The Milburn Big Box Set

by Nancy McGovern

  “You were?”

  “I work at my father’s office. We’re Raclette, Zeller and Co. You may have heard of us?”

  “You own a dairy farm, right?”

  “Yep. We’re actually Simone Cabot’s biggest suppliers,” she said, with another sniff. “We’re a family business. Been in the business 60 years now, since my grandfather started it. Jeremy was hired as our head of sales, and I was handling the marketing, so we often spent late nights poring over excel sheets. Since the day I met him, I knew I was attracted to him. But I was dating Matt, and I didn’t want to cheat.”

  “Loyalty is important to you.” Nora nodded. “A good sign in a person.”

  “Thanks.” Charlotte sniffed. “But… well, I don’t know. I ended up falling for Jeremy, even though I tried my hardest not to. At the office Christmas party I almost kissed him. The very next day, I broke up with Matt.”

  “And Jeremy?”

  “The very next day, he told me he’d had too much to drink and couldn’t remember the night before,” Charlotte said with a sigh. “So there I was, almost hopelessly in love, and convinced he’d never see me.”

  “So how did you win him over?”

  “Well, I didn’t. Eliza came over one day, and he asked her out,” Charlotte said. “They went on one date, but Eliza came home talking all about how she thought he was the most boring man alive.”

  “Oh,” Nora said, her perception of events shifting slightly. “So Jeremy had been on a date with her before you ever got together.”

  “Exactly!” Charlotte said. “We got together a month later, on Valentine’s Day, and I had some misgivings, but he promised me that he felt nothing for her, that he’d only asked her out because he was too much of a coward to ask me instead.”

  “But… the doubt lingered,” Nora said, seeing clearly now why Charlotte felt so miserable. “And seeing him kiss Eliza, you can’t shake that doubt away any more.”

  “Exactly,” Charlotte repeated. “What if he was madly in love with her all along and only fooling himself? How could he not tell the difference? Eliza and I have different mannerisms, different clothing. How could he think I’d ever wear a Lakers T-shirt! I hate baseball.”

  “I think they’re a basketball team, sweetie,” Nora said. “Both are fun games. You should try and catch a match.”

  “Whatever they are! I can’t stand the thought that… that he knew somehow, and he went along with it.” Charlotte sighed. “I don’t know if I can forgive him, Nora. I don’t know if I can.”

  “For what it’s worth, as a neutral stranger, he seemed truly torn apart,” Nora said. “Charlotte, I’ll only ask you one thing. Don’t make a hasty decision, all right? Talk to him, communicate honestly with each other, and if, when you look into his eyes, you see the slightest hint that he’s lying to you, that’s when you break up. But right now, I’d say you need to fight. You need to fight for your love and make sure that your sister doesn’t get away with murder!”

  “Murder?” Charlotte shuddered.

  “Just an expression,” Nora said hurriedly, not wanting to give Charlotte any ideas.

  *****

  Chapter 3

  A Bit Of Rest

  “Phew,” Tina said, when Nora finally made it back to the diner. “That was… an interesting day.”

  The two of them worked together effortlessly, shutting down the place for the day. Side by side, they prepped for the next morning, and cleaned out the kitchen until it was spotless. Then, with a cup of coffee and a slice of pie, the two of them relaxed in one of the booths, ready to chat.

  “Poor Charlotte. Poor Jeremy, too,” Nora said. “I really hope that they make it work, you know?”

  “Oh, I hope so, too,” Tina said. “Because we’re catering their wedding this weekend! I certainly hope they aren’t cancelling on us. The diner could use that nice fat check.”

  “Tina!” Nora said. “We’re talking eternally broken hearts here.”

  “My heart will be eternally broken if I can’t add a few extra zeroes to our profit this year,” Tina said.

  Nora shook her head. “I am glad I have you to give me practical sensible advice, Tina. But the Diner isn’t about profit…”

  “Honey, every business is about profit. Even the non-profit ones.”

  “I just mean… I don’t want to become one of those places that’s all about maximizing revenue and doesn’t care about the human aspect of it,” Nora said. “The longer we’ve been in business, the more I feel like running the diner is about nourishing more than just the bodies of our customers.”

