by Leena Clover
“Not in Pelican Cove,” Star shot back.
“Give it a rest, you two,” Jenny said, trying to diffuse the situation. “What toppings do you want on your pizza?”
Everyone wanted something different. They decided to go for one loaded veggie pizza and one loaded meat one.
A small crowd had gathered outside Mama Rosa’s.
“Looks like everyone wants pizza for dinner,” Heather joked.
“I don’t think that’s it,” Molly said, pointing to a tall, bearded guy who stood shaking his head.
“Isn’t that the troubadour?” Jenny asked.
“That’s him,” Star confirmed. “The second one – the trespasser.”
“We don’t know anything about that,” Jenny argued. “Let them sort it out.”
“Looks like that’s exactly what they are doing,” Star said.
Jenny and the girls stared as Tyler, the blond guy, put his hands on the bearded guy’s chest and pushed. Offering no resistance, the bearded man toppled like a tree and crashed to the ground. Tyler turned around and stalked away without a backward glance. A couple of people in the crowd rushed to help the fallen man.
“That young one has a temper,” Star said.
“What do you think they were fighting about?” Betty Sue asked.
“Weren’t you paying attention?” Star asked her. “This tall guy is encroaching on that young one’s turf. Neither of them is ready to back down.”
“I’m beginning to agree with Peter Wilson,” Molly said. “Neither of them deserves to be here. We don’t need this kind of violence in our town.”
Heather was talking to the man called Ocean.
“Are you hurt? Do you need to see a doctor?”
He shrugged off her concern.
“I’m fine. Thanks for asking.”
“He shouldn’t have hit you,” Heather sympathized. “Like you say, the town’s big enough for the two of you.”
Ocean brushed the dirt off his clothes and shrugged. “He will get what’s coming to him.”
He thanked Heather again and walked away.
Jenny had gone ahead to order their food. She came out lugging big boxes of pizza and salad. Twenty minutes later, the ladies were at Seaview, Jenny’s sea facing mansion, sipping wine and noshing on breadsticks.
“What a day!” Star exclaimed. “The town hall meeting never fails to entertain.”
Heather cleared her throat.
“Let’s talk about some more pressing things.”
Everyone except Jenny nodded their heads.
“This looks like an ambush,” Jenny said as she narrowed her eyes.
“Call it whatever you like, sweetie,” Star said. “But it’s high time we had this conversation.”
“We need to start planning your wedding,” Molly explained. “Unless you are hiring a wedding planner.”
“She doesn’t need one,” Heather pouted. “She’s got us.”
“But we are not professionals,” Star argued. “We may not be able to come up with a fully coordinated function like a seasoned planner would.”
“But I’ve been looking forward to this since Jenny and Adam became a couple!” Heather cried.
“Relax, you two,” Jenny interrupted them. “We are not hiring a wedding planner.”
“But why?” Star and Molly chorused.
“I already told you. Adam and I want a small but tasteful wedding. Nothing over the top, nothing too expensive. Hiring a wedding planner is out of question.”
“Put me in charge, then,” Heather said. “Let me coordinate everything.”
“What about us?” Star asked. “We have some ideas too, you know.”
Jenny held up her hand.
“You can all share your ideas,” she said. “But the final decision is going to be mine.”
“Of course, dear,” Betty Sue spoke up. “You are the bride, after all.”
“Let’s start with the date,” Heather said. “Fall is almost here. So you will have to be more precise than ‘fall wedding’. Pick a date.”
“She’s right, Jenny,” Molly said softly. “How about the first Sunday in November?”
“Weather should be mild enough,” Star observed. “Although it could get chilly if there’s a winter storm up north.”
Jenny gave her approval for the date.
Heather wrote it down in a small notebook she pulled out of her bag.
“This is my official wedding planning notebook. The date’s written here now, Jenny. You can’t change it.”
Jenny popped the lid off a bowl of salad and plunged her fork in. She nodded quietly as she speared an olive and a chunk of feta cheese.
