Uncovering Secrets: The Third Novel in the Rosemont Series

by Barbara Hinske

  “See,” Amy said, “you hardly even notice them.”

  Maggie took a tentative step. “You’re right. Much better. Thank you for thinking of this.” She kissed her daughter-in-law on the cheek.

  The wedding party formed a receiving line, and Maggie and John introduced Maggie’s children and grandchildren and hugged and kissed their friends for the next forty-five minutes. Even Frank Haynes shook Maggie’s hand warmly. “Thank you for coming, Frank,” Maggie said. “I’m looking forward to meeting your friend. Your RSVP said that you were bringing a guest?”

  Haynes recoiled slightly and cleared his throat. “She was called out of town on a family emergency,” he said. He’d been sure that Loretta would find the prospect of spending the day at Rosemont irresistible and would change her mind, but she had not.

  “I’m sorry to hear that.” They stared at each other awkwardly. “I look forward to meeting her another time. Glad you’re here, Frank,” she said as she turned to the next person in line.

  At twelve thirty, Pete positioned himself at the head of the receiving line and announced that lunch was being served. “I’m stealing the bridal party to take them to their table. Everyone else—please find your table, and we’ll let you know when you can visit the buffet.” Groans emanated from those left in the receiving line. “Don’t worry. You’ll have a chance to visit with the bride and groom after lunch.”

  Pete motioned to the wedding party to follow him. “We plated your lunches,” he said. “We decided the wedding party shouldn’t go through the buffet line. I want the two of you to relax and eat.” He eyed them sternly. “I’m going to stand at the end of your table to make sure you have everything you need and to chase people away.”

  “I’m starved,” John said.

  Maggie smiled. “I was too nervous to eat breakfast, so I’m hungry, too. Good idea, Pete.”

  Pete beamed and ushered them to their seats.

  Maggie enjoyed everything on her plate; though reflecting on the meal later, she couldn’t remember what she ate. What she did remember was looking out at the sea of their friends talking and laughing, sitting in groups enjoying lunch or milling about the lawn that sparkled in the midday sun.

  She turned to look at the rear façade of Rosemont, the sun glinting off the windows. Susan followed her mother’s gaze. “Look at how the sun hits the windows. If I didn’t know better,” she said, “I’d swear the house was winking at us.” Maggie smiled at her daughter and nodded.

  Pete approached the table at one fifteen. “I think it’s time to cut the cake.”

  The five-tiered masterpiece of cream-colored fondant decorated with white roses had been wheeled to a spot in the center of the tables. Waiters were busily passing out glasses of champagne, and an expectant hush settled on the crowd.

  Pete handed the couple two Waterford champagne flutes Maggie recognized from the collection at Rosemont. Mike picked up his glass, cleared his throat, and began. “Thank you all for joining us today for this very happy occasion. When our mother moved here, my sister and I had misgivings. What would happen to her so far from us? Well, what’s happened to her is that she’s made a new life in a town filled with the most charming and hospitable people we’ve ever met, and she’s married a man that my sister and I have come to love very deeply—a man of sterling character and deep integrity. John—welcome—we are honored to be one family.” Mike turned to the crowd and raised his glass. “To Maggie and John. May God bless them with a long and happy marriage!”

  Maggie and John entwined their arms and sipped champagne as the crowd raised their glasses and clapped. All except Frank Haynes, who quietly made his way to the exit.

  Maggie carefully cut a small slice of cake from the bottom layer, and placed it on the plate Pete handed to her. John ate the small bite she held up to his mouth on a fork, then he smiled mischievously and grabbed a large chunk of cake. Don’t you dare, Maggie mouthed to her new husband. He laughed and broke off a tiny piece and fed it daintily to her. The photographer, who had been busy all day snapping candid shots, took their photo and leaned in. “Can we get some formal pictures? The light is perfect right now.”

  They finished the wedding portraits in front of the soaring staircase of Rosemont. “This is such a magnificent setting,” the photographer said. “My camera loves it. I could take pictures here all day. But I’m sure you’d like to get back to your reception. I’ve got more than enough photos.” Maggie sighed and turned to John. “We should go back to mingle with our guests. I know we haven’t spoken to everyone.”

  Susan stepped in front of them. “That is impossible, Mom. You’ll never get out of here if you don’t leave now.”

  “We can’t do that,” Maggie gasped.

  “Sure you can,” Aaron said. “That’s the beauty of being the newlyweds. You get to leave when you want to.”

  “John?” Maggie turned to him.

  “I have to agree with these two,” he said. “And I’m exhausted from it all. I’m not used to this.”

  “I’ll need to get my suitcase,” Maggie said. “And say goodbye to Mike and Amy and the girls.”

  Susan shook her head. “I packed your bag for you, and it’s already in the car.” Her eyes sparkled at John. “You’re going to love the fabulous honeymoon John’s planned. And you don’t need to say goodbye. We were all in agreement on that.” She put her arms around both of them. “I love you both to pieces. Take good care of each other. And have fun! We’ll get Rosemont cleaned up before we leave on Monday morning.”

  “But I should stay for the rest of my wedding reception,” Maggie stated feebly, knowing she’d been defeated.

  “We’ll take pictures and send them to you,” Susan assured her.

  “We’ve got it all set up,” Aaron said. “Let’s go back to the lawn, and I’ll signal Marc. He’s going to play ‘How Sweet It Is (to Be Loved by You).’ We’ll start clapping and cheering, and you’ll take her hand.” He turned to John. “Run along the side of the house to the Town Car waiting out front. It’ll take you to the airport hotel where you’ll spend the night before you fly out in the morning.”

