Memory of Murder

by Ramona Richards

  “I just explained—”

  April continued. “He set up the donation account at the bank. That’s just the first installment. Money’s still coming in.”

  Lindsey stared at him, even though tears blinded her. “I thought it was all gone.”

  “So you’ll want to rebuild here?” he asked. “The folks here really want you to.”

  She nodded furiously. “Of course, I do.”

  “Alan and I can help you rebuild—” Jeff’s words broke off when June nudged him. He stepped closer to the bed. “But, actually, I was hoping we could build more than a new restaurant.”

  Her eyes narrowed in curiosity. “Like what?”

  “A family.”

  This time, Jeff’s hand held a small box, which he opened slowly. The diamond ring inside glistened. “I know this may not be the right time, but—”

  “It is,” she said, her voiced cracking. She swallowed, asking God for the right words. “Jeff, I know better than anyone that life is short and can be rough. I thought I was okay going through it alone, just me and my dreams. But the past few days have shown me that I’m not. I need my sisters. And I need you. I love you.”

  Jeff’s face flushed as he fumbled the ring out of the box.

  “Don’t drop it,” Ray commanded.

  Lindsey grinned and held up her left hand. Jeff slipped the ring on it. “Then will you marry me?”

  She nodded. “Absolutely.”

  EPILOGUE

  Evelyn May cooed, a sweet, wet sound that turned Lindsey to mush. She pulled the baby carrier a little closer, careful not to disturb either the six-tiered cake or the emerald green-and-silver decorations April and June had spent the night draping all over the dining room of the new restaurant.

  Lindsey inhaled deeply. Everything still smelled so new, like freshly sawn wood and paint. All the inspections had been done, and she’d passed with flying colors. Employees had been hired and foodstuffs unpacked and stored. She hadn’t baked so much as a cookie, but already the sweet scent of cinnamon lingered in the air.

  And it really belongs to all of us—everyone in town. The thought made Lindsey want to burst from pure joy. The rebuilding process had indeed been a community affair. The people who’d donated money felt a sense of ownership, and many had turned out to pound nails, paint a wall or unpack food. Alan and Jeff had done a lot of the work, as well, working here whenever they could, turning it into a second home.

  In fact, Jeff had been on his back, under the sink, adjusting a fitting on her grease trap, when he suggested that they marry here. She’d laughed, then realized he was serious. “It would be like a grand opening, only you wouldn’t have to cook.”

  Well, almost. Lindsey looked up again at the green-and-white cake, topped by a green-and-silver starburst. I did make the cake.

  Evie fussed again.

  “Oh, all right,” Lindsey whispered. “Just one more. But don’t tell your mama.” She ran her finger along the backside of the cake, where no one would see, scraping up a morsel of green icing. She held it to her niece’s mouth, and Evie sucked hungrily on it.

  “Don’t you be giving my baby sugar!” April scolded. She and June had entered from the kitchen, their matching green bridesmaid’s dresses rustling as they strode across the room.

  Lindsey grinned. “Would I do that?”

  “Of course, you would!” April bent, peering into Evie’s carrier. “Plus, there’s evidence all around her mouth.”

  Lindsey shook a finger at the baby. “I told you not to tell on me.”

  With an expertise that only seemed to come with motherhood, April whisked a wet wipe out of the diaper bag and cleaned Evie’s face. Then she gave Lindsey a quick kiss on the cheek. “You look beautiful. I’m going to take her out to Aunt Suke. Be right back.” She hefted the carrier and headed back through the kitchen.

  June grinned at her baby sister. “Come on. Stand up. Turn around. Let me see.”

  Lindsey held her arms out and turned around slowly, as June checked her over, smoothing out the skirt of her tea-length gown and straightening the lace on her shoulders. She ran her hands up and down Lindsey’s arms, smoothing the lace gloves that stretched up over her elbow.

  “Good, good. No slip showing, everything’s lined up.” She plucked an imaginary loose thread from Lindsey’s arm. “Now. Count them off. Something old?”

  “The ribbons in my hair are from Aunt Suke’s debutante bouquet.”

  “Something new?”

  Lindsey waggled her left hand, where her engagement ring sparkled.

  “Something borrowed?”

  “Your wedding shoes.”

  “Something blue?”

  “The garter.”

  “Then it looks like you’re ready to get married.”

  Lindsey gave June a quick hug. “Thank you. For everything.”

  “I think this was more God’s arranging than mine.”

  “Still. You were listening.”

  June looked her sister over, curiosity in her eyes. “You’re tense. Are you scared?”

  Lindsey rocked up on her toes. “Does it show that much? I wouldn’t want Jeff to think that—”

  June laughed. “Girl, are you kidding me? That boy’s petrified. I think he must have drunk a gallon of water this morning, trying to keep his mouth from drying out.”

  Lindsey hesitated, a moment of panic tightening her stomach. “You don’t think he wants to back out, do you?”

