Not that he couldn’t have changed, she told herself, turning and heading to her office. Gabe was not the same man that she had once been engaged to. Time had smoothed over the rough edges of his personality, given more depth to him, changed the way he thought.
“What about these little elf thingies,” Rory’s voice floated through her thoughts.
She turned to see him holding a handful of the small elf ornaments that Danny had insisted she order. They hadn’t looked like much in the catalogue, but once they arrived, she had been charmed by their impish expressions and sparkly red hats.
“Go ahead and put some on the big tree by the kitchen door, and then we can spread the rest among the merchandise on the tables and shelves.”
“Sure thing, Boss Lady,” he teased, picking up the box of elves and heading toward the kitchen. He stopped and turned back around. “I don’t guess you want me to have Willa whip up some sort of snack, do you?”
Ellie glanced at the grandfather clock behind the front counter. “It’s nearly three o’clock. I’ll be going to get Danny and the girls in a few minutes. I’m sure Willa can share some of the after school snacks with you,” she grinned. He wasn’t much more than a school boy, himself.
He laughed and headed to the tree.
“I’m going to leave a little early, Willa,” she called into the kitchen. “I need to make a stop at the pharmacy.”
“OK,” the girl’s voice sounded from the kitchen.
“I’ll get any customers that might come in,” Rory assured her, busy arranging the elves among the branches.
***
Ellie was second in line at the pharmacy, but being second to Mrs. Baggett was like being twentieth in a regular line. She took a deep breath and maintained her smile.
“And then, I heard that Eugene Orland’s third cousin, on his mother’s side, told him that Loretta Stuart’s dog had barked all night.”
A dog barking all night is not news, Ellie thought, while Mrs. Baggett took a breath.
“And that was before anyone knew about the break-in down at Carlotta Small’s place, just last night.”
Ellie’s ears perked up. Another burglary? Carlotta Small had not been mentioned by Charity when she came in to buy the cookies.
“And what did they take?” Bill Follett, the pharmacist, asked.
“Some sort of music box, is what I heard. Can you imagine breaking in to houses and stealing music boxes. It’s not like they’re all that expensive.”
A pink padded music box flashed through her mind. She had sold that music box to Carlotta over two years ago. It had been one of the prettiest of the lot she had purchased. Rory’s theory was looking more hopeful.
“People do crazy things,” Mr. Follett said, handing a small white sack to Mrs. Baggett. “Just take that right on over to the counter and Judy will check you out.”
“Hello, Ellie,” he greeted her. “Do I have something for you?”
She nodded. “I called it in yesterday. Some ear drops for Danny.”
She watched as he searched through the large drawer of all ready filled prescriptions. “Here it is!”
She took the bag and headed to the counter, grateful that Mrs. Baggett had not stayed to converse with Judy.
Chapter 25
“Another one!” Rory said, before stuffing the last fourth of his sandwich in to his mouth.
Ellie waited while he chewed. “And a music box that I remember,” she added. “Pink, with a little ballerina that danced when you opened the lid.”
Rory swallowed. “He must have hinted that he’d hide the will in a music box.”
Ellie took a sip of her tea and considered. “You know, I did buy a lot of music boxes at that auction. They were Rosa’s. I’m surprised that he sold them. I wish I could remember how many I purchased, but without my little book, I’m lost. It’s amazing I remember the one that Mrs. Baggett mentioned today.”
“What’s amazing is that anyone can remember anything when Mrs. Baggett has been talking,” Rory said, reaching for another sandwich. “The woman could talk an ear off of an elephant.”
“Rory!” she warned, glancing at Danny. He was busy stuffing his mouth with a slice of tomato and didn’t seem to be listening.
Rory followed her eyes. “Oh, yeah. It’s bad to say things like that.” He looked at Danny. “I’m sorry. Mrs. Baggett is a nice lady. Everyone just loves her and enjoys—”
Ellie narrowed her eyes and shook her head. There was no need to head in the total opposite direction. It was best not to comment on people like Verna Baggett.
