Cold Hollow (Cold Hollow Mysteries Book 1) (5 page)

After washing and waxing the exterior of the truck, she lowered the windows and decided it needed to air out for a few days.

Going to her garden in the backyard, she harvested the vegetables that were ready. That evening she made herself the supper of champions. She had a fried, marinated steak, a fresh garden salad, and a huge baked potato. She wanted to gain a few pounds and thought she’d better start now.

***

As he drove the family home, Angus asked, “What does everyone want for supper?”

Sophia was the first to respond. “I want your specialty grilled pizza.” She turned to the children and saw them nodding in agreement. “Then we can pick out a movie and collapse in front of the television?” All hands were on deck, and Angus smiled. He did not mind making the grilled pizza. He actually enjoyed cooking a lot in the summer. It was the manly thing to do. He loved nothing more than to crack open an ice-cold beer, spark up his new Weber gas grill, and get to work. He would make each one their own personal grilled pizza with the toppings they wanted. He knew Liam would help him while Sophia and Layla picked out a film for the entire family to enjoy. As per their nightly ritual, they would bathe and get into their pajamas before eating supper. They would then collapse, gorge themselves, and watch the featured film of the evening.

Layla announced from the backseat that she’d had the best day that she could remember since moving to that town. Liam concurred, and so did Sophia. Angus only laughed and informed them that they had only been in town for two days, so each day was bound to get better.

CHAPTER 4

Sophia loaded up the back of the Jeep with her cooking implements, boxed dishes, mugs, and all the supplies she had packed from her old bakery in Lincoln. The amount was astounding, but Angus helped her and before long, her supplies were loaded. Before kissing her good-bye, he asked, “Do you have enough money from the old bakery to pay for your orders today?”

Sophia did a mental check, pulled out her checkbook, and grinned. “I did better than expected when selling our old bakery. I have plenty, but I transferred a lot of it to our savings for the future.”

He leaned into her and kissed her good-bye. They had already done a five-mile run and he had yet to change out of his sweaty clothes, but Sophia had showered and changed into casual clothing for the day. She smelled like a fresh spring rain. Before Sophia pulled out of the driveway, they made plans to meet up at home at five o’clock.

Sophia confidently made her way to Main Street, where her shop was located. She parked in front and popped the hatch of the Jeep before getting out. She went to the bakery and unlocked it. As she turned around, she bumped into Myrna and began laughing. “Oh my, you were as silent as a cat! I didn’t even know you were there!”

She noticed Myrna looked much better than she had at the interview. She was wearing a bit of makeup and her long, red hair was styled. She was actually wearing clothes that fit, and Sophia was surprised at how slender and tall Myrna actually was; she stood at least five-foot-eight. Sophia swore she was going to put more meat on the woman’s bones. Either way, it seemed that Myrna was transforming into an attractive woman.

Myrna blushed and apologized as Sophia hushed her and led her to the back of the Jeep. They unloaded the multiple boxes, and Sophia showed Myrna the time clock used to track an employee’s hours. She watched Myrna delicately slide her card into the slot and stare at the time and date stamped on it. Myrna then pointed at two more time cards in slots below hers. “Who are they?”

Sophia smiled. “Those are my children. Layla will be waitressing part time, and Liam will sweep and clean the kitchen at the end of each day.”

Myrna asked when she could meet them. It was the perfect opportunity, and Sophia took advantage of it. “I’m afraid I bragged about you so much yesterday that they demand to meet you tonight. We want you to come over for supper at our house tonight if you can.”

Myrna blushed again and immediately said, “Yes, of course.” Who was she to deny an invitation? It was part of becoming an independent woman. She offered to help Sophia with the meal, and they spoke of their favorite foods as they unpacked the multitude of boxes and arranged the supplies where Sophia wanted them. It did not take long before Myrna showed Sophia the valances and tablecloths. Both women loved the print, and hung the valances in the window.

After locking the shop up, they took off in Sophia’s vehicle and went to each location to pick up the orders she had placed the previous day. Myrna was shocked that Sophia had already met so many people and, as women do, they spoke while driving to each location.

When they had arrived at the Dumonts’, it was just as Wally had predicted. His wife Alice answered the door and pulled the two women into her kitchen. She chattered on endlessly, served coffee and cookies, and asked both women about their personal lives. Sophia was shy about it, but when Myrna began talking to Alice, well, Sophia began joining in. It took them two hours to get out of the house with their order, but they left smiling.