“What about the venue?” Molly asked. “How about the gazebo in town? We can have a marquee in case it rains.”
“I would go with the town hall,” Betty Sue said. “You don’t have to worry about the weather there. And it’s got central heating.”
“I want a beach wedding,” Jenny said. “Do you think that’s possible?”
“Have you forgotten you live in a beach house?” Star asked with a laugh. “You can get married right here, on the beach in front of Seaview.”
“That’s a wonderful idea,” Jenny said approvingly. “Let’s eat now.”
Chapter 3
Jenny was up before the sun the next morning. Dressed in a light summer frock, she set off for the Boardwalk Café at 5 AM. She brewed her first pot of coffee and stood out on the deck, breathing in the cool air laced with a salty tang. The sun crept up the horizon, a large fiery orange ball. Jenny spotted a few early walkers on the beach and waved at them.
By the time Jenny opened the café doors at six, she had baked a few batches of blueberry muffins and brewed some more coffee. Her favorite customer stood on the step outside, ready to barge in.
“Good Morning, Captain Charlie,” she greeted him cheerfully. “Ready for your blueberry muffin?”
Captain Charlie took the brown paper bag and large cup of coffee from Jenny.
“That was some meeting last night, huh?” he said. “I was in high school when they elected Mayor Franklin. Can’t imagine anyone else in that position.”
“I suppose he’s getting on,” Jenny offered. “Are you thinking of becoming our new mayor?”
Captain Charlie laughed heartily.
“Are you yankin’ my chain, missy? I’m ready to hang up my hat. Two more years on the water, tops. You’ll find me on the beach in a camp chair with a cooler by my side.”
“That’s the dream, isn’t it?” Jenny sighed.
Jenny stayed busy making crab omelets for the breakfast crowd. The town hall meeting was the talk of the town. Jenny heard snatches of conversation as she went from table to table. The troubadours were a hot topic, so was the mayoral election.
Heather walked in with Betty Sue an hour later.
“Is it 11 already?” Jenny asked as she dabbed her forehead with a tissue.
The ladies went out on the deck and sat at their favorite table. The mid-morning coffee break was a ritual among the friends. They had christened themselves the Magnolias based on Heather’s favorite movie. They met every morning come rain or shine, eager to share what was going on in their lives.
Betty Sue pulled out her knitting the moment she sat down. Her needles clacked in a rhythm as she worked on a bright orange scarf. Star pulled out a sketch pad and started doodling. Molly took a book from her bag. Heather was busy tapping keys on her phone.
Jenny placed a plate of warm muffins on the table and took a big bite from one.
“The town’s buzzing,” she said. “All anyone can talk about are those singers and the election.”
“Pelican Cove has always welcomed artists,” Betty Sue said, looking up. “There was a really handsome troubadour one year. I must have been sixteen at the time. Lily and I were both smitten.”
Lily had been Betty Sue’s childhood friend. She had gone missing one night twenty five years ago.
“I don’t remember anyon
e singing songs on the street,” Star said.
“We did have a couple of them troubadours when you were new in town,” Betty Sue said. “You probably don’t remember. But we haven’t had any of them traveling singers since Heather here was a teenager.”
“I think they are obsolete,” Heather said. “Why not just upload a song online?”
“That’s a question for Tyler,” Jenny said. “Maybe you should ask him the next time you see him.”
“Why would I see him again?” Heather scowled. “It’s not like I have his number.”
“Don’t you remember?” Molly asked. “He’s got a spot by the gazebo. You can go over any time you want.”
“You can take his picture and put it on that Instagram,” Star suggested. “It’s one more attraction to draw tourists to town.”
“That boy sure is pretty,” Betty Sue said, nodding as she twirled a piece of wool over a needle. “I saw you staring at him yesterday, Heather.”
“I did no such thing,” Heather protested indignantly.
“Hello ladies!” A voice hailed them from the boardwalk.
