by Vikki Walton
Hope jogged to the door by the portico. “Nope. I didn’t think so but wanted to check just to be sure. Where do you think it came from?”
“You know, I heard some noise upstairs earlier today.” Anne set her glass down next to Hope’s. “At first, I thought one of you had come upstairs. But when I looked in the hall, no one was there. Then I went in to check the other room and thought I heard someone running down the hall. When I went back out to check it, again, no one was there.”
“Ooooh, I don’t like this.” Kandi hugged her arms. “Do you think Ralph doesn’t like our idea and is haunting us?”
“Don’t be silly. I’m sure there’s some reasonable explanation, but we do need to figure out what’s causing it. Stewart took a quick look and said he couldn’t find anything, but he’ll be back when he has more time.” Hope moved to the door. “Since it sounded like it came from upstairs, let’s go take a look.”
Anne followed behind with Kandi whimpering, “Wait for me. I don’t want to be, like, alone.”
The trio took the wide wood front stairs to the second landing and looked through all the rooms. Nothing.
“Do you think we should check the servant back stairs?” Hope asked Anne.
“I don’t see how anything could make that sound in there, but it wouldn’t hurt.” They opened the door to the narrow set of wooden stairs that led down to the kitchen. Again, nothing. A door to the attic stood a bit ajar.
“I bet that’s it.” Hope pointed to the door. “You know these old houses. Everything is off balance. Maybe the wind caught the door and it slammed shut.”
“The wind? In a stairway?” Anne made a face. “Seriously? That’s your reasoning?”
Kandi shivered. “I’m getting scared.”
“There’s nothing to be scared about. There’s some reasonable explanation for the noises.” She turned back to Hope. “I know we’ve been storing some stuff up in the attic rooms. Stewart has also been working on the shutters. Do you think some boxes fell over up there?”
Hope nodded her head. “Makes sense. I guess we could go see.” The trio looked at the gaping door and the darkness beyond, but no one made an effort to open it further.
“Look, we’re all tired, and we have a busy day tomorrow. We can get Stewart to check it out up there tomorrow.”
Hope and Kandi both agreed and all three pretended not to be spooked as they closed the door to the set of back stairs that servants employed at the turn of the century.
As they went back down the main stairs, Anne wondered if this bed and breakfast concept had been such a good idea. She knew it was a way to keep the path between her and Kandi’s houses clear. It also would allow her to create a bigger food forest guild in her own yard and more traditional gardening spaces in Ralph’s old yard. When they had contemplated the idea between them, they all quickly agreed that it could only have one name. Ralph had loved his Brandywine tomatoes. Those very tomatoes were the reason behind Anne and Kandi meeting for the first time. She could never have imagined the many changes that had occurred in her life over these last months. Now she was officially the mother of a daughter and an innkeeper. She sighed with contentment.
“You okay?” Kandi glanced worriedly at Anne.
Anne smiled at her. “Yes, very. I’m happy.”
“You know, even though our first guests have been less than nice, I’m happy too.” Hope hugged Anne and then Kandi in turn. “To wonderful partners.”
“To partners,” They chimed.
Hope moved toward the back door. “I’ve got to go home for a bit and check to see how Autumn’s doing with mom.”
“Autumn?”
“Yes, oh I forgot. Autumn is here from Bastyr interning for me. This works well as the shop can stay open while I’m teaching the classes. I told her I’d get someone to sit with mom, but she said not to worry. Missy, Sorcha’s daughter, is coming over and they’re going to be playing Settlers of Catan. The new medication mom’s taking helps her stay more alert for a longer time, so she’ll enjoy their company.”
Anne recalled how Faith had never revealed to Hope that Ralph was her father. He had paid for Hope’s medical studies and tried to help Faith when the first signs of her dementia appeared. But the elderly woman refused to accept the assistance. Because she’d been visiting Ralph at his house without Hope’s knowledge, this was another reason to keep the home. With Kandi as the cook, Hope owning the house, and Anne with her business acumen, it had all fallen into place. Kandi, with a bit of help from Anne’s prestige as an author of homesteading books, had seen the last homesteading fair fill up every available hotel in town. They figured they would keep it open in the busier times and close down over the snowy winter season.