When they got into Sophia’s Jeep, she asked Myrna, “Don’t you think she’s just the greatest? She’s like the spunky grandmother I always wanted, but never got a chance to meet.”

Myrna smiled and agreed. “I never met mine, either. Heck, I would have loved to have Alice as a mother, never mind grandmother.”

“You never met your mother?”

“Nope, she’s dead.”

Sophia felt bad even bringing the subject up and fell silent as she recalled Alice Dumont. She was short, pudgy, and had snow-white hair and the sweetest face Sophia had ever seen. The woman scurried about the kitchen, doing everything within her power to please her two guests. Her home felt right. It felt warm, comfortable, and loving. Her husband Wally was a character as well. He wasn’t tall, and wore denim jeans and a flannel shirt despite the summer weather. He had come in the kitchen a few times to tease his wife about her chatterbox, only to make her blush and push him away.

By the time Sophia was finished recalling the encounter, she found herself at the Carlisle farm. The two women were a bit intimidating, and Sophia noticed that Myrna didn’t speak much to them and that they eyed Myrna suspiciously during the entire transaction. The Carlisle sisters helped them load the order in the back of Sophia’s Jeep as though they could not get rid of them fast enough.

Picking up the order at Artie Lavoie’s place was a breeze. Myrna had asked him to load up his truck as well as their Jeep, so they would not have to make two trips, and he complied. Sophia noticed he kept tripping all over the place and wondered if he had a middle ear problem.

She pointed it out to Myrna, who shook her head at him and yelled, “What did I tell you about wearing your glasses, Artie!”

He stood at the barn entrance, holding a crate of preserves, and his eyes went wide. “Don’t be mad, Myrna. I just hate them!”

She scolded him, “I suppose you enjoy falling and tripping all over the place more?”

Artie kicked some dirt to the side and shook his head. He moaned, “I’ll start wearing them again soon enough, Myrna.”

“Good!” She rolled her eyes and went to the passenger’s side of the Jeep after shutting the hatch. Sophia followed and slid into the driver’s seat. Artie was an odd fish. He had huge eyes and a mouse-like nose. He was short of stature and wore khaki shorts that ran past his knees. He had on a sleeveless flannel shirt. He wore work boots with the shorts. Sophia just shook her head and pulled out of his driveway.

After offloading the goods at the bakery, they locked it up and went to a few places that Myrna suggested in town. There was a specialty spice and herb shop, and Sophia purchased some items for both her home and bakery.

They then went to a pottery barn. The two women picked out some items that would blend with the bakery. The owner was having a half-price sale on overstocked goods, so Sophia found the prices more than reasonable.

She noticed Myrna admiring a small ring box. She watched as Myrna frowned at the price and put it back on the shelf.

Before checking out, Sophia swiped the ring box behind her back and paid for it. She thought it would make a nice Christmas or birthday present for her first friend and employee. She was just grateful Myrna hadn’t caught her doing it. The owner winked at her as she cashed out. He made sure to wrap it and watched as she jammed it into her pocketbook, out of sight from Myrna.

Their last stop was a local artist’s workshop. Her oil-on-canvas prints were displayed decoratively on the walls, and the two women picked out the art for the bakery together. Sophia soon realized that Myrna’s tastes were so similar to her own. Either that, or Myrna was just being agreeable for fear of losing her job, but Sophia did not think so. They decided on four large prints and two smaller ones. The artist wrapped and strung them for the women, and after checking the time on their wristwatches they decided to save the particular chore of hanging them the following day. Both of their stomachs were growling and they were surprised that they had worked right through lunchtime.

As they drove to Sophia’s house, they planned the supper menu. Sophia pulled over at the liquor store, emerged with two bottles of fine wine, and slid back into the vehicle before making the last leg of the trip home.

***

When Angus returned home with the children, they found music playing and two women tittering away in the kitchen. The smell of food cooking made everyone salivate and lick their lips. They entered the kitchen and inspected the food being prepared. Angus tried to sneak a bit of salad and got his hand slapped in return. He laughed as the family was introduced to Myrna.

