Phineas put his hand on his chin. “Sounds familiar. I don’t know. Why? What’s he got to do with the necklace?”
“Maybe he did some work for you?” Ed piped in.
“Yes, I remember now. Emma wanted our room painted. She found his name in the local paper. Said she’d rather give work to a man working for himself than some big corporation. Nice guy, if I recall. Always on time. Did good work. Why?”
Ed stepped forward. “I believe he stole the jewelry and some cash from you.”
“No. Elmer was a quiet guy. Came to work, minded his own business. How could he have stolen that stuff, it was in a wall safe? Money? How much money?”
“I think you’d better sit down.” Ed led Phineas to a bench outside the office. “About five thousand dollars.”
“Wait!” Phineas stood up. “How do you know all that?”
“Sit down, Phineas. Let Ed explain.” Delores sat next to him and took his hand.
“It seems we’ve ended up with your money and jewels accidentally. Elmer passed away several years ago, his wife sold the house and asked if I wanted his workbench. I took it and put it in our shed.” Ed continued to explain.
Phineas started laughing. “They say it’s a small world and they aren’t kidding. Isn’t that the craziest story you ever heard? Emma must have left the safe open when Elmer was there. I wonder why that’s all he took?” He squeezed Delores’s hand. “I probably shouldn’t say this, but he could have taken a lot more than five thousand dollars. Now that you know I’m wealthy, I won’t know if you’re marrying me for love or my money.”
Delores slapped his face playfully. “My dear sweet man, who said I’m marrying you at all?”
“I’m crushed.” Phineas grabbed his chest. “Of course you are. I knew it the minute I saw you. We’ll wait a respectable time to get to know each other better. But we’ll get married, sure as my name’s Phineas J. Culpepper the Third.”
“Mighty sure of yourself, aren’t you?’ Delores pinched his cheek.
Ed led Bea away. “Let’s leave these love birds battle it out themselves.”
“Kind of reminds me of us.” Bea pinched Ed’s cheek.
Ed pulled her to him and hugged her. “Just a little bit. What do you think, should we go inside?”
“Louise is probably wondering where we are.”
***
No more had one moving van left and the other pulled up. Perfect timing. Wouldn’t take them long to unload. Good thing Mavis was an immaculate housekeeper, not a thing to clean before Delores put her furniture in place. Now she’d have a first-floor bedroom. Not that she minded being upstairs, but the master suite was much nicer, especially the bathroom. Except for the mirrors in the dining room, Mavis had excellent taste. The soft seafoam green calmed her and would go well with her green paisley comforter. She’d have to get some furniture for the living room, of course, but she had all the time in the world to do that.
Mavis hadn’t even said goodbye. It surprised Delores they’d given her a new address and the directions to change the key code on the garage door. Mavis had even remembered to leave the two garage door remotes and their keys on the kitchen counter. No worries about them ever trying to get back in. Not that they’d have a reason to. They were welcome to visit any time they wanted. Not that she expected them to. At least not for a while.
Bea opened the door. “Are you okay?”
“Yes, why?”
“I rang the bell several times and knocked. It scared me when you didn’t answer.”
“Oh, sorry, I was thinking.”
“You sure you’re okay with this? With Mavis moving out?”
Delores nodded. “I’m fine. It’s for the best. I’m just sorry it was with hard-feelings. I don’t know my daughter any more. She turned into a …snob for lack of a better word.”
“I’m sorry. Never having kids, I just don’t know what to say.”
“It’s okay. She’ll get over it. Until she hears about Phineas and me, that is. She’ll throw another fit, but I don’t care. She should know by now I live my own life just as she does.”
“Speaking of Phineas, Ed’s going to meet him at the bank and give him the money and jewels. I just can’t believe how this all turned out. Can I help you with anything? Unpacking or something?”
Delores looked around. “There’s not much to unpack. Just a few knick knacks and linens. My bedroom set is already set up. I think I need to go shopping. Care to go along?”
“Sure, what are we shopping for?
“Dishes, pots and pans, kitchen utensils. I got rid of all mine and Mavis took all hers. I’m not big on paper plates.”
“Okay, let’s go. I’ll call Ed and let him know. Hey, do you want to meet them for lunch?”
“Good idea. I didn’t have much for breakfast.”
“Did you and Phineas set a wedding date?”
“We’re thinking May.”
Beatrice Lulu laughed. “I thought he said a year.”
Delores shrugged. “True, but at our ages we don’t have time to waste.”
“Where have I heard that before?”
Chapter 19
Epilogue - Six Months Later
Beatrice Lulu fussed with her dress. Too long in the front, too short in the back. Couldn’t pull the back down, but how to raise the front. Not that anyone was going to watch her. Nope, all eyes would be on the bride. And a beautiful one at that. She waved her hands and gave up. Nothing more she could do about it. This wasn’t her day anyway. She hurried next door to help Delores.
“You look beautiful.” Beatrice Lulu walked around her friend. What an honor to stand up as matron of honor. “And God couldn’t have given you a better day. Sunshine and warm temperatures.”
“You look amazing yourself.” Delores made a circular motion with her hand. “Look at you, blue is definitely your color.”
“Only problem is the dress is too long in the front.” Beatrice Lulu turned around.
