At Legend's End (The Teacup Novellas - Book Four)

by Diane Moody

  “Yes. I was the last guest in the Catherine to lose my betrothed. Yet every four years, when leap year rolls around, we all still hold our breath, wondering‌—‍”

  “Which is why they’re all here.”

  “Yes.” Molly grabbed her hand. “They’re all out there holding vigil. For you, Olivia.”

  Chapter 23

  Around 6:00, Carla Reynolds brought over several tins of fresh baked cookies from The Fussy Muffin.

  “I felt so helpless when I heard about Trevor. Baking is my therapy. Eat up while they’re still warm.”

  Just a few minutes after seven, Anthony sent over half a dozen pizzas from his restaurant with a note offering his prayers for Trevor’s safe return.

  Olivia appreciated the gestures, but she wished they’d all just leave . . . and then winced at such an unkind thought. They were only here because they cared.

  They care, but are they also holding a collective breath about the legend? They might not know she and Trevor were engaged, but they all knew she and Trevor had been seeing each other. They also knew what room she occupied at the MacVicar. It still seemed so ridiculous.

  Then again . . .

  Exhausted, Olivia felt the weight of her head in her hands. Was it possible the “curse” could be real? Was it merely a coincidence that Molly’s story fit the same tragic pattern of so many others who’d stayed in that room before her?

  What had Trevor said about it?

  Nothing but a bunch of silly suspicions without a shred of truth to them. Anyone with an ounce of sanity knows it’s preposterous. A handful of coincidences, nothing more.”

  How like him to scoff at something so “silly.”

  And yet, he thought it worthy enough to research for a book he was writing about the history of Caden Cove.

  She raked her fingers through her hair again, none of it making any sense.

  Trig and Michelle returned, slipping back to the office to check on her. She tried to dam her endless tears, but the mere presence of these two reminded her of the good-hearted townspeople.

  “Celeste got back in town about half an hour ago,” Trig said. “She came by the inn and checked on Charlie.”

  “How’s Charlie doing?”

  “She’s okay,” Michelle said. “Celeste thinks it could be any time. And with everything else going on, she insisted on taking Charlie to her clinic. Trig helped her transport Charlie over there.”

  “And you’re sure she’s okay, Trig?”

  “She’s in good hands. We took the box we fixed for Charlie‌—‌Celeste called it a ‘birthing box’‌—‌and put her in a dark examination room where Celeste can keep an eye on her.”

  “That’s good. Trevor would be so relieved to know.”

  “Celeste said to tell you she’s praying for you and for Trevor.”

  Olivia nodded her thanks. She’d never even met the woman.

  Michelle grabbed both her hands. “There’s something else we need to tell you. Molly told us you know all about the legend of the Catherine Room at our inn. We’ve always been curious about the legacy of all that, but nothing’s ever happened since we’ve owned the MacVicar‌—‍”

  “Although, whenever someone checks in around the end of February during leap year, we always wonder.” Trig added. “Especially someone single.”

  Olivia glanced at Michelle. “Which explains all those curious looks you gave me when I checked in.”

  Michelle smiled. “Exactly. Still, we’ve always thought it’s more folklore than an actual curse, but still.”

  “Up until now, we’ve thought it was nothing more than one of those mysteries people like to speculate about,” Trig continued. “Like where Jimmy Hoffa is buried. Or all those rumors that Elvis is still alive.”

  “Olivia, what we’re trying to say is, we don’t think for one minute any of that has to do with Trevor’s disappearance.”

  “Thank you. Really. To be honest, I don’t know what to think anymore. Especially after Molly told me her story. It’s all so bizarre.”

  Trig scratched the back of his head. “Yeah, when I heard about that, I have to admit I started wondering. I mean, it’s Molly. If she thinks there’s something to it, then … ?” He shrugged. “I don’t know.”

  “What can we do, Olivia?” Michelle asked, letting go of her hands. “Anything at all. We feel so helpless.”

  “Making sure Charlie is okay‌—‌that’s more than enough.”

  Olivia’s cell phone chirped, startling her. She lunged for it and grabbed it off the table. “This is Olivia.”

  “Olivia, this is Chief Fredricks. I have good news! We found him!”

  “What?!” She turned to Michelle and Trig. “They found him! They found Trevor!”

  “Is he okay?!” Trig asked.

  Molly rushed into the office. “Is there news?”

