Sea, Sky & Skeleton

by Carolyn L. Dean

  ***

  When people in Ravenwood Cove talked about the day Ian Victor had tried to kill Amanda Graham, they always made sure to add how Mrs. Sandford and Amanda were terrible enemies, with bad blood between them because of a land development deal that went wrong. They added in details about how Mrs. Sandford was a successful business owner who had gotten a permit to carry a concealed weapon, and how she’d gone to the Ravenwood Inn for unknown reasons to confront Amanda, getting there just in time to hear Ian confess to leaving Nelson King to die in the frigid waters of the Pacific Ocean. She was able, they said, to see him almost shoot Amanda before Mrs. Sandford pulled a little gun out of her purse and shot him herself. Some of them were indelicate enough to say that they wished she’d just killed him outright, but there were many who seemed happy that justice had been done, and that Ian Victor was going to prison for a very long time.

  The truth was much stranger than anything the town gossips could pass around. As soon as Amanda had moved Ian’s gun away from him and the police were called, she had grabbed a white plastic bucket that had been nested in another one, and upended it so Mrs. Sandford had a place to sit. The older lady had looked critically at the improvised seat, placed so she would still keep her small pistol trained on the groaning Ian. She finally pulled a clean white handkerchief out of her designer purse and laid it carefully on the pail. With her seat now sanitized to her satisfaction, she nodded to Amanda. “Might be a few minutes before the authorities arrive. You may want to sit, too.”

  As soon as she got an upside-down bucket for herself, Amanda couldn’t keep her questions to herself.

  “What are you doing here? How did you know he was in the chicken coop?”

  Mrs. Sandford’s eyes never moved from Ian. “I thought I’d take you up on your offer to come visit the family bible sometime. I wanted to be sure you’d displayed it to my standards. One can’t be too careful about how the Pringle family is represented.”

  Amanda tried not to roll her eyes. Some things never changed.

  “Since you weren’t home, I thought I’d enjoy the sunset from your pergola.” She glanced at Amanda. “You really should be doing a better job of pruning those climbing roses. They’d look much better if they were trained correctly.”

  Amanda frowned, ignoring the jab about her roses. “You mean you were sitting there when I walked by to check on the chickens before dark? You didn’t say anything.”

  Mrs. Sandford shifted the small gun to her other hand, the brightness of its mother-of-pearl handle flashing briefly. “No.”

  “Why?”

  “It was interesting just watching you.” The normally-calm ex-mayor suddenly seemed flustered. “Do I have to have a reason to just sit?”

  “No, you don’t.” Amanda shifted on the bucket, trying to keep the hard plastic from digging into her. “When did you know I was in trouble?”

  “As soon as I could hear two voices. If it had been just one I would’ve thought you were just talking to your chickens, as some people do.” She raised one eyebrow quizzically. “I’ve never understood the attachment some people have for dumb animals.”

  Sighing, Amanda realized how big the gulf was between her and this bitter woman, no matter if they had a common ancestry or not.

  “Maybe we don’t consider them too dumb. That big rooster over there saved the Inn from burning to the ground once, which may have saved my life.”

  Mrs. Sandford seemed frustrated. “So, now I’m in the same category as a rooster?”

  Amanda grinned. “Yes, and you should be proud that you are.”

  Sirens sounding in the distance, the two women stood up, waiting. Amanda had told the dispatcher where they were on the property so it was just a matter of time before the sound of pounding footsteps would be coming their way.

  She glanced at Mrs. Sandford, who was still holding her gun on Ian. He was curled in a ball in the straw, breathing heavily and watching them warily. Slowly, Amanda put a warm hand out to Mrs. Sandford, her former enemy, and laid it gently on her bony shoulder. There were a few seconds of silence as they just stood there, and finally Amanda simply whispered, “Thank you.”

  A pause, then a quiet response. “You’re welcome.”

  Chapter 22

  The last of the Ravenwood Inn’s visitors had left, still talking excitedly about how their hostess had been involved in solving the local murder. “And to think, it all happened back at the chicken coop while we were out antique shopping!” Amanda had heard the wife say as the family walked to their car. Amanda smiled as she closed the door. Her guests would have all sorts of tales to tell when they got home, and Lisa’s article detailing Ian Victor’s arrest had gotten her a flurry of emails and phone messages, many from people who wanted to come stay at the Ravenwood. As terrible as it sounded, murder turned out to be good for business in Ravenwood Cove.

