by Tim Myers
“Listen, this isn’t personal. You know how I feel about you two.”
Buck said, “Alex, you run a business, just like I do. Do you think I get mad at everybody who doesn’t eat at the grill?”
“Is there anybody in town who doesn’t?” Alex asked.
Buck laughed, producing a gentle thunder. “Don’t kid yourself, there are plenty of folks who don’t come in here at all. So let me ask you this right out in the open. Are you ditching us, or are you just shopping around for another supplier? We’ll still see you for lunch, won’t we?”
“I’ll be by there soon,” Alex said. “This whole muffin business hasn’t been decided, Buck. We’re just testing the waters.”
“Whatever you do is fine with me.” There was another pause, and Alex could almost hear the frown in the big man’s voice as he added, “Sally Anne’s new at this end of the business. The deliveries to the inn are her baby. You might have some trouble with her. It wouldn’t hurt to talk to her.”
“I’ll come by this afternoon,” Alex promised as he hung up the phone.
Elise had followed Alex’s half of the conversation. “Well? What did he say?”
“Buck understands, but Sally Anne’s a little upset about the situation.”
Elise said, “Alex, I didn’t mean to cause trouble between you’all. Buck’s muffins are fine.”
He shook his head as he grabbed a pumpkin muffin from the basket. “We’re not going to run this inn afraid of every step we take, Elise.”
Reston Shay came into the lobby and was the first in line for breakfast.
“Did you sleep well?” Alex asked him, honestly curious about the man’s stay in a room that had so recently hosted a murder.
“Like a kid,” Reston said. “I try not to let the world intrude on my rest, no matter what happens.”
“Do you think there’s a chance you’ll ever get the Carolina Rhapsody back?” Elise asked.
“It’s probably on its way out of the country by now,” Reston said. “Some fool collector is probably going to buy the thing knowing it’s hot and hide it, I just know it.”
Reston grabbed a muffin, one of the bigger ones, along with a cup of coffee. “I need to make some calls right after breakfast. I told the sheriff last night, so I don’t suppose I’m jumping the gun sharing it with you. I’m putting up a reward for the return of the emerald, for what good it will do, and another one that leads to the arrest of the murderer. Cliff might have let his guard down, but he was still killed while he was working for me, and I take care of my own people.”
“That’s good of you,” Alex said.
After Reston disappeared back into his room, Elise asked, “Do you really think the emerald’s out of the country?”
“I wish I knew. Reston’s probably right, though. It makes a lot more sense for some collector to buy it and keep its possession a secret.”
“What good is it to own something if you can never show it to anyone else?” Elise asked.
“I understand that adds to the thrill of it all for some folks,” Alex admitted.
“Well it sounds strange to me. If there is a curse on the emerald, I hope it turns around and bites the new owner, hard.”
Tracy Shook, the newly elected mayor of Elkton Falls, walked into the inn with a scowl on her face.
Alex said, “A frown this early in the morning? Don’t tell me the mantle of being mayor is already weighing you down.”
“There are more headaches than I bargained for, that’s for sure. Is Reston Shay staying out here with you?”
Alex nodded. “We just saw him. What’s up?”
“I’m not thrilled about these rewards he’s publicizing all over town. It’s liable to shake a lot of nuts from the trees.”
“News travels fast,” Alex said. “We just found out ourselves.”
“Reston told Armstrong, and Armstrong told me. The kudzu vine didn’t have far to travel this time.”
After Tracy headed off to Reston Shay’s room, Elise asked, “Are you still interested in trying that new restaurant tonight?”
“Sounds good to me. I feel kind of sneaky though, going there behind Irma’s back.”
Elise said, “She’s got to expect that at first. After all, she’s been the mainstay in town for a long time.”
Alex nodded. “Okay. Are you still determined to invite Emma and Mor along?”
“Come on, Alex, it will be fun.”
He shrugged. “Hey, if it’s the only way I’m going to get you out on the town, I’ll take it.”
