by T. G. Hanson
Lynn smiled. “That’s the best part! The older couple that lived here left town to enter one of those senior centers near their daughter. Since they weren’t going into another home, they’re including the furniture with the house.”
Meg couldn’t believe her luck! A great house, great price and furniture as well. She wouldn’t have to buy much at all. “I’m SOLD, let’s head back to the realtor’s office so I can buy it before someone else snatches it up,” she told Lynn.
A few hours later Meg was back at the diner, the owner of a new home. The realtor had been more than a bit thrilled when Meg’s attorney had made an electronic draft to his account for the full purchase price of the house. It had taken only an hour before she walked out of the office, key in hand.
Lynn had been a bit shocked by the whole ordeal till Meg explained the money was an inheritance that she’d been saving for a house. “Goodness, now that was something to see. Never would have thought someone could buy a house that quickly” she laughed. “Now I’m jealous cuz I still have like what . . . a gazillion years till mine is paid off.”
Back at the diner, Meg and Lynn had settled into her office with a glass of wine to celebrate her new home.
“So Lynn, it’s time for you to spill all the details on Wade, don’t you think?”
Taking a sip of her wine Lynn smiled. “I had wondered when you were going to ask me about him.”
“Well, you seem to know him better than anyone and I’m curious, how is it that a good looking, very nice man like him is still single?”
Lynn sat her glass on the desk and leaned back in her chair. “So it’s like this. Wade was the High School hotshot. Big time quarterback till he blew his arm out in his senior year. Supposedly he moped around here for a year afterwards and then one day just out of the blue announced he was going to be a cop.”
“Were his folks happy about it?” Meg asked.
Lynn shook her head. “His folks were okay with it. His fiancé, his High School sweetheart, who no longer lives here by the way - didn’t want a cop for a husband. She left town the next day without so much as a goodbye.”
“That’s terrible!” exclaimed Meg. “But what about later, he must have had other loves since then?”
“Yup he did, but this is the sad part. Half way through the academy he fell in love with a gal who worked at a coffee shop where all the cops used to hang out. They were supposed to get married when he graduated. One week after they became engaged the coffee shop was robbed during the late shift and she was shot and killed.”
“Oh my gosh Lynn. How awful for him.” Now I know why he looked so sad when he was telling me the story of how he wound up back here in Mystic Pines. Makes sense he wouldn’t have wanted to stay in Houston after that. Meg thought.
Lynn sighed and took another sip of wine. “I think it was tough for him for several years but he eventually found happiness here.”
“Still,” said Meg, “That was a while back and I’m surprised that he wasn’t seeing someone here in town.”
“From what I’ve seen, he’s dated a few women here but none seemed to stick. Not for the lack of the women trying though. I just think he’s been looking for a certain type of woman and hasn’t found her.” Lynn pulled her long hair back behind her shoulders. “You know, we all live a simple life here in Mystic. Not a lot of excitement and not a lot of things going on. I think these days, not many women would be satisfied with that kind of life. You know what I mean?”
Meg thought about her life in California. Mystic was a long way from there in many ways. “I get what you’re saying, but coming from where I’ve been, Mystic is heaven. Where I came from, people didn’t take the time to get to know each other and you never truly knew if your friends were true friends or not. I’d take a life here in Mystic over my old life anytime.”
Lynn looked over at her new friend. “I think Wade has sensed that about you and that is what attracts him to you. And, while we’re on the subject, just where is it that you came from? You’ve never said before.”
Before Meg could decide what to say, they heard Randy calling for her from the diner. Meg stood up and stuck the bottle of wine back inside the mini-fridge, glad for an excuse to avoid Lynn’s question. “Guess duty calls.” She glanced at the clock on the wall and noticed how late it had gotten. “We’ll have to save that discussion for another time. If I don’t get a move on, I won’t be ready for my customers tonight!”
Lynn who had also noticed the time, jumped up and was already heading to the door. “The sheriff is gonna fire me if I don’t get back to the station as well.”
Meg heard Lynn call out to her as she went through the front door, “I’ll be back tonight with the guys so save us a seat!”
She was out the door before Meg could respond.
******
At six o’clock sharp Meg opened the diner to the town. Earlier in the week, she’d hired two local gals, Trixie and Bev, as waitresses. Randy, the cook, had brought them both in one day for interviews. Seems they hung out with Randy from time to time and he’d vouched for them.
Meg wasn’t sure what Randy had meant by “hung out with” and wasn’t sure she wanted to know, but both girls were nice enough and had experience working in diners. Trixie would be working full time while Bev would only be helping as needed.
By six-thirty most all the tables were full of customers and everyone seemed to be having a grand ole time. Trixie and Bev were running around like chickens with their heads cut off.
Randy had made his fantastic chicken fried steak dinner with fresh green beans, corn on the cob, and a sweet cornbread that Meg was in love with. She had no idea how many apple pies they went through or how much sweet tea was consumed, but it was worth it in the end. The townsfolk loved the new decor and several had already promised her some things from their garages.
Meg noticed Nyla Hanson and the other widows all sitting at a table together. Seeing Nyla waving at her, she walked over to their table to see if they needed anything.
