A Spicy Secret (6 page)

“That’s not a hundred and twenty blankets on the tracking poster, is it?” Annie asked.

“Nope,” replied Kate. “The girls said they didn’t have enough poster board to draw that many. There are forty, so we can color one in for every three blankets we collect. I even brought a bunch of markers so customers can do the coloring if they want.”

“If that doesn’t get the attention of Stony Pointers, I don’t know what will!” exclaimed Alice. “What talented girls, Kate!”

Kate blushed. “Thank you. They came up with the concept all on their own. And by the way, the ‘Blanket Haiti’ idea is from a company called Blanket America. They donate blankets to the needy, and they also have a mission in Haiti.”

“Aren’t those girls astute?” Stella said. Annie knew that was high praise, coming from the woman who wore diamond earrings to an appointment to get her teeth cleaned and who had started and now oversaw the town’s Cultural Center.

“I’ll put one up at the diner and hand ’em out to everyone with their check,” said Peggy. “I’m sure Jeff won’t mind.”

“And I’ll make sure John puts some out at the bank,” Gwen chimed in. “He probably can’t ask the tellers to hand them out with the cash, but he’ll do what he can.”

“I’ll stick one in all of my Princessa and Divine Décor catalogs,” said Alice. “And you know how those get around.”

“Sounds like we’re gonna blanket Stony Point too,” Kate beamed. “Thank you all so much for your help!”

“Well, let us know if you think of anything else you need,” Stella said. “Of course, I’ll arrange for flyers to be posted in the Cultural Center as well. Perhaps we can display a few of the nicer blankets we make.”

Kate clapped her hands. “That would be so wonderful! But how would you do that? Wouldn’t it look weird to just have blankets hanging on a wall?”

Stella smiled and then said, “My dear, you leave it all to me and my capable staff. Remember, our first big exhibition focused on textiles. I’m certain we can come up with a marvelous display that will help promote the project, and of course, the Cultural Center and our fair town.”

Peggy glanced at the clock on the wall and began stuffing her quilting supplies into her bag. “Oh no! I’ve got to get to the diner. The lunch rush will be upon us, and I don’t want to be late.”

Annie suddenly remembered two things: One, she had agreed to have lunch with Ian, and two, she was Alice’s ride. She felt torn; she wanted to spend some time with Ian—alone—but she knew lunch with Alice would be extra fun. On the other hand, Ian knew she had driven Alice to the meeting, but hadn’t invited her along.

“What to do? What to do?” She didn’t realize she’d said it aloud until everyone in the store stopped what they were doing and looked her way. “Oh, sorry. Just thinking out loud!”

Everyone laughed and said their goodbyes. Soon only Alice, Annie, Kate, and Mary Beth remained. Annie started gathering up her belongings as well as her friend’s. The Tupperware container was completely empty of cookies. Not even a crumb remained.

“Um, Alice,” Annie said quietly, sitting down in the chair next to Alice. She hoped the other two ladies wouldn’t hear.

“Um, Annie,” her friend replied in a whisper, “why are you talking so softly?”

“Well, Ian saw me getting our stuff out of the car and invited me to lunch, but ….”

“He didn’t mention having me along, did he?” Alice had a mischievous twinkle in her eye.

“Not exactly ….”

“But he knew you’d brought me here, right?”

“Right.”

Alice grinned, winked and then said loudly, “Annie, didn’t you say you have some errands you need to run?” Alice could never understand Annie’s stubbornness about Ian, and so she always spurred Annie to see him.

“Yes, as a matter of fact, I do.” Annie tried to sound normal, but was certain she sounded like a bad actress in an even worse made-for-TV movie.

The look on Alice’s face was now positively impish. “Well, dearie me, too bad my ankle is throbbing from this cold. And just when I thought it might be getting better.” She twisted her neck around to look at the other two. “Mary Beth, Kate, do you mind if I stay here while Annie runs her errands? I just don’t think I’m up to hobbling after her.”

“You know you’re welcome to stay here as long as you’d like,” Mary Beth replied.

“Oh, thank you so much. I will sit here quietly and crochet on this blanket. You won’t even notice I’m here,” Alice said. “Annie, do be a dear, and get me a club sandwich and chips from The Cup & Saucer on your way back. There’s absolutely no food in my house.”

“I’d be happy to,” Annie said. “Are you sure you don’t mind me leaving you?”