  “Hoo boy. Spare me.” Tina threw up her hands. “But you should channel all that poetic spirit into something productive. Like your vows.”

  “Oh, right.” Nora gulped. “Haven’t written them yet. I seem to freeze when I think about it.”

  “Well, luckily you have an amazing maid of honor who has a study session booked at the library.” Tina smiled. “We’re taking two hours tomorrow, and we’re getting it done. I need to write my speech too. All the juiciest stories I can think of are going in there.”

  “Oh, come on, Tina!” Nora giggled. “You promised you wouldn’t be too harsh.”

  “Oh, but where’s the fun in that?” Tina smiled. “Anyway, you can look it over once.”

  Nora sighed. “I actually feel a little bad. Here we are planning my wedding and poor Jeremy and Charlotte—”

  “Oh, speaking of Jeremy and Charlotte, here’s the menu. You were busy with the diner and the wedding, so this has been my project from start to end,” Tina said. “I’m really glad you’re letting me explore the catering side of things, Nora. I feel we’re going to make a fortune if we can capture the wedding market.”

  “Right.” Nora looked over the menu. “You did a pretty fantastic job too, Tina. When you told me about the expansion plans earlier, I have to say I had my doubts. But the two new chefs you’ve hired have been great so far.”

  “Bret and Angela. They’re sweethearts, both of them.” Tina smiled. “They both jumped at a chance to train under you.”

  “Well, it’s been six months and they’re my equals. Give them six more and they’ll be running this place,” Nora said. “I’m going to feel redundant in my own diner at the rate they’re going.”

  “Oh, I can keep you drowning in work,” Tina said. “But I’m trying to make it easy for you until after your honeymoon.”

  “He’s taking me to a chalet in Switzerland, you know.” Nora had stars in her eyes. “He said he’s planning on a trip to Europe every summer once we’re married.”

  “Sounds awesome,” Tina said. “Hey, Sam knows this guy who offers really cheap deals where you can rent a yacht off the coast of Croatia and then just float around for a week. Doesn’t that sound good?”

  “Everything’s good when Harvey’s around,” Nora said. “We were so exhausted with all the wedding stuff last week, all we did was cuddle together on the couch and watch old reruns. I still loved it.”

  “How’s Mrs. M taking it?” Tina asked, referring to Nora’s old landlady. “You know, her favorite tenant will be gone soon.”

  Nora sighed. “She said her niece is planning to move in with her once I’m gone. Do me a favor and check up on her while I’m on vacation, will you?”

  “I will, of course,” Tina said.

  “I think Maynard will miss me far more than Mrs. Mullally will,” Nora said. “That little guy depends on me for his walks. He’s been giving me tearful looks ever since I started packing.”

  “Nora Harvey Nathaniel.” Tina sighed. “Nora Nathaniel. At least your initials won’t change at all. You are planning to change your name, right?”

  “Yes. I’m old fashioned that way,” Nora said. “I guess if I were a professional in the big city and had a network of people who knew me by my old name, I’d feel differently. But I guess... This is just one more of the joys of being your own boss.”

  “It’ll be well balanced out by the headaches of being your o
wn boss,” Tina said. “That new oven we bought is broken again.”

  “Again!” Nora gasped. “That’s the second time in two months that we’ve had a problem with it.”

  “I talked to the supplier about it, he claims it’s just the way things are produced these days,” Tina said. “I’m going to let him have it, and start shopping around for new people to buy from.”

  “No. I believe him,” Nora said. “He’s a good man. He wouldn’t lie to us.”

  “Sean’s right,” Tina said. “All the sentimentality of the wedding is affecting your sharp, business-like brain, Nora.”

  “What’s this about Nora having a brain?” Harvey teased, entering with a bouquet of flowers tucked under one arm. “First I’ve heard of it.”

  “That crack will only be excused if you’ve got me some flowers.” Nora smiled. “So are those for me?”

  “Nope, sorry. Sam sent it for Tina. I’m just the delivery boy.” Harvey handed it over to Tina. “But I got something for you, Nora.” He gave her a kiss, and Nora was quite satisfied.

