Sweet Secrets (A Sweet Cove Mystery Book 3)

by J A Whiting

  They heard footsteps on the stairs. Ellie entered the foyer dressed in tennis whites with her hair in a ponytail. She carried a gym bag and a tennis racquet.

  “I didn’t know you were playing today.” Courtney glanced at Jenna, Ellie’s usual tennis partner. “Aren’t you going with her?”

  Jenna shook her head.

  “I’m meeting a friend.” Ellie put a sweater into her bag.

  Courtney narrowed her eyes. “You don’t have any friends in Sweet Cove yet. We just moved here. All you do is work.”

  Ellie ignored her sister. “I’ll be back in two hours.” She opened the front door and left the house. Everyone ran to the windows. A black Volvo pulled up to the curb and Attorney Ford got out, greeted Ellie, and opened the passenger side door for her.

  “Attorney Ford?” Jenna laughed. “Who knew?”

  “I sensed something when he came here this morning,” Angie said. “I thought there was some spark of attraction floating in the air.”

  Mr. Finch had his face pressed to the window. “They make a very nice couple.”

  Courtney’s eyes went wide. “Ford. It starts with an “F.”

  “Very good.” Jenna patted her sister on the head and joked. “Four years of college weren’t wasted.”

  “What are you getting at?” Angie asked.

  “The business card holder that was in Nana’s box of stuff. The holder with the initials on it. ERF. Nana put that in the box for Ellie.”

  Everyone looked blank.

  Courtney continued, “Ellie Roseland Ford. Don’t tell her, but Ellie’s going to marry Attorney Ford.”

  Jaws dropped, but no one denied what the future might bring. They all hurried to the front porch to wave at Ellie and Ford as they drove away.

  “You can always count on the Roselands to mortify you on your first date.” Jenna smiled.

  “Indeed,” said Mr. Finch.

  Chapter 21

  Angie hurried down Main Street to Coveside trying to balance her desire to get there as quickly as possible to see Josh with the need not to sweat and mess up her hair and the bit of makeup she’d put on. Her heart was pounding and it wasn’t from exertion. She couldn’t wait to see Josh Williams again. As she turned down the cobblestone road that led to the cove, she paused at the corner, smoothed her summer dress, and trying to see her reflection in the window of one of the stores, ran her hands through her hair. She took a deep breath and continued to her destination trying not to look like she had just run a road race.

  Approaching the restaurant where they’d arranged to meet, Angie could see Josh standing out front. He looked so handsome in his tan chinos, light blue linen shirt, and brown boat shoes that her heart nearly leaped into her throat. He saw her coming towards the restaurant and walked to meet her, his face beaming. Angie thought he looked almost as happy as she was to see him. She hoped he was anyway.

  “Angie,” Josh called her to her. “You look beautiful.”

  It was only the first five seconds and she was already swooning. Josh gave her a warm hug. He held her hand as they returned to the restaurant entrance, and Angie wished she’d rubbed her sweaty palm on her dress before Josh took hold of it.

  “I’ve missed you. I wish I didn’t have to be away from Sweet Cove so much lately.” He put his hand on Angie’s arm as they went inside. The hostess escorted them to the covered porch overlooking the ocean on one side and with a nice view of Coveside on the other.

  “Tell me what you’ve been up to.” Josh had a happy gleam in his eyes.

  Suddenly, Angie had a sinking feeling in her gut. Sitting with Josh, it occurred to her that if Attorney Ford ever went ahead with a lawsuit against the town about the illegal taking of the properties on Robin’s Point, Josh and his resort might be impacted. Part of the resort had been built on land that once belonged to Nana.

  Picking up on Angie’s distress, Josh asked, “What’s wrong? Has something happened?”

  Angie pushed a strand of her hair from her forehead. She nodded. “A lot has happened since I saw you last.”

  “Would you like to talk about it?” Josh reached across the table and took Angie’s hand.

  Angie thought that Josh must be one of the kindest men she’d ever met. She gave him a soft smile. “It’s a long story. Do you have all night?” she kidded.

  “For you. Absolutely.”

