A Tank Full of Trouble
A Citrus Beach Mystery
By Victoria LK Williams
Copyright 2106
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.
No parts of this publication may be reproduced, stored in, or introduced into a retrieval system, transmitted in any form, including: electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or other means invented otherwise without prior written permission from the copyright owner.
All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.
Chapter 1
Friday
A squeeze on her hand had Megan Cassidy looking up from under the hat protecting her long, wavy amber hair from the sun hitting her shoulders. The sun was high in the sky, warming the afternoon air, but the cool winds coming off the Atlantic Ocean cut through the heat, making her eager to leave the open market she and Aiden Tory were wandering. Peering to where Aiden’s gaze was directing her towards, she turned to see her beagle, Barney, and Aiden’s white and gray shih Tzu nuzzling each other.
With a smile at the two dogs, Megan returned the hand squeeze and sighed.
“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say that the two of them will miss each other more than we’ll miss each other.”
"I don’t think that's possible, Megan." Aiden answered as he gave her a hug and shook his head. "Each time I leave to work on a case I miss you more and more." He hesitated a moment before he continued. "Plus, there's the fact I'm always holding my breath waiting for a phone call to tell me that you've found some trouble to get into."
Megan gave him a gentle jab in the ribs with her elbow, but she laughed along with him. Aiden was right, she had a tendency to find trouble, even without looking for it. But she was so occupied with work right now that there was no way she would have time for trouble of any kind. And if it dropped into her lap, well, she would straighten her shoulders and ignore it. At least as best as she could.
Before she could reply, she heard her name called. With a sigh, Megan handed her companion Barney's leash and excused herself to go see what the woman wanted. She didn't talk long, just a few moments to answer a question. Then she was back by Aiden’s side, ready to continue their stroll through the market. Aiden and his dog, Gypsy, were leaving from the market to head down south to the airport. They were heading to Kentucky for a long weekend with Aiden's family. Normally, Gypsy would stay with Megan, but Aiden was planning on spending quality time with his college-age son and had promised to bring the dog.
"It's pretty crowded here today. Sure differs from the summer when we can leisurely stroll through the market right over to the beach. Why don’t we head to the beach now and let the dogs run? Maybe Gypsy will wear herself out for the flight."
Aiden grabbed her hand and took the lead, his tall muscular body working through the crowds with Megan’s smaller frame following in his wake. The two dogs followed, their tails wagging.
Once they’d made their way through the crowd, they could walk at a more leisurely pace towards the beach. The smell of salt permeated the air as they climbed over the dune. Aiden dropped the leashes holding the two dogs, letting them run across the warm golden sand, chasing the birds in delight.
Megan and Aiden walked at a more leisurely pace, holding hands and enjoying the little time they had together before Aiden had to leave. There was no need for more, they were comfortable enough with each other to enjoy silence, not feeling the need to fill every moment with conversation. Occasionally they would pass someone and spend a few moments catching up. Life was like that in Citrus Beach, everyone knew each other; everyone was a friend. And in typical small-town fashion, everybody seemed to be aware of what was going on in your life -- or wanted to find out. Aiden still was getting used to that small-town atmosphere, but Megan had lived here for years, raising her daughter and building her business.
Finally, the two dogs tired from the running after the birds and came back, panting, looking for attention and approval. Aiden glanced at his watch and realized it was time to say goodbye.
"Promise me you'll take care of yourself, Megan. I still wish you had found a way to come with us. Brandon is eager to meet you. So are my parents, for that matter."
"Oh, I wish I could too, Aiden, but there just wasn't enough time to arrange it. I promise I’ll go next time. I'd love to meet your son as well. I already feel like your mother and I are great friends from all the phone conversations we’ve had over the last few months. I also promise to take care of myself. After all, this is my busy season who has time to get into any kind of trouble?" She laughed.
Aiden just shook his head. Since meeting Megan he had learned trouble had a way of finding her. Pulling her gently against him, he lowered his head and kissed her, ignoring the dog at his feet who was pawing at his leg for attention. Finally, the little dog barked her aggravation and Megan pulled back, breaking off their kiss with a small giggle.
"I guess she's ready to go, Aiden. Come on, Barney, let's walk these two to their car."
Calling her dog over her shoulder, Megan pulled Aiden toward the parking lot and their cars. In much less time than she wished, they were unlocking their car doors, letting the dogs into their perspective vehicles.
After taking a few more moments to say goodbye, Aiden got behind the wheel of his car and with a final wave drove off. Megan raised her hands over her eyes to shield them from the glare as she watched the cherry-red Cutlass, Aiden's pride and joy, disappear down Main Street.
"Aunt Megan!"
The sound of the young girl’s shout brought Megan back to the present. She turned towards the voice she knew so well to find a 10-year-old girl waving at her. Right behind the girl was a slightly older boy and a couple holding hands, all walking towards her. Megan couldn't help but smile at the sweet picture in front of her. The petite blond woman was holding the hand of a tall, muscular man with auburn hair, the same hair as Megan.
