by Nan Sampson
Crouching down, she took what was left of her energy bar and held it out. The tiny thing in the shadows moved a step closer, bringing it further into the sunlight. She stayed very still, willing it to come closer, holding out the energy bar in hopes of luring the little thing to her.
A tiny, scruffy dun-colored face emerged, little black nose wriggling as it smelled the energy bar. The puppy couldn’t have been more than eight inches long, and she could clearly see the little thing’s ribs. It inched closer to her, its eyes fixed on the food she held out. She didn’t move, didn’t make a sound, all the while knowing that what she was doing was insane and stupid and ridiculous. Surely the dog belonged to someone, yet its condition belied that, it was filthy and starving. If it did belong to someone, they were doing a piss poor job taking care of it.
She scowled. She’d be a lousy caretaker too. She was about to open a coffee shop - she would likely never be home. Nor could she take a dog into a place where food would be served. The health inspector would close her down in a heartbeat. Damn that Norwegian. This was his fault.
The puppy slunk closer, and she broke off a little piece of the bar and placed it on the ground. It dashed forward and gobbled it up, then skittered back a few paces. She did the same again, and then a third time. Then, finally, she held a piece in her open palm. The puppy approached apprehensively at first, but finally drew close enough to take the piece of energy bar from her hand. This time, instead of backing away, it sat down, as though waiting for more.
Ellie smiled, despite herself. “I’m not sure these bars are really good for you, you know.”
The dog cocked its head at her then gave a little snort.
“But you want more, eh?”
It gave a little yip.
She broke the final piece in two and held out one of the bits in her palm. The puppy trotted forward and took it from her, then came right up to her and put its two front paws on her thigh to try to reach the other piece it knew she concealed in her other hand. Its tail wagged and it yipped at her again.
She laughed. “Cheeky, aren’t you?” She scooped up the puppy and it snuggled against her and nuzzled her closed hand. “I suppose we should ask the gas station guy if you belong to anyone.”
The puppy gave a little growl and looked up at her.
“No?”
Yip.
She knew she should ask. It was the right thing to do. But no one had fed the little guy and he was covered in mud and quite possibly motor oil. He’d obviously been living outdoors for a while. She hoped, as she held him close, that he didn’t also have fleas.
Damn it, there was no room in her life for a dependent. She had enough on her plate just keeping herself whole every day. Maybe she could find someone in Horizon who needed a pal. At least, that’s what she told herself as she climbed back into her car and settled the puppy on the passenger seat.
In the meantime, Per could help her look after him. This was all his fault anyway. He could reap what he sowed.
“Right?” she asked the pup.
He yipped once. Then, turning around in a circle three times, he curled into a tight little ball in the passenger seat and closed his eyes
Chapter 27
It was nearly four before Ellie made it back to Horizon with her finds. She stopped first at Per’s and dropped off the dog. Per just smiled benignly and promised to give the little thing a flea bath, a decent meal and a blanket to curl up on. As she was leaving, he told her she ought to spend what was left of the afternoon thinking of a good name. She left him with an eye roll and headed back into town and to the Inn.
She parked around the back then started schlepping the bags that belonged to Arabella in through the back door with her good hand.
“Here now, little Missy, let me help you with those.” Seth Kemp came around the side of the house as she was taking the first load in, muddy gardening gloves tucked in the belt of his grimy jeans.
“Thanks.” She handed him two of the bags, then went back to the car for the other two. “This is it,” she said, slamming the hatch shut.
He propped open the screen door with his foot and held it for her then followed her in, after kicking his muddy shoes off by the door. “Whatcha got here?”
“Arabella asked me to pick up some stuff for her when I went in to town this morning.”
Seth just shook his head. “That woman just loves to spend money.” And then he winked at Ellie.
Ellie put Arabella’s bags down then made her way through the hall to the tea room – Arabella’s usual haunt. She had to show someone her clock find and she was pretty sure Seth wouldn’t care.
