The Disappearance of Emily: Destiny Falls Mystery & Magic Series Book 2

by Elizabeth Pantley

  There was no reasonable way that all this would fit into a building this size, and I was giddy with the idea that Destiny Falls made such magic happen.

  I spotted a tall woman with white-blond hair near the edge of a display area. It had to be Poppy.

  “There she is,” Axel said as he raised his hand to wave.

  We made our way over a small wooden bridge that crossed the brook, and Axel called out to her. She waved back merrily with both arms. As she rounded the corner and made her way toward us, I got my first eyeful of Cleobella’s sister. Clearly, they shared wardrobe and makeup tips.

  Poppy would have fit right in with a Cirque du Soleil performance if they had a show with an enchanted wilderness theme. She could have been an overgrown woodland fairy in her green floral dress, lacy tights, and wispy vest made of delicate green lace. Her gorgeous hair was braided together with flowers and it flowed down her back. She was wearing theatre-style makeup, with her eye shadow in a colorful rainbow palate to match her outfit. It was obvious she and Cleobella bought their fake eyelashes in the same place. The lashes were like two glamorous spiders framing her colorful eye makeup. Just like her sister, it was impossible to determine her age. She could be thirty, sixty, or anything in between.

  Poppy’s well-worn hiking boots, with grey wool socks peeking out from over the tops, were a charmingly appropriate touch. She skipped forward (yes, skipped!), her dimples in full display as she smiled brightly. I loved Poppy before she said a single word.

  “Hi, Axel!” she sang out in a sweet, melodic voice.

  “Hi, Poppy. I want you to meet my sister, Hayden. The store is dynamic! I couldn’t wait to show her.”

  “So happy to meet you, Hayden. Eleanor has told me so much about you.”

  I glanced at Axel. I had no idea that my grandmother knew Cleobella’s family, though it made perfect sense since they had worked closely together for years.

  Poppy did a little spin on her boot-clad toes and opened her arms wide, gesturing to her new store. “Move-in is almost complete!” she said.

  Axel and I both enthused over the real-life camping experience. This caused Poppy to blush happily.

  “It’s amazing that you fit all of this inside the shop,” I said.

  Poppy’s dimples came back in full display. “Oh, I wish. But that’s not how it works. Destiny Falls decided that more locals need to partake of our wonderful parks and trails. So, it seemed that a store to help them prepare was needed. I’m just the gatekeeper, so to speak. I was as surprised as you are by all this!”

  She spent a few minutes showing us around the various features, my favorite being the enormous mountain-like climbing wall topped with snow.

  As soon as we were outside, Axel turned to me. “I knew you’d love Poppy. Isn’t her store amazing? You can’t see it all at once. We’ll need to come back.”

  “Oh, yes, please,” I said. “Every time I think I’ve hit the pinnacle of Destiny Falls’ enchantments I see a new delight.”

  “Yep. Never a dull moment. Ready for another fun stop? I want to take you to meet Vessie and see her coffee shop. It’s just a few blocks walk from here, and we can grab an early lunch if you’d like.”

  “I’d love to!” Now that my imagination was stirred, I was ready for more hidden treasures.

  We made our way down the street while chatting about anything and everything. Axel managed the Caldwell’s many properties here, including the building that housed Poppy’s new shop. He knew everyone in town, so he regaled me with stories and interesting tidbits about the places and people of Destiny Falls. I so enjoyed spending time with my brother (yes, I said it again) and was feeling more at home as the weeks passed.

  3

  We rounded the corner, and I scanned the waterfront road ahead. The ferry took up the entire block, except for a small ice-cream stand near the ferry entrance. The boat was docked, so I got my first close-up look at it. It was far more beautiful than any ferry I’d ever ridden. Painted in navy blue and white, it had small white lights that highlighted the entire length of the vessel, and a group of flags fluttered on the top. It resembled a yacht more than a working boat.

  The row of shops that lined the street across from the ferry would appeal to travelers. Souvenir shops, clothing boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants made it a welcoming harbor.