Little Liam took an instant liking to her. He kept staring at her and asked if her hair had been burnt from the sun, because it sure was a pretty orange color. Myrna laughed and told him it had not been burnt, but she thought of herself as a lucky woman to have red hair. She twirled her fingers around his blond curls and told him she always wanted curls like his. She then asked if he had to wear rollers in his hair at night to keep it that way. That immediately elicited a belly laugh from him. It seemed the entire family liked Myrna.

Layla wanted her hair French braided, and Myrna immediately sat her at a kitchen stool and got to work as the men of the family set the supper table. Dessert was cooking as they all ate supper and spoke of the day’s events. Myrna followed the conversations and joined in occasionally. She had not felt this comfortable or accepted by anyone in a long time. She smiled throughout the entire meal and thought she was making gigantic strides in becoming independent.

When it began to grow dark, Myrna thanked them for the lovely evening and excused herself. She wanted to start heading home before it became too dark to see. Sophia looked at Angus, and he immediately insisted on driving her home. She blushed but accepted. Her feet were a little sore from the new sneakers she had bought, and she appreciated the ride.

It did not take long—she only lived two streets over—but she thanked Angus repeatedly. He assured her it was no problem, waited until she was inside her home, turned around, and headed back home.

***

“I swear she was purring, Sophia.” Angus said this as he changed into his pajama bottoms. Sophia admired her husband’s physique as she slipped into her pajamas for television time with the children. She was giggling as she yanked up her silk bottoms.

As they left their bedroom, she commented, “She was happy. Don’t cats purr when they’re content?”

Her husband took the first step toward the downstairs and turned to her. “You’re joking, right?” She laughed hard and nudged him down the stairs so she could follow behind him.

He would not give up and commented that she was tall and lean, and moved as silently as cats do. He then said it was too bad he didn’t get close enough to see if Myrna had whiskers or not. That did it. Sophia collapsed onto one of the sofas and fell into a laughing fit. Angus smiled as he watched his wife roll back and forth on the couch. He could not resist and informed her they would have to get a big litter box if Myrna came over for a meal again. Sophia tossed a throw pillow at him and continued her fit.

The children came bounding down the stairs and immediately laughed because their mother was in such a state. A vote was taken, and a comedy quickly went into the DVD player. The laughter continued all night.

***

Nazar stood in the middle of Crazy Hollow Road and watched the Barner family through their windows. They were filled with laughter. He knew that Myrna Bradbury had had supper with them and that the Barners were quickly becoming the talk of the town with their politeness and eagerness to make friends. Nazar stood there for a few more minutes and wondered if they were worthy enough. He knew they had spent a great deal of money already, and he also knew that they kept their money in personal accounts at an out-of-state bank. His lip twitched. He didn’t like that. He would see what he could do to convince them to open accounts at the town bank. That would make him more at ease with officially accepting them into the community.

***

Hugo Morrissey lay on his stomach. He was on the comfortable cot inside his small cabin on the mountain. He had already gathered some rabbits from his traps, skinned and roasted them, and eaten his fill. Today he would scour his makeshift garden and make a fine stew for himself. He had to get his strength up. He had some medicine stashed and had taken two aspirin and some leftover antibiotics. He drank as much water as his stomach allowed. He was feeling a little better, but knew he would have to make some ointment for his legs, ass, and back. It was going to be a challenge getting the ointment on his back, but Hugo wasn’t worried. He could make something similar to a back scratcher and attach a soft patch of cloth to it. Then he could apply something to the constant reminder of the vendetta he had against this town.

He had awoken to the sound of the damnable town hall bell going off. He scowled and mumbled into his pillow, “That fucking idiot. Time to pay the till, folks! Gather round, all you robots! Line my pockets! I hate Nazar, that block-toothed, narrow-faced bastard.” He closed his eyes and decided to go back to sleep. After all, Nazar had ordered his death, and if Hugo showed up at the town hall, Nazar would just send the crooked cops after him this time.

***

Angus and Sophia woke the following morning at dawn. The town hall bell was ringing. Angus shot up and his eyes went wide as he turned to Sophia.

She popped up and grasped his arm. “What the hell does that bell mean?”

He slid over to the side of the bed and pulled on a pair of jeans from the previous day. “It means that we’re supposed to convene at the town hall. The realtor warned me about it and said it happens about once a month in the spring and summer. I forgot to tell you.”