Arabella was there, talking on her cell phone. “You’re kidding,” she was saying. “What on earth would Lu be doing meeting with Reverend Mueller?”
Ellie couldn’t hear the response, but she’d bet money on the fact that the person on the other end of the phone was Patti Mough. Whatever Patti said caused Arabella to snort derisively. “Oh, bull shit. Lu is no more likely to become a good Christian than I am. And even if she were, I doubt she’d turn to that particular congregation. That girl is up to something, mark my words, and it’s bound to be no good.”
Something must have alerted Arabella to Ellie’s presence. She turned around to look then smiled broadly. “Well, look who’s returned from her trip to the big city.” She waved at Ellie. “Look, why don’t you come over early – I could use some help with the center pieces and you’re better at that sort of thing than I am.”
There was another pause, which Arabella interrupted. “I know, I know. We can talk about it later.” Emphasis on that last word was unmistakable. “I’ll see you in a little while.”
After flipping closed her cell phone, she got up and stretched. “You’re back early.”
Early compared to what? “My father taught me to shop. He called it Commando Consumerism. Know what you want, get in, get out.”
“I think I would have driven your father crazy then. I can take all day just looking for a potato peeler.” Arabella’s laugh was forced.
Ellie looked down into her shopping bag. Maybe this wasn’t the best time. “I wanted to show you this – I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”
Arabella had the grace to evince an interest. “No, no, not at all. That was just Patti. Earl says we should just get two old tin cans and a string, it’d save us both hundreds of dollars a month on cell phone charges. What did you find?”
Ellie whipped the ceramic cow clock out of the bag with a flourish. “Ta-da!”
The smile was genuine this time. Arabella clapped her hands together. “Oh, that’s just perfect! I love it!”
“I had to show it to someone. I plan on putting it right over the door to the kitchen.”
“That’ll be wonderful. Marg is over at the shop now – waiting for that sign, I think she said.”
Ellie nodded, wondering if Arabella were subtly trying to get rid of her. “I should probably get over there. I left the things you asked me to pick up in the kitchen.”
“Thank you so much. You have no idea how much I appreciate it.”
“You’re very welcome.” Then she asked something that had been on her mind all day. “I don’t suppose you or Patti have had time to tell Todd…”
Arabella’s smile faded. “No. Not yet.” The temperature in the room dropped by about fifty degrees for a moment, then Arabella warmed up again. “But we will. Don’t worry.”
Ellie nodded, feeling relieved. “Oh, I almost forgot. What time is the service tonight?”
“Six o’clock. I don’t suppose…”
Ellie was almost afraid to ask, “What?” but knew it was the right thing to do.
“Do you think I could impose on you to man the espresso machine? I’d pay you, of course. We’ve had a rash of locals lately wanting to try it – probably in anticipation of your shop opening. And I know a number of those folk will be here tonight. Frankly, I’ll be glad when they can get their fix at your place – I’m just no good
at being a barista. I never get the foam right.”
Ellie breathed a sigh of relief. Greeting the bereaved was what she’d been afraid of. Making espressos and cappuccinos she could do in her sleep. And happily. “Sure. No problem. I’ll even bring some syrups and powders from the shop. And I’ve got a bevy of these fab little demitasse cups and saucers I’ve been dying to break out.”
“Wonderful! It’ll be like a mini-debut for your shop, only here.” She reached over and gave Ellie a hug. “I’m so glad you’re joining us. I know things got off to a rocky start, but I just know you’re going to love it here - and we’re going to love having you.”
Ellie gave the woman a genuine smile, but the overheard conversation stayed in her mind. What had Louisa Cullen been doing meeting with the Reverend Mueller? Enquiring minds wanted to know, she thought, then paused. Was she fitting into this town too well? Maybe it was the murder, maybe it was something in the water… but asking questions about people’s private lives had never been her M.O. before coming here.