  A man came off the ferry and smiled and raised his arm to wave at us, but then he looked confused and dropped his arm. I looked behind me to see if he was gesturing to someone else, but I didn’t see anyone there.

  What I saw, on a slight hill just across from the ferry, was a brilliant pink and white striped awning that stood out from all the rest like a shining beacon. As it turned out, we were headed directly toward the pink beacon. The sign above the door read Vessie’s Hideaway Café.

  Axel opened the door, and we stepped into the pinkest place I’ve ever seen. If Christmas and the Fourth of July had a pink baby, this shop would be it. The walls—pink. Ceiling—pink. Furniture—pink. The floor had a dash of grey, but was predominately pink. This room was not just pink! It was a luminous pink that almost made the air glow.

  Flowing lines of butterflies, in colors from bubblegum to magenta, decorated the walls. They fluttered almost as if they were alive. The ceiling was painted to resemble a sunset, a swirling blend of the subtlest pastel pinks and cream.

  There was an eating bar with upholstered stools made of pink leather, tufted with large white buttons. A collection of tables filled the center of the room. Their white tops were decorated with a pattern of artistically scattered pink and purple. Flamingo-pink chairs completed the eating area.

  In one corner was a children’s area made to look like Cinderella’s coach. It was filled with toys and games. It seemed like a great place for kids to play while their parents enjoyed coffee or a meal.

  All that pink should have been a bit overwhelming, but the overall effect was surprisingly wonderful.

  A woman came out from behind the counter, heading toward us with a welcoming smile. She was wearing . . . not pink, but a striking purple summer dress. She had artful highlights of purple in her hair. She was a bright spot of color that blended beautifully with her surroundings.

  “Axel, hi!” She gave him a quick hug and turned to me. “This must be Hayden! Hi, I’m Vessie. Welcome to my pink paradise.”

  I reached out to shake her hand, but she bypassed it and hugged me. “I’m delighted to meet you. Happy that this knucklehead finally brought you by!” She playfully poked him in the arm, and he rubbed it with an exaggerated ‘ouch.’ They both laughed. I liked her immediately.

  “Grab a seat,” she pointed. The place was packed, and we settled at one of the few empty tables.

  “Can you stay for something to eat?” she asked.

  “That’s the plan,” said Axel. “I was hoping you’d be able to join us for a bit.”

  “Can do!” she said. “Let me touch base with the kitchen and I’ll be right back.”

  We sat down and I noticed the man at the next table was staring at me. When I caught his eye, he didn’t look embarrassed; instead, he winked, smiled, and gave me a salute. He was quite a character. Tall and thin, he wore black glasses, a bow tie, and a handlebar mustache. When he smiled, one gold front tooth was on display. Who on earth (besides rappers) has a gold tooth? He continued to watch me while I settled in my seat. My eyes darted around the room in discomfort. Finally, he looked away and returned to his meal.

  Vessie returned to our table bearing cups of the most delicious, creamy chai. A server brought four platters brimming with an assortment of menu tastings.

  “I wanted to give you a bit of everything,” she said. “Don’t expect a platter every time you come in, though.”

  “Oh, darn.” Axel rubbed his hands together. “I was hoping this was your new special.”

  The three of us had a marvelous time, enjoying the food and our visit. You know that feeling you get when you meet someone and right off you can tell t
hey belong in your life? I felt that kind of warmth with Vessie.

  After our feast and visit ended, Vessie walked us to the door and invited me to drop by anytime. I told her I’d make her café a regular stop after my morning run, and she seemed pleased by that.

  Axel and I stepped outside just as passengers were coming off the mystery ferry. Signs did not show the ferry’s routes, and any maps I found seemed to be intentionally vague. Whenever I asked anyone about it, I got confusing answers. People would say things like, “It depends on your destination,” or, “Routes change depending on the passengers.” The clandestine attitude was par for the course here in Destiny Falls. I would keep pressing until I got answers.

  We sat on a bench in front of Vessie’s to people-watch, chat, and enjoy the water view before we headed back home.