The man was her cousin Paul, whom she'd grown up with. He was more like a brother than a cousin, and they’d had many adventures together in their youth. The young boy was serious looking, but when he saw Megan gave a quick smile.
For Megan the picture was sweet, not just for the family unit in front of her but because she was aware of their history. Paul and his wife Lucy were foster parents to the young kids in front of them. Sammy, little girl, and Toby completed their lives, and her cousins were adopting the two children.
"Did Aiden leave already?" Lucy asked as she joined Megan.
"Just a moment ago, you guys just missed him."
"He'll be back before you know it, Aunt Megan," the serious young man said, trying to reassure her.
"You're absolutely right, Toby. What are you guys doing out here?"
Before the adults could answer, Sammy jumped in to tell Megan all about the day’s activities. One of the most important pieces of news: their cat, Ginger, had just given birth to a litter of kittens. Ginger had been adopted into Paul and Lucy’s family, just like the kids. They’d discovered her after a hurricane and when no one claimed her, she stayed on as a new family member. You couldn't help but laugh at Sammy’s enthusiasm, and Megan was pleased to see how happy the girl was. After she had finished her story, the three adults chatted while the kids played with Barney. Paul was leaning agains
t Megan's car when his mobile phone rang. Excusing himself, he turned away from the others to answer it. A moment later he was back, a frown between his brows.
"Problem, Paul?"
"Yes, unfortunately there's a problem on the job site. I'm sorry kids, but I have to cut our day short. Lucy, you will have to take me out to the job. I can get a ride back with my foreman."
His wife nodded her head in understanding. But being a typical child, Sammy would not let him off so easily.
"But were supposed to be going to the movies. Emma will be there waiting for us," she whined.
Megan couldn't stand to see the disappointment on her face and jumped in with a solution. There was a reason she was the favorite aunt. Besides, Emma was her daughter, and would have also been disappointed. Megan’s 22-year-old daughter was taking on the role of older cousin with vigor. There were many Saturday afternoons that Emma and her roommate Taylor included the two kids in their plans for a fun day.
Paul and Lucy looked at Megan, clearly relieved by her offer to drive the children to the theater. They wouldn’t have to break a promise to their new family members. Lucy gave Megan a quick hug, asking her she was sure she had the time to escort the kids to the movie theater.
"It's not a problem at all. It works out well for me, too. I'm supposed to be meeting Joe Stevens in the same plaza. Hop into the back seat, kids. We’ll head over to meet Emma in a minute."
"Thanks, Megan. Emma can bring the kids home after the movies. I know you and Barney are planning to head to Palm Beach this afternoon, so if you’re sure this won't hold you up, we would appreciate it," said Paul.
With a few last-minute instructions to the children, Lucy gave each of them a kiss goodbye. Then thanking Megan one more time, Lucy and Paul left for the job site, a new home that Paul’s construction company was building.
Megan opened the door to her car. As she put the key in the ignition, she issued the instruction to buckle up to her eager passengers. Barney sat on the seat between the two of them enjoying their undivided attention. Megan smiled at the picture they made and then reached over and turned the radio on. She found a channel they all liked, turned the volume up, and then pulled out of the parking lot towards the movie theater.
Chapter 2
It wasn't a long ride from the beach to the movie theater, but then again nothing was in a town as small as Citrus Beach. Although the ride wasn’t long, it was definitely noisy. The two kids in the back seat had Megan laughing with their antics as they teased Barney and chatted eagerly. It was clear that they were thriving in the loving atmosphere of her cousin's home. The two of them were acting like normal kids instead of the scared runaways she’d first met.
Emma was already waiting when they pulled into the movie theater’s parking lot. She was standing at the entrance with her roommate Taylor talking to an older bald man. The three of them looked up as the kids yelled hello, punctuated by Barney's excited barks. Emma gave a wave to indicate she saw them. Even though the two youngsters were excited to get to the theater they knew the rules. Toby carefully clicked on Barney's leash to make sure he would not run a way. The two children got out of the back seat and waited for Megan to walk with them across the parking lot.
As she reached the three at the entrance, Megan gave the two girls a hug, and try to be professional by holding out her hand for Joe Stevens to shake. But the man was having none of that, and with a laugh wrapped her in a warm hug. He then bent down to make sure that Barney received his fair share of attention.
"Hello, Joe. You remember my niece and nephew, right?" asked Megan.
The two youngsters were thrilled at being called her niece and nephew, and they politely said hello to Mr. Stevens. Then they turned their attention to Emma and Taylor, asking if the girls had gotten tickets for the new release they planned on seeing. It was clear the kids were eager to get into the movie theater, so the adults said goodbye, promising to catch up another time. Once the four movie goers left, it seemed quiet.
"The two of them are adjusting well to life here in Citrus Beach, aren't they?"
"They are. It's amazing, it's like there are two different children in front of us. I didn't keep you waiting, did I?"