She laughed gently. “I’ll invite Emma and Mor first, then I’ll make the reservations.”
“Then I can have another muffin,” he said as he reached for a cranberry one.
“Shouldn’t you save those for our guests?”
“I suppose so. You’re no fun at all.” He looked longingly at the muffin again, then said, “Well, if I can’t eat anything else, I might as well get to work.”
“You poor thing,” Elise said.
“That’s what I keep telling you.”
With the opening of both buildings of the inn, Alex and Elise had taken to splitting their lunch hours so someone would be available for their guests. He missed the odd meals they’d shared together before, but with the added rooms came a renewed set of responsibilities. He let her eat first, putting off the trip into town and his dreaded meeting with Sally Anne.
Finally, after Elise had been back over half an hour, Alex drove into town to see if he could smooth some feathers.
Buck’s was fairly deserted by the time Alex walked in. He’d hoped to blend in with the crowd, but it looked like he’d be facing the duo alone in the spotlight.
Buck was at the counter reading the paper, and Sally Anne was nowhere in sight. “Where’s your daughter?”
“She had a dentist appointment.” He grinned as he added, “I was worried about handling the crowd myself with her gone, but I’m managing.”
Alex asked, “Is the new place hurting business?”
Buck frowned. “They’re not taking much of my trade away. Irma’s the one I’m worried about. She’s taking all this pretty hard. I keep telling her folks will come back, but she’s not so sure. Have you eaten at the new place yet?”
“No,” Alex admitted, reluctant to confess that he had reservations for that night.
“Well don’t feel bad about it when you do. Just try to go to Irma’s pretty soon, okay? She could use the company.”
“Is it as bad as that?” Alex asked.
Buck stood and folded the paper. “Probably not, but she’s feeling that way. You want the usual?”
“Sounds good. I’ll just sit here at the bar with you.” As he took a stool, Alex added, “Are you sure we’re okay about this whole muffin thing?”
Buck said, “Alex, business is one thing, friendship is another.” The big man put a meaty paw on Alex’s shoulder. “You and I are fine.”
Alex nodded and picked up the discarded paper as Buck disappeared to make his club sandwich. As he leafed through the Charlotte Observer, a familiar face caught his gaze in the obituaries. It was for Cliff, and as he read the guard’s requiem, Alex was surprised to find that the man’s parents had possessed an odd sense of humor; either that, or an incredible lack of imagination. The guard’s legal name was Clifton Clifford Cliff. Alex searched the obit for any reference to the jewel theft, but it just mentioned he’d died suddenly.
In the end, that about summed it up.
Sally Anne came in as Alex was halfway through with his sandwich. “Good afternoon,” she said primly as she put on her apron.
“Hey there,” Alex replied, trying to keep his tone light. “Everything check out okay with that smile?”
“It was just a cleaning,” she said as she busied herself wiping down the counter. Alex had been about to get himself a refill for his empty tea glass and wondered what he should do now. There was something about the sweet tea at Buck’s that made it the best in town, even including the f
ancy blends their resident tea expert Evans Graile brewed. Buck had conveniently disappeared in back, so he wasn’t going to be any help smoothing things over.
Alex tapped his glass once on the counter, but Sally Anne chose to ignore it.
This was getting ridiculous. If a few muffins meant the end of a friendship, he was ready to cancel the whole thing and go back to business as usual.
Alex had a sudden thought. “Sally Anne, I know you’re upset about the new arrangement, but I’ve got an idea. How about if we make it a fair test. You bring half your normal order this week and we’ll put the muffins side by side. Whoever moves the most muffins wins. Is that okay with you?”
Sally Anne nodded, then added with a slight smile, “That’s all I ask, a fighting chance.” She grabbed a pitcher of tea and filled Alex’s glass without further provocation. “Thanks, Alex.”
“Thank you. And Sally Anne, remember, you’re not going to get rid of me that easily. I’d starve if I didn’t have you guys.”
She smiled brightly. “I told Dad you weren’t mad at us, but he wouldn’t listen to me.”