“Hope,” Kandi tilted her head, “how are you getting home?”
“I can walk back.” She tugged on her navy peacoat.
Anne looked outside into the darkness. “I need to go into town and grab a few things at the store. Let me drive you. Kandi, can you hold down the fort until we get back?”
“And leave me, like, all alone here? Um, no thanks.”
“Fine. I’ll stay here, and you can go run the errands for me then.”
Kandi grabbed her jacket from the back hook. “What do you need?”
“A couple of cans of cat food for Mouser. But not the chicken, she prefers the salmon ones.”
Kandi laughed. “Yeah, so who didn’t want a cat and now it’s, like, probably the most spoiled animal in our town?”
“She’s not the most spoiled. Maybe the second most spoiled.” Anne chuckled. Kandi was right. She hadn’t wanted any animals, and now Mouser would curl up on her lap nightly while she read or wrote. Mouser had quickly put all the mice in the old Victorian on notice that they weren’t welcome. Anne was happy not to have to deal with a mouse invasion once winter had arrived.
“Hey ladies, we should probably get a move on. Because of our early start tomorrow I’m going to spend the night. I’ll use the cubby in our office.” Hope pulled on a cloche-style hat in a flattering shade of maroon.
Knowing that they might need to have someone occasionally spend the night, even with Anne and Kandi both living next door, they divided up the old maid’s quarters downstairs into the office, a bathroom, and space just large enough for a twin bed.
Anne agreed. With this group, it would be best to have someone on the premises. “Sounds good. Kandi can get my list, and I’ll hang out here until you all get back from town.”
After Hope and Kandi left, Anne cleaned the glasses and set out the cups and place settings for tomorrow’s breakfast. Better to get ahead of things if tomorrow proved as trying as today had been.
She decided to go upstairs and check the rooms. She took a plastic bag for trash and a carryall bucket that held chocolate treats for turndown service.
Entering Lil’s room, Anne found it not very different than its original appearance. Lil’s clothing had been hung in the closet and toiletries stacked neatly by the sink. Anne turned down the bed, laid a local gourmet chocolate on the pillow, and went through the adjoining bathroom door into Taylor’s room. Clothing had been flung on chairs and the bed. Toiletries were all over the bathroom counter, hurriedly pulled from a cosmetic bag. Anne straightened the bed, pulled back the cover, and placed the chocolate on the pillow.
Finally, with a sense of hesitation, she entered the Nelsons’ room. Both bags sat on the luggage stands, open but unpacked. She quickly turned down the king-size bed and placed a piece of chocolate on each pillow. She then went to the bathroom to empty the trash. She dumped the bin into the plastic bag and then started for the bedroom. On the floor next to the wastebasket, Anne spied a crumpled-up piece of paper.
She picked it up and hesitated on throwing it in the trash bag. Maybe it was something they needed. She set the bag down and opened the paper.
It read, “It’s your turn to suffer now.”
Who had written the note and who had been the intended recipient—Edward or Beth?<
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She stuck it in her pocket and left the room. This really put a twist on things. She needed to speak to Hope when she returned.
Arriving back down in the kitchen, she placed the trash in the bin when headlights illuminated the driveway. Deciding to set a better tone for the rest of the evening, Anne headed to the back door to the porch, just as a woman’s scream punctured the air.
Chapter Six
Anne flew down the steps over to where Beth stood with her mouth open, pointing toward the tree line.
“I saw a bear! I saw a bear!”
Liz had exited the back seat and was now standing next to the shaken woman. She spoke something in a comforting voice.
Edward had exited the car and was squinting at the trees. “I don’t see anything. You sure you didn’t imagine it?”
“NO! I did not imagine it. It was big and brown, and its eyes looked right at me. I hate this place.” She jerked free from Liz’s arms and railed at her, “Why did you bring us here? First, I have to contend with seeing that woman after all these years, and now there are bears. What were you thinking?” The vitriol poured from Beth. Liz took a step back, an undefinable emotion registering on her face.