  “Chief Fredricks, is Trevor okay?” Olivia asked. “Is he hurt? What happened? Where is he?”

  “Take a deep breath, Miss Thomas. I’ll answer all your questions. Are you all right?”

  “Yes, yes! Please‌—‌tell me!”

  “Mr. Bass was apparently run off the road by a tractor trailer outside of Waterville, about a hundred miles from you. His vehicle spun out of control and down a pretty steep embankment‍—‍”

  “No! Is he okay? Please tell me he’s all right!”

  “He’s pretty banged up, but they think he’ll be fine. He was conscious when the patrolman finally found him. The officer told me Mr. Bass was pinned against the steering column with the driver’s door rammed up against a boulder. He literally could not move.”

  “Where is he now?”

  “He was Life-Flighted to St. Joseph’s Hospital here in Bangor. We’ll get in touch with the ER over there and have them call you directly.”

  “Thank you so much. I can’t tell you how much‌—‌” Olivia choked up.

  “You are most welcome, Miss Thomas. I’m glad this one had a happy ending.”

  “Me too,” she whispered. “Thank you again.”

  “My pleasure.”

  Olivia crumbled into Molly’s open arms. “He’s alive! He’s okay! ” she cried. “Oh, God, thank You, thank You! He’s okay, Trevor’s okay!”

  The news ignited an explosion of laughter and cheers through the store and beyond. With tears flowing freely, the locals welcomed the news that one of their own was alive and well after all.

  Olivia joined them, making sure to thank each one. As she warmed to their hugs, it occurred to her that she was no longer a “tourist” to them. She was one of them.

  “I knew that silly old curse was a bunch of bull!” Mimi cried.

  “Here, here!”

  Chapter 24

  Eight weeks later

  “I now pronounce you man and wife. Trevor, you may kiss your bride.”

  He obliged, taking Olivia into his arms and bestowing on her a kiss worthy of the long wait. “I love you, Mrs. Bass.”

  She laughed, her eyes brimming with tears of joy. “And I love you, Mr. Bass.”

  Beside her, Ellen beamed as she handed Olivia her bouquet of pale pink roses and calla lilies. The small gathering at the Lord’s Chapel cheered them down the short aisle as the organist’s hymn sent them on their way.

  Ellen and Brent had come a week early to help Olivia and Trevor with final wedding preparations. To no one’s surprise, Brent and Trevor hit it off from the moment they met, and he easily stepped into his unexpected role as best man.

  They’d postponed their wedding until mid-May to give Trevor plenty of time to recuperate from his injuries. With a couple of broken ribs and a severely banged-up knee, Trevor was determined to be fully recovered for the biggest occasion of his life.

  On that frightening day at the end of February, once Olivia heard Trevor had been found, she gratefully accepted a ride up to Bangor with Trig and Michelle. There they’d found him resting in a hospital room, bandaged and bruised, but alive.

  And quite medicated
.

  “Soupy! You came!” Trevor mumbled, his heavy-lidded eyes locking on Olivia as he waved her over with two fingers.

  Olivia laughed, coming to his side. “Soupy?” She kissed his purpled-forehead and for the thousandth time, thanked God he was alive. “I don’t know who Soupy is, but I’m sure glad to see you.” She kissed his lips and struggled against the gravel in her voice. “Oh Trevor, I was so worried about you. So afraid I’d lost you.”

  He held her hand, lifting it to his lips. “Now, now. None of that. You can see I’m fine. Just fine.” He kissed her fingertips, then nodded toward Trig and Michelle. “Does Emma know that Darcy there is a pompous a‌—‍”

  “Whoa there, buddy! I think you’ve got your Austen characters mixed up there, but alas‌—‌no Emmas and no Mr. Darcys in the room. That’s Trig and Michelle from the MacVicar. You know them, right?”

  “Some lazy yummy breakfast crepes filled with hot dog relish.”

  Olivia turned to them, rolling her eyes and pressing her lips together.

  “Or is it sauerkraut?” he pondered.

  Trig laughed as he carefully shook Trevor’s good hand. “Hello, Trevor. Next time you stop by, you’ll have to try some of my mackerel mousse.” He winked at Olivia.” Or maybe some bass beignets?”

  “Oh? Well, perhaps … ?”

  “How are you, Trevor? You had us all pretty scared.”

  “I did?”

  Michelle patted Trevor’s arm. “Yes, everyