"So that's the news you were going to tell me. I knew it was good news. I could tell by your voice it was something not only good but exciting."
Miss Minnie nodded, "It's a good thing for Mattie in more ways than one. Mayme and I had just been talking about that. She and Katie probably need some time away from each other." Miss Minnie gazed down as if she could see pictures of Mattie and Katie in her coffee cup.
"Katie is fifteen years younger than Mattie and she does fuss over her."
She looked up at Connie. "She means well, nobody could doubt that. But fussing is fussing."
"Humpf." Miss Mayme scoffed, "Mattie's not all that easy to get along with. She's lucky to have Katie there with her if you ask me."
"I didn't. But since that one unfortunate marriage and divorce of Katie's, living together has worked out well for both of them."
"I knew if we talked long enough, we'd agree on something," Miss Mayme chortled.
Miss Minnie put her cup to her lips to stifle an undignified giggle, but her eyes gave her away.
In spite of their constant bickering, the sisters had always been close. And as Mayme had pointed out more than once, they didn't have all that many kinfolks left to argue with and enjoy. A dearth of sparring partners, she termed it.
"That first cookbook of hers was the one everyone wanted," Connie thought back. "It has all the information you'd ever need in it. All the basics in that one big volume. There are even illustrations of different cuts of meat in it to refer to. It's a jewel, all right. I wouldn't take anything for mine."
"You know," she wrinkled her forehead. "I don't remember hearing very much about the second one she did."
"It was on entertaining or something. I don't remember much about it either, but it did pretty well. A lot of copies were sold."
"I knew it must have been something we didn't want as much as the first one. It's been a couple of years, hasn't it?"
"About that I guess. That must be why she's doing another one. Wonder what this one will be about?"
"Don't know, we haven't had a clue yet. Just that she needs a place to do it and work where she can concentrate without any interruptions."
Connie's curiosity was working on her again. "And when is she coming to the cabin, or has she told you?"
"No, we don't know when. It may be she hasn't decided yet."
"Should be pretty soon the way they both talk, but probably not till the weather is a little warmer. Even Katie is no spring chicken, and Mattie being fifteen years older, she doesn't heal and mend as quickly as a younger person would."
Connie frowned. "What do you mean, doesn't heal? You mean she got hurt some way?" Connie paused. "Or has she been sick or something?"
"No, her health is good." Miss Minnie explained. "She had a rather bad fall not long ago is what happened. But she's about over that. Scared Katie to death, poor little thing. I felt sorry for her. After all, her sister Mattie is the only close family she's got now."
"What happened? How did she happen to fall?"
"She tripped and fell down the stairs at home. It's a wonder she wasn't hurt worse. She was shaken up and had a few bruises but there were no broken bones. Of course, she scoffed at the idea of going to the emergency room. She's all right now, and looking forward to going to the cabin to work on her new book."
"How did she happen to decide on a cabin here?" Connie thought of the drive from Fort Craig to their lake area.
"I don't know the details, but she went through a real estate agent there in Fort Craig. There's an office not far from the book store where Katie works. They had several places for her to consider and the one out by our lake turned out to be the one she wanted."
"If Katie is so over-protective I'll bet she doesn't like the idea of Mattie going away alone," Connie ventured between sips.
"Probably not."
"Definitely not. But you haven't met Mattie. If she's decided to go, she's going whether anyone else approves of the idea or not."
"Oh, well. They're sisters, they'll work it out."
Connie picked up the arrangement of carnations and greenery, admiring it again, her mind already back on the shower. "This is beautiful, as pretty as your oils and water colors."
She started toward the front, holding the arrangement carefully. "You're an artist in this medium too."
Miss Mayme walked with her, basking in the honest praise. Miss Minnie took time to follow, in no hurry to get back to her ledger and glad of a little exercise.
"It's nice to have my work appreciated, and by a dedicated matchmaker, too." Miss Mayme cast a sly look at Connie. "Who knows where this will lead," she speculated with a knowing smirk.