  A group of women was standing in front of the ferry landing. They were looking at us and whispering to each other. I glanced around, but we were the only people there, so they were looking at me or Axel. I looked back at them and they looked away. Perhaps it was just seeing a new person in a small town, so I said nothing to Axel, but I decided to be alert to any other odd behavior from the residents of this puzzling community.

  4

  The sunrise was casting a glow over my room. I gently shifted two sleeping cats away from me. Chanel had started sneaking in here during the middle of the night. Latifa told me she had bad dreams, so there was no way I’d ban her from climbing into bed with us. Although it got a bit squished with two big furballs who gravitated toward the warm human.

  I snuck out of bed, changed into my running clothes, and quietly left the room. I relished my quiet morning jogs when few people were out and about. It started my day right. I knew that Vessie would be opening by the time I got there, and I was looking forward to seeing her again, and enjoying a cup of tea and breakfast in her charming café. This could quickly become a morning ritual.

  I opened the door to Vessie’s pinker-than-pink café. The butterflies on the walls today were making their way around the room, their wings fluttering gently. The air in the café seemed to reflect the warm glow of the sunrise.

  Vessie was making a pot of coffee. She waved over at me and pointed to the coffeemaker. I gave her a thumbs-up, then approached the counter where a man and woman were standing, likely waiting for their coffee. I smiled and said good morning.

  They were both wearing uniforms bearing a logo that matched the one I’d seen on the ferry sign. The woman’s name tag read ‘Captain.’ I asked if she was the one who drove the ferry.

  “Nope, I’m the one who manages the crew and oversees the voyage.” She gestured toward the man next to her. “Allow me to introduce our helmsman, the man who drives the ferry.”

  The man gave a slight bow. “Kerbie Gomez at your service, ma’am.” He reached up to shake my hand. He was shorter than my great-grandmother, five-feet tall on her tiptoes. He was about as wide as he was tall and had the brightest red hair I’ve ever seen.

  “Nice to meet you,” I said.

  “Likewise,” he croaked in a very deep, gravelly voice, the opposite of what I had expected from his appearance.

  “I’m Nakita.” The captain held out her hand to shake. She was staring intently into my eyes, which made me just a touch uncomfortable. “You must be new here. I don’t think I’ve seen you before.”

  “You’re right, I’m new. Nice to meet you, Nakita,” I said. “I’m Hayden Caldwell. I really enjoy watching your ferry activity.”

  Vessie walked up to the counter. “Hi Nakita. Kerbie. Coffee’s brewing. Good morning, Hayden! What can I get you? Chai tea? I have oatmeal with caramelized bananas and pecans today, or strawberry waffles?”

  “Tea and oatmeal sound delicious,” I said.

  Vessie turned back toward the kitchen, and I excused myself and walked down the long hallway to the bathrooms. As I made my way down the hall, I heard footsteps behind me. I turned to see Nakita right behind me. She gestured me to the farthest corner, past the restroom doors. She had an apprehensive look on her face. It made me a little uneasy, and I couldn’t imagine what she wanted.

  She whispered in a voice so quiet I could barely hear her and, while she talked, she kept glancing down the hallway.

  “Miss Caldwell, I can’t believe you’re here!” She glanced again down the hall as if looking for someone. “I’m sorry I couldn’t help her. Maybe you can.”

  “What? Who?” I was so confused that I could not even formulate a decent question.

  “I can’t say more now.” She looked again toward the front of the café. “Come to the ferry terminal day after tomorrow. Early. Before the gates open. There shouldn’t be people around. If anyone sees you—leave.”

  “Come to the terminal?” I was trying to make sense of her whispers.

  “If the area is clear, come to the backdoor. I’ll be there. I have something I must give you. I’ll explain everything to you then.” She took one step toward the front and peered at the door again.

  “Do not tell anyone about this. Come alone. You can trust no one! No one! Please be careful. For your safety. And for the safety of your entire family.”

  “I don’t understand,” I said.

  “If they know we spoke, we’ll all be in danger.”

  “Who?” I asked her.

  Just then, the bells on the front door jangled, and two tall, hefty men in greasy-looking ferry uniforms came into the café. Possibly mechanics. They approached the counter, and I heard them talking to Kerbie and ordering coffee.