  Maggie looked at John and nodded. They walked onto the lawn, the music began, he took her hand, and they were off.

  ***

  Maggie sat back in her seat at the gate the next morning and watched her handsome husband—what wonderful words those were—approach with two steaming cups of coffee. They’d arrived at the airport for their trip to Cornwall the recommended two hours ahead of their scheduled departure, sailed through check-in, and now had plenty of time before they boarded their flight.

  “Cornwall!” Maggie said as John handed her the paper cup. “I’ve always wanted to go there. Ever since I read The Shell Seekers years ago. The hotel you picked in Penzance looks charming. We can do everything at our own pace.”

  “And the Internet connections are limited,” John said. “So you’ll be forced to unplug and pay attention to your new husband.”

  “Nothing I’d rather do. Which reminds me,” she said, setting down her cup. “Let’s see if the kids sent us those photos.” She removed her tablet from her carry on and opened her email. “Here they are. They’ve sent us pictures from the reception and from the week before.”

  They leaned over the tablet together and were scrolling through the photos when Maggie froze. “Who are those people?” John asked. “It looks like they’re in a hospital.” He turned to her. “Maggie. You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

  Maggie stared at the photo for a full minute, holding her breath. She slowly exhaled and turned to John. “This is Sophie and Sarah’s friend who came for the sleepover last week,” she said pointing to Marissa. “Her little sister was in the hospital, and Susan stopped by to deliver presents they’d picked out for her and her mother. I’m assuming that’s her little sister with the doll and matching dress. And this must be their mother.” She tapped the screen.

  John nodded. “So? Why is this upsetting you?”

/>   Maggie struggled to draw a breath. “Because that woman is Loretta Nash.” She turned to John. “Paul’s Loretta Nash. The woman he had the long-standing affair with—the one in Scottsdale he supported like a second family. And this little girl,” she said, moving her finger back to Nicole, “the one that is so sick. She must be Loretta’s daughter. She would have been born around the time of Paul’s death, so she’s the right age to be Paul’s child.” Maggie leaned close to the screen. “Her eyes are Paul’s eyes.” Maggie turned to John, wide-eyed, fighting down her rising panic. “Susan and Mike may have a half-sister, right here in Westbury.”

  The End

  Thank you for reading!

  If you enjoyed Uncovering Secrets, I’d be grateful if you wrote a review.

  Just a few lines would be great. Reviews are the best gift an author can receive. They encourage us when they’re good, help us improve our next book when they’re not, and help other readers make informed choices when purchasing books. Reviews keep the Amazon algorithms humming and are the most helpful aide in selling books! Thank you.

  To post a review on Amazon or for Kindle:

  1. Go to the product detail page for Uncovering Secrets on Amazon.com.

  2. Click “Write a customer review” in the Customer Reviews section.

  3. Write your review and click Submit.

  In gratitude,

  Barbara Hinske

  Just for You!

  Wonder what Maggie was thinking when the book ended?

  Exclusively for readers who finished the book, take a look at Maggie’s Diary Entry.

  Acknowledgements

  I’m grateful for the wisdom and support of many gracious and generous people:

  To my wise medical consultant, A. D. Jacobson, M.D.

  To my cadre of attorney friends (who never dodged a phone call from me): Michael Scheurich, William Novotny, Mark Herriot, Jason Castle, and Howard Meyers.

  To knowledgeable accountants: Robert Hinske (my incomparable older brother), Lela Lawless, and Linda Blessing.

  To the professional “dream team” of Linden Gross, Jesika St Clair, Mat Boggs, Suzie Welker, Mitch Gandy, and Jesse Doubek.

  To Matt Hinrichs for my beautiful cover.

  To my beta readers, Helen Curl and Deb Vesey.

  To the Tooms family for generously allowing me to use their Texie as my Eve.

  To the best friends and supporters in the entire world: Jeffrie, Georgia, Donna, Charla, and Norma.

  To my loyal and encouraging children: Kate, Edward, and Adam.

  Book Club Questions

  1. Have you ever abruptly changed your mind about a major life decision, and were you happy you did?

  2. Have you ever trusted someone that betrayed your trust?

  3. Have you ever found or inherited a valuable collection or treasure? What did you do with it?

  4. If you got married at your current age, what would you plan for your wedding?

  5. What new trends or traditions have you seen at a recent wedding you attended or heard about?

  6. What traditions would you like to see revived?

  7. If you were to go on a honeymoon now, where would you go?

  8. Have you ever travelled to a place (or wanted to) because it was a setting in a novel?

  9. Have you participated in agility trials or hospital pet therapy visits with your dog?

  10. What is the most unexpected weather “surprise” that you’ve experienced and how did you handle it?

  About the Author

  BARBARA HINSKE is an attorney by day, bestselling novelist by night. She inherited the writing gene from her father who wrote mysteries when he retired and told her a story every night of her childhood. She and her husband share their own Rosemont with two adorable and spoiled dogs. The old house keeps her husband busy with repair projects and her happily decorating, entertaining, cooking, and gardening. Together they have four grown children and live in Phoenix, Arizona.

  Available at Amazon and for Kindle

  Other books in the Rosemont series

  Coming to Rosemont

  Weaving the Strands

  Also by BARBARA HINSKE

  The Night Train

  I’d love to hear from you!

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  Email me at bhinske@gmail.com

  Search for Barbara Hinske on YouTube for tours inside my own historic home plus tips and tricks for busy women!

  Find photos of fictional Rosemont, Westbury, and things related to the Rosemont series at Pinterest.com/BarbaraHinske.