***
Gabe’s phone rang twice before he realized that was what he was hearing. Marisa had seemed peeved at him the last time they spoke and hadn’t been calling as much. He had done the same. Childish of both of them, he knew.
He glanced at the screen and put the phone to his ear. “Hello, Marisa.” Maybe this conversation was going to be different.
“Gabe?”
He chewed his cheek. Her voice sounded terribly weak. “Are you all right?”
“Sick. I’m sick,” she barely whispered.
He sat up straighter. “What’s wrong?”
“Flu, the doctor thinks. Or maybe just a bad cold. As you can hear, I can barely talk. It’s my throat.”
“I guess you canceled your flight for tomorrow, didn’t you?” No one sounding that ill needed to be flying.
“I did. I’m sorry, Gabe. I do want to spend Christmas with you.”
She didn’t sound as if she needed to be spending Christmas with anyone. “Well, you were coming early. Maybe you’ll be better in a few days and can still make it.”
There was a long pause. “Maybe. I thought that maybe you. . . .”
Gabe sighed. She wanted him to come to Memphis. It was what she had wanted all along, he knew in his heart, but now it would seem cruel if he didn’t come and be with her. “Well, let’s wait and see how you feel, OK?”
She sniffed. “OK. If that’s the way you feel.”
Gabe closed his eyes for a moment. If Marisa was the woman he intended to spend the rest of his life with, he had no business staying here for Christmas.
“I’ll book my flight tonight. I’ll try to come in by Friday morning. That’ll give us a day before Christmas, as well.”
“Oh, thank you Gabe. You know I love you.”
He stared at his phone. Did she love him? And more important, did he love her? He was on the wrong side of thirty not to know that answer.
***
“Whoa! I think I could use a break before my back goes out,” Ellie said, sitting down hard on the crate beside her. The store looked cozy lit in the Christmas lights from the window. They had turned off the overhead lights, lest anyone think they were open.
And the evening had been productive. Over four dozen candles were on the shelves, she had hung two dozen wreaths, and they had restocked all of the trees with ornaments. That only left putting out a few more gift baskets, and miscellaneous items she had ordered.
“OK. Just let me finish the last of these bell ornaments,” Rory nodded, reaching into a box by his feet.
Ellie headed to the inside of the dimly lit kitchen. Danny was fast asleep on the sofa. The television was on, but turned low. She picked up the changer and switched it off. Her eyes blinked at the sudden darkness of the room.
Stepping to the jelly cupboard in the corner, she turned on the small canning jar light atop a stack of books. No need to flood the place with lights.
Opening the fridge, she took out two bottles of water and a plate that contained two sandwiches leftover from supper. Rory was bound to be hungry and a snack might give him some energy. But it was all ready nine o’clock, and she didn’t want to work much past ten.
“There are a couple of sandwiches on the table there and some water for you,” she pointed out, as he entered the room. She took a sip from her water as she sat on the end of the sofa, moving Danny’s feet to make room. She smiled as he barely moved. The bo
y could sleep through a buffalo stampede.
Rory settled in the recliner and swallowed down the first sandwich. The second went just as fast. Ellie smiled. In a few more years, Danny would have that kind of appetite. How would she ever afford the groceries?
She closed her eyes and enjoyed the silence of the room. It was rare to be in the store when it was so quiet. She jerked and her eyes opened. She had allowed herself to doze, but only a few minutes, as the clock showed nine-twenty. Soft snores came from Rory in the recliner. So much for the young man’s endless energy.
Standing, she set her water on the small coffee table. She would head back to the storage room and open a few more boxes. Once they were ready to bring to the front, she would wake him. She picked up her flashlight and headed out of the room, closing the door all but a crack, behind her.
The storage room was dark. She pulled the chain on the switch. Nothing. Great. Another light bulb to replace. She switched on Danny’s flashlight she had carried with her, and located the two boxes she had in mind. The first was already opened and she inspected the glass candle holders. They were pretty and there weren’t any out in the store, so it would be something for return customers to look at.