“Meg dear, we girls just wanted to let you know we’ve had a lovely time tonight. The food was fantastic, but then Randy is a great cook, isn’t he?”
“Why thank you Nyla, ladies. I’m so glad you could come and have enjoyed yourselves. Is there anything else I can get for you?” asked Meg.
“No dear, we’re full up to here,” moving her hand up to her eyes, “and about to head back home. It’s late for us gals and we don’t like to be out on the street after dark. We just wanted to wish you well and thank you for the apple pie.”
From the corner of her eye Meg noticed another customer waving his hand at her. “Hey, thanks again, and you ladies be careful going home. I see another customer wanting my attention, but do come back anytime.” The ladies rose from the table as Meg walked away.
She had just finished helping the customer when she saw Wade, Lynn, the Sheriff, John and a very lovely woman enter the diner. The group walked over to her and Wade grabbed her elbow.
“Congratulations Meg, the place is packed. And you were afraid people weren’t going to show up. Silly girl” he teased.
Lynn turned to the woman who’d come in with them saying “Wendy, this is Meg and Meg, this is Wendy Briggs, John’s wife.”
Meg offered her hand to Wendy. “Hello Wendy, it’s nice to meet you. I’m so glad you and John could come by tonight.”
In sharp contrast to John’s medium build, salt and pepper hair, and fair skin, Wendy looked to be of native American heritage. She had dark hair, big brown eyes and high cheek bones a girl could brag about. She smiled back at Meg and shook her hand.
“Are you kidding? John has talked of nothing else but when the diner would open again. And, you have got to tell me the secret of your sweet tea.” Laughing she looked at John, “He says mine doesn’t taste right now that he’s had yours.”
Meg grinned at her, “Oh goodness, I’m sorry but yes, I’ll see that you get that secret before you leave tonight.”
With a sheepish grin, John nudged Meg’s arm. “Please do or I’ll be in the dog house forever” he begged.
Laughing Meg escorted the group to the table the widows had vacated. “You all have a seat and I’ll be back with some of that tea. Trixie or Bev will bring you your food shortly.”
As she walked off, John looked over at Wade. “I’m not sure that I like this idea of there being only once choice of meal. What if one night she only has a veggie plate or something silly like that? I’m a meat and potatoes kind of guy. Why I’d starve on rabbit food.”
Wendy gave him a punch in the arm. “Oh hush now John, a meal of veggies would be good for you once in a while” she laughed.
The group talked while they ate and ordered a round of beers while they waited for Meg to join them.
By eight most of the customers had left with only a few stragglers still munching on pie or enjoying a drink. Meg had thanked Randy for his help and sent him on home for the night.
“Whew, I’m bushed” she exclaimed as she flopped down on the bench next to Lynn. “I can’t remember when I’ve worked so hard and been so tired.” She wiped her forehead with a napkin then pulled her hair up into a messy bun.
“I know you promised to help me move my things from the motel into the house tonight Lynn but truthfully, I’m too tired to mess with it. Could we please do it tomorrow after you get off work?” she begged.
“What, you found a house already?” John asked.
Meg and Lynn spent the next thirty minutes telling the others all about the house Meg had bought. Happy for her, John ordered Lynn to take tomorrow off so they could get Meg all moved and settled into her new home.
“And Wade, you be sure and go by there when you get off work to see if they need any heavy lifting ok.”
“Will do John, will do.” Wade quickly agreed.
The group enjoyed a few more rounds of drinks and lots of laughter till the final customer had left. Wendy had explained that she was indeed part native American and that she owned the Little Potions Herb Shop in town. Meg had agreed to come by the shop soon and check it out.
When the last customer left, Meg stood up and thank the group for coming to the opening then walked back to Lynn and the others.
“It’s been a long day guys. A wonderful day, but a long one. If I don’t get out of here now, Randy will find me asleep on one of these benches when he comes in tomorrow morning.”
John stood up, patted his belly, and helped Wendy to her feet. “Guess that’s our cue to get going folks. It was a fine night indeed Meg. I’m sure I speak for all of us when I say thank you and welcome to Mystic Pines.
FIVE
Six Months Later
In the months since Meg had arrived in town she’d made some great friends and both the diner and bookstore were thriving. Three months after opening the diner she had tried something new and held a Mystery Dinner night. It was such a success that she held another, and then another, to where they quickly became an expected event in town.
The Mystery Dinners were held on the third Wednesday of each month. On those nights, you could sit down to a meal of fried chicken, with all the fixings and sweet tea you could drink. During the meal, guests were shown a miniature murder scene, created inside a wooden box, with a background story of the crime. It was then up to the guests to study the scene and figure out how the murder was committed.
Guests were given a sheet of paper with a blank section at the bottom, where they could write their solution to the murder. The solutions were then numbered and stacked in order on a peg at the front door and at the following Mystery Dinner, Meg would announce who had solved the murder correctly. Winners would then be rewarded with a free copy of a new arrival mystery book, from the Who-Dun-It bookstore.
An on-going tally was kept for those who had won the most, with the list being displayed in the bookstore’s front window. To have your name appear on the list was something coveted by those who attended the events and to be on or near the top of the list, well let's just say that it made you somebody in town for sure!
