“I hope Andrew is here, too,” Bill added with a stoic expression. “I’d hate for you to have a charge of resisting arrest be added to your other charges.”
“What charges?” I asked, coming unglued now. “I didn’t do anything!”
“Tell it to the judge,” Peterson said. “Shall we,” he motioned to the backyard, where our guests were gathered.
I was near tears by the time I walked into the backyard. I had no more walked around our fire pit before my friends hopped up and yelled, “Surprise!”
If it hadn’t been for Peterson who caught me, I’d have hit the ground. I awkwardly pulled away from him with a hand pressed to my chest. “What is going on?”
“I thought we’d surprise you,” Andrew said. “It is your birthday isn’t it?”
I press fingers to my brow and thought hard. “Yes, I believe it is. I can’t believe that I forgot my birthday. It’s not fair to scare me like that, Peterson.”
“Sorry, but Andrew came up with the idea,” Peterson said.
“Did you come up with the idea for all of our friends to invite themselves to our cookout tonight, Eleanor?”
“I’m sorry, Agnes,” Eleanor said. “It was so hard for me to keep your surprise party a secret.”
“I’m amazed you could,” I said. “You’ve never been known to keep a secret and not blab it all over Tawas.”
Eleanor smiled. “I know. I thought you might catch on when we saw both Elsie and Bill and Marjorie, who invited themselves.”
I turned my attention to my guests. Rosa Lee Hill and her sons had joined the crowd. “It’s nice to see you Rosa Lee.”
“Of course I couldn’t miss a shindig like this. I even got Curt and Curtis to clean up.”
Curt and Curtis looked at one another and shrugged.
My eyes welled with tears and I went over to hug my son Stuart and his wife Moraine when I spotted them. I stepped back and exclaimed, “How nice to see you both. When did you get in town?”
“This morning. We’ll be here for a week this time,” Stuart said.
I was surprised because Stuart and Moraine work for the FBI. They usually work outside of Michigan.
“I hope you leave some time for me while you’re here.”
“Of course, Mother,” Stuart said. “I have a speaking engagement with the Bonfire Boys tomorrow, but that’s about it.”
“They wouldn’t let me come,” Moraine informed me. “Apparently boys are allergic to estrogen.”
“There certainly are a lot of scouts in town,” I observed.
“Remember?” Eleanor said. “Peggy told us that not long ago.”
“That’s a new name,” Stuart commented. “Is she another friend of yours?” He grinned.
“I have no idea why you’re grinning like that. Friends are good to have at our age.”
“Leave me out of it,” Eleanor added.
“I’m happy to see you both, but I suppose I should mingle with my other guests,” I said.
Elsie fanned herself with a paper plate. “Where is Jack?” I asked.
“He’s helping Mr. Wilson haul wood for the fire pit.”
“Really?” Eleanor asked. “I better go check. I can’t imagine my Mr. Wilson doing anything like that. He’s much too frail.”
“Why do I have an idea Jack and Wilson are up to something else? I hope they’re not making the birthday cake,” I commented with a chuckle.
Elsie made a face. “I’d hate to see what kind of cake they’d make. I’m the only cook in my kitchen.”
“Frank is lucky to have you, Elsie,” I said.
Eleanor and I walked from the backyard to the front, where a metal garden wagon was next to the woodpile. Frank was struggling to lift the wood as Mr. Wilson cheered him on. “Put your back into it, Frank,” Wilson shouted.
“Why don’t you come over and help me?”
“I can’t do that. I’m a frail man. Why I might break in half.”
“So why did you volunteer to help me with the wood?”
“Why would you want me to help you when I use a walker?” Wilson said with a shake of his head.
“Do you need a hand, Jack?” Eleanor asked.
“No!” Jack blurted out.
“Are you sure? I’d hate for you to hurt yourself,” I replied.
“She’s right. I don’t have time to nurse you back to health,” Jack’s son Henry said. “I have a book to finish.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” Jack grumbled. He then glanced up at his son. “How about you load the wagon with the wood? I have no idea why Andrew insisted I do it to begin with.”