"Pay no attention to her remarks, Connie. I'd like to see Tim and Hannah with nice partners who appreciate their good points as much as you would."
A sudden idea lit her face. "And if it happens they like each other, we won't have to worry about two other people, will we?" Miss Minnie's eyes were full of mischief.
"Practical to the end," Miss Mayme rolled her eyes heavenward before nailing her sister with them. "You sure found your niche in mathematics."
"You're jealous because you always thought the sum of two and two was somewhere around six and a half." She baited her sister, adding, "Connie, she couldn't even sing in the choir if the choir director didn't bring her in on time. She can't count!"
Miss Mayme's hands flew to settle on her ample hips in indignation. "That's not as pitiful a tale as that time you had to take an art course for extra credit. You can't draw FLIES!"
Connie left for home giggling, her curiosity satisfied, happy for Mattie who would probably do well with this book too. And glad to the bone that her only remaining problem was what to fix for dinner.
* * *
Sheriff Cas Larkin raked what was left on the top of his desk off into the top drawer and picked up a pink envelope as he left his office. "Be back in a little while, Gladys."
Gladys, as receptionist, secretary, and general factotum, was familiar, necessary, and appreciated by her boss. Cas Larkin was well aware his job as County Sheriff was made infinitely easier by that five feet, two inches of efficient flesh known as Gladys. As he left, Gladys simply nodded without taking her eyes from her work.
"Didn't put his hat on," she noted to herself. "Not going far" was duly logged in the back of her mind somewhere behind the motor skills it took to type and listen for the phone to ring at the same time. She was too conscientious to hope it wouldn't ring but it did cross her mind at busy times she could put it on hold to finish something quickly. Not even Gladys was perfect.
Outside, Cas squinted at the bright sunshine but its warmth felt good. He took his time getting to the library enjoying as he went the mild temperature between springtime in Pine County, Tennessee and the humid heat summer would bring. At the gate of the library he paused, admiring the abundance of buds on the azalea bushes.
"Going to be pretty, aren't they," a familiar voice greeted him. "The ones on the other side are already beginning to open their blooms."
"Hi, Hannah. What are you doing at the door, trying to escape?"
He walked up the steps and Hannah moved to open the door.
"Nope. I thought about it, the weather's so pretty. But I'm afraid my paycheck would stop."
Hannah's pretty features tried for an innocent expression and settled for friendly. "I was looking for someone I might be able to rope into moving a box of books. Just from the back reading room to the front where I can put them up," she added hopefully.
"No problem, I'll move them." He paused, looking at the librarian's desk as he passed it. "Jo Beth isn't here?"
"She will be in. She called a few minutes ago, said she had a flat tire but she's on her way now."
Cas handed her the pink envelope.
"What's this? Oh, I know. It's my invitation to Jill's shower." Hannah gestured toward the back hall with her other hand, "The books are back there."
She turned and Cas followed as she looke
d at the invitation. The box was on the reading table.
"Connie said you might not be able to make the shower," Cas made conversation. "That you're expecting company from where you used to live in Fort Craig."
"That's right. A friend of mine is coming if she doesn't have to work. She," Hannah hesitated, replacing the invitation in its envelope. "She's like me."
They had reached the front again. "Here okay?" Cas eyed a reading table several feet from the front desk.
"Yes, that's fine. Thank you."
He put down the heavy box and turned to Hannah. "She's like you, you said? You mean young, a librarian, red-headed, or what," he teased her.
"I mean she sees things like I do sometimes."
"She's a psychic too?"
"You're the one who called it that, I don't know. But, sometimes she sees things when she touches someone. Or things like when I saw your truck go off the road over the bridge that time. And I've known Gina for years now, and I feel comfortable with her." Hannah smiled affectionately, "She's my best friend."
Cas nodded sympathetically. "I understand what you mean. Connie said they might come, is she bringing her family?"