  Angie spent the next hour, in between bites of her lunch, telling the tale of John Turner and his evil deeds, of her Nana and her great-grandmother Forsythia Turner, of Shirley Banks and her family’s house fire, of finding the box of ripped up photos in the wall and the safe deposit key in the spyglass.

  When she finished with the telling, Josh chuckled. “If you’d told me all of that was in a book you’d just read, I’d say it was a very far-fetched storyline.”

  Angie smiled. “Unfortunately, it’s all true.”

  “You know….” Josh looked serious. “You and your sisters are quite remarkable.”

  Angie wasn’t expecting that comment. She couldn’t help but smile. “Are you sure?”

  “In the span of a few months, you’ve solved two murders in town and now this.”

  “Actually, the murders were solved by the cats in our house.”

  Josh gave a hearty laugh. Angie wondered how he’d take it if the day ever came when she told him the interesting details about her family and the clever felines. She still didn’t understand those cats herself.

  She hesitated to broach something with him, but decided it had to be discussed. “You know,” she began. “If there is a lawsuit against the town someday. Well. It could affect your resort.” She waited for shock or anger or displeasure to appear on Josh’s face, but instead, he leaned forward.

  “If there is a lawsuit and it is decided that the Robin’s Point land was taken illegally from your ancestors, then we’ll do whatever is necessary to make amends and make it right.”

  Angie melted in her seat. She was about to tell Josh what a wonderful person he was when he spoke. “Look, isn’t that the Coveside tour lady you were telling me about?” He nodded his head in the direction of the café across the street.

  Shirley Banks stood on the sidewalk speaking into her phone. Her cheeks were beet red, and between her facial expression, body language and hand gestures, it was clear she was quite unhappy with whoever was on the other end of the cell signal.

  “She sure looks angry,” Josh noted.

  Angie’s stomach flooded with anxiety as she watched the woman end the call by jabbing at the screen of her phone. Shirley hustled away to stand by the tourist information booth. She looked like she was boiling with fury. “I guess whoever she was talking to said something that didn’t please her.”

  Josh turned his attention back to Angie. “I’m glad I’m not going on one of her tours today. She’ll probably be yelling at all of her customers just to let off steam.”

  Angie noticed that the edges of Josh’s eyelids crinkled when he smiled. Josh’s phone vibrated and he glanced at it. His face drooped when he saw the incoming text. “Another crisis at the resort.” He sighed.

  “Can I do anything to help?” Angie asked.

  “You already helped by having lunch with me.” Josh took her hand. “I wanted to walk around the cove together, but I need to get back.”

  Angie nodded.

  “I hope my next day off will coincide with you not having any plans.”

  “I’ll clear my calendar.” Angie’s lashes fluttered over her eyes.

  They left their table and stepped outside. Josh leaned down and, for a moment, placed his lips softly on Angie’s. Her head was spinning when Josh hugged her and then headed off towards the resort. Angie was thankful that her sisters weren’t around to see what just happened. In the interest of caution, she glanced over her shoulder to be sure they weren’t lurking somewhere.

  Angie started up the sidewalk to return to the Victorian. Shirley Banks was still standing near the entrance to the Visitor’s Informat
ion building. She had her arms crossed over her chest and her face looked pinched. Shirley turned her head momentarily in Angie’s direction. Right as Angie was lifting her hand to wave to the woman, Shirley pretended not to see her. She whirled and hurried away down a side street leaving Angie dumbstruck.

  Angie continued walking out of Coveside wondering why Shirley would behave so strangely. In the midst of all the tourists, someone on the opposite sidewalk caught her eye. The historical society grouch. The man stuck out from the crowd because he was hurrying along, walking with purpose, while the people around him were strolling and taking their time to window shop and chat with their companions.

  Unease pulsed through Angie’s blood as she watched the historical society grouch and former town clerk, Paul Wilson, scurry along the brick sidewalk. She saw Wilson approach the Visitor’s Center and scan the area, seemingly looking for someone. Something about the man caused Angie’s throat to constrict and her heart to boom in her chest. She hurried up the sidewalk and out of Coveside, consumed with an overwhelming urge to get away.