“I’m so sorry, Beth.” She held her hands up as if surrendering. “I thought this would be a nice getaway. I didn’t expect Taylor to bring Lil. I knew you were interested in this herbal stuff. Come on. It will be fun.”
Anne chimed in, “I know that Hope and Marie have prepared a great workshop for you. As for the bear, this is Colorado, and you can see wildlife. I’m wondering if it wasn’t another animal though, since bears normally stay on the southern side of the lake after waking from hibernation.”
Edward laughed. “There you go. It was some animal, but not one that will eat you. Now, if you all will excuse me, I’m going to bed.” He stalked off, leaving the three women behind.
Beth moved over toward Anne. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have acted like that, and I’m sorry for the early stuff as well. Just seeing—well, it doesn’t matter. It’s no excuse for my behavior. I am looking forward to the classes.” She turned to Liz. “Will I see you upstairs?”
Liz nodded. “I’ll be up in a bit. I think I may see about getting a cup of chamomile tea.”
“Okay. Well, goodnight. I’ll see you tomorrow.” She went over and hugged Liz. Anne heard her say a whispered sorry to the woman.
As soon as they had gone in, Taylor and Lil arrived back at the house. Anne tensed. Was another showdown about to commence?
Taylor spoke first. “Hiya. That was a great restaurant you recommended.”
“Yes, it was very nice,” Lil agreed. “Thank you.” Lil acknowledged Liz with a quick nod and moved on to the door. “Good night everyone.”
Taylor faced Liz. “Give me the real enchilada, Liz. What’s up with your bright idea to bring these two frenemies together? I thought you’d squared it with Beth and Lil and then I show up to this. I almost expected a knock-down, drag-out fight between Beth and Lil earlier.” Taylor crossed her arms over her ample bosom and raised her eyebrows. Anne wouldn’t have liked to have Taylor for a teacher. She started thinking about what she could confess even if she were innocent.
“Listen, I told Beth that we’ve all moved beyond old school crushes and heartaches. That now’s the time to make amends. Sure, our paths might not ever cross again, but they could. Plus, I’ve been missing you and Lil.”
“Quit blowing smoke up my dress,” Taylor wisecracked.
Quit…what? Anne stared at the imposing woman.
“I’m not. I’m serious.” Liz held up her hands. “Look. I just think she’s tired.”
Taylor uncrossed her arms. “I bet she is. She and old Doc are like fire and gasoline. I don’t understand why they ever got married.” She stopped. “Well, actually I do. He wanted the sun but settled for the moon.”
Anne realized at that moment what had been tickling the edge of her mind. Beth was a pale imitation of Lil, whose beauty shone from her. She stole a glance at the house. Two women. One man. Had Lil been the one to write the letter she’d found in the Nelsons’ room? And if she had, who had been the intended recipient?
She realized Liz was speaking to her. “Um, sorry?”
“I was wondering about some chamomile tea?”
“Oh, yes, of course. Taylor, would you like some hot tea before bed?”
“Don’t mind if I do.”
A man’s voice startled them. “What kind do you have?”
Dr. Nelson must have come back outside while they were chatting. Had he heard their conversation? He had to have gone out through the kitchen door as they would have seen him through the glass door opening to the portico. Kandi had been right earlier. He had probably gone out for a smoke out in the back. But why the secrecy? If Anne was right, Beth didn’t like his smoking any more than any of his other habits.
Before Anne could respond, Liz spoke, “You sneaking out to smoke again?”
“What’s it to you, Liz?”
“Nothing. But you know Beth asked you to stop. It’s not good for my heart.”
Hmmm. Was that a Freudian slip? Liz had said my heart versus your heart. Was there now or had there been something between the two?
“You know I’ve switched to this stupid thing.” He pulled the vape pen from his shirt pocket.
Taylor moved over and pulled it from his hand. She shook it in his face. “This thing will kill you. It’s no better than regular cigarettes.” She held it out in front of him and he retrieved it.
