44 Cranberry Point (4 page)

“There’s someone else you should include on the list of people who love you,” Ben said. He sat down on the porch swing while she rummaged in her large purse, searching for the house keys.

“And who would that be?” she asked, thinking she might have stuck the key chain in her overnight bag.

“That would be me.”

Charlotte froze. Ben had just declared his love-or so it seemed-and at the most ridiculous of times. She turned to face him. “Are you saying you’re in love with me, Ben Rhodes?”

“I am.” He looked at her directly, meeting her eyes. “The fact is, Charlotte, I’m wondering if you share my feelings.”

He didn’t know? He hadn’t guessed? This was indeed news. With her keys clenched in her hands, she triumphantly lifted them from her purse. “As a matter of fact, I’m head over heels in love with you and have been for quite a while,” she said bluntly. Having admitted her feelings, she blushed and quickly added, “Would you care for a glass of lemonade to celebrate our victory?” She opened the front door.

“Don’t mind if I do.” Ben followed her into the house. “I just might steal a kiss while I’m at it.”

“And I just might let you,” Charlotte said with a smile.

T
he alarm went off and Grace Sherman glanced at the clock radio on the bedside table. 7:00 a.m. Her one day of the work week to sleep in, and she’d forgotten to turn off the alarm the night before. With the new spring schedule, the library didn’t open until eleven on Wednesdays. But staying in bed now that she was awake seemed pointless. Sighing, she tossed aside the covers, then sat up and slipped her feet into slippers. She quickly made the bed.

Dan, her husband of more than thirty years, had been dead for some time, and she had the entire bed to herself, but she continued to sleep on one half, never disarranging the other. Old habits were persistent. Habits like waking early. Her daily routine gave her structure and comfort in a life that was increasingly out of control.

As little as three years ago, everything had seemed so normal. Her marriage wasn’t particularly happy, but it wasn’t unhappy, either. Her life was comfortable. Predictable. Then Dan had disappeared. For an entire year she’d lived in a state of suspension, not knowing what had happened to him, where he’d gone or who he was with. When she least expected
it, just when she’d adjusted to the fact that he must be with someone else, Dan’s body was discovered. He’d died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Grace felt she could deal with Dan’s death. At the time, he’d already been gone a year and she’d learned to live on her own and even found a certain solace in it. During those first dark, lonely months following his disappearance, she’d become acquainted with Cliff Harding, a horse rancher who lived in Olalla. Cliff had wanted a relationship, but he’d been patient, willing to wait until it felt right to her. Prior to her relationship with Cliff, the last time Grace had been out on a date was in high school. The one and only man in her life had been her husband. After she’d buried Dan, she’d finally agreed to see Cliff-but then she’d foundered and made a drastic mistake. Grace had gotten involved with another man via the Internet.

Chatting with Will Jefferson, her best friend’s older brother, had started out innocently enough. From as early as she could remember, Grace had had a crush on Will. That had never gone anywhere, and after high school Will had left for the East Coast, where he attended college and then stayed. He’d written her a letter after Dan’s death, and the correspondence had continued by e-mail. He’d flattered her ego, become her friend, and before she realized what was happening, she’d fallen in love with him, despite the fact that he was married.

She was embarrassed to admit how foolish she’d been. Grace knew from the beginning that Will had a wife. At first she’d pretended they were merely friends and that his marital status didn’t matter. But it did. When Will assured her he was divorcing his wife, she’d wanted to believe him, wanted to be part of his life badly enough to swallow his lies. Thankfully she’d learned the truth in time to save her dignity, but at a painful price.

As a result of her liaison with Will, she’d lost Cliff Harding’s love, friendship and respect. He no longer wanted anything to do with her and after months of neglect, months of misleading him-no, lying to him-she couldn’t blame Cliff at all. He’d said it would be better if they went their separate ways. Twice she’d gone to him. Twice she’d asked for another chance to prove herself. Twice he’d said no.

Grace had wanted to make amends and to recover what she’d lost with Cliff. She now recognized her “love” for Will as the infatuation it was, fueled by the clandestine nature of the relationship. And she recognized the genuineness of her feelings for Cliff.