  Amanda was just coming in from the herb garden when Jennifer called to her from the kitchen. “You’ve got a visitor, Amanda,” she said, a note of excitement in her voice. Stripping off her garden gloves, Amanda carried the basket of cut herbs with her, happy to see Petunia sitting at the kitchen island with Jennifer, coffee mug in hand. Petunia gave a big grin and embraced Amanda.

  “Good to see you, Petunia! How are you doing these days?”

  “Oh, okay. Things are finally starting to calm down again, thanks to you.”

  Amanda sighed. “I think we could both use some calm around here, don’t you?”

  Nodding, Petunia pointed to a breathtaking bouquet of peach-colored roses on the kitchen counter. “These are for you.”

  “Wow! Thank you, Petunia. They’re lovely.” Amanda breathed in the heady fragrance of the perfect hothouse beauties, arranged in a cut crystal vase.

  “Um, you’re welcome, but I didn’t send them.” She handed Amanda the small card and Amanda felt a jolt of happiness. James. Wonderful James.

  “He got me flowers. Sweet man,” she said, opening the envelope and pulling out the insert. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d gotten flowers sent to her. As she read the last line, her proud smile quickly faded.

  I SHOULD HAVE NEVER LET YOU GO. I MISS YOU EVERY DAY.

  LOVE, KEN

  Ken. Her cheating ex-boyfriend from LA.

  The one who’d made her feel like dirt most of the time she’d lived with him. Those feelings, and that old life had been put behind her as she’d grown to love her home of Ravenwood Cove.

  As she’d grown to find out who she was and what she could do.

  As she’d met a man who treated her like a lady, not a possession.

  Apparently, the national newsfeed had picked up the article about Ravenwood Cove and its latest murder, and Ken had found her. Amanda’s thoughts were far away when she heard his voice. “Well, those are pretty,” James said with a sardonic drawl. “Can I ask who sent them to you?”

  Card still clutched in her hand, Amanda turned to see James standing in the doorway, his face serious.

  “A bad boy,” she said, tossing the small card on the floor and heading straight for James. She saw his eyes widen as she threw her body against his, her arms around him as she pulled his head down toward her in a passionate kiss. Surprised at first, James didn’t hesitate as soon as he realized her intent, eagerly kissing her back, his hands encircling her back.

  “When’s the last time you were kissed like that?” Jennifer asked Petunia, who had set her chin on one hand while she watched the couple embrace.

  “I don’t even remember,” Petunia sighed.

  Coming up for air, James gave Amanda a quick kiss and pointed at the roses. “Okay, you gonna tell me which bad boy has the hots for you?”

  “They’re from my creep of an ex-boyfriend.” Seeing James’ eyebrows go up, she looped her arm through his. “You’re going to have to trust me on this one, James. There’s nothing going on with him at all. These are totally unexpected.”

  The tall detective looked her in the eye, seeing nothing but honesty
and affection there. “I do trust you, lady. Just wanted to see if I needed to be worried, that’s all.”

  “You don’t need to be worried at all. To be honest, I don’t know what to do with them.”

  “How about the garbage disposal?” James suggested helpfully and Amanda laughed, while the two women drinking coffee watched with envy.

  Amanda had a better idea. “You know, we could take them by Hortense’s store and give them to her. They’d be beautiful on display there, and it would another way for me to say thank you for saving my life.”

  “Good idea, but I can’t call her Hortense. She’s always gonna be Mrs. Sandford to me.” James picked up the bouquet, a look of distaste on his face. “I vote we go right now. Let’s get these weeds out of here as soon as possible.”

  “I’ll get my coat.”

  Vase and roses carefully secured in the backseat, James held open Amanda’s car door but she hesitated.

  “James, I…I wanted to tell you something.”

  He shut the door again, giving her his full attention. “Yes?”

  “I’ve made some mistakes lately, and I don’t want to waste any time making another mistake.” She slid her arms around him under his jacket, feeling the warm solidness of him, and paused. She wanted to say this perfectly but she still wasn’t sure how to word it. Drawing a shuddering breath, she finally said, “I’m going to take a risk, and if you don’t take one, too, that’s okay.” She looked up into his serious eyes. “I love you. I don’t care if you never say it back to me or not. Well, I do care, but I’m going to tell you I love you anyway. I’m going–“

  Her rush of words was silenced by his mouth descending on hers, kissing her like there was no tomorrow. When at last it ended, he kissed her hair gently and hugged her.