The sign was exactly as she’d ordered and once up, it looked better than she’d imagined. She stood out on the sidewalk, beaming, as a group of locals gathered to watch, first as the swinging, hand painted sign, complete with the comical face of a calf on it went up on a small beam perpendicular to the brick wall over the door, then as the white and black mottled letters went up over the picture window. The Sacred Caff – Coffee Bar and Bakery.
A round of applause and a couple of whistles broke out as the sign settled into place. Ellie smiled and waved a little shyly at the group, comprised mainly of her neighbor merchant and a few local shoppers. She accepted the congratulatory handshakes, then stood grinning up like an idiot at the sign for a moment.
Marg, who had been self-admittedly glad Ellie had showed up before the sign men had, stood next to her, grinning just as widely. “I love the name. It’s perfect.”
“Thanks. That’s what took me the longest. Figuring out that damned name.”
“Well, you done good. Oh, I almost forgot. There’s a package for you at the post office. I think it’s forwarded mail, but Harvey said he didn’t know if he should just keep it there until you moved back into the cabin or bring it here or what. I said you’d stop by when you got a chance, let Mildred – that’s the postmistress – know what you wanted him to do with it.”
“Okay. I’ve still got to see the Chief this afternoon. He said he wanted to talk to me.”
“What about?”
Ellie shrugged, tried to ignore the niggling anxiety about the request. “I’ve got no clue, but I told him I’d come over to see him after I got back from Madison.”
Marg elbowed her. “Maybe he wants to ask you out.”
She rolled her eyes. This was going to be an uphill battle, convincing these folks she didn’t need to be part of a couple. “Then he’s wasting his time and his breath. I’m not interested.”
“You’re not?” She couldn’t hide her surprise. “What’s wrong with Bill? He’s a good looking man and a real sweetheart.”
Ellie cocked her head at her new employee. Was that… jealousy? Was Marg, like the Crock Pot owner, interested in the Chief too? “I’ll give you that. He has nice eyes. But he’s not my type.”
“Then what is your type?”
“I don’t have a type. I’m. Not. Interested. Not in anyone. I like being single. I’m much, much better at being single. I intend to stay that way.”
Marg’s expression was disbelieving. “Okay. You go with that, if it helps you sleep at night. But when you’ve worked past whatever it is that’s made you that way, you let me know. I’m always ready to be your wing man.”
“Whatever. Just don’t hold your breath.” Sighing, she slipped back inside, grabbed her shoulder bag and headed out to her car, calling over her shoulder, “Thanks for your help today! Lock up and I’ll see you at the memorial service.”
Chapter 28
It was still disconcerting to run into people she knew everywhere she went. Ingrid Cullen was standing outside the post office, chatting with Laura Lincoln. Both looked deeply involved in the conversation, but both also paused long enough to give Ellie a “hey” before putting their heads back together again. Ellie couldn’t help wondering if they’d been talking about Louisa… or Todd.
Absorbed in watching their body language, she literally ran into Per Gustafson coming out through the door she was going in.
It was like running into a brick wall – who knew a man his age could have so much muscle on that tall, gangly frame?
“Well, well. I see the sign arrived. I’m just picking up some dog food for your new roommate.” He gestured at the reusable green grocery bag on his arm. “Along with my mail.”
“Thanks. Really.”
“My pleasure. Always remember, Ellie. You shouldn’t push the river. It merely creates stress in your life. Rumor has it, there’s been plenty of that as it is lately. I heard from Earl that your shop was vandalized.”
“Yeah.”
“Any idea who it might have been?”
She pressed her lips together. It wouldn’t do to gossip, although the truth was pretty clear, at least to her. “I have an idea. but no proof. It’s in Chief Gruetzmacher’s hands now.”
“A wise move. Things are not always as they seem, and Bill is a good man, even if he does call football ‘soccer’.”
“Does that mean you know something?”
“About football? Or the vandal?”