Joe shook his head, reassuring Megan that he hadn't been waiting long. He explained that he had seen Emma and Taylor standing outside and had walked over to talk to them. Before Megan could ask any more questions, they were interrupted by the call of a well-dressed, but rather plump older woman who was waddling her way as fast as she could towards them.
"You-who. Oh, Megan. Just the girl I'm looking for. I saw your cute little car out in the parking lot and hoped I could find you. Hello Joe, I don't mean to interrupt, I just need a moment of Megan's time." Breathlessly apologizing to the tall man next to her, she continued talking to Megan. "When I called your office earlier, and they said you are going to Palm Beach today. I’ve been searching for your car so I could ask you to pick up a few items for me. I wouldn't ask, but we just don't have a Nordstrom store here in Citrus Beach."
With an apologetic shrug of her shoulders to Joe, Megan took the piece of paper the woman was handing to her. Glancing down, she saw was a list of six or seven items and knew her trip would be extended to Palm Beach by a minimum of an hour. Mrs. Claytor was one of her newer clients, and was rather demanding. This was a perfect example. Once she had given Megan her list, she assumed -- and rightly so -- that everything would be taken care of. As he watched her waddle off, saying goodbye over her shoulder, Joe shook his head suppressing a laugh.
"She didn't even ask if you had time,"
"It's not a big deal Joe, it’s what I do. And it's better to find out what she needs before I leave and have to make a second trip down south."
Megan knew full well that her business, Citrus Beach Concierge, was built by providing this type of service for her customers. The man standing next to her was one of her clients as well. He, along with two other longtime clients, were the ones who’d urged her to expand her landscape business into a concierge service, and the three of them signed up to be her first clients.
"Joe, I have all the paperwork you wanted me to pick up from the courthouse. If you have your keys, I can put it in your car. Then, I'll meet you at Susie's diner and we can go over the progress on the work being done over at your house."
"Well that's a problem Megan, because I don't have my car. One of my salesmen dropped me off, and I assured him you could take me back to the dealership when we were done. I hope you don't mind. Let's walk over to the diner, it’s not that far and I need to stretch my legs. It's a beautiful day, and this gives me the chance to enjoy the company of a beautiful woman on my arm. I'll be the envy of all the men in town."
Megan laughed out loud at his flattery and nodded her head in agreement to his suggestion. He was right, it was a beautiful day, one that should be spent outside as much as possible. Taking his offered arm, she gave a little tug on Barney's leash and the three of them set off for the diner. Once they reach it, Joe went in to grab a table. Megan walked around the back to the kitchen entrance where there was a shady tree she could leave Barney at. She secured his leash around a picnic table bench, waving through the open door at Susie's father who was in the kitchen cooking. Experience had taught her that as soon as she walked away, the older man would slip outside to give Barney one of the special treats he always had for the dog.
Megan nodded her head to the patrons she recognized as she made her way to the table and joined Joe. Susie saw her come in and grabbed the pitcher of sweet tea and two glasses, knowing her customers’ drink preference. They placed an order for a piece of pie that Susie recommended, promising it was freshly baked and then settled back to look over the notes Megan had brought with her.
Joe was adding a courtyard garden off his office with one of Megan’s creative designs. The work included adding French doors to his office and a large wall fountain at the end of the courtyard. Planting beds would be added to either side of a seating area made o
f pavers. Megan was eager to show him the details of the fountain and some pictures of furniture she had found for the courtyard. Soon they were deep in discussion. The work was already underway, and they were just finalizing details.
They spent the next hour reviewing the final pieces of the project. Joe listened intently to Megan's suggestions, nodding his head in agreement when he caught on to where her ideas were leading. They would've finished sooner if they hadn’t been interrupted so many times by other patrons of the diner. It was common practice in Citrus Beach to pull up a chair and include yourself. Megan and Joe didn’t mind, they enjoyed the company. If they’d wanted to meet without interruption, they would have picked a different place.
Megan had learned long ago to keep a notebook with her at all times and today she was constantly using it as customers came up to their table to say hello and ask for something extra to be done by Citrus Beach Concierge. By the time the hour was over, Megan list included five or six additional requests, most of which would need to be handled on her trip down south. With a grimace at her watch, she realized that she would need to make this an overnight trip to Palm Beach rather than a quick day trip.
Susie was returning to fill their coffee cups for the third time when Joe suggested Megan return him to his car dealership. Waving off Susie's offer of a refill, Megan agreed and the two of them got up to leave. They left by the back door, saying hello to Susie's father and picking up Barney. They found the dog curled up in the shade, fast asleep with his belly full from the treats Susie’s father managed to sneak to him. Moments later they were getting into the Megan's car when they heard Megan's name being called out.
"Hang on a second, Megan. I just wanted to let you know that we decided to go ahead with your suggestions. I will leave it up to you to pick out the patio furniture you think will be best in my future garden. I can't tell you how excited my husband and I are. We actually have a project in this house we are agreeing on. It’s all thanks to you."
A Tank Full of Trouble: A Citrus Beach Mystery (Citrus Beach Mysteries Book 5) Page 1