“I’m sure. Be off with you!”

Annie gave her friend a quick hug; then she put on her winter wear and headed out the door.

6

Ian sat at a table in the back corner next to the kitchen.
Thank heavens
, Annie thought.
Wouldn’t want anyone to mention to Mary Beth or Kate or the others that they saw me here … at least not right away.
Then she mentally chided herself again for being so silly. For some reason, that man sometimes brought out the giggly high schooler in her. Not to mention the embarrassed middle-aged woman who should be slightly more mature. Maybe.

She wended her way through the packed diner until she got to Ian.

“Why, if it isn’t the esteemed mayor of Stony Point, Maine,” she gushed, laying on her Texas accent a tad thick. “Are you all alone, honey? Mind if I join you?”

He responded by standing to pull out her chair.

“It would be my pleasure,” he said as she got settled. He pulled a mock bow, almost knocking Peggy over as she came out of the kitchen carrying a tray full of food.

“Mr. Mayor!” she exclaimed rather loudly, cutting through the din of the restaurant and causing all the other patrons to turn their way. “You almost got clam chowder all over your backside.”

“Clearly your extreme skill in the waitressing arts prevented such a calamity,” Ian said, bowing again, to everyone’s laughter. “However, if it had not been prevented, lunch—as you say—literally would have been on me.”

“You’d better believe it,” Peggy replied in an aggrieved tone. “Excuse me while I help my other customers.”

“If you’re not careful, Jeff will kick us out and ban us from ever eating here again,” Annie told him as he sat back down and the other diners went back to their meals. “At the very least, our waitress might spit in our food.”

“Nah,” he replied. “Peggy is too sweet to do something like that. And anyway, I just did Jeff a good turn. I provided some much-needed entertainment.”

“I don’t know if it was
needed
, exactly.”

Peggy stopped to take their orders, the now-empty tray tucked under one arm. “Shall I get your usual?”

“Of course,” said Ian, smiling at her.

“Me too, but I also need a club sandwich and chips to go,” Annie told her.

“No problem. Coming right up,” she said, tucking a strand of hair behind one ear. She turned toward Ian and added, “But if you get in my way again, it might come right down on that pretty head of yours, even if you are the mayor.”

“I will endeavor to stay out of your path,” he assured her.

She smiled at him, whirled around, and went to the kitchen to put in their order.

“Peggy may seem sweet and mild-mannered, but she’s really focused on getting her job done,” Annie said, unwrapping her silverware from its napkin and placing everything neatly on the table in front of her. “If it had been me, I probably would have dumped that whole tray on your head.”

“I’d hope not,” Ian said. “And I hope she’s back soon; I’m quite hungry today for some reason.”

They sat in silence for a minute, the noise of the cozy diner washing over them—the clink of silverware, people talking, the sounds from the kitchen. The dark green ivy growing in the giant teacup planters hung down the wall, almost reaching the floor.

“So ….” Annie started to talk but then trailed off. She wasn’t sure what to say. After all, she had no idea why Ian had invited her to lunch.

“So,” he echoed, unwrapping his silverware and putting the napkin on his lap. “I heard a rumor that you and Alice have a new mystery to solve. What is it this time?”

“Of all things, we found some recipes under a floorboard in the carriage house.”

“Recipes?” Ian looked puzzled. “Just shoved in there?”

“No, not exactly,” Annie said. She then explained what they had found. She dug around in her bag and pulled out the notebook where she’d scribbled her list. It suddenly occurred to her that although the club had eaten cookies made from one of the recipes, they’d not actually talked about the recipe itself or the mystery during the meeting.

“Here’s what we know—” she started to say, but Peggy interrupted by dropping off their drinks.

“Thank you, Peggy,” Ian said. “You always take such good care of me.”

Peggy nodded, a slight smile on her face, and went through the kitchen doors.

Ian took a gulp of his drink. “You were saying?”

“Oh, yes,” Annie flipped the pages until she came to the list, which she read aloud to Ian. “What do you think? Any ideas on who might have left the recipes?”

“Well, I remember the Swanns living there, of course,” he replied, “but they didn’t strike me as being very secretive.” He leaned his face on his hand and looked thoughtful. “Now, you say the plank over the hidey-hole was different than the rest of the floor?”

“Yes, though I have no idea what kind of wood either one is.”