Andrew joined us, with Curt and Curtis following. “I told you that I was getting Curt and Curtis to gather the wood, Jack.”
“I thought I could do it, but Mr. Wilson was no help at all.”
Curt shook his head as he picked up a piece of split oak and tossed it to his brother, who then placed it in the cart.
“Showoffs,” Wilson said. “Do you need any more help, Andrew?” Jack asked.
“Why don’t you relax with Elsie? I can’t think of anything else that needs to be done that hasn’t already been done by the ladies.”
“I don’t see why us men can’t go fishing while the women help celebrate Agnes’s birthday.”
Andrew’s brow furrowed, but before he could say anything Henry said, “No need for you to be rude, Dad,” Henry said.
“That cake is all set to go,” Henry’s partner Tony said as he strolled from the door.
I gave Tony a hug and when I pulled away, I said, “I’m glad to hear that you made the cake. You’re the best caterer in Tawas.”
“I don’t understand why you don’t open a catering business,” Eleanor said.
“I’m much too busy taking care of the beach house while Henry is writing,” Tony said.
I jumped back as Bill Hayes roared into the drive and skidded to a stop, missing me by centimeters. My hand was fluttering when I pressed it to my chest. I could feel the blood rush from my head.
“Oh my,” Marjorie said as she ran to my side. “I think you scared her to death, Bill!”
“Come along, dear, and sit down,” Eleanor said as she guided me to the swing.
I was still trying to catch my breath when Andrew knelt down. “Are you okay, Agnes?” he asked with concern.
“This is the second time tonight that someone made me nearly have a heart attack. A woman my age can only take so much.”
“I’ll grab you a Diet Coke.”
Eleanor stayed at my side until Andrew returned.
“I feel so bad for scaring you like that, Agnes,” Bill said.
“I told him to get those brakes fixed,” Marjorie said. “I’m just so happy that you’re still among the living, Agnes. It would be awful if you died on your own birthday.”
I frowned as Andrew came back with the Coke. “I just told your wife I was sorry for nearly killing her on her birthday, Andrew,” Bill said.
“I believe I heard your wife say as much. Let’s give Agnes some room to breathe. I could use some help bringing the food into the backyard,” Andrew said.
“I brought the pickled herring,” Marjorie announced as she held it high.
Bile raced to the back of my throat. Pickled herring … yuck!
Fortunately Andrew ushered the couple inside and Eleanor and I disappeared into the backyard. We sat next to Martha and Adam. “Where is Peggy? I thought she was coming?”
“I expected her to be here by now. She must have gotten tied up.”
Eleanor laughed. “I hope you don’t mean she was kidnapped.”
“Not to worry. Peggy is quite resourceful. That’s what makes her such a great scout leader.”
“It’s nice to see you get involved as assistant scout leader, Martha. Girls can be so impressionable at times.”
Martha cocked an eyebrow. “That almost sounded like a compliment, Mother.”
“It did, didn’t it?” I smiled. “I should do that more often.”
>
I stared around the backyard, smiling at the crowd that gathered to help me celebrate my birthday. Curt and Curtis unloaded the wood and kept the fire pit going, while Andrew put Jack, Bill and Marjorie to work loading the table with food. The fragrance of hotdogs, steaks and barbecued chicken wafted over to me. I just knew there had to be more on that fire pit because I knew my Andrew would go all out for my birthday party.
I didn’t want to remind him that it was my birthday. I really wasn’t ready to celebrate another year. Seventy-three seems so old, although Eleanor has me by ten years. But as I gazed over my friends and family here to help me celebrate… well it brings a tear to my eyes. I’m one fortunate old bird.
“Are you okay, Grandmother,” Sophia asked.
“Sophia! I forgot to even ask Bill if you’d be here.”
“I wasn’t sure I’d make it. Andrea has the sniffles.”
“Where is my great-granddaughter?”
“Rosa Lee swooped her up. Sorry.”
“That figures. She’s still waiting for Curt and Curtis to get married so she can have grandchildren,” I said.