She was sure Cliff still loved her, too. She saw it,
felt
it, but he sadly shook his head. Cliff’s wife had cheated on him for years and he refused to become trapped in another relationship where trust was compromised.

As far as Cliff was concerned, it was over between them.

With both Will and Cliff out of her life, Grace was lonely. Terribly lonely. Other than her work, some valued friends and her two daughters and grandchildren, she had few outside interests.

Dressed in her robe and slippers, she moved slowly into the kitchen, Buttercup, her golden retriever, at her heels. The dog ventured outside through the doggy door, and Grace picked up the local newspaper from the front porch and placed it on the kitchen table. While Buttercup did her business, Grace prepared a pot of coffee.

Her sense of loneliness was accentuated even more now that Olivia had remarried. Grace was happy for her dearest friend and yet she was afraid that Olivia wouldn’t have as much time for her anymore. She was ashamed of her Internet lapse with Olivia’s brother, and felt somewhat distanced from Olivia as a result.

“Well, Buttercup,” Grace murmured as the dog came back inside. “Shall we see what’s on the agenda for today?” She poured herself a cup of coffee while Buttercup lapped water from her bowl. A fund-raising committee meeting for the animal shelter was scheduled for that evening. One positive thing Grace had done for herself after the breakups with both Will and Cliff was to become a volunteer at the Cedar Cove Animal Shelter.

Two Saturdays a month she interviewed potential pet owners, walked and fed the animals and did whatever else she could to be useful. Janet Webb, who was in charge of fund-raising, had asked Grace to be on her committee and she’d gladly accepted.

Buttercup finished her drink and sat down at Grace’s feet while Grace sipped her coffee. As she mulled over her day, she scanned the headlines, then got dressed-khaki cotton trousers, a white tailored shirt, her favorite black blazer-and drove to the library.

Grace’s afternoon passed quickly. Following work, rather than race home before her meeting, Grace strolled along the waterfront. The marina was lovely, especially this time of year. In a couple of months, the Thursday-night Concerts on the Cove would start again. Cliff had often joined her for the concerts. They’d buy dinner and sit on the grass…Grace shook her head in an effort to dispel her memories of Cliff. He’d insisted it was over and she had no choice but to accept his decision.

Before she left for the meeting, Grace went to the Potbelly Deli where she bought a sandwich, eating it at a small table by herself. Then she drove out to the shelter.

Janet Webb and the other committee members had already arrived. “I’m so glad you’re on our committee,” Janet said and introduced Grace to Mary Sanchez and Margaret White,
both long-standing volunteers. Janet and Margaret were about the same age as Grace, but Mary was in her mid-thirties.

“We’re looking for something that’ll bring the entire community together,” Janet explained as Grace took a seat at the table in the conference room. “For the last few years we’ve done the usual bake sales and car washes.”

“We had a dog wash that one year,” Margaret reminded her.

“Yes, and while those fund-raising events have been successful, they’ve been fairly small-scale. I’d like something with a little more…punch.”

“What about a bachelor auction?” Mary suggested excitedly. It was clear she’d been thinking about the idea for quite some time and was nearly out of her chair with enthusiasm. “I’ve read about them and I think it’s a wonderful idea, don’t you?”

Janet hesitated. “Maybe, but I’m married and so are a lot of other women in town.”

“Yes, but I’m not and, well, I know I’d certainly be willing to pay for the pleasure of having a handsome man at my disposal for an entire evening.” She glanced eagerly toward Grace. “I’ll bet other single women would, too.”

Grace wasn’t so sure, but she hated to squelch Mary’s enthusiasm. “Has anyone else noticed that there seem to be more animals that need adoption lately?” she asked. “Especially dogs…” The ideas started to churn in her mind. “What about a dog auction-or perhaps the shelter could do that along with the bachelors?”

“A dog and bachelor auction?”

“Why not?” Grace asked. “We could pair up the dogs with the bachelors.”

Janet seemed to be considering the idea. “That sounds promising.”

“The dog would be auctioned off first, and then the bachelor. Or the other way around.”

“The bachelors would need to be a variety of ages, right?” Mary asked.

“Of course,” Janet said, smiling ever so slightly.