  June shook her head. “No, silly. What I’m saying is that you’re both scared, and you should be. Marriage isn’t an easy thing to take on. It’s a lot harder than, say, opening a restaurant. Or even rebuilding a restaurant.”

  Lindsey smiled, looking around the dining room of the reborn Coffee-Time Café. The newly constructed building had been modeled on the style and atmosphere of the original, but everything in it was brand-new and up-to-date. The dining room, decorated in white linen, green silk and silver lace for their reception, looked like a fairy-tale setting. And she could think of no better way to reopen it than by letting both of her dreams come true at the same time.

  June patted her arm again. “I’ll go get Ray. You take a few deep breaths.”

  As the door closed behind June, Lindsey pulled one of the chairs out and sat. Her bouquet—white roses and dark green satin ribbon—lay on the table. A slip of paper peeked out from between two of the flowers, and she frowned at it.

  “Here, now,” she whispered. “You’re not supposed to be showing.” She pulled it free. “My real ‘something new.’” Lindsey unfolded the note, which had arrived only yesterday, reading it for the umpteenth time.

  Lindsey (although I will always think of you as July),

  Your letters finally got through to this stubborn old man. I just never believed you’d want to hear from me again, after all I did. But I guess you’re as stubborn as I am. I am eternally grateful for the efforts you’ve made on my behalf. Although Lawson’s confession to you isn’t enough to get me out, I’m thankful that you know, and that you cared enough to ask Mr. Harper for help. He’s a good man, a good lawyer.

  A thousand “I’m sorry”s could never make up for the pain I’ve inflicted on you and your sisters. Although I have thrown myself at God’s feet and He has forgiven me, forgiving myself is the longer journey. And I never expected you or your sisters to do so.

  What I do hope is that you will accept that I am a changed man—heart and soul—and that in the future, I pray you will find God’s true path for your life, and that you will find a way to heal from the damage I inflicted.

  May God hold you close,

  Your father

  Lindsey folded the note and returned it to the bouquet. “Sometimes, Daddy,” she whispered, “your dreams come true. And, sometimes, what comes t
rue is the real dream.”

  * * *

  Jeff tugged at his tie.

  “Leave it alone, boy,” Ray growled. “It’s fine.”

  “It feels crooked.”

  “Well, it’s not. Stop fidgeting.”

  Beside them in the copse of trees outside the restaurant, Daniel coughed. “Like you didn’t fidget the day you married June,” he told Ray.

  “I had a lot more to worry about.”

  “There’s April,” Daniel said as he looked at the rows of chairs set up for the ceremony. “I’ll go see if they’re ready.” He headed over to where April was settling the baby carrier into a chair next to Aunt Suke.

  “Tell me again this is the right thing to do.” Despite Ray’s protests, Jeff tugged again at his tie.

  Ray faced him. “You love her?”

  Jeff swallowed hard. “More than anything.”

  “Don’t want to even think about living without her?”

  “Not for a second.”

  “Then it’s the right thing to do.” Ray pushed Jeff’s hand away from his tie. “Look, marriage is never a cakewalk, but if you can think of nothing sweeter than sitting with her on a porch when you’re both eighty, then you’ll find a way to make it work.”

  April motioned for Ray to follow her, and he nodded. “I have to go give away a bride. Meet us there.”

  Jeff nodded. He looked around at the crowd that had gathered for their wedding and swallowed hard. Raising up the new building for the café had brought a bond to Bell’s Springs that it hadn’t seen in a long time. It was as if everyone in town wanted to see Lindsey succeed, and now they all turned out to see her get married. The parking lot overflowed with people, and cars lined both sides of the highway as far as he could see. Even after he’d suggested it, Jeff had had doubts about getting married here. Now he knew it was exactly the right choice, not only for them, but for the town.

  An arched trellis bursting with white roses had been set up under the trees at the edge of the lot, and the minister waited there, along with a duo of guitarists. Rows of white chairs framed a makeshift aisle from the restaurant’s door to the trellis. As the guests found places to stand or sit, two young girls in green silk walked among them, handing out small gauze bags of birdseed to be tossed at the couple after the ceremony.

  In the front row of chairs, Aunt Suke made faces at Evie. Aunt Suke’s heart tests had been mostly positive, and a stent in one artery had returned her to good health. On the other side of Evie, RuthAnn sat, joining Aunt Suke in the baby play. She still had a haunted look to her eyes, but was well on her way to healing. No charges had been filed against her since she didn’t realize her conversations with Max had held such danger. Every so often, Jeff could hear a happy squeal from the baby. Jeff thought about how Daniel and April glowed when talking about their daughter. Their world, their friends seemed back in order.

  All of a sudden, he had an image of Lindsey at eighty, her sweet face as lined and soft as Aunt Suke’s, with wisdom and love shining in her eyes as she looked at her grandbabies. And at him.

  His chest swelled with love. What more could a man ask for?