Alex looked up to see Buck eavesdropping from behind his order window. The big man offered him a broad wink before he ducked back into the kitchen. It felt good to dodge another crisis, at least for the moment.
Since Alex was in town, he decided to stop by Shantara Robinson’s General Store to pick up more soap. It was remarkable how quickly his guests went through his supplies.
“Hey there, stranger, I was beginning to think you forgot your way to my store,” Shantara said with a smile.
“Things have been kind of crazy lately.” Alex collected enough soap to last him till his next bulk order came in, then he noticed a new display in front by the cash register. It appeared the Muffin Lady was cutting a wide swath through town.
“She’s got you hooked, too?” Alex asked.
“I’m trying them out. Anything to help the bottom line,” Shantara said.
“Having any luck so far?”
“Are you kidding? I had a couple from Atlanta come through yesterday and buy me out. They’re really good.”
Alex nodded. “She’s bringing them out to the inn, too. I wonder what brought her to Elkton Falls.”
“I never asked. Why?”
“Well, of all the places she could have started her business, I’m just surprised she came here.”
Shantara said, “Maybe she likes lighthouses in the mountains.”
“You never know.”
As Shantara recorded Alex’s purchase in her book, she asked, “So, when are you and Elise going out again?” The two of them had been friends since kindergarten, and Shantara freely meddled in Alex’s life. He had to admit, he took the same liberties with hers.
He tried to hide his smile as he said nonchalantly, “As a matter of fact, we’ve got a date tonight.”
Shantara whooped with delight, causing a few of her customers to turn and stare at them. If she noticed it, she didn’t comment. “So you’re taking another step up to the plate. Good for you.”
“Don’t get your hopes up. It’s kind of a celebration for Mor and Emma’s return.”
“Hey, don’t kid yourself. It’s still a date.”
“You never give up, do you?”
Shantara smiled. “Now what fun would that be?”
“So how’s your love life lately?” Alex asked as he took the offered bag of soap.
“Slow, my friend, very slow. I don’t mind though, it gives me a chance to catch up around the store.”
“Hey, maybe I could fix you up with someone. You could join us tonight and we can make it a party.”
She shook her head. “I think you’ve got enough to worry about without meddling in my life.” Shantara paused, then said, “Sorry to hear about what happened out at the inn yesterday. Any leads?”
“I’m staying out of it,” Alex said firmly.
Shantara cocked one eyebrow. “And I’m running for prom queen.”
“You’ve got my vote,” Alex said as he headed out the store.
“Bye, Alex, and good luck.”
“Right back at you,” he said as he walked out the door.
Shantara knew him too well to believe Alex was going to stay out of the murder investigation entirely. But what could he do? He hadn’t seen anything suspicious around the inn the day before, and there didn’t appear to be a single clue. Maybe if the sheriff turned up anything, it might give Alex something to go by, but for the moment, there was nothing for him to investigate. Alex glanced at his watch and saw that the afternoon was quickly passing him by. He had work to do back at the inn before his dinner with Elise and their friends that night.
Maybe, just maybe, it would be the start of something new between them.
Chapter 5
“Wow, it’s hard to believe this place is in Elkton Falls,” Emma said as the four of them walked into Monet’s Garden. Alex had to admit it was quite stunning, especially when he recalled the dark service bays of the garage before it had been converted into a restaurant. Mr. Monet had created nothing short of a miracle, transforming the space into a light, airy restaurant with hanging plants and wall murals that reminded Alex of Claude Monet himself. In the background, Alex heard a fountain trickling as orchestral music played softly along with it. The place was full of diners, and Alex recognized most of the folks from town. Sandra Beckett, his one-time girlfriend and longtime attorney, was eating dinner in one comer with an older woman who appeared to be a law client, and Alex nodded to her. Sandra smiled brightly back and waved, something Elise didn’t miss. “Why don’t you go say hello?” she asked gently.