Grace could tell that she was warming to the idea.

“Be sure and ask Cliff Harding to participate,” Margaret White said, leaning closer to the table. “I think he’s the most adorable man I’ve seen in ages, and he’s single, too.”

“Who?” Janet asked, frowning.

“Cliff Harding,” Margaret repeated. “You obviously haven’t noticed him around town, but trust me, I have. He’s a hunk.”

Mary looked across the table at Grace. “You were going out with him for a while, weren’t you?”

It was all Grace could do to nod. Cliff was a natural choice for the bachelor auction. Her enthusiasm for the project did a nosedive, but she didn’t dare show her feelings.

“Can you think of anyone else who’d agree to be auctioned off for charity?” Janet asked.

“Bruce Peyton,” Grace suggested with a shrug. “He’s a widower who brings his daughter into the library once a week.”

“Ah, yes,” Mary said. “I remember when his wife was killed in an automobile accident. When was that, anyway?”

“It must’ve been two or three years ago,” Margaret replied. “I knew her mother, Sandy. Tragic, tragic accident. I think Stephanie’s death was what killed her. Sandy was gone within a year-cancer.”

Grace felt terrible for the little girl who’d lost both her mother and grandmother within such a short period. She didn’t know Bruce well, but he seemed loving and protective of his daughter. She didn’t envy him the task of raising the little girl on his own.

“Ben Rhodes has stirred a few hearts down at the Senior
Center,” Grace said, wondering how Charlotte would feel about this.

Mary nodded in approval. “Ben’s an excellent choice and, seeing that he’s retired Navy, he just might be able to get us a few young seamen who’d be willing to do a good deed for charity.”

“That’s a great idea.” Janet seemed absolutely delighted now. She quickly wrote down the names on the pad. “Barry Stokes is always good about donating his time and talent to charity auctions.”

Barry was the local auctioneer whose big red barn and auction headquarters could be seen from the highway.

“This is going to be just great,” Mary burbled.

“It’s certainly better than another bake sale.”

“Why don’t we talk to Seth and Justine Gunderson about letting us use The Lighthouse for the event?” Grace said.

“Perfect,” Mary agreed. “We want to make this classy. The restaurant’s just the right size, too.”

Janet picked up a pen and pad and started writing down suggestions and assignments. “Okay, I’ll see what I can do to get The Lighthouse. I’ll get in touch with Barry, too.” Janet made a second notation for herself. “Mary and Margaret, why don’t you two make up a list of potential bachelors?”

The women nodded simultaneously.

Janet pointed her pen in Grace’s direction. “How about if you work on publicizing the event-posters, newspaper ads, radio and the like?”

Grace nodded. “Of course.”

“I’ll ask for volunteers to work the auction at the next board meeting.” Janet looked pleased with herself. “I think we’re onto something really wonderful this year.”

The four women continued to discuss the event and it was after eight before they ended the meeting. Margaret
White walked out to the parking lot with Grace. “I don’t know about anyone else but I’d write a blank check to spend an evening with Cliff Harding.”

Grace forced a smile.

“I nearly pass out every time he comes to the vet’s office.” She giggled like a schoolgirl. “See you next week,” she said. She climbed into her car and drove off.

Grace slid into her own vehicle and braced her hands against the steering wheel. The thought of Cliff with another woman made her feel a regret so strong that for a moment she was nearly sick to her stomach. She couldn’t bear it and at the same time realized she had to.

Worst of all, she was to blame for her own unhappiness.

P
eggy put the finishing touches on the dinner table as Bob straightened up the family room. He was pleased Peggy had chosen to serve their guests in the kitchen rather than the formal dining room. Jack and Olivia, who were back from their honeymoon, were coming for dinner, and he considered Jack as much family as friend. Olivia now, too. In some ways, however, Jack was even closer than family.

Although Bob had twenty-one years of sobriety behind him, he knew he was a single drink away from insanity. He still took it one day at a time and routinely attended AA meetings. It was through Alcoholics Anonymous that he’d met Jack Griffin. Bob and Peggy had been living in the Spokane area when Jack approached Bob and asked him to be his AA sponsor. That was the beginning of their strong friendship.

