Sugar and Vice
Page 23
“Well, I’ll let you girls get to it,” Sunny said. There’s a phone on the table in the living room if you need anything.”
“We’ll be fine,” Kate said. “And thanks again for this.”
“Anytime,” she said with a wink. “Besides, it was mom’s idea. She’s a bit more sentimental.”
After Sunny left, Kate poured them each a glass of lemonade and they got to work.
“This is where I want to live after my own little pirates move out,” Maxi said, looking around.
“I know,” Kate said. “I wonder what it would take to put a sun porch on the Cookie House.”
“No more projects,” Maxi said grinning. “And no digging. That’s how we got into this mess.”
In hushed silence, they pored through the trove. Notes, family letters, and the odd bill or two. Kate could hear a pair of doves calling to each other in Iris’s backyard.
Then she glimpsed it. An old, yellowed photocopy slipped into a protective plastic sleeve. The cramped handwriting was eerily similar to the letter she’d read from Henry. But these letters slanted to the right.
Marleigh Hall
23 April, 1609
My dearest brother George,
It pains me to write this, for I do not wish to add to your great distress. But if I do not tell you, you will know soon enough through that special bond we share—we two who have been paired from the beginning. The physicians tell me I have but a short time now.
I rejoice at the news that you grow stronger by the day. A pox on Baptiste, who is known far and wide for his villainy!
In keeping with our scheme, I shall travel to the Low Countries and take up lodgings there under the name of another. It is a place of comfort and ease that I shall well and goodly enjoy. And it will make my last days most pleasant.
Despair not, for we have long known this day was approaching. You will make a most noble Duke—a credit to our fine house. We are alchemists in reverse, dear brother, transmuting your steady offerings of gold and silver and jewels into base brick and stone. Come what may, our home and family shall have the means to court good fortune. Through your work and mine, Marleigh—and the Blys—are secure.
Guard yourself well when you do set foot on our native soil, for allegiances here change as oft as the tides. Spies are everywhere, and your actions—once lauded—have not gone unnoticed. In keeping with our stratagem, I have tread always the middle ground lo these many years. Under my name, you will be safe. And who knows that I could not truly be George and you Henry—we who mirror each other?
I have arranged safe passage for your family to Tuscany. There, unknown to the world as George or Henry, you may recover more fully.
Rejoice that your fine, strapping lads shall soon be by your side. As will your sweetheart Jayne. Truly it will do her much good to finally have her dear husband near. And you much good in return.
Father is most well—hale and hearty as ever. He may bury us both!
I am proud to call you brother. Prouder still that you will carry my name. In you rests the hope and future of our honorable family. Be well, brother! Health and long life be yours!
Your devoted brother always,
Henry
Kate wiped a tear from her eye. She tapped Maxi on the shoulder, and silently handed her the paper, watching her friend’s face intently as she read.
When Maxi finally placed the letter on the table, she reached up and brushed the moisture from her own eyes.
“He made it,” Maxi said finally. “That old sea dog had one more trick up his sleeve.”
“He did,” Kate said, wiping her eyes. “And this was the best one of all.”
Maxi raised her lemonade glass. “A toast to Sir George Bly, Duke of Marleigh. An officer, a gentleman, a pirate, and a scamp. Definitely one of us.”
Kate raised her glass. “Hear, hear!”
“I kinda don’t want the news to leave this room,” Maxi said softly, tapping the letter.
“Me neither,” Kate said, shaking her head slowly.
Out on the water, an egret waded near the shore. Kate imagined the pirate’s view would have been much the same. “If Gentleman George can keep a secret for four hundred years, so can we.”
Acknowledgments
A very big shout-out to Dr. Kathryn O’Donnell Miyar, state osteologist for the Florida Department of State, Bureau of Archaeological Research. Not only did she take the time to explain what happens next when someone makes an accidental archaeological discovery—she made it fun! And any mistakes in this story are definitely mine alone.
And many thanks to Liz Chehayl, the Brian Holley curator of collections at the Naples Botanical Garden, for her expert help with Maxi’s garden and the lush vegetation of Coral Cay! (Any errors are definitely mine!)
A heartfelt thank-you to the wonderful team at St. Martin’s Press. Especially my editor, Alexandra Sehulster, who has made this book and the Cookie House series a dream come true. For you, a tall glass of cold lemonade, a batch of warm cookies, and a very grateful “thank you!” Also a big hug to editorial assistant Mara Delgado Sánchez, for her endless patience, time, and kindness. Two huge bouquets to Holly Rice and Kayla Janas in the St. Martin’s/Minotaur publicity department, who have worked miracles to spread the word about Kate McGuire, Oliver, the Cookie House, and Coral Cay. And a very big “thank you” to social media wizard Stephen Erickson, who’s always generous with his time and expertise. Many kudos also to eagle-eyed copy editor, John Simko. And huge thanks to Mattew Carrera, who designed the cover, and Mary Ann Lasher, who did the terrific (and delicious-looking) cover illustration. Last—and definitely not least—thank you to the world’s best agent, Erin Niumata of Folio Literary Agency: You’ve been my friend and sounding board every step of the way.
