by C A Phipps
The resort by the lake had experienced many problems in its short life. New owners had recently finished extensive renovations, and it was now open to the public once more. It had a very nice restaurant attached and Maddie was pleased that this date, their first official one, was taking them just far enough from Maple Falls to give the illusion of having more privacy.
Ethan wore dress pants and a sky-blue shirt which matched his eyes. She wore the blue jersey dress he had once complimented her on and she left her long blonde hair out of the braid she normally wore and it cascaded down her back.
She took his arm as he helped her from his car. “It’s nice to get dressed up once in a while.”
His eyes twinkled down at her. “You look lovely.”
“So do you.”
The corner of his mouth twitched in the way she’d always found fascinating.
“You always said that back in the day too.”
They walked up the path and into the warmth of the dining room. A large open fireplace on one wall gave the place a friendly and inviting ambience. The waiter took them to a table overlooking the lake and left them to study the menu.
“This place is incredible. The last time I was here it smelled of damp and the service was lousy,” she whispered, since there were two couples already seated nearby.
“It was pretty awful for a long time. I heard the previous owners ended up selling the place for a song because of bad plumbing and building work in general. He’s done an incredible job in a short space of time and news has spread how great the food is, so he’s always booked well in advance.”
While Ethan had been talking the place had begun to fill. She didn’t recognize anyone, but noticed the women were sporting a lot of gold on their hands, wrists and necks.
“What’s wrong? You look worried.”
“I’m thinking that this place is going to be terribly expensive.”
“Don’t think about it at all. You and Gran are always feeding me, so I am paying tonight and I won’t argue about it.” He sat back and folded his arms.
She raised an eyebrow. They had always shared costs but this was a new relationship in a new era for them. “Just this once. I never dreamed I’d eat in a place like this. Or be sitting across the table from you.”
“We had a lot of dreams back then and even though I was mad at you for the longest time, I never thought of being with anyone else.”
“Ethan, I know about your girlfriends.”
“Just as I know about your fiancé. It’s not the same thing though, is it?”
“I guess you’re right.” She wasn’t ready to confess her love for Ethan, but now she knew how it could be, she had to admit that she had never loved Dalton. ‘Some people fit and others don’t. Some dreams come true.”
He reached across and picked up her hand. “Doing what we love doesn’t mean it’s the end of our dreams, does it?”
She laughed. “Not at all. It simply means we can move onto the next one.”
“I like the sound of that.” He gave her a serious look. “I really am sorry that I didn’t support you in your career choice. Letting you go wasn’t something I was capable of as a teenager. Especially when I knew your true love was baking and not sitting behind a desk.”
“I was an idiot not to know that about myself. I wasted a few years trying to be something I wasn’t, but that’s behind us. I’m glad we can forgive each other and put that resentment in the past.”
Running around in her mind were reasons why this still might not be a good idea. The relationship they’d had through high school had finished abruptly when she went to work in New York City. Fighting over her decision to leave to further her career had tainted everything for a very long time. In fact, it had taken a couple of months for them to even have a conversation when she moved back home.
Since then, they had forged a friendship that was working, one she didn’t want to lose. While they’d both matured and accepted the other’s view of that time, he was still, in many ways, the same Ethan he’d always been, and Maddie didn’t want either of them to go through that heartache again.
The waiter came with the bottle of white wine Ethan had ordered and after pouring them a glass, took their selections.
Ethan raised his glass to hers. “Since we can’t change it and we’ve always had feelings for each other, let’s toast the beginning of a new, stronger relationship.”
“I can’t deny that I have feelings for you. Heck, it’s obvious to everyone around us, but are you sure about this?”
He grinned. “You know I am. From the moment I walked into your bakery and saw you covered in paint I wanted you back in my life.”
They clinked their glasses while Maddie’s insides turned to syrup. The light, golden kind.
“That might be the sweetest thing you’ve ever said to me.”
He shrugged. “Don’t get used to it.”
“That attitude won’t win me over, Sheriff.”
His dimple flashed. “I know what will.”
“Ooh, a little mystery.” She leaned across the table.
“I’m not sure this is the right setting for my disclosure and you’d have to keep it to yourself.” Ethan twirled the liquid in his glass.
“Of course I will, now stop teasing me and spill.”
Now he leaned as close as he could and lowered his voice. “There was no way Owen Kirk killed himself.”
Maddie hadn’t been expecting this revelation but she was immediately invested in the outcome. “How do you know for sure?”
“The pipe that was pushed through from the exhaust was covered in oil. There was no residue on Owen.”
“I don’t get it.”
“Owen had a massive lump on the back of his head and was most likely unconscious before being placed at the steering wheel. He wouldn’t have smelled the carbon monoxide, even if he had woken because it’s odorless. Naturally, this isn’t official yet.”
She nodded. This case was smelling more of foul play every minute. “Why do you think he was in the carpark in the first place?”
He took her hand across the table and ran his thumb over it causing a delicious tingle despite the conversation.