“I see what you mean. Come here.” With a little tuck, here and there, the dress magically shortened in the front. “There, that should do it.”
“But will it stay that way?”
“Hmm. Yes, that is a thought. Hold on.” Delores opened her drawer, took out three safety pins and motioned Beatrice Lulu forward. “Let’s see if I can do this without them showing.” After several minutes and much pulling and squishing the pins were hidden and the dress remained shorter. “Perfect.”
“Thank you, but aren’t I supposed to be helping you?”
“Nonsense. We help each other. That’s what good neighbors do.” Delores hugged Beatrice Lulu. “You know I think of you as more of a sister, don’t you? I can’t tell you how much it means being included with your family.”
“Stop, you’re going to make me cry.” Beatrice Lulu wiped a tear from her eye. “We enjoy having you.”
“I’m only sorry Mavis couldn’t see fit to be here today. She claims she’s forgiven me, but has refused every invitation I’ve extended. She claimed they had previous plans. What kind of daughter has previous plans for her mother’s wedding?”
“I don’t know what to say.” Beatrice Lulu’s heart broke for her friend. Mavis hadn’t been back to visit even once since she moved out. Delores phoned her several times, but said the phone calls were strained.
“There’s really nothing to say. It is what it is. Try as I might, I can’t change it. I hope she doesn’t regret it someday.”
“Has she even met Phineas?”
“No, every time I tried to set up a meeting she’s either got plans or cancels at the last minute. He was all set to sell them his house, too, and at a very good price.”
“Their loss in more ways than one. Phineas fits right in with our family. Who knew he had such a great sense of humor? Mama just loves him to pieces.”
“Have the adoption papers come through for Mark yet?”
“No, but it should be any day now. Ed and I are so excited. It’s not just Mark, we’re adopting. Stanley, too.�
�
“Can you do that? Adopt an adult?” Delores fastened the pearl necklace Phineas had given her.
“Yes, we can. It’s more for inheritance purposes. It’ll make it easier for us to add him to our will.”
“I’m glad Otto agreed to let you adopt Mark, but how does Stanley feel about it?” A snap at the wrist and the pearl bracelet was secure. “You don’t think this is too much, do you?”
“Otto’s part of the family now, too. And Stanley is ecstatic. Mark asked if he could call us something other than Aunt and Uncle. I asked what he had in mind and he said Mama Bea and Papa Ed. I was thrilled, of course.” Beatrice Lulu walked around Delores, and fixed the collar on her dress. “It’s perfect, you look beautiful. The pearls add a touch of elegance to an already exquisite lady.”
Ethel knocked and opened the door. “You ladies ready? It’s time. Oh my, look at you two, absolutely ravishing. Both of you. That pale green suit against your red hair…what can I say, I’m at a loss for words. And you, Beatrice Lulu, should wear blue more often. You both look so elegant.” Ethel held the door. “Oh, here’s your flowers. Wait until I’m settled before you come out.” She hugged both women and hurried to find her seat.
***
Bea kicked her shoes off, curled her knees under her, and leaned against Ed on the couch. “What a day. Besides the perfect weather, everything went smooth as cream. Delores looked beautiful and Phineas was the most handsome groom.”
Ed ran his fingers along Bea’s arm. “Almost as perfect as us.” He leaned down and kissed the top of her head.
“We are perfect, aren’t we?” Bea laughed. “At least we like to pretend we are. I felt so bad that Mavis didn’t come. I thought maybe she’d reconsider at the last minute.”
“That is a shame. But there were enough of our family to make up for it. She’s fit in well with everyone. So does Phineas. He’s a great guy. Never would have thought so after that first meeting. Delores is good for him.”
“They’re good for each other just like we are. Did you ever dream that we’d have our own family? Our own kids?”
“Never in my wildest dreams.” Ed stroked Bea’s cheek. “It feels good, doesn’t it? If someone would have told me six months ago, that I’d take part in your wild adventures I’d have laughed at them.”
“It wasn’t so bad, was it? And look how it all worked out.” Bea snuggled closer and leaned her head back for a kiss.
“Not bad at all. But who would’ve thought?”
“You know what Mama always says.”
“Which saying, your mama has a million of them.” Ed planted a series of small kisses along Bea’s cheek.
“Nothing ventured, nothing gained.” Bea turned her cheek so Ed’s mouth met hers.
The End
Books We Love Books by Roseanne Dowell
All in the Family (Book 1 Family Affair)
All’s Well that Ends Well (Book 2 Family Affair)
Another Day
Deadbeat Dads
Designed for Love
Elusive Mission
Engtangled Minds
Geriatric Rebels
It’s Only Make Believe
Love on the Rocks
Ring Around the Rosy
Secrets, Lies & Love
Shadows in the Attic
Time to Love Again
Trouble Comes in Twos
Roseanne Dowell, former school secretary and writing instructor, is an avid reader and writes various types of romance – paranormal, contemporary, romance, and mystery. Living in Northeast Ohio, she’s married with six grown children, fourteen grandchildren and several great grandchildren. She spends her time between writing, quilting and embroidering.
For more information about Roseanne's books including blurbs, reviews and purchase links, please visit her blog http://roseannedowellauthor.blogspot.com/
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