“When has she ever said that?” Eleanor asked. “I can’t imagine either Curt or Curtis as fathers.”
“Well, I think they’d be great fathers. They’re sons would learn how to shoot at an early age.”
“And they’d watch over their daughters like hawks.” Eleanor laughed.
“Why don’t you have a seat,” I invited Sophia.
“I had better catch up with Bill before he leaves for patrol tonight,” Sophia replied.
“I wish I had more time to spend with my granddaughter,” I remarked.
“You’re lucky to have a family like yours,” Eleanor said.
I felt bad that Eleanor was shunned by her only son, but I have always been quite willing to share my family with her.
“Dinner is ready,” Andrew announced.
Eleanor and I walked over to the food table, and Martha quickly whispered. “I’m sorry, but I have to leave. Peggy just called me and I wasn’t able to understand a word she said.”
“I understand. Peggy might have gotten herself in a fix.” I picked up a chicken breast and hotdog. “That’s nice. I’m glad that Martha is able to help Peggy.”
“Yes,” Eleanor said. “First she finds her a permanent man that isn’t half her age and now she’s leaving to help a friend.”
Eleanor and I sat at a table with our plates overloaded with food. “I didn’t expect corn on the cob or a baked potato,” I said. “I think I overfilled my plate.”
Mr. Wilson rolled over to the table with his walker and sat down. Andrew carried over a plate for Wilson and the distinct aroma of tuna fish filled my nostrils. Wilson had made his tuna casserole for the party! Of course I didn’t dare say anything. I’d hate for him to know how I felt about that casserole. And I’d put Eleanor in the position of defending him. I loved Wilson, and was glad Eleanor had met and married him.
Andrew sat next to me and gave me a quick kiss. “Happy Birthday, Agnes. I can’t believe you’re twenty-one again.” He winked.
“I’m not so sure about twenty-one. I’d settle for my late forties.”
“I’d go for my twenties,” Eleanor replied with a wink. “I could have chased around all the fellas.”
“I’ve heard you did plenty of that,” I said with a grin. “Or so you’ve told me.”
Eleanor shot me a look and said, “It’s a good thing I met Mr. Wilson.”
“You could say that,” I said. “He was so worth the wait.”
After our paper plates were tossed in the trash, Tony wheeled out a birthday cake that had three layers and sparkled with pink and blue sugar.
“I think I may have overdone the cake,” Tony declared with hand on hip.
“You think?” Henry joked.
“Does he mean he overcooked the cake?” Elsie asked.
“No, he’s just showoff,” Jack said. “But Tony can sure bake a good cake. Does this have the raspberry filling on the layers?” he asked with tongue hanging out.
“Yes, Andrew told me Agnes loves raspberries.”
“I can’t say I’ve ever had a cake like that, but I love the thought of raspberry filling.” I smiled.
Rosa Lee supervised her sons in cleaning off the food table when I put my last forkful of cake into my mouth. My cell phone vibrated in my pocket and I quickly licked the frosting from my fingers and answered the phone. “Hello.”
“Mother, I need your help,” Martha said.
“What’s going on?”
“Peggy has been in an accident and she’s in the hospital. You know I’m not good at this sort of thing. I needed to call for reinforcements.”
“What’s the room number?”
Andrew shot me a look from his hooded eyes as I hung up, trying to remember Room 101.
“I hate to leave my party like this,” I began….
“Has a crime happened?” Sheriff Peterson asked as he drew closer.
I waved him away. “Not this time. Martha’s friend Peggy was in an accident and needs some moral support at the hospital. This is certainly rotten timing. She’s the leader of a Bonfire Girls troop.”
“I’ll see you when you get home,” Andrew said.
Eleanor gave Wilson a quick kiss and off we went. I felt bad about leaving my own party, but I was worried about Peggy. How badly was she hurt?
Chapter 3
When we arrived at the hospital we slipped up the back stairs because it was past visiting hours. Eleanor and I quietly walked into the room.