The Magnolias smiled broadly as a tall, brown haired man walked up the café steps, holding a baby carrier. A bonny baby with large brown eyes clapped her hands as she spotted the women.
“Jason!” Jenny exclaimed. “And Emily. What brings you here this morning?”
Jason Stone was a lawyer, the only lawyer in town. He had recently become a single father. He was juggling work with his parenting duties with plenty of help from his friends. He was in love with Jenny but she had chosen Adam instead.
Jenny sprang up and lifted the baby out of the carrier. The baby grabbed Jenny’s hair in her hands and pulled.
“Ouch!” Jenny cried. “You are becoming very naughty, Emily.”
Emily cooed and pulled harder.
“She’s been doing that a lot lately,” Jason said with a grimace.
Everyone wanted to hold the baby. Jenny handed her over to Molly and hugged Jason.
“How about some coffee?” she asked. “It’s almost time for lunch.”
“Lunch can wait,” Jason said seriously. “Haven’t you heard yet?”
“Heard what?” the women chorused.
“Did you all go to the town hall meeting?” Jason asked. “I didn’t get a baby sitter and Emily was being cranky. So I missed it.”
“We were all there,” Jenny confirmed. “We know about the election.”
“What election?” Jason asked.
“The mayor’s election, of course,” Heather said. “What are you talking about?”
“I’m talking about the musician,” Jason said. “Something called a troubadour.”
“They are traveling musicians,” Jenny nodded. “There were two of them.”
“What about them?” Betty Sue asked imperiously. “Did they get into another fight?”
“I don’t know about that,” Jason said. “One of them was found dead a couple of hours ago.”
“What?” the Magnolias cried in unison.
“How’s that possible?” Star muttered. “They were both very young.”
“He didn’t die naturally,” Jason said.
Emily let out a cry and Jenny rubbed her back, trying to make her stop.
“You don’t mean …” she stared at Jason, wide eyed.
Jason pursed his lips and shrugged.
“He was found near the gazebo, strangled to death with a guitar string.”
“But who was it?” Heather asked urgently. “Was it Tyler? Or Ocean?”
“I don’t know,” Jason said. “But I guess you’ll know soon enough. Nothing ever stays hidden in this town for long.”
Jason stayed long enough to eat a muffin and have a cup of coffee. Emily ate a few crumbs of muffin that Jenny fed her.
“She already loves your cooking, Jenny,” Jason laughed.
Father and daughter bid goodbye and walked down the beach.
“What’s wrong with this town?” Betty Sue moaned. “The new mayor needs to focus on crime prevention.”
“We don’t even have good street lights,” Heather pointed out. “And our police force is sadly understaffed.”
“Adam’s been trying to get the funds for a night patrol,” Jenny said. “But the recent budget cuts pushed him to the back of the line.”
“But why?” Star asked. “Shouldn’t the security of the citizens be the town’s top priority?”
Jenny jumped as a shrill voice interrupted them.
“Yooohoooo …”
A short, plump woman huffed up the café steps, looking full of herself.
“Hello Barb,” Betty Sue snapped. “You look like you are about to burst.”
“I’m sure you must have guessed,” Barb Norton panted.
“Enough with the guessing games,” Star drawled. “Why are you here?”
The Magnolias, especially Betty Sue and Star, were always a bit short with Barb. Jenny could never understand why. Barb was at the helm of every project or committee, and she worked tirelessly for the good of the town. But she could be pompous at times. She also took credit for everything she did.
“I’m running for mayor.” Barb beamed at them. “I just put my name in this morning.”
“We kind of guessed you would do that,” Star said dourly.
“That means I can count on your support, right?” Barb asked.
“Who’s going to run against you, Barb?” Jenny asked. “I am sure you will be unopposed.”
“That’s what I think too,” Barb said. “But you never know. This is a democracy, after all. It’s a great opportunity to serve the people in this town. Anyone can contest. Even you, Jenny.”