  His voice was husky with emotion. “You know how long I’ve waited for you to take the first step, lady? I knew if I pursued you too hard you’d run. You needed to know what sort of man I am, and it sounds like you’ve figured me out enough to take a chance on me. Is that about right?”

  “Yes,” she said, very quietly.

  “I love you, too, Amanda. I’ve been in love with you for a while now.”

  Amanda closed her eyes in bliss. It was thrilling to hear James’ words. After everything she’d been through, it was the first time a man had said they loved her and she didn’t automatically wonder what they wanted.

  Giving her a quick squeeze, James opened her car door again. “Off to Mrs. Sandford’s?”

  She smiled in answer. “Where ever you want to go, James. I’m going with you.”

  He slid into the driver’s seat and gave her a broad grin. “Hey, I forgot to tell you what I actually came over for. The investigation’s been closed on Nelson King’s death.”

  “Well, I would think so, since the murderer is in jail,” she scoffed, but James shook his head.

  “No, I mean, they’d gone through the evidence they need, and they’ve made a decision about the money you found. It’s been recorded, down to the last serial number, but they’ve decided that instead of it going toward the police department it should go to the original finder. Ian Victor’s confessed, so it isn’t needed as evidence. It’s being treated as found cash.”

  “What?” Amanda mouth was open, her mind spinning. “You mean I–“

  “I mean you get to keep it, lady.” James’ grin was huge. “How much paint and lumber do you think $116,000 will buy?”

  Amanda squealed in glee. “Are you kidding? I know exactly what I’m going to do with it. I’ve been thinking the Inn could use a new furnace and I need to fix the master bedroom fireplace, and…” Her voice trailed off, realizing that James was grinning ear-to-ear, obviously enjoying watching her plot and plan.

  “You’re gonna be so busy,” he said, smiling, but Amanda took his hand in hers. “Never too busy for you,” she promised, sealing it with a kiss.

  It was a leap of faith, but Amanda felt in her heart that at last she was on the road home.

  Finally.

  AUTHOR NOTES:

  I hope you enjoyed this peek into Ravenwood Cove! I had a lot of fun writing about how Amanda and James started becoming a couple, and I hope you enjoyed the book.

  If you liked what you read, please consider leaving a review. Being an independent author means this is my own small business, and I appreciate any feedback you can give, so other readers will know if my writing is their cup of tea or not Thank you for stopping by!

  Want to know about new releases, sale pricing, and exclusive content? Visit my website at http://www.CarolynDeanBooks.com/ and my email newsletter is HERE. Spam-free, and only sent out when there’s something new, on sale, or FREE. I PROMISE.

  Here are the books in the Ravenwood Cove series:

  #1 – BED, BREAKFAST, and BONES

  #2 – DUNE, DOCK, and a DEAD MAN

  #3 – MISTLEOE, MOONLIGHT, and MURDER

  #4 – SEA, SKY, and SKELETON (this is the book you just read)

  #5 – TIME, TIDE, and TROUBLE

  #6 – SUN, SAND, and SECRETS

  #7 – ROCKS, ROSES, and RIPTIDES

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR – Carolyn L. Dean

  I've been writing and making stories in my head as early as I can remember. In third grade I came home, set my lunchbox down, and told my mother I wanted to be a writer. Luckily, Mom was supportive.

  I've been a published author for a few years now, under different names and genres, but the thought of writing about a small coastal town in Oregon, and about its loves and mysteries and holidays and people has been with me for years. To be honest, I am always a bit scared to dump those ideas onto the written page, but hope you'll enjoy getting to meet the people who inhabit my imagination.

  In real life, I'm married with kids, live on the West Coast of the US, and own a hobby farm just outside of my favorite small town. I love to travel, and can often be found strolling down a windy beach, holding onto the string of a high-sailing dragon kite.

  TRUMAN’S HERITAGE FUDGE RECIPE

  12 ounce bag semi-sweet chocolate chips

  1 ounce square unsweetened chocolate

  1 can sweetened and condensed milk

  1 teaspoon real vanilla

  1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

  ½ cup chopped tiny marshmallows

  In a saucepan over low/medium heat, melt together chocolate and condensed milk. When completely melted together, add vanilla and then nuts and marshmallows. Pour into a buttered square pan and chill for two hours.

  This can be done in the microwave, too.