After Bob and Peggy returned to Cedar Cove and purchased this house, they’d invited Jack to visit. He’d fallen in love with the small-town community. When the editor’s job opened up at
The Cedar Cove Chronicle,
Jack-a longtime newsman-had applied and been offered the position. Soon after
he moved to town, he met Judge Olivia Lockhart. It’d taken some mighty fast talking on Jack’s part, but he’d finally convinced her to marry him. Bob was proud to have stood up as Jack’s best man.

“Honey, would you fill the water glasses?” Peggy asked as she scurried about the kitchen.

“Sure thing.” His wife was a marvel, Bob thought as he dumped ice cubes into the pitcher. Peggy was a master gardener, homemaker and cook extraordinaire. The scent of her chicken cordon bleu wafted through the kitchen and made his mouth water. He knew she’d prepared his favorite broccoli salad and a special mashed-potato casserole as part of their meal. Peggy had made a habit of cooking all his favorite dishes since Sheriff Davis’s last visit-as if she was determined to make his last days on earth happy ones. Not that she’d admit it, he realized, but Bob knew she was worried and he humored her.

Much of the success of Thyme and Tide was due to Peggy’s skill at making people feel welcome and comfortable. Bob didn’t discount his own talents. He was a reasonably adequate handyman, but it was Peggy who held everything together, including his life.

She was busy at the sink-doing what, he could only guess. He finished his assigned duty, set the pitcher aside and came up behind her, sliding his arms around her waist.

“Bob,” she protested as he spread kisses down the side of her neck. “We have guests due any minute.”

“Hmm.”

“
They’re
the ones on the honeymoon, not us.”

“Does that mean you’re not interested in a little hankypanky?”

“Bob Beldon!”

“Is that a yes, you are, or a no, you’re not?”

“It’s a yes, but could you kindly wait until after our guests leave?” She feigned impatience, but Bob knew her far too well. Their marriage had gone through several stages, some good and some difficult, but through it all their love life had remained active. Peggy’s talents extended into the bedroom and for that, Bob was most appreciative.

The doorbell chimed and Bob released his wife. Peggy made a show of tucking in her blouse. This was the first week they’d been without overnight guests, and the absence of people in the house had taken some getting used to. Bob enjoyed it for a change, but he knew that before long they’d both grow bored.

“Do you want me to get that?” Peggy asked.

“No, I will.”

Peggy sighed, and Bob sensed that she was nervous. She didn’t know Olivia well, and he could tell that Peggy sincerely hoped they’d all be friends. She hadn’t worked quite this hard to impress someone in a very long while. Dinner in the kitchen would be more intimate, more casual, and definitely suited Jack’s personality. Olivia’s, too, he hoped…

Jack and Olivia Griffin stood at the front door, looking relaxed and very much in love. Jack had his arm around Olivia’s waist as if he couldn’t bear to be apart from her.

“Welcome back,” Bob said, stepping aside to let them in. “You both look fabulous.”

“We
are
fabulous,” Jack said, smiling down at Olivia.

Bob had to admit they made an interesting couple. Jack was by far the more easygoing of the two. Olivia held an important position in the community, so perhaps it was only natural that she’d be more formal. Yet they were good together, good for each other in the same way he and Peggy were.

“Welcome,” Peggy said as she walked into the living
room. “I hope you had a wonderful honeymoon.” Jack came forward to kiss her cheek.

“We did,” Olivia told her, smiling. “Unfortunately, we have to be back at work first thing in the morning.”

“I’ve got to get out the Friday edition of the paper,” Jack said, “and Olivia’s due in court.”

“I was lucky to get as much time off as I did,” she added.

Peggy hung Olivia’s jacket in the hall closet. Jack shrugged off his raincoat and threw it over the back of a chair.

“Are we early?” he asked, glancing at his watch.

“Not at all, your timing’s perfect.” Peggy scooped up his coat and quickly brought it to the closet. “I’ve got just a few things to do and then dinner will be on the table.”

“How can I help?” Olivia asked as she followed Peggy into the kitchen.

“Most everything’s finished, but you can keep me company.”