  Chapter 22

  Angie didn’t slow down until she turned onto the walkway leading to the Victorian’s front porch. Her phone buzzed as she was going up the steps. The front door flew open and Courtney and the two cats rushed onto the porch. When Courtney saw Angie just a few steps away, she let out a breath. “I texted you.”

  “I see it.” Angie lifted her eyes from her phone. “What did you want?”

  “I wanted to know where you were.” Courtney slumped into one of the rocking chairs and narrowed her eyes at her sister. “Where were you?”

  “I went to Coveside to meet Josh for lunch.” She took the rocker next to Courtney.

  The cats jumped up onto the porch railing and sat staring at Angie.

  “Did you have a nice time?” Courtney shifted in her seat to get a good look at her sister.

  “Why are you three staring at me?”

  “Is everything all right?” Courtney had beads of perspiration on her forehead.

  “What’s wrong with you?” Angie asked.

  “Is anything wrong with you?” Courtney’s eyes were like lasers. “Is everything okay?”

  Angie’s pulse quickened. “Why are you asking me this?”

  “A little while ago, the cats and I were in the kitchen. I was about to make some fudge, for practice. I got a funny feeling.”

  “What sort of feeling?”

  “That you were in danger.” Courtney swallowed hard. “I guess it was silly … but it sure seemed real.”

  Angie eyed Euclid and Circe. “Did the cats react too?”

  Courtney nodded. “They started screeching just as the feeling washed over me. They were so loud that Jenna came out of her shop to see if someone had been killed or something.”

  Angie told her sister about seeing Shirley Banks in Coveside. She relayed how Shirley pretended not to see her, and how the historical society grouch came rushing down the street. “I felt frightened. I had the feeling that I had to get away.”

  “Well, your feeling of danger was powerful because we felt it all the way up here in the house.” Courtney passed the back of her hand over her forehead. “What does it mean?”

  “I have no idea.”

  Courtney asked, “Is Shirley Banks in danger?”

  “I hope not.” Angie sighed. “She and her family have been through enough.”

  “Well, something’s up. Whatever it is, we all need to be on guard.”

  “Let’s go warn the others.” Angie stood up. Her legs shook when she walked to the front door.

  Jenna was in the kitchen with Mr. Finch. She was scooping ice cream into two bowls. “How was your lunch with Josh?”

  Angie sat in the chair opposite Finch. “It was great. Perfect, really.”

  “I believe someone is smitten.” Mr. Finch smiled.

  Jenna passed a bowl full of ice cream to Mr. Finch. “Do either of you want some?”

  Courtney replied in the negative, but Angie stood up and retrieved another bowl from the cabinet. “Load it up.”

  Jenna eyed her sister. “Still hungry? After a big lunch in Coveside?” She handed the bowl to her sister. “Or is this stress eating?”

  Courtney said, “It’s definitely stress eating.”

  Ellie blew into the room carrying her gym bag and tennis racquet. She looked happy and invigorated, her cheeks pink and her eyes bright. She stopped a few feet into the room. “Now what’s wrong?”

  “How was tennis?” Jenna asked.

  “Please don’t tease me. I had a wonderful time. But the tension in this room is choking me so tell me what’s wrong now.” She placed her bag beside the kitchen table and folded her arms over her chest.

  Angie and Courtney told what had transpired with Shirley Banks pretending not to see Angie and the grouch rushing into Coveside which made Angie practically run home with feelings of danger.

  “And the cats and I picked up on Angie’s distress even though we were here at the house,” Courtney added.

  Ellie sat down next to Angie. “At least I had two enjoyable hours before having to deal with worry.” She leaned on the table. “What should we do?”

  “Since the danger is unknown,” Mr. Finch said, “the best thing to do is to go about the regular business of the day, but keep up your guard.”

  “Should we skip the fireworks tonight?” Ellie asked.

  Angie let out a sigh. “I think we should go. Like Mr. Finch says, we should go along with our plans. We can’t just sit around staring at each other waiting for something to happen. Maybe the danger will become apparent if we occupy ourselves with other activities and thoughts.”

