
A flash of light from one of the boathouse windows caught her eye. “Did you see that?”
“See what?” Paul asked.
“Never mind. I guess my eyes are playing tricks on me.” She shrugged and slipped her hand in Paul’s hand. They stood silently soaking in the view before turning back.
The hair on the back of Gloria’s neck stood up again as they retraced their steps. She glanced back at the boathouse. “Maybe I don’t want to do a tour,” she shivered.
Gloria was quiet during the ride home, her mind on poor Andrea. What if Brian never remembered her? Was it possible to fall in love with the same person twice?
She gave Paul a sideways glance. God planned a person’s steps according to His will. She was convinced Paul and she were meant to be together. Was God somehow intervening in Andrea and Brian’s life?
Gloria had been so caught up in what was going on in her world; she had forgotten to ask Paul what his plans were for the following day.
He told her he was going to run by the sheriff’s station to see what his former co-workers were up to and if they’d heard of any security detail jobs he might be able to pick up.
Paul was enjoying retirement but Gloria knew there were days he rattled around the farm, not sure what to do with himself. Allie had kept him busy with her move and helping her settle into the farm. He had finished repairing his ice shanty and cleaned the barn.
Forget Me Knot (Garden Girls Christian Cozy Mystery Series Book 13) Page 10