A slight crash caught her ears. “Rory?” No answer. She stepped to the storage room door. The store looked dark, except for the shimmering Christmas lights. Her eye caught a reflection from the top of one of Danny’s old aluminum bats next to her, leaning against the wall. Feeling foolish, she put the flashlight on the floor and picked up the bat. She stepped out into the room. All seemed quiet. Maybe a few ornaments had fallen from a tree. That happened sometimes.
Still, she was cautious as she walked toward the front of the store, glad she had on walking shoes that muffled her footsteps on the wooden floor. Her breath caught as she came around the counter. The front door was open, just a bit. She could see the light from the street lamp across the street. Had Rory stepped outside? Maybe he had seen someone that he knew.
Surely Danny hadn’t—a bright light shone in her face and she froze.
“Really, Ellie. A baseball bat is not much defense against a gun.”
“Madge? Turn off that light. You’re blinding me.”
The light went off and after a moment, Ellie could see her friend in the dim light. And she was, indeed, holding a small pistol in her hand. Pointed at Ellie.
“Surprised? Now put down the bat.”
Ellie lowered the bat, but refused to let go of it. “I. . .I don’t understand. Why. . .”
Madge laughed. “Oh, Ellie, don’t be ridiculous. Statistics prove that a woman who is well off is much more likely to be married than a poor woman. And that legal document that Charles Sinclair hid will prove that I’m a rich woman.”
So Rory was right. Had been all along. Madge was definitely one of his suspects. But Ellie hadn’t believed it. The woman had her little eccentric quirks, but she was a sweet woman. A good friend. At least she had thought so.
“You’re doing this to get a husband? What makes you think that your name is on the will?”
“Because Rosa promised me that she would make sure that I was the heir. And Rosa always kept her word. It was that stupid old husband of hers that caused the trouble. If he hadn’t hidden the will, none of this would have had to happen. The lawyer would have contacted me and all my problems would be solved. I just have to find it before Bart does.” She laughed. “He was wasting a lot of time out at the Larkin’s place. He thinks it’s hidden in a desk. That’s why he wants yours. Not that it’s in a desk.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because, Charles had a little jingle. Something like ‘tap your toes and hum a tune’ to find my will. It has to be in the music boxes. I just haven’t found the right one, yet. But your little book has given me some ideas. Of course, I may have to do away with Bart, first.”
“But he’s your cousin, Madge. Surely—”
Madge’s raucous laugh filled the air. “There is no love lost between members of this family, Ellie. Bart would just as soon burn me along with that will. Why do you think he was searching up in Larkin’s loft that afternoon? If he gets to it first, I won’t get anything!”
Ellie’s heart beat so loud she could barely hear her own voice. “Listen to me. Nothing has to happen tonight, Madge. Just put down the gun and we’ll talk. I’m sure we can work something out with the police chief. Cal is a very reasonable man, and—”
“Hush, Ellie! No more talking. My head is killing me. It has been for weeks and weeks. As soon as I get to Puerto Rico and meet Harley, we’ll be married. And then, I can see a doctor and get rid of this pain.”
Was Madge sick? “You had a headache when you were here a few days ago.”
“Yes. And it’s caused me no end of trouble. I can’t seem to remember anything. I was so sure I’d returned that little book to your desk. But, no, it wasn’t there. I just can’t think straight with all the pain.”
“Well why don’t you put down that gun and I’ll take you to the 24-hour clinic. The doctor there can help you.”
Madge laughed again, but this time it wasn’t so friendly. “Those doctors can’t help me. But my Harley can help. We met on the internet last month. He knows a doctor in Puerto Rico that can cure me. He promised.”
“Are you ill?” She could see Madge’s hand shaking in the low light. Please don’t let her pull the trigger, Lord.
“Just these stupid headaches. I’ll be rid of them soon.” She paused and blinked.
“Madge, I don’t understand why—”
“I’m sorry about this, Ellie. I never wanted anyone to get hurt. If only I’d remembered the little book that day, I wouldn’t even be here.”