“Chances are, the floors in both Grey Gables and the carriage house are pine. Likely whoever did the hiding would not have known—or would not have wanted to try to find out, for fear of discovery, how to match the wood.”

“Do you think whoever it was might have come to the sawmill to get the new piece?”

“It’s entirely possible, but that’s something I have no way of knowing for sure.” Ian smiled. “So tell me about your project for the Hook and Needle Club.”

“It’s not really
my
project—Kate came up with it. And that reminds me.” Annie leaned down to dig around in her bag and came up with a handful of the flyers Mary Beth had given to everyone. “Would you mind putting some of these at Town Hall? We really want to get the word out—we’ve got to collect a hundred blankets. Kate’s daughter, Vanessa, and her best friend, Mackenzie, designed these.”

“No problem.” He took the colorful paper and glanced at it. “Anything to help the Hook and Needle Club, not to mention promote the young talent in our town.”

“Thank you. Kate will be thrilled,” she said. “But I still can’t figure out why everyone in town always thinks that I’m the only person who comes up with and does good deeds. Our little town is chock-a-block full of wonderful, giving people.”

“Well, you always seem to get things organized and people …” he started to reply.

“Here you go, Mr. Mayor, Annie,” Peggy interrupted. “Enjoy your meal.”

“Wow, Marie’s fast today,” Ian said.

“Your ham-and-cheese sandwich proved quite a challenge for her, but she managed to get it made,” Peggy said in a rare display of sarcasm. “Annie, here’s your tomato soup. I got you some cheesy bread instead of plain garlic. Let me know if you two need anything else.”

After she had gone on to the next customer, Ian leaned over and said softly, “Guess Peggy has forgiven me for getting in her way—my lunch seems safely ensconced on my plate.”

“I guess so,” Annie laughed. “Lucky for you, Peggy isn’t one to hold a grudge.”

They were quiet for a minute as they started eating, and then Annie told him all about Blanket Haiti.

“That’s got to be the Hook and Needle Club’s most ambitious project to date,” he said, polishing off his sandwich and the last of the chips. “Think you ladies will be able to pull it off?”

Annie groaned as she wiped the last bit of soup up with a piece of bread. “Well, we’ve got a few months, but I sure hope so. I’d hate to see Kate’s face if we failed. It practically glowed while she told us about it.”

Ian smiled. “I can only imagine.”

“Oh!” Annie sat up straight so suddenly her knees knocked the underside of the table. The salt and pepper shakers fell over, and all the dishes rattled.

“Goodness, now
you’re
gonna get us kicked out of here,” Ian said. “Whatever is the matter?”

“Nothing’s the matter. I just had a brilliant idea! Why don’t you knit a blanket or two for the project? I know your mother taught you how to knit; Mary Beth told me so on our trip to the needle-art conference in Texas. She said you knitted a sweater for Tartan. You could be a temporary member of the Hook and Needle Club!”

“Me? Annie, I hardly think …”

“Yes, you! Or I can teach you to crochet. Oh, that would be great! There are tons of simple stitches you can learn, and I’m told I’m a pretty good teacher.”

“I’m sure you are,” he said, a twinkle in his eye. “But I don’t know if it would be a good idea.”

Peggy dropped off the check, picked up their empty plates, and asked if they wanted any coffee.

“Yes please, I’d love some,” Annie replied. “Hey, don’t you think it would be a great idea for Ian to participate in our project and learn to crochet?”

Peggy actually smiled at Ian and said, “That would be fabulous! You’d be welcome to attend our Hook and Needle Club meetings, and we’d all be glad to help if you got stuck.”

“Well, I don’t know …,” he said.

“Aw, come on, Mr. Mayor,” she said. “If
you
agree to help, the rest of the town will feel like they should too! Think of the great publicity it would be!”

“Yes, Ian, think of the publicity!” Annie gushed. “I’m sure Mike would love to put a picture of you crocheting on the front page of
The Point
. I bet we could get something in the
Maine Sunday Telegram
and the
Portland Press Herald.
Maybe even a TV station would talk about our project! And of course, they’d talk about Stony Point too.”

Ian threw his hands up in the air, mimicking a suspect who’s been caught red-handed. “OK, I surrender! I’ll learn to crochet and attempt to make a blanket to donate.”

“Hooray!” Peggy said, leaning down to give him a hug. “I’ll be right back with your coffees, and I’ll have Marie make that club sandwich for you, Annie.”