“I have my hands full with the café,” Jenny smiled. “I don’t think I’m qualified, anyway. I don’t know the town like you do, Barb.”
“What are you going to do to prevent crime in this town, Barb?” Betty Sue thundered.
“We already have a good police department,” Barb Norton said. “I thought you would be more interested in promoting tourism, Betty Sue.”
“Tourists are great for business,” Jenny said. “But they can stretch the town’s resources.”
Heather spoke up.
“I have a whole list of things we can do to attract more tourists. We can have lifeguards on the beach, for starters.”
“What about the library?” Molly asked. “You remember we had talked about allowing tourists to check out books?”
“Hold those thoughts,” Barb said. “I’m going to formally announce my candidature soon. There will be a box there for suggestions. Don’t forget to drop these in that box.”
“What about that dead guy?” Star asked.
Barb Norton had not heard about the dead troubadour. The ladies told her the little they knew. She scurried off, promising to find out more.
Someone struck up a tune on the beach. Jenny shielded her eyes with her hands and peered into the distance. A small crowd had gathered around a tall, bearded fellow. He sang lustily, describing a beautiful woman he had met at a bar.
“That looks like that man called Ocean,” Jenny said.
“That means Tyler …” Heather said, her eyes bright with unshed tears.
Jenny patted Heather on the back. There was nothing they could do about it.
The Magnolias dispersed soon after. Star stayed back to help Jenny with lunch. Jenny was quiet as she spooned strawberry chicken salad over slices of bread.
“He was so young,” she sighed. “What do you think happened?”
“I don’t know, sweetie,” Star said. “I hope you are not thinking of getting involved.”
“Why would I do that?” Jenny asked with a shrug.
“Adam won’t like it,” Star warned. “Things are finally coming together for you, Jenny. Don’t do something he will frown upon.”
“Adam can’t dictate what I do,” Jenny said. “He knows that very well.”
“That’s not what I meant,” Star said. “Just don�
�t go borrowing trouble. Focus on planning your wedding. Have some fun with your friends.”
“Don’t worry about me,” Jenny assured her aunt. “I didn’t even know the guy. Although I do feel sorry for him.”
Jenny went to Williams’ Seafood Market after she closed up the cafe. Adam was coming over for dinner and she wanted to make something special for him. She got two pounds of shrimp and some fresh sea bass for dinner. Back home, she made her special orange and dill marinade for the fish. She decided to make Adam’s favorite tequila lime shrimp along with fresh corn salsa and cilantro rice.
Jenny took a quick shower and dressed simply in a pair of linen shorts and a tank top. Star was already grilling the fish when she went down to the kitchen. Star’s beau Jimmy Parsons was also joining them for dinner.
Jenny set the table and lit a few white tapers. She arranged a bunch of fresh roses in a vase. Adam arrived right on time and announced he was starving.
“Tough day?” Jenny asked.
Adam gave a brief nod.
“Any idea what happened to that poor kid?” Jimmy asked.
“We are looking into it,” Adam said tersely.
Jenny knew he didn’t like mixing his personal life with his professional one. He rarely welcomed any questions related to work, especially any status reports on one of his cases.
“Can you confirm it was Tyler?” Jenny asked meekly.
Adam looked up sharply.
“How do you know his name?” he asked, narrowing his eyes.
“He was at the town hall meeting yesterday,” Star explained. “The whole town knew his name, son.”
“The victim was one Tyler Jones,” Adam said with a sigh. “That’s all I can tell you at this time.”
Chapter 4
Adam Hopkins sat at a table in the Boardwalk Café, eating a cheese omelet. Jenny topped up his coffee and gave him a secret smile. Adam wasn’t fond of showing affection in public, so Jenny resisted planting a kiss on his cheek.
“You’re in early,” she remarked.
“My shift starts at seven,” Adam said. “I thought I might begin the day with a hearty breakfast.”
Adam’s phone rang just then. He looked sharp as he listened to the voice at the other end.