Liz implored, “Just don’t let Beth see, okay? How about trying to get along for once in your life. At least for this weekend?”
“I’m going out to the gazebo where she can’t see me, so don’t get your panties all in a wad over what’s none of your business.”
“None of my—” Anne watched as Liz clamped her lips together, silencing a retort.
He nodded at the group. “Ladies.”
“Let’s go get you all some tea. We have an early morning start.” Anne gestured to the house. Inside, she started the hot pot and placed the assortment of teas out for selection. Liz was adding some honey to her tea when they heard honking from a car horn outside.
“That’s strange. This cul-de-sac is usually very quiet.” Anne went and opened the front door and peered out. Kandi’s bright red pickup was at the curb and Hope was exiting the vehicle. Kandi waved. “See you tomorrow!” She put the truck in gear and Anne watched as she pulled the truck into her driveway and disappeared to the back.
Hope reached the steps. Anger radiated from her.
“What’s up?” Anne took the grocery bag from her.
“Some dumb kid almost got himself killed, that’s what. He was wearing all black, and he ran right in front of Kandi’s truck. It’s a good thing she spotted him.”
“Hmmm, who do you think it was and what was he doing over here this late?”
“Well, we did have that issue of kids breaking into the house after Ralph died.”
Anne thought back to when that very thing had almost landed her in jail right after she had moved to Carolan Springs.
“He can obviously see the house is lit up and people coming and going. Plus, we have the new sign on the front porch. Maybe he’ll tell all his friends, and we won’t have to worry about any more vandalism.”
“True. But it was weird that he was running toward the house instead of away from it.” Hope handed Anne the bag from the store containing cat food and a bottle of kefir.
“Listen, can you come over to my place, so we can chat about today? I think we need to get our ducks in a row before tomorrow.”
“I’ll say.” Hope ran a finger across her throat. “The words ‘why did you open an inn’ were on auto-repeat in my mind all day.”
They shut and locked the front door and walked across the two gravel drives to Anne’s house. As they rounded the house and walked up to the back door, Anne smiled to herself. This old house had started everything for her. A new be
ginning that had led to new friends, a loving daughter, a business enterprise, and a life she had always wanted. If it hadn’t have started out with a dead body, knocks to the head, nasty encounters with the local sheriff, and a glimpse into the darkness of the human soul, it would have been pretty perfect.
Anne unlocked her back door. Unlike many in the town that rarely locked their doors, she was from the East Coast, and she preferred the security of a locked door. Inside the house, she took off her shoes and shoved her feet into fuzzy pink slippers. She walked past the old scullery area and into the kitchen where a hungry Mouser welcomed her with a swipe up against her legs and a loud admonition about being late for dinner.
“You’d think you were starving to death, you silly girl.” Anne picked up Mouser and gave her a scratch behind the ears. “Okay, so M’lady, would you prefer salmon or salmon?”
Mouser meowed.
“Excellent choice.” She popped open the lid and dished out the meat into a bowl. Mouser quickly pounced on it, ignoring the dry food in the timer tray next to it.
In the meantime, Hope had pulled back a kitchen chair and sat down, her hands cradling her face.
“What’s your take on this group? Did we make a mistake on this venture?”
Anne joined Hope at the table. She pulled a scrunchie from her pocket and pulled her tawny waves into a ball at the back of her head. “We normally wouldn’t have people that know each other like this, or if they do, they would actually be friends. I’m really thinking someone has an agenda here.”
“I get the same impression. But who? And what?” Hope clasped her hands in front of her on the table.
“I don’t know. But take a look at this.” She pulled the crumpled paper out of her pocket.
“Whoa. Where did you find this?” Hope handed the note back to Anne.
“I was doing a quick room pass and turndown. I found it on the floor next to the wastepaper basket in the Nelsons’ room. The question is, who’s the intended recipient?”
Hope put her hand under her chin and replied, “Good question. If it was intended for the Doctor”—she quoted his name with her fingers in the air—”then it could be any of the three, though I don’t really see Taylor writing a note. She’d tell you straight to your face.”