  “What’s up with your husband sending you flowers?” Harvey asked Tina. “You guys get into a fight or something?”

  Tina scowled, and set the flowers aside. “Oh it’s nothing,” she said.

  Harvey and Nora looked at each other. He raised an eyebrow and she nodded slightly.

  “Nothing, hmm?” Harvey asked. “Those are some pretty fancy flowers to be sending over nothing. How long have you been married now, five years?”

  “I know perfectly well that you’re snooping, Harvey Nathaniel, and you’ll do well to stay out of it.”

  “I tried asking him too, and he just looked embarrassed,” Harvey said.

  “Yes well, he should!” Tina exclaimed. “He did something unforgivable.”

  “Oh.” Harvey gave Nora a meaningful look. “What’s that?”

  Tina’s lip twitched, but she shook her head.

  “You have to tell us,” Nora said, starting to feel worried now.

  “I don’t want to,” Tina said. “He needs to suffer a bit.”

  “You should tell us so I know what not to do!” Harvey said. “What could he possibly have done that’s so bad?”

  “You really want to know?” Tina asked.

  “Yes!”

  “He watched an entire season of Game of Thrones without me!” Tina exclaimed, “And if that isn’t bad enough, he… he told me who died in the finale.”

  “Oooh.” Harvey inhaled sharply. “Now that’s something to get upset over.”

  “Yes, I’ve been giving him silent treatment for a while now,” Tina said.

  “Guess you don’t want these flowers then.” Harvey moved to pick them up, and Tina snatched them away from him.

  “Well maybe I do,” she said defiantly.

  Holding back a laugh, Harvey winked at Nora, who winked back and put her hand into his. He gave her a little squeeze. Sighing, Nora looked at him out of the corner of her eye. Either he was growing handsomer each day, or the rose-tint that seemed to cloud the world these days was growing stronger. They had worked hard at organizing the wedding, but Nora sometimes wished she could chuck everything and just elope with him. Two weeks more seemed like an eternity.

  “Ah, that reminds me,” Harvey said. “We need to get our wedding license, Nora. You’ll come with me down to city hall, right?”

  “Of course.” Nora smiled. “Tomorrow at 3, right?”

  “Absolutely,” Harvey said. “Mayor Almand said he’d give it to us personally.”

  “Speaking of the Mayor, have you heard the gossip?” Tina asked. “I hear he’s planning his retirement soon.”

  “Is he now?” Harvey smiled. “I thought he wanted to be buried in his office. That’s what he once told me.”

  “Well, just between us, May said that they’re planning a second honeymoon. A road trip from coast to coast!”

  “Sounds amazing!” Nora said.

  “It does, but what about Milburn? If Mayor Almand leaves us, we’re going to need a new Mayor. Someone hard working, honest and smart.” She looked at Harvey.

  “Too bad I’m none of those.” Harvey gave her a crooked smile. “Stop eyeing me like you’re planning my campaign, Tina.”

  “Well, you’d make a fine Mayor, I think,” Tina said. “Tell him, Nora.”

  “You would,” Nora agreed. “As long as you don’t make too many of your wisecracks on official business.”

  “Now I’m hurt,” Harvey said. “Aren’t my wisecracks your favorite part of me?”

  “They’re a close second to your eyes.” Nora smiled.

  “Okay. That’s it. I’m done.” Tina threw up her hands. “I’ll give you two the privacy you’re itching for. Harvey, you can help Nora close up. I’m going home.” She picked up the flowers, and yelped as a thorn pricked her. The bouquet fell to the ground. As she bent to pick it up, Tina noticed something.

  “Strange,” she said, picking it up. “What do you suppose that is, Nora?”

  “A fake nail,” Nora said with a frown.

  “Huh. Painful having those ripped off I can tell you,” Tina said. “Anyway, I’ll toss it on my way out.”

  Nora frowned, wondering why she felt a little off kilter. Something was triggered in her memory, but didn’t quite reach the surface of her consciousness. Pushing it away, she waved goodbye to Tina, and put her arms around Harvey.

  “Ah,” he said. “Where were we? You were telling me about how pretty you find my eyes.”