Read on for a sample of the next exciting Cookie House mystery by Eve Calder
A TALE OF TWO COOKIES
Available in May 2021 from St. Martin’s Paperbacks!
Kate McGuire felt the spray of the salt water against her face, as the boat plowed through the choppy water. Beside her, pup Oliver peered over the railing into the teal blue sea.
Instinctively, she reached down and stroked the soft, caramel-colored hair on the back of his neck, just above his orange life vest.
“So what do you think of your first boat ride?” she asked softly. “Or is it your first boat ride?”
The pup’s past was still something of a mystery. From what she’d been able to learn, Oliver just appeared in Coral Cay one chilly March day. No one knew where he’d come from, but there had been no shortage of people who wanted to give the small, fuzzy puppy a good home.
Instead, the golden-doodle (or maybe labradoodle—no one was quite sure about that, either) played the field, spending a night or three at various homes before moving on. So now Oliver was the unofficial mayor of Coral Cay—welcomed and wanted just about everywhere in town.
But when Kate moved to the small Florida island—and into an upstairs room at the Cookie House bakery a few months ago—Oliver stopped wandering.
For the most part.
“So what do you think?” Desiree yelled excitedly to Kate over the roar of the engine and the waves slapping the sides of the boat.
“The island looks so different from the water,” Kate shouted.
“That’s what I love about traveling by boat,” Desiree said. “Complete change in perspective. Jimmy Buffett was right.”
As the boat slowed, Judson Cooper emerged on deck, a boyish smile on his broad, tan face. “Look!” he shouted over the din. “Someone’s waving at us from shore!”
As they rounded the headland, Kate looked over and recognized the quaint cottage nestled in the cove. In its yard, two figures were each giving them a full-armed wave.
“That’s Iris and Sunny,” Kate said, waving back.
“Woof!” Oliver barked over the din. “Woof, woof.”
“See? He knows them,” Kate said with a grin.
“You weren’t ki
dding,” Desiree said. “You really do know everyone in town.”
“Well, to be fair, it’s a very small town.”
“And everyone comes into that bakery,” Judson added, patting his midsection. “As I can attest.”
“Do I even want to ask who’s driving the boat?” Kate asked, laughing.
“Just call him Captain Jack Scanlon,” Judd said, winking. “And he’s not half-bad for a veterinarian.” He gave a mock salute and headed back up to the wheelhouse.
“I still can’t believe you guys are having your wedding here,” Kate said.
“Well, my first time around, I did it my mom’s way. Poofy white dress, stiff satin high heels, and four bridesmaids. And the marriage lasted, what? Fifteen minutes? This time, we’re doing it our way. Barefoot on the beach.”
“It sounds wonderful,” Kate said.
At that moment, Judd reappeared. “I forgot to mention,” he called, as he approached. “Liam phoned this morning. He and Sarah are both flying in. They’ll be here tonight.”
“Judd, that’s fantastic!” Desiree exclaimed. “What happened? How did you change their minds?”
“Search me,” he said. “The boy called me. Of his own volition. No arm twisting whatsoever.”
“Judd’s kids aren’t exactly my biggest fans,” Desiree explained.
“It’s not you, it’s any woman in my life,” Judson countered.
“Well, I’m grateful,” Desiree said. “Whatever the reason. Especially if it means they hate me just a little bit less.”
“Oh no,” Kate said. “They can’t possibly hate you. Maybe they just don’t want to share their dad.”
“It’s not me they have a problem sharing, it’s my bank account,” he said, shaking his head. “Or, as they’ve taken to calling it, their inheritance.”
“Judson, that is not true,” Desiree said. “Although they were definitely not in favor of our summer wanderings. Three months away from the office—criss-crossing the globe. What was it Liam said when we told him? ‘Over my dead body.’”
“I hate to correct you, honey, but what he actually said to me was ‘over your dead body, Dad.’ That kid of mine, he doesn’t mince words.” He shrugged, grinned amiably, and ambled back to the pilothouse.
Kate tried not to look shocked. She couldn’t imagine anyone not taking an immediate liking to Desiree. Bubbly, funny, and down-to-earth, she made everyone feel at home instantly. Maybe that was why she was so good at her job—lead concierge for the Manhattan flagship of a major luxury hotel group.
Or at least, she had been.