  He headed toward the minister, just as the guitarists began the music, and took his place under the trellis. As they played, Alan emerged from the restaurant with Jeff’s mom on one arm. They sat next to Aunt Suke, and his mother winked at him.

  Then came the first chords of Pachelbel’s Canon, which Lindsey had chosen as her processional. Lindsey approached, clinging tight to Ray’s arm. Her bouquet, clutched in her right hand, trembled, and Jeff realized she was as scared as he was. But that would work in their favor. Scared would keep them humble, reminding them Who was really the One in control.

  As each step brought her closer, sunlight gleamed in her hair, and once again, Jeff imagined her at eighty. “We can do this,” he whispered. “It’s definitely the right thing to do.”

  * * * * *

  Keep reading for an excerpt of Betrayal on the Border by Jill Elizabeth Nelson!

  Dear Reader,

  I think most of us would like to follow God’s chosen path for our lives, even though we may have a little trouble discerning what that path truly looks like. For instance, I’ve known since I was a child that I would be a writer. But discovering exactly what I was supposed to write took a lot longer, mostly because I can be pretty stubborn about trying to follow my dreams instead of God’s plan.

  In the beginning of this story, Lindsey was just like that. She had her dream of owning her own restaurant, and she was so determined to make it happen that she put people she cared for at risk. Everything changes, however, when she takes Jeff’s words to heart: sometimes your dreams come true. And sometimes, what comes true is the real dream. When she let go, the answers began to appear.

  I hope you enjoyed reading this book as much as I enjoyed writing it. Here’s hoping you get to experience all of God’s dreams for you.

  Blessings,

  Ramona

  Questions for Discussion

  In what ways can you identify with Lindsey? With Jeff?

  At the heart of the story is Lindsey’s determination to succeed after an abusive childhood. Have you or someone you cared about had to heal from a time of violence in their lives?

  In what ways can forgiveness play a major part in healing from such a trauma?

  Lindsey moved back to Tennessee to reunite with her sisters and pursue her dream. In what ways do you think this was a wise decision on her part?

  In the book, there are several references to how different people experience loss and express grief. In what ways have you seen those around you express grief? Have you found it difficult to reach out to people who express loss in unexpected ways?

  Lindsey uses her grandmother’s Bible and her mother’s diary as a comforting way to remember her mother and grandmother. In what ways can small and simple routines in life help us make it through tough times?

  Other than a death, what events can turn life upside down so that those small routines become vital in making it through? Have there been times when small keepsakes helped you cope with larger trials? Explain.

  When we look closely at our faith, are there simple and practical elements we can cling to in times of chaos? What are they?

  Have you ever shared those elements with others who are struggling with difficult events in their lives? Did you see any indications that your faith helped comfort them?

  Which characters in the book struggle most to remind themselves that God will always protect us from “the snare of the fowler”?

  What does the restaurant represent for Lindsey, in terms of her dreams of success as well as her battle against her past?

  In the beginning of the book, do you think Jeff fully understands her determination to keep the restaurant open in the face of the attempts on her life? What makes him finally see what’s truly behind her determination?

  Deciding to close the restaurant represents a major change in Lindsey. What do you think finally brought her to make this decision?

  As Lindsey struggled to trust God and seek His guidance for her life, she feels God has gone silent. Have you ever felt as if God were letting you down or adding to your problems for some reason? How did you work your way through this?

  Whose faith do you think is stronger? Which actions in the book reveal the strength of Jeff’s and Lindsey’s relationships with God?

  We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense story.

  You enjoy a dash of danger. Love Inspired Suspense stories feature strong heroes and heroines whose faith is central in solving mysteries and saving lives.

  Visit Harlequin.com to find your next great read.

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  ONE

  If that off-white chunk of clay was craftsman’s putty, Maddie Jameson would eat her tool belt. What was C-4 explosive compound doing on the kitchen table in this unit at Morningside Apartments? A chill rippled her insides.

  Not everyone would recognize the remnants from the construction of a pipe bomb. To the untrained eye, the dab of C-4 could be mistaken for putty and the bits of wire and lengths of sawed-off pipe merely scraps from a handy-man project. But then, not many apartment-maintenance workers were ex–army rangers with Maddie’s skill set—or a history that meant she must keep her head down and her eyes peeled.

  Those who hunted her were relentless and ruthless, and she was damaged prey. She needed to see them coming before they got to her.

  Not that she ever knew exactly what hired assassin would be after her. She could bump into one on the street and not know it until he tried to take her out. Everyone was a suspect. If only she could figure out why she was marked for death. Had she seen something the night of the attack a year ago on the Rio Grande? If so, her head injury had erased it from her memory.

  Was she the target of the bomb these Morningside tenants had been making? If the three attempts on her life within the past year were any clue, she’d be an idiot to think otherwise. Where was the bomb planted? Her caretaker’s apartment on the premises? Maddie’s mouth went dry. There could be collateral damage. Dozens of people—including children—lived in this building, and a bomb didn’t care who it destroyed.