  “They’re beautiful,” Tina said, popping her head back in again. “Just two limpid pools of love.”

  “Tina!” Nora blushed and motioned as if to throw a cup at her, and with a laugh, Tina shut the door and left.

  “She’s right, you know,” Harvey said. “Limpid pools of love when they look at you.”

  “Ha-arvey.” Nora’s blush deepened.

  “How do you feel?” he asked in a serious voice. “I mean, the license tomorrow, that’s a pretty big step. The first official step, I’d say.”

  “I feel deliriously happy most of the time, panicked about the wedding arrangements the rest of the time,” Nora admitted. “And sometimes, I feel like running away with you.” There was something more she wanted to tell him, but somehow, she couldn’t bring herself to. He was giving her this smoldering look that made her long to hug him, and she didn’t want to risk starting a fight by telling him about her fears. Worse, she didn’t want to put doubts into his head about whether she was ready for this.

  “Anytime you want to run away, I’m game,” he said, drawing her into his lap, and gently kissing her nose and each cheek. “You let me know if you want to ditch the diner and do a road trip across America with me.”

  “What, and have you give up your business?” Nora teased. “Not a chance.”

  “I’d give it all up for you,” Harvey said seriously. She felt a warm pool bubble in her stomach, and dropped her head to his shoulder.

  Life was good. And hopefully nothing would ever disturb the peace and happiness she felt. It was a hard won happiness, and she was determined to build upon it for the rest of her life. With Harvey by her side, she felt like anything was possible.

  *****

  Chapter 4

  Legrand Manse

  “I heard you and Harvey got your license today? Congratulations!” Father Mackenzie, pastor of the local church, beamed at Nora.

  “Father Mackenzie!” Nora smiled. She had a special fondness for the white haired gentleman. He’d been in his late forties when he first arrived to serve their congregation as pastor, and he’d been of great comfort to her when her parents had died all those years ago. Almost a father figure that she had been able to lean on. Knowing that he was going to officiate their wedding made it even more special for Nora. It seemed fitting somehow, that the man who had held the child she had been as she sobbed and told her that life would move on, would now see her taking her first steps into creating a family of her own.

  “Yo
u’ve forgotten all about me,” Father Mackenzie teased.

  “Oh.” She smiled sheepishly. She and Harvey had meant to take out time, and have a meeting with him, but between Harvey’s busy schedule and her own, they’d postponed it over and over.

  He gave her a warm smile, dismissing the awkwardness. “Never mind. I know it’s tough. Time has a way of slipping and sliding right out of our reach,” he said. “But what are you doing here at the manor? Don’t worry, it’s not going to run away before you get married!”

  “Oh sometimes I feel like anything could happen,” Nora said with a laugh. “A Victorian manor picking up its skirts and running off through the forests. It’s not that improbable.”

  The Legrand Manse, a local legend, was where almost every single wedding in Milburn had taken place for as long as Nora could remember. It was a regal estate house, built by one of the town’s founding fathers over a hundred years ago. With a magnificent wrap around porch, and 50 acres of gardens that were impeccably maintained, it attracted wedding parties from all over the state. Nora had wanted a simple open air wedding in the woods at first, but Harvey, who was a big fan of the mansion’s architecture, had soon persuaded her to have it in the large oak ballroom instead, with the reception to be held in the scenic back-garden that was dotted with sculptures and Italian style hedges. The fact that the mansion also acted as an inn was an added bonus. Nora had to agree that the party would be a lot more relaxed if they didn’t have to worry about transporting guests.

  “I’m here to make the final payment, actually,” Nora said. “We’re trying to finish that off this week, and leave as little as possible for the last moment.”

  “Ah yes.” Father Mackenzie nodded. “I was here to speak to Charlotte and Jeremy about their plans for tomorrow.”

  “Oh!” Nora exclaimed. “Did they… are they planning to…?”

  “I counseled them both.” Father Mackenzie nodded. “They decided to have the wedding tomorrow after all.”

  “That’s good.” Nora smiled, feeling genuinely happier. “I’m glad Eliza didn’t have her way.”