  Courtney stood and went to the counter. “I’m going to carry on making the fudge.”

  “Okay.” Ellie stood up too. “I’m going to shower and change. Did any of the guests need anything while I was away?”

  Jenna shook her head. “All quiet.”

  Ellie left the kitchen, muttering. “Things better stay that way.”

  Angie wanted to change the topic of discussion so she asked Mr. Finch, “Did you think over what Ellie said about you moving into the apartment instead of staying in the room here at the B and B?”

  Finch rested his spoon in the bowl of half-eaten ice cream. “I did. I’m moving my things into the apartment in the carriage house. I thought it might be nice to have a bit more space since I have no idea when I’ll find another house I’d like to purchase.” He took a spoonful of his dessert.

  “Which of the two apartments did you choose?” Courtney asked.

  “I’m taking the one that Angie felt sadness in. I hope to replace the sadness with happier emotions.”

  “I’m glad.” Angie smiled and licked a bit of ice cream off her spoon.

  Courtney mixed some ingredients in a glass bowl. “And I’m glad Mr. Finch is staying close by and not moving to a different house.”

  The happiness emanating from the man eating ice cream at the table was almost palpable.

  Angie’s phone buzzed with an incoming call. “It’s Josh. I’ll take it on the porch.” She answered the phone and hurried out of the kitchen.

  Courtney smiled at Mr. Finch. “I don’t know why she couldn’t have talked to him in here.”

  Mr. Finch carried the ice cream bowls to the sink and started to wash them. “Did she think we’d listen as she spoke to the young man?” Finch’s eyes twinkled. “Silly to want some privacy, isn’t it?”

  Courtney chuckled. She stood at the counter stirring sugar, salt, and cocoa in a saucepan set on a hot plate. Since the kitchen was being renovated, the girls decided to use a small hotplate burner for small cooking tasks. It wasn’t ideal, but it got the job done. When the mixture in the pan started to boil Courtney placed the wooden spoon on the counter.

  Angie came back into the kitchen. “Josh asked a favor of me and I agreed. I wondered if the two of you might be able to help me?”

  “What’s up, Sis?” Courtney leane
d down to read the candy thermometer in the saucepan.

  “The resort is hosting a wedding tonight. Someone was carrying the wedding cake into the reception room and fell down.”

  Courtney howled picturing the foolish accident, then stifled her chuckles when she realized that someone’s wedding cake was ruined. “Oh, no. That’s awful. Can it be saved?”

  “No. Josh asked if I could put something together over the next few hours. I told him I would be glad to do it.” She looked at Courtney and Finch. “Anyone care to help me?”

  Mr. Finch dried his hands on a dishtowel. “A friend in need, is a friend indeed. I’d be happy to assist you.”

  Courtney lifted the saucepan from the burner. “I’m not letting you two have all the fun. Let’s do it.”

  ***

  Angie, Finch, and Courtney carried ingredients to the carriage house apartment with Euclid and Circe following behind. Angie went into the storage area on the first floor of the carriage house and rummaged around in boxes she’d packed when she moved out of her bake shop. After much searching and a tiny bit of cursing herself for not labeling the boxes, she found the different sized cake pans she was looking for. In the upstairs kitchen, preparations were in full swing with ingredients being mixed, the cake pans buttered, and buttercream frosting being created. The cats watched eagerly from their perch on the refrigerator. Every now and then, they licked their lips.

  Angie said, “I don’t have time to make frosting flowers to decorate the cake.”

  “Use real flowers on it. We can go down to the garden and pick some.” Courtney poured batter into the pans.

  “I don’t want to poison anyone.” Angie’s forehead crinkled. “I don’t know which flowers are poisonous and which are okay to come in contact with the frosting.”

  “I can help with that.” Mr. Finch dried one of the mixing bowls.

  They put pans into the oven and then carried the other pans of batter to the oven in the second apartment so that the cake layers could bake at the same time. While the baking was taking place, the two sisters and Finch went out to the garden to choose flowers.