He was infuriating -- and he was liking it. “The vandal, of course.”
He grinned at her, showing brilliant white teeth against sun-weathered skin. “But football is so much more interesting.” Then he sobered. “I know nothing. But,” he raised a finger in the air, “I have a feeling things are not finished yet. Be careful, young lady. You’re the first neighbor I’ve ever had that I liked. I’d hate to see something unfortunate happen to you.”
“Me too.” Suddenly it felt as if a cold hand gripped her shoulder. She felt compelled to turn and look behind her.
There, in the parking lot, was Louisa Cullen. Her sister was standing in front of her, speaking urgently, and although Ellie couldn’t hear what she was saying, it was clear from the expression on Louisa’s face that she didn’t like it. Louisa, however, wasn’t looking at her sister. She was staring straight at Ellie and the look on her face would have turned the Medusa to stone.
Ingrid’s voice grew louder, and Ellie could make out the words, “You what? You’re going to get yourself arrested. Leave her alone. Do you hear me? Are you even listening to me?!”
Ingrid grabbed Louisa’s arm and tried pulling her away, but Lu resisted, gaze still locked on Ellie’s. Icy fingers seemed to dig harder into Ellie’s shoulder. Then, abruptly, the sensation vanished. Lu gave Ellie an evil grin, then let herself be pulled away down the sidewalk.
When she looked back at Per, he was gazing across the street as well. “That one is troubled. No doubt about it.”
“Troubled or just plain trouble.” Ellie blew out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. “I’ll be glad when she goes back to New Mexico.”
“Mm,” was all the Norwegian said. “Well. My llamas and your young pup await. Best I keep him until you’re back in your own place – I don’t think Bella takes pets. So you keep on staying at the inn until all this is over.”
She gave him a smile. “How about I bring you some dinner tomorrow? They have the most amazing soups at The Crock Pot and I owe you.”
“I’d be delighted. You need to spend some quality time with the pup anyway.”
“He’s a temporary thing, Per. I’m only keeping him till I can find him a good home. Besides, it’s not the dog I’m coming to see.”
Those icy blue eyes actually twinkled. “As you say. It’s a date, then. Just don’t tell Marg. She’ll start a rumor that we’re romantically involved.”
Ellie laughed. “I could do a lot worse! I’ll see you about six then, okay?”
&n
bsp; “I’m counting on it.”
Chapter 29
There was no one in line in the small post office, but neither was anyone to be seen behind the counter. She waited there for a moment and was just about to ring the old dome bell on the counter when she heard voices coming from the back. Or rather one voice, one half of what was apparently a telephone call. It must be her day for listening in on conversations – but she only felt a little twinge of guilt.
“Nothing? Absolutely nothing?” A pause and then, “Adeline Murphy said that the older one, Ingrid, told Artie she didn’t want none of his money, since she’s livin’ in that commune down there in New Mexico. Said they weren’t dependent on what they couldn’t grow or make themselves. But you and I both know that old man Cullen was loaded. I mean, you know he sold that big old house on Sixth for nearly $150,000. And he didn’t have to buy property down there in New Mexico because he was goin’ to be livin’ with Ingrid. So that trouble-maker Louisa should have inherited a bundle.”
Ellie leaned a little closer. So Artie Cullen had left his girls nothing. Not the diner, not the cabin, nothing.
“To who? Are you sure? Why on earth would that man leave all that money to him? He’s not even a relative. Never had a thing to do with him.”
There was a pause, then Ellie heard some papers shuffling. “Look, I gotta go. You gonna be at the service tonight? Okay, good. Then I’ll see you there. And you better check back with that numbskull attorney Gordy Flats, because that can’t be right. And shame on him for telling tales out of school.”
There was a clunk and then a shuffling of feet and in a moment, an elderly woman bright orange hair came out through a doorway. She gave a start when she saw Ellie. “Lord have mercy, girl, you gave me a start. I didn’t know anyone was here.”