  Nakita reached out and grabbed my shoulders and shook me. She looked at me with the most desperate, pleading look in her eyes. “Please. Come to the terminal,” she said again. “It’s life or death. Tell no one.”

  The ferry captain reached around me and opened the restroom door. She was still talking to me, but since she was whispering and pushing me into the bathroom, I couldn’t hear her. It sounded like she said ‘never’ and ‘Gladstone’ and ‘danger.’

  “Gladstone?” I said, “Is that a person or a place?”

  She put her finger to her mouth in the universal sign for shushing and shut the bathroom door behind me.

  I opened the door and peeked out. She wildly shook her head signaling no and shoved me back into the restroom.

  I stood inside the restroom, stunned. I could hear footsteps as she walked away. What in the world was that about? Clearly, she didn’t want anyone to hear us, and she didn’t want those two men to see us talking. Her tense demeanor and her message were disturbing. Life or death? Who even says that?

  I had so many questions about the ferry. It had been a puzzling mystery to me since I’d arrived. No one would give me any straight answers about the ferry routes, and no books, maps, or signs provided straightforward information. Now I was being invited to meet with the captain at the ferry terminal. But under very unusual and disturbing conditions.

  By the time I finished in the restroom, the captain, the helmsmen, and the two other ferry workers had left. Vessie had my tea and oatmeal ready and set up at the table in front of the window. She was waiting on another customer, so I took a seat.

  While sipping my chai, I looked out the window at the ferry. They were just loading the morning travelers. People looked normal with their backpacks and rolling suitcases. A line of cars was slowly moving forward and funneling onto the boat. It all seemed so normal. But it wasn’t, was it? Something very weird was going on.

  “Good morning!” Vessie gave me a hug, then took the seat across from me. “Enjoying the view?”

  “I love it,” I said. “You have the best spot in town. Being on the hill overlooking the harbor, you can see just about everything. And it’s fun to watch the ferry come and go.” I tried to sound nonchalant as I asked, “Where is the ferry going this morning?”

  “Hmmm. Have no idea,” she said. “It’s different every day.”

  ‘Right. I’ve heard that. But it must have regular routes?”

  “A few, I gu
ess.”

  Geeze. This was like pulling teeth! Everyone in this town was so secretive about the ferry. It made my encounter with the captain that much more suspicious. But it made me more curious, too.

  Vessie stood up. “Oops, my cakes are done. Let me run back and check them. Be right back.”

  Her cakes. Ha, sure! It was clear she was avoiding my question. It would be better if I knew more about the ferry before meeting the captain, right? I thought I’d make a stop at Olivia’s on my way home. Maybe she could shed some light on this for me. She knew just about everything about Destiny Falls, and she loved to talk.

  As I approached Olivia’s home, Hercules came bounding down the stairs and ran over to meet me. He had the longest legs, so when he jumped and ran, he reminded me of a deer. A big, scary deer, with enormous teeth and whip-fast reflexes. Luckily, I was on his friend list. You didn’t want to be this guy’s enemy.

  A minute later, Olivia came out her door and waved happily. She enjoyed company and was always up for a chat. Typically, if you warmed her up on a topic, she’d take it away and blabber about everything she knew until you stopped her or until she ran out of topic.

  As always, she offered to bring out cookies and lemonade. Even though I had just left the café, I knew that serving visitors was a joyful treat for her, so I agreed. Plus, she made the best cookies.

  I took a seat on the deck and enjoyed the view of the park just across the street. My buddy Hercules sat next to me. I stroked his soft fur while he laid his big, wolf-like head on my lap, his tongue hanging out like a puppy.

  “Perfect timing, Hayden. I just made a fresh batch of sour cream snickerdoodles. You like those, yes?”

  “I’ve never had them, but they sound amazing. I’m always up for a new cookie.” I filled my plate and accepted a glass of lemonade.

  “I was just in town at Vessie’s, watching the ferry load up.” Might as well dive right in.

  “The Hideaway Café is the best place for ferry and people watching,” said Olivia. “I’ve spent many hours there over the years.”