“That’s a much tougher question. He had a box of your cookies on the front seat and a thermos of coffee. Clearly, he had been expecting to be there for some time.”
Maddie put a hand to her mouth. “My cookies? Why would he have them?”
Ethan shrugged. “Did he buy some last time he dropped off a delivery?”
“Not that I know of. I haven’t seen him for nearly a week, but he surely wasn’t eating stale cookies?”
“I’ll come by tomorrow and ask Laura and Luke if they sold him any and if so when. It might be nothing but could give us a better time-frame.”
The waiter arrived with their order and they reluctantly dropped hands. Having both ordered the fish, it was beginning to look like they had a lot more in common than attraction and solving mysteries.
Romance between them might be along the lines of pulling taffy—a long drawn out process—but she was finding both the romance and the mysteries fascinating. It was a little disconcerting how her mind could switch from one to the other so easily. She wondered if this was how it was for Ethan.
Less than three months ago, Maddie had been fighting these feelings for him, but, turns out, the Sheriff was mighty persuasive.
“There’s something else,” Ethan said when the waiter had topped up their glasses and left.
“The van parked between the shops?”
“Nothing gets past you, does it?” he teased.
“I wouldn’t say that, but it’s been playing on my mind. The Girlz and I are going to the gallery tomorrow to have a look around.”
He frowned. “You were going to tell me, weren’t you?”
“Yes, Sheriff. I’m doing so right now,” she said, innocently.
He raised an eyebrow. “Hmmm. The tire tracks across the park were from Owen’s van at the gallery.”
&
nbsp; “But not at the Country Club?”
“Exactly. Owen has never been seen around the Country Club as far as Irene Fitzgibbons knows.”
“What about at Sunny Days retirement community?”
“I’ll be tackling that tomorrow with my deputies.”
“Mavis Anderson would be the best person to help you out with introductions.”
“That’s not how we do things.”
“I’m just saying, she knows every person who lives there and everyone who goes in or comes out.”
He grimaced. “That’s what I’m worried about—getting back out.”
She snorted. “Mavis might be a gossip, but her heart is in the right place.”
“I know. I wish I had more patience, but often I’m simply in a hurry.”
“Sometimes people like Mavis need you not to be.”
He winced. “Ouch. I’ll do my best to remember that. How about we talk about us some more?”
“You know, I think we are. Talking about what we’re good at and passionate about, makes me realize how much we think alike.”
He reached across the table and ran a finger down her cheek. “Which could lead to a second date?”
A shiver trailed down her body. “At the very least.”
They smiled as they ate and talked about the twins. Several people acknowledged them, but they must have understood that this was a special moment, because no one lingered and they were able to enjoy the evening.
Maddie sipped her wine then placed her hands on the table. “I have a confession.”
Ethan tilted his head. “Am I going to like it?”
She laughed at his worried expression. “Everything I say isn’t necessarily challenging.”
He leaned back. “We’ll see. What would you like to confess?”
“I can’t tell your nephews apart. Ever.”
“You seem to manage quite well.”
“I cheat. I wait for you to say something to one or the other of them, then I pick an article of clothing or a color that they’re wearing. The trouble is I have to do this every time I see them. It’s not cool and a little stressful.”
Ethan had begun to laugh and now he was practically rolling around in his seat.
“Why is it so funny?”
“Because it’s so obvious.”
She was a little insulted. “It would be to you, they’re your nephews!”
“Aside from James being marginally less wild than Jesse, James has a cowlick right in the front. Quite a big one. I don’t know how you could miss it.”
“Really? I honestly haven’t noticed. James, you say? Well thank you, sheriff. That’s going to make life a darn sight easier from now on.” She finished the last of her fish and sat back with a satisfied smile on her face.
“I’m so pleased to be of service. Would you like to dance?”
She screwed up her face. “I’m not good at it. In fact, the Girlz laugh at my attempts.”
His mouth twitched. “I remember. But I didn’t laugh then, so I won’t laugh now. Besides, with this kind of dancing, you just hold on to me and we’ll sway a bit. No pressure.”
“Sounds easy enough. I hope you don’t regret it.”
He laughed, took her hand and led her to the small floor where a few other couples danced to a slow song. Ethan was right, they did nothing more than sway and she felt comfortable in his arms. He smelled divine and she could feel his muscles bunch under his shirt as they moved.
When they were done and with neither wanting dessert, Ethan drove her home. Very slowly. The moon was out in full and made the lake twinkle and ripple with light until they hit the rise of a hill. Then it was dark apart from the lights from the town creating a soft glow ahead of them in the distance.
The silence was comfortable and when they arrived at the bakery, Ethan walked her to the door. There was no need for coyness as he took her in his arms. They’d both been waiting for this moment. It didn’t disappoint.
He tucked her hair behind her head as he leaned down. “I hope we get to have many more nights like this.”
“Me too,” her breath caught, then he was kissing her.
Like the dance it was long and leisurely and she sighed when he stepped back, feeling the cold air between them.
He ran a finger down her cheek. “I better go now, otherwise I might never leave.”