Alex said, “No thanks.” He looked around the restaurant for the maître d’, but no one was in sight. “I wonder what’s holding up our table? Maybe we should just seat ourselves. I’m sure it would be okay.”
Mor slapped him on the shoulder. “Smooth, Alex, smooth. That was one of the nicest segues I’ve ever seen.”
“Oh, quit picking on him,” Emma said. “Can’t you two boys behave yourselves for one evening?”
Mor asked, “Why should we start now? Elise, in case this clod hasn’t told you yet, you look dazzling tonight.” Alex had to admit it was true. She wore a simple black dress that fell just above the knees, one that accentuated her gentle curves, and she’d done something with her hair, most of it twisted into an exotic braid coiled on top of her head. Her brown eyes shimmered in the light of the restaurant, and it was obvious she was enjoying the opportunity to dress up. It was in stark contrast to the blue jeans she usually wore. Alex sometimes forgot just how stunning Elise could be after seeing her around the inn waxing floors in faded denims and old work shirts. Alex, on the other hand, always felt out of place whenever he wore the one suit he owned. He was born to dress casually, and he felt lucky he’d found a way of life that allowed him to do just that.
Elise smiled softly. “Thanks. I still can’t get over your tans. You two must have stayed out in the sun the entire time.”
Mor said, “Are you kidding me? Emma wouldn’t let me sit down for three minutes at a time before she marched me off to some ruins or open market, and I’ve got the blisters on my feet to prove it. It was like taking a honeymoon with a drill sergeant.”
“You had a good time, admit it,” Emma said.
He grabbed her for a quick but intense hug, then said, “Of course I did. By the way, you look pretty smashing yourself tonight.”
Alex said, “How about me? I cleaned up pretty good too, don’t you think?”
Mor raised one eyebrow. “If you’re waiting for a compliment from me, my friend, I wouldn’t hold my breath.”
Elise flicked a microscopic piece of lint from Alex’s lapel and said, “Don’t listen to him. I think you look rather handsome.”
“Me, too. I mean you. You look great,” he said, the words tumbling out in a rush.
Mor started to comment, but a quick dig in the ribs from Emma and he bit it back. Elise laughed softly and p
ut a hand on his arm. “Thank you, kind sir.” She looked around the restaurant and said, “This really is a treat.”
A distinguished-looking slim, older gentleman in a tailored charcoal gray suit returned to the front and selected four menus before approaching them. He had a thick black mustache, though his head was clean-shaven. To Alex, his tanned pate gleamed as if it had been buffed with car wax.
“Welcome to Monet’s Garden,” he said with a flourish, bowing gently as he greeted them. “Is this your first visit with us?”
Emma said, “Absolutely. We’ve heard wonderful things about you. About the restaurant, I mean.”
He took her hand in his and his lips came within an inch of kissing it. Alex couldn’t believe it, but Emma started to blush. She stammered out, “We couldn’t wait to try the cuisine here. We’ve all heard rave reviews.”
“It is kind of you to say so. I am the humble owner.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Monet,” Mor said, shifting between his bride and the restaurateur. He shoved a meaty hand into the host’s and said, “I’m Mor Pendleton. Her new husband,” he added briefly.
Monet took his hand and shook it, ignoring the jibe, then turned to Alex and said, “And the other happy couple?”
Alex stammered, “We’re not a couple. I mean, we’re not married. But we’re together. For tonight, anyway.”
Elise shook her head gently, then said, “I’m Elise Danton, this is Alex Winston. He owns The Hatteras West Inn.”
Monet applauded, much to Alex’s surprise. “I’ve heard about your little lighthouse. I must visit it soon.”
“It’s a full-scale twin made by the same crew used on the Outer Banks for the original,” Elise said tersely before Alex could get the words out.
“But of course it is,” Monet said. “And now, your table.”
He led them to a spot directly beside the fountain, showing them to one of the few tables open. “I trust this will be satisfactory.”
Mor mumbled something, but only Alex was standing close enough to hear it. “If you’ve got raincoats it will be fine.”