Bob was grateful for a few minutes alone with his friend. Rather than lead Jack into the family room, he stayed in the formal living room. The last time he’d sat here had been with Roy McAfee and Sheriff Davis. That was the day he’d met Hannah Russell, the daughter of the man who’d died in his home. The daughter of a long-forgotten friend. Bob didn’t want to think about any of it, but he couldn’t ignore the dead man, either.

“You’re looking well,” Bob said. He sat in the wingback chair by the fireplace.

Jack claimed its twin, which was angled on the other side of the fireplace. “I don’t know why Olivia waited so long to marry me. The woman’s crazy about me, you know.” He chuckled at his own remark.

“I suppose you think Peggy and I invited you to dinner because of your charming personality.”

“Any other reason I should hear about?”

Bob went very still. He hadn’t meant to introduce the subject quite so soon, but Jack had given him the perfect opportunity. “Listen, Jack, you’re the best friend I’ve got. You know that, right?”

The smile faded from Jack’s eyes at the seriousness in Bob’s tone. “Yeah, I guess.”

“I need a favor.”

Jack nodded. “Anything.”

“Thanks, Jack.” Bob spoke quietly and hoped his gratitude was evident.

“Does this have anything to do with Maxwell Russell?”

“Yes.”

“Anything new?”

“Not really, but Troy Davis stopped by for a visit last week, and he thinks I might be in…some kind of danger.”

Jack uncrossed his legs and leaned forward. “
What
kind of danger?”

“He wasn’t entirely sure-no one is-but with two of the four-man squad dead, it’s a puzzle. Someone murdered Max. That much has been uncovered. Dan’s dead, too, and although he committed suicide, I wonder about the timing. There has to be
some
connection between these two deaths.”

“What about the fourth man?”

“I can’t say, but when Peggy was out of earshot Troy let me know that he’s warned Samuels to be careful. There are too many unanswered questions.”

Jack frowned. “What did he suggest you do?”

“He thought it might be a good idea if Peggy and I went on an extended vacation.”

Jack’s frown grew deeper. “Then what the hell are you doing here?”

Bob sat back in his chair and attempted to look as if he wasn’t intimidated by his situation. He was, though, and he hoped his acting skills were up to par. He figured he’d played enough roles in the community theater to make a passable showing. “I refuse to run away and hide. If anyone out there wants me dead, then all I can say is let him come and get me.”

“I don’t suppose Davis mentioned you have a stupid attitude?” Jack’s scowl darkened his face.

“He might’ve suggested something along those lines.”

Jack didn’t say anything for a moment. “What does Peggy think about all this?”

Bob didn’t want to discuss that. “She has her opinion and I have mine. I did agree not to take guests until this is settled. It hurts financially, but we’ll survive.”

“One day at a time?”

“Let go and let God,” Bob said, quoting a well-known AA saying.

“What can I do?” Jack asked.

“For now, nothing, but if something should happen to me…”

“Nothing’s going to happen.”

Bob wasn’t prepared to argue, but for his own peace of mind, he needed reassurance. He held up his hand. “I don’t know what the future holds, Jack. If what Davis thinks is true, I could turn up dead, the same as Max.”

“But-”

“There are a lot of things in this world that can’t be forgotten or forgiven.” Bob lived with plenty of regrets but none greater than his unwitting participation in a massacre during the Vietnam War.

“What do you need me to do?” Jack asked.

“I want you to look after Peggy for me.” He worried about his children, too. Both Hollie and Marc lived in the
Spokane area. Peggy kept in close touch with both of them, and he talked to his son and daughter once a week.

“You know I’ll do whatever I can,” Jack promised.

If he were to die, Bob couldn’t see either of his children moving to Cedar Cove. They loved their mother but they had lives of their own.

He reached inside his pocket and pulled out two envelopes. “I’ve written each of my kids a letter. If the worst happens, I want you to give them these.”

Jack accepted the envelopes and nodded. “Consider it done.”

Bob glanced up just in time to see Peggy and Olivia walk into the living room. “Why are you two sitting here looking so glum? Dinner’s ready.”

“Dinner.” Bob bolted to his feet. “Why didn’t you say so?”

“I’m ready anytime,” Jack said.

Bob felt better than he had in days. No matter what happened, he could rest easy now.