“I’m sorry for disturbing you ladies, too,” Peggy said from her hospital bed. “I don’t know what happened.”
I surveyed Peggy. Her right arm rested in a sling, her brow bandaged.
“What happened?” I asked.
“Well, I was hurrying to cross the street at the light on Newman and someone nearly ran me over!”
“Oh, no! Did you see who it was?”
“No, I’m quite foggy about that part. The man who pulled me to safety after I fell didn’t see what kind of car it was.”
“So you don’t know what make of car or color?” Eleanor asked.
“I’m afraid not. I’m certain that the sheriff will be here soon, but I can’t even help him find the person who did this.”
“Of course it could have been an accident,” I suggested.
“The man might not have seen you or was going too fast to stop in time,” Eleanor suggested. “Like someone else I know.”
I shot her a look and blocked Martha as she made a move toward the door. I put a hand on Martha’s shoulder and moved to the bed. “It’s a good thing you have Martha for a friend. She’ll stay with you all night if you want her to.”
“I don’t think that’s necessary, but we have to make some kind of plans for the Bonfire Girls’ yearly camping excursion. We were planning to leave tomorrow!”
“Well, it’s a good thing that Martha is the assistant scout leader. She’ll be able to go in your stead.”
“I can?” Martha asked with a reddening face and widening eyes.
“It’s your duty,” Eleanor said. “It would be awful to disappoint all those girls.”
“Exactly,” I said, “a camping trip like this could really help give the girls a sense of self-esteem.”
“I’m sure they have badges to earn,” Eleanor added.
“I think you two should go on home,” Martha said. “I need to speak with Peggy about this.”
“Certainly. Peggy, who did you say helped you to safety?” I asked.
“Oliver. He’s one of the Bonfire Boys’ scout leaders.”
“I hope you get better soon, Peggy. I hate to see anyone stuck in the hospital,” I said.
Back in the car, I said to Eleanor, “Well, it looks as though Martha will be taking the troop camping.”
“Do you honestly think Martha will do that?” Eleanor asked.
“She has to, she’s the assistant leader.”
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br /> “I wonder what that really means. This is Martha we’re talking about here. She’s never exactly been responsible.”
“I’m quite aware, but I believe that Martha will do the right thing,” I insisted. “She just has to.”
“I hope you’re right. It’s not as though I think Martha isn’t capable of handling the troop at camp. I’m just not certain that Martha thinks she is,” Eleanor pondered aloud.
I gave that some thought. “You know, you have something there, Eleanor. I’m not certain Martha was able to do much of anything when she was married. I didn’t even know she had gotten a divorce,” I said. “Divorcing a pastor was probably a big deal in the town where she lived.”
“So she went from dutiful wife to a pastor to suddenly single. It’s no wonder Martha is on the wild side.”
“I think it’s our duty to help Martha out, but first I’d like to speak with the man who helped Peggy.”
“How are we going to find this Oliver?” Eleanor asked.
“Stuart is a guest speaker for the Bonfire Boys. He might be able to tell us how to find Oliver because he’s a leader of one of the troops.”
“Good thinking, but can we head back home? I was hoping to have more birthday cake.”
I hummed as the coffee maker dribbled into the pot. I inched my way toward the remainder of the birthday cake. One more piece left! I wondered if I should eat the whole piece or part of it. I mean, it was only fair to leave a bit for Andrew.
I divided the slice and put the largest portion on my plate. I pulled out two cups, filling only one with the fresh coffee because Andrew was still in the shower. I added my vanilla creamer and moved to the table.
I glanced at the hallway to assure myself that Andrew wasn’t in sight as I gobbled the cake, washing it down with my coffee. I now was in possession of an empty plate that I hastily took to the sink and washed to destroy the evidence.
“Good morning, Andrew,” I said as I poured his coffee.
He walked over to where the cake was and frowned. “I’m so glad you saved me some cake,” he said as held up the miniscule sliver and popped it into his mouth. “Good to the last bite.” He chuckled.
I shrugged, handing Andrew his mug. “Did you have to give away so much of the cake?”
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