She nodded, incapable of speaking but, knowing that, if she did it would be to ask him to stay.
“See you tomorrow.” He kissed her forehead and went back down the path, turning at the gate for one last look at her.
Maddie floated into the kitchen. It felt official. They were a couple for the second time, and she could see no dream or ambition that couldn’t include the handsome Sheriff Ethan .
Chapter Eleven
Maddie and Laura walked to the gallery on Monday, leaving Luke to close up and finish the cleaning. It wouldn’t be for long and he was always happy to help out. Luckily, the bakery was traditionally quieter on Mondays too.
Suzy drove herself, since the school she was principal of was across town and there wouldn’t be a great deal of time between finishing there and getting to the Gallery to fill in for her mom.
Maddie confessed, “Apart from the other day I hadn’t been here since I came back to Maple Falls.”
Suzy tutted. “That was months ago.”
“I know, but I have been a little occupied,” she offered lamely.
Angel gave her a wink. “Yes, opening a shop and solving crimes will keep you busy.”
Maddie narrowed her eyes. “Stop with the ‘solving crimes’, already. I’ve simply been looking into a few discrepancies.”
“Ah-huh. You’re forgetting how much Gran loves to tell the stories of your recent brushes with some nasty criminals and how you just happened to be with Ethan when Owen was found.”
Maddie made a rude noise. “I’m sure the town can find other things to gossip about and Owen’s death is not something to make light of.”
“No one’s doing that, Sugar. It is a tragedy.”
Angel was contrite and Maddie put an arm around her shoulder, thinking it best to move the conversation to where it should be. The paintings. She turned to Suzy. “Okay, show us the best stuff you have.”
“Are you talking money, or what I think is a better product?”
“Both.” Maddie shrugged, not really appreciating the difference.
“This is Nicholas Brack’s last work. His portrayal of sunset over the lake is beautiful and the mountains behind are just as imposing as they are in real life.”
“Wow. You even sound like you know what you’re talking about.” Maddie teased.
“Rude. Listening to my mother, who has a degree in fine arts, describe the works to her customers may have rubbed off a little,” Suzy grinned.
“With everything you do for the school and the community, I don’t know how you find the time to work here.”
“I only come in the odd days when mom needs a break. Dad will come in if she’s desperate, but that is totally a last resort.”
“I can’t imagine him in here.” Angel grinned.
Laura put down a sculpture of a police officer which looked suspiciously like Rob Jacobs.
“Why is that?” she asked.
Suzy gave a wry grin. “You know the saying a bull in a china shop?”
Maddie and Angel laughed while Laura nodded.
“That’s my dad. Plus, he doesn’t have patience with tire kickers. He’s not a salesperson and can be a bit abrupt.”
“You sell tires? In here?” Angel looked around her.
Suzy frowned as if she wasn’t sure to believe her naivety.
“It means browsers. People who have no idea what they want and usually want it for next to nothing.”
Angel arched an elegant eyebrow. “Well, I think it’s a weird thing to say about someone buying art.”
Maddie was listening to them, but she was also looking at the pieces on display. She wasn’t a co
nnoisseur of art in any way, but like Suzy, she knew what she liked. Some of the paintings were so realistic she felt drawn in to them. Others left her cold, because she had no idea what they represented. Abstract was not her thing. In the corner by the doorway that led out the back to the lunch room and a small washroom was a blank wall. She hadn’t noticed it when she came in with Ethan. A mark where a painting had hung was evident.
“Where’s this picture, Suzy?”
“I’m not sure. It probably sold recently and Mom hasn’t replaced it yet. She has a stack of pictures in that corner, waiting for room to be displayed. Help yourself if you want to look through them. The stand holds them individually and they’re quite safe.”
Suzy was right. Each picture was housed in a separate space, like a concertina file, only a hundred times bigger and made of wood. She was able to flick through each one easily enough despite the weight of some of the larger ones which were already framed.
She came to the last one and felt something sticky on her fingertips. It looked like paint. She sniffed them. It smelled like paint. As she carefully lifted the unframed picture out of its slot she noticed a smear in one corner. She didn’t believe she’d touched it there.
“Suzy? You know how you said I couldn’t hurt these?”
Horrified, Suzy ran across the room. “Don’t tell me you’ve ripped one?”
“Not exactly.” Maddie held up her fingers. “I’m really sorry, but I’ve smeared the paint.”
“That’s crazy. Mom doesn’t take any works that aren’t dry. It would mean they had just been finished and that would never happen in case it got damaged.”
Maddie took a step back to Suzy could inspect the painting. Pulling it out carefully, the sheen of the damp area was more noticeable and Suzy carried it to a large desk which was used to pack the art. She bent over it and made a few noises that Maddie was familiar with, so she waited, her fingers tapping out her impatience. Suzy sent a glare her way and Maddie clasped her hands in front of her.
“You’re right about the damp corners of the painting. I wonder who the artist is? Goodness, the signature is E Wilson.”
“You sound excited.”
“She’s a wonderful artist. I should say, was.”