"No, she's not married. She's bringing two friends along. I haven't met them yet."
Cas opened his mouth then firmly closed his lips on the question he was about to ask.
"Yes, they are," Hannah smiled at him.
"I wasn't going to ask," Cas declared self-consciously.
"I don't mind telling you, you've been so considerate of my feelings. The other two are what some people would call gifted too, but I don't know how. Gina didn't say."
"You mean they might be psychics, or mind readers, or mediums like Della Reubins?"
"I don't know, there are so many possibilities. I think there was someone who could move things there in Fort Craig. But I don't recall where I heard that. I don't know much about that, the moving things I mean, or about the two friends who are coming. We're just going to enjoy having some time off to visit and not have to worry about being on guard or, or being different." Hannah's lovely face was sad.
Cas regarded her. Slender and beautiful, young, and caring, all kinds of good adjectives came to mind. "Hannah, you aren't different," he stated firmly. "You're an attractive, intelligent young woman and an asset to the community."
"An asset to the community," she laughed. "That's really a chamber of commerce compliment." She smiled at him, "I know you don't think I'm a freak or a witch, but I feel like the rest of the world does sometimes." Her pretty face sobered, "And I appreciate your keeping my secret."
"I know the world's not paradise by a long shot," Cas's honest face took on a slightly pained expression, trying to find the right words. "Sometimes I can't even fix or help the little part of it that's assigned to me to watch over. There's no accounting for how people will act or react to things."
He put his hands on Hannah's shoulders, making her meet his eyes. "But the hang-ups are other people's, Hannah, not yours. Remember that."
"I'll try to. Thanks for moving the books."
"You're welcome." He grinned down at her, "But I'm only human. And since you probably know anyway, I'm curious about these friends and their gifts, whatever they are."
Chapter 2
Humming to herself, Connie concentrated on fixing her favorite sheriff a good meal.
"I'll pop the rolls in and cream the potatoes when he gets here."
Right on cue, she heard the sound of her husband's truck motor.
As Cas reached to open the door it suddenly opened and Connie drew him in for an enthusiastic hug and a kiss.
"How long have I been gone?" He laughed. "Not that I'm complaining." He kissed her again on the forehead without removing his arms from her waist.
"That's your reward for good timing. Everything will be ready by the time you get your boots off."
Returning to the kitchen in his comfortable slippers, Cas noticed the arrangement of pink carnations.
He nodded his head toward it, "Miss Mayme's work?"
"Right. Their business is doing even better than they hoped. Miss Minnie is pleased to be in what she calls black figures now." Connie held up her fingers like quotation marks and smiled as proudly as if she owned stock in the small business.
"With Miss Mayme's artistic talents and Miss Minnie to keep the accounts straight, they had to make it."
"Yes, I guess so, and Maryvale needs a flower shop."
Connie dismissed it as obvious, going on to other things. "Cas, are there very many cabins out by the lake where Judge Spruce's cabin is?"
"Haven't given it much thought. Why do you ask?"
"When we go out there, the lake seems so quiet and far away from everything, like there's no one for miles."
"Yeah, it's pretty out there. But to answer your question, there are quite a few cabins and lodges out there. Most of them are nestled back in the trees where they don't show from the road and there's not enough of them to spoil the scenery for all those mocking birds and jays."
He glanced at her, curious. "Why the sudden interest?"
"Maryvale is about to have a celebrity in its midst. The Anderson sisters' cousin, Mattie Carrington. You remember her, don't you? She's the one who had so much success with the cookbook."
"Vaguely. You bought one of her books, if I remember right."
"I did, and I can see why it was so popular. She's taking a cabin out there by the lake, going to lease it for the summer or maybe longer if she needs it, to work on another book. She says she wants a quiet place to work according to Miss Mayme and Miss Minnie."
"What kind of a book is she working on this time?"