A few weeks ago, Kate had gotten a call from her old friend. Only in her mid-fifties, Desiree was retiring. And getting married.
The groom was, at least in certain circles, something of a celebrity: Judson Cooper. A globe-trotting marine biologist, the man made headlines with his efforts to protect the oceans and safeguard sea life around the world—from battling whaling off the coast of Japan to working to revitalize the Great Barrier Reef.
He’d also made a small fortune with a couple of inventions—one that harvested water-borne garbage and another that transformed liquid petrol-chemical spills into solids, which could then be easily sifted from the water.
Kate couldn’t believe it when Desiree announced they were holding their intimate beach wedding on Coral Cay.
“I don’t know why not,” her friend had said, laughing. “You’ve told me so much about the place, I feel like I know it already. And Judson wants to kick back for a few weeks and spend some time at one of his pet projects just up the coast. A marine wildlife rehab sanctuary.”
“Sounds like the perfect honeymoon for a city girl,” Kate had teased.
“I know, right? But the whole thing feels just … magical. And perfect.”
And now here they were. The wedding was tomorrow evening. Sunset on the beach. To be followed by a bonfire, beach cookout, and cake—a two-tier key lime number with coconut frosting that was currently under Sam Hepplewhite’s watchful eye back at the Cookie House.
As Kate and Desiree lurched their way carefully to the back of the boat, Kate had to admit she’d never seen her friend happier. And it was contagious. As they settled into the cushioned bench seat, Kate stole a glance at Jack Scanlon in the elevated glass wheelhouse, deep in conversation with Judson Cooper at the helm. The vet brushed a lock of sandy brown hair off his forehead, caught her eye across the boat, and smiled.
Kate smiled, blushed, and quickly looked away.
“Hmmm, so I’m not the only one doing well in the romance department,” Desiree said under her breath.
Kate shook her head. “Uh-uh. Nope. Not happening. Small island.”
“Hey, I’m just relieved you ditched that other guy. Mr. Millionaire.”
“You were always so nice to him,” Kate said, amazed.
“Because you liked him. I always thought he was kind of hollow. Handsome, but he knew it.”
Kate giggled. “Oh, did he ever know it.”
“Well, you can do a lot better. And clearly, you are.”
Kate risked a glance at the pilothouse: Judson at the wheel, Jack next to him looking out at the water—and Oliver happily wedged between them, all four paws planted wide for balance.
“Seriously, thanks for all the help with this,” Desiree said, almost shyly.
“Are you kidding? After all the events you’ve arranged? You deserve this. Besides, I just happen to know the best florist in Coral Cay. Maxi may own the only flower shop on the island, but she could hold her own in Manhattan any day.”
“I know. You should see the bouquet she designed. A strand of white orchids. Simple and beautiful. Which is pretty much our motto for the whole wedding.”
“I love the idea of a beach party,” Kate said. “Although, knowing this place, you may get a few uninvited guests. The folks around here love a good party.”
“The more the merrier,” Desiree said happily.
“On the bright side, they seldom show up empty-handed,” Kate added.
Suddenly the engine cut out. Except for the slapping of the waves on the side of the boat, all was still. While the engine’s sudden cessation didn’t appear to bother Judson Cooper, something else clearly did. He scrambled down onto the deck, adjusted his binoculars, and peered toward the shore.
“What is it?” Jack asked, leaning out the door of the wheelhouse.
Kate looked to Desiree. But her friend was focused on her fiancé.
“That definitely shouldn’t be there,” Judson muttered.
“What?” Kate said. “What is it?”
“That cigarette boat,” Judson said quietly. “I knew I recognized it. Dammit! Not again.”
“Judson, what is it?” Desiree said as she rose from her seat and made her way haltingly toward the front of the boat. “You’re scaring me.”
“Nothing to worry about, sweetheart. Just business as usual, unfortunately. But we’re going to have to cut this trip a little short. I need to reach out to a few people I know and have a little chat.”
“Are we in some kind of danger?” Kate asked, alarmed.
“Nah, same old same old,” Judson said casually. “Unfortunately, it all goes with the territory. But it’s nothing. Really.”
He rubbed Desiree’s back. “And it’s definitely not going to affect our plans.”
And with that, he climbed back into the wheelhouse, carefully shifted the throttle forward, and steered the boat farther out toward open water.
Also by Eve Calder
AND THEN THERE WERE CRUMBS
About the Author
A Florida native, Eve Calder contends that cookies always taste better when you eat them at the beach. You can sign up for email updates here.
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Contents
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Dedication
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Chapter 56
Chapter 57
Chapter 58
Chapter 59
Chapter 60
Chapter 61
Chapter 62
Chapter 63
Chapter 64
Chapter 65
Chapter 66
Chapter 67
Chapter 68
Acknowledgments