“So,” Annie smiled smugly at Ian, “when should we start your lessons? I have plenty of yarn I can give you, or you can buy some at A Stitch in Time. Mary Beth is giving a 10 percent discount to anyone buying supplies for the project.”

“Well, what are you doing this weekend?” Ian asked. “I thought you might want to go back to Sweet Nell’s with me. It’s been awhile since we’ve been there, and I had a lot of fun that time we went.”

Annie felt herself blushing. There could be no doubt that going to Sweet Nell’s, a karaoke restaurant in a former tire shop located halfway between Stony Point and Wiscasset, would be a date. She decided to revert to her Texas sorority girl accent. She picked up a napkin and began fanning herself.

“Why, Mr. Ian Butler, are you asking li’l ole me to go on a date with you?”

“Mrs. Dawson, I believe that is my spoken intention, yes.”

“Bless your heart, Mr. Butler,” she said, fanning more frantically. “I shall have to check my busy social schedule and get back to you.”

“Please do that, if you don’t mind,” he said, grinning slyly. “You could give me my first crochet lesson before we go.”

Peggy came by and handed Annie a brown paper bag. She gave her a huge smile when she noticed the older woman’s slightly red face.

“Here’s that sandwich, Annie. And thanks again, so much, Mr. Mayor. You both have a nice day, OK?”

“You too, Peggy. See you next week, if not sooner!” Annie replied.

Annie and Ian argued over the check for a few minutes, but Annie finally gave in.

“Consider it payment for the crochet lessons,” he said. “I’ve got to get back to Town Hall. See you this weekend.”

Annie sat at the table for a few minutes after he left, collecting her thoughts.

Peggy stopped by once more, a half-full pot of coffee in one hand.

“Let me guess. Our mayor asked you on a date,” she said.

“How could you tell?” Annie asked, surprised.

“Easy. Your face is red, and you flapping that napkin about is a dead giveaway. And anyway, everyone knows you and Ian are sweet on each other.”

“We are both too old for that kind of nonsense. He’s a very kind man and a dear friend. That’s all,” she replied.

“Yes, I’m sure that’s it. You’re just friends.” Peggy grinned.

After a moment, Annie admitted, “OK, I guess it is actually a date. He wants us to go back to Sweet Nell’s. We went there once before. And he agreed to let me give him his first crochet lesson that night.”

“So that’s what they’re calling it now—crochet lessons,” Peggy teased. “Sweet Nell’s is so much fun! Wally and I haven’t been in forever. It’s hard to find a babysitter.”

“I’d be happy to watch Emily anytime,” Annie said. “Just let me know when. But of course it can’t be this weekend.”

“Of course not!” Peggy smiled. “And we might just take you up on your offer.”

She gave Annie a hug and then added, “Kate and Mary Beth are gonna be so happy when you tell them about Ian!”

****

When Annie re-entered A Stitch in Time, Mary Beth was nowhere to be seen, while Kate was helping a customer with pattern books.

“Annie, how’d your errands go?” Alice called, stuffing her crochet work in her tote. “Did you remember my sandwich? I’m starved!”

Mary Beth walked out of the back room, sat in her favorite chair, and picked up her knitting.

“Sure did,” Annie said, handing the bag over. Alice promptly opened it and drew out the sandwich, cut in half and wrapped in waxed paper, a bag of chips, and a saran-wrapped brownie.

“Hey! I didn’t get a brownie with my lunch!” Annie said.

“I guess whoever put this together likes me more than they like you,” Alice said, unwrapping the sandwich and taking a big bite. “I know I said I wanted to take this home, but I can’t wait. I’m so hungry I could eat yarn.”

Annie walked over to the coat rack and began the process of removing her scarf, hat, gloves, and coat. The worst part of winter, she reflected, was the constant bundling and unbundling that had to be done when going from one place to another. She’d wrapped herself up snugly for the short walk back from The Cup & Saucer and had still shivered the entire way from the freezing temperatures. Now she thought she’d pass out from the heat.

Mary Beth and Annie chatted while Alice ate.

Alice balled up the waxed paper from her sandwich, dropped it into the paper bag, and opened the bag of chips.

“That was quick,” Kate said.

“Told you. Hungry enough to eat yarn!” Alice said around a mouthful of chips. “So, Annie, how
exactly
did your errands go?”

Annie felt her ears start to turn red.