******
When Meg wasn’t working at the diner or bookstore she spent her time reading or making miniature room boxes. Her room boxes were detailed re-creations of murder scenes from her favorite mystery books. These room boxes were then used at the diner for the Mystery Dinners.
While her days were full with the diner and bookstore, her evenings were just as full with her hobbies and her dog Chewy. She loved coming home at night and being greeted with wet kisses from the small dog, a Yorkie terrier mix she had adopted from a rescue center shortly after moving to Mystic Pines. She was a sweet little thing and Meg adored her.
After a bite to eat and a short walk with Chewy, Meg poured a glass of red wine and went back to working on tomorrow evening’s miniature murder scene room box. She loved to re-create the crime scenes using very few ready-made miniatures, finding a great deal of satisfaction in making what she needed from throw-away items found around the house. People were always bringing her little things to use such as bottle caps, old jewelry and small trinkets. Since the first Mystery Dinner, she had accumulated a very large stash of small objects as well as completed room boxes.
Not long after moving into her house she had added high shelving all around the perimeter of the living room continuing back to her bedroom, where she displayed her favorites of the room boxes. Knowing she wouldn’t be able to keep all the miniature scenes she made, simply because of the room they took up, she occasionally gifted the miniature scene to the Mystery Dinner winner as a secret surprise.
Feeling a cold wet nose on her ankle, Meg looked down at Chewy. “I know girl, it’s almost bed time, but just a few more minutes, okay?” Chewy wagged her tail and curled up in the little soft bed Meg had placed under her work table.
Her living room had a large framed window that faced the street where Meg had sectioned off an area for her worktable. Here she could look out the window, watching her neighbors walk by as she worked. She loved how the town was so peaceful at night and often, she would glance at her watch only to find she had worked well into the night undisturbed.
Meg turned as she heard someone walk through the front door. “Hey Lynn, what’s up?”
Lynn walked into the kitchen to pour a glass of wine then plopped down on the sofa near Meg’s work table. “Just popped by to see if you picked out our book for this week yet? Thought I’d curl up and read for a bit this evening.”
Meg and Lynn had formed their own sort of club, each reading the same book at the same time, then would get together on Saturday nights and discuss them. They took turns at each other’s houses making it a girl’s night in, so to speak.
“Sure did and you’re gonna love this one! It’s Agatha Christie. I still can’t believe that you have never read her books!”
Lynn laughed. “So far only I’ve only seen the movies. Which one did you pick?”
Meg pointed to the side table at the end of the couch. “Hallowe’en Party. It’s one of the Hercules Poirot series and to my knowledge, it was never made into a movie. I thought it would be a good choice since you’ve never read any of those.”
Standing, Lynn picked up the book and skimmed the back page. “Oh! Sounds good. Think I’ll just head on home, put on the old PJ’s and start this tonight.”
Meg smiled and walked her friend to the front door. “Have fun and be sure to let me know tomorrow how you like it. I’ve got to finish this room box so I won’t be able to start it till tomorrow night I guess.”
Giving each other a hug, Lynn walked out the door and headed on down to her own house.
With only a few little bits to be added to the scene, Meg decided to stop for the night knowing those could be done in the morning, before leaving for work. For now, she was tired and it was time to grab a few hours’ sleep.
“Come on Chewy, time for bed little girl.” Chewy, more than happy about bedtime, ran ahead of Meg, jumping right up onto the extra pillow. She turned a circ
le, laid down with her head on her paws and fell promptly to sleep. Meg tumbled into bed, snuggled down under the fluffy blanket, falling asleep quickly, exhausted and content.
******
A stranger sat in his car parked a few houses down from the girl’s house. He’d seen her come home from work earlier and the other one who’d stopped by a bit ago, come and go. He was sure neither one had noticed him or his car as they arrived or left.
He’d been watching and comparing the first woman to the photograph he had for a few days and was convinced it was her. The one he was looking for. In touch with his friend, the one who hired him, he’d been instructed to stay and find where she had hidden the money.
“She has to have it stashed someplace with her because from what I’m being told, it’s no longer here. The account has been cleaned out. Watch her and if you need to, scare her into talking.” his friend had told him. “We’re talking millions here and I’m willing to kill for it if need be.”
******
Bright sunlight filtered through the hand-made curtains waking Meg just before her alarm went off. One move of her hand signaled to Chewy that she was awake and the sound of clinking tags on the dog’s collar caused her to stiffen in anticipation. Any minute now she would have a fur ball in flight land on her stomach and next would come the tongue bath.
After a few minutes of the tongue bath, she stretched, sat up and throwing her legs over the edge of the bed, set the dog on the floor. With a scolding tone to her voice she shook her finger at the dog. “It’s not fair for you to be so full of energy after waking me up in the middle of the night. No more barking at any old noise you hear.” Chewy did her best “sit pretty” for Meg while trying to lick Meg’s finger. “Sorry, but being cute isn’t going to make me any happier.” Unable to resist, she smiled and rubbed the top of the little dog’s head. “Come on you, time for coffee.”