“You’re going to shoot me?” A movement caught her eyes and she realized that it was Rory, slipping out of the kitchen door and making his way behind Madge.
“What choice do I have, now that you know?”
Keep her talking. “I don’t really know anything, when you think about it. And, we’ve always been friends. Doesn’t that mean anything to you?”
“It did before you were stupid enough to come out here with that bat.”
“What about my son? You’ll leave him an orphan if you kill me. How can you do that to him?”
“I’m sorry about Danny, Ellie. It will be a shame for him, being left without a father or mother. But I’ve seen the way that Gabe Chandler looks at him. He’ll stand in for the father that Danny never knew. Don’t worry, your boy will be OK. Besides, it’s not like you to leave him upstairs by himself at night. Maybe you aren’t a fit mother, after all.”
Ellie choked back a sob. How cold hearted could a person be? And how could she have made such a mistake in her judgment of the woman? And, more important, where was Rory?
“You’ll never be able to live with yourself, if you do this, Madge.” How much longer could she keep her talking? Madge sounded as if it were time to end the conversation.
A harsh laugh sounded from the woman’s mouth. “I’ve lived with more than you could ever imagine. Why—”
A scraping noise sounded and Madge spun quickly, turning the gun with her. Ellie saw one of Mr. Weaver’s sturdy chairs swing high and land on Madge’s head. The gun went off with a loud pop and a flash lit the room for a moment.
Madge hit the floor and the gun spun away from her, across the slick wood floor. Rory yelled and fell to the floor, as well. Ellie ran, snatching the gun before she knelt beside him. A steady stream of blood poured from his arm.
“Looks like she winged me,” he forced a smile. “Is she. . .is she OK?”
Ellie grabbed a stack of paper napkins from the counter. “I don’t know if she is or not. Now, push hard with these while I make the call,” she said, running for the phone. Phone in hand, she dialed 911 and kept the pistol pointed at the seemingly lifeless body of her accountant, sprawled on the floor.
Chapter 26
“Don’t you think he ought to get to the hospital?” Ellie asked the pa
ramedic that was bandaging Rory’s arm.
“We’ll take him in and let them check him out, but he’s in no danger. The bullet barely grazed him.”
“I’m alright. No need to go to the hospital,” Rory assured her.
Ellie stared at the bandage on his arm. “Well, I think you need to go, anyway. Just to be on the safe side.”
“Looks like the bullet wedged in the counter back here,” Cal’s voice broke into their conversations.
She turned and stared at the old bar used as the cookie counter. An antique, original to the first store that was in the building. Thank you, Lord, that it didn’t go into the kitchen with Danny.
The front door flew open and Gabe ran inside. His eyes were wide and his thick, dark hair looked as if he hadn’t bothered to run a comb through the tangled mass. He was wearing jeans and a red football sweatshirt that looked as if it had been wadded into a ball before he put it on. “Ellie!” he shouted, as he finally spotted her.
“It’s all right, Gabe. I’m OK. Rory was hurt, but he’s going to be OK.”
He rushed to her side and pulled her into his arms, almost crushing her with his embrace. Ellie fought for air as she pushed him away. “I’m really OK, Gabe.” She felt her cheeks heat, as she caught Cal watching them.
“Danny? What about Danny?” He insisted.
She chuckled, aware that the shaky feeling that possessed her right after the shooting was finally subsiding. “He’s fine, too.”
“He was asleep in the kitchen when it all went down,” Rory told him.
Ellie hid a smile at his phrasing. “Rory is the hero in all of this.”
Rory’s face blushed red and he avoided eye contact. “I told you that’s not necessary, Ellie.”
Ellie shook her head. “You saved my life, Rory! And probably Danny’s life, too.”
“I can’t believe someone broke in here and threatened you. Who would do such a thing?” Gabe wondered, his eyes clouded with anger. “All that came over the scanner was that there had been a shooting at the store.”
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