"Another cookbook is what they figure, just don't know what this one will be on yet. The other two did so well, I guess she will stay with cooking. But this time she wants to get a place where she can work without any interruptions, they said."
"I got the impression somehow she's getting up in years," Cas wrinkled his brow. "Will she be staying out there by herself?"
"Yes on both counts. Her reason for going out there is to work without any distractions, doesn't want anyone else around. And she is in good health so I guess she won't really need anyone and can concentrate on her book."
"She lives in Fort Craig now with her younger sister, doesn't she?"
"Yes. Her sister's name is Katie Ellis. Katie is what Miss Mayme calls one of those change of life babies and is about fifteen years younger than Mattie is. Katie was married once, several years ago. But she's divorced and works at a bookstore near Mattie's house where they live."
Cas ate as he listened, unconsciously listing everything he knew about the two sisters. "Then I guess we'll get to meet this celebrity, won't we?"
Connie nodded. "Maybe pretty soon, too. Katie told Miss Mayme she will be going up there to check on Mattie once in a while. It's not really all that far from here to Fort Craig."
"The lake area is part of our county." Cas thought about the last time he had been out in that area. "A car patrols the better roads out there, but not very often. Nobody is all that fond of washing the dust off their car, and it's quiet. There's been no reason to go more often."
"Katie must be sort of a fuss-budget from what they told me. She worries because Mattie gets all wrapped up in what she's doing and doesn't stop to eat."
"Humm," Cas grunted. "That may be the reason Mattie wants to get away somewhere by herself. The only things about it that ring any alarm bells in my mind if she's in good health, for her age, is her being out there by herself for very long."
"That's probably worrying Katie already, since she's made a point of telling Miss Mayme several times she will be going up there to check on her. It doesn't much sound to me like Katie approves," she added, her eyes dancing, "and it doesn't sound much like Mattie cares whether anybody approves or not. Stubborn must be in the genes like in the Larkin family."
Cas assumed a noble, suffering stance, "I'll ignore that."
He dropped the sul
ky attitude. "On the plus side, remember the crossroads where the stores are and the service station? They've built a big truck stop close by with its own entrance to the freeway. She'll be able to get any supplies she needs out there."
"I know the drug store and the general store will be handy, I hadn't heard about the truck stop."
"It's only been open a couple of weeks. The deputies making a swing out there told me about it when they saw the work in progress and kept me posted. The truck stop has its own on and off ramp to the freeway all right, but the roads back the way they patrol are not only dusty, they aren't too kind to our county equipment. That's one more good reason we just keep a distant eye on the area."
"I can see your point, all right." Connie looked toward the window. "My car could use a wash right now."
* * *
At the flower shop, the ringing of the phone irritated Miss Mayme. She glared at the little black nuisance. "I'll have to start measuring all over again." She frowned, muttered something else to herself and snatched it up.
"Anderson's Flower Shop," she snapped a little too loudly.
"Mayme? I? I? " The soft voice stammered, sounding frightened.
"Katie? Is that you?"
"Yes, I know you must be busy."
"No, not all that busy," Miss Mayme said in a kinder voice. "And certainly not too busy to talk to some of our family. There aren't many of us left," Miss Mayme's smile was audible, making amends for her sharp answer.
Katie was quiet, she didn't comment.
"Katie, is something the matter?"
"Yes. I, I mean, no. Mattie and I are all right, thank goodness."
Miss Mayme felt a chill on the back of her neck, "What do you mean, you're all right, thank goodness?' Has something happened that would keep you from being all right?" Her hand tightened on the phone.
"Yes. Not to us, that is, but something happened to our house. There was an explosion."
"An explosion?" Miss Mayme put her hand over the mouthpiece.
"MINNIE! Put this call on the speaker in there." She heard her sister move in the office and told Katie, "Hold on just a minute, dear."
Miss Minnie looked concerned as Miss Mayme continued her conversation in the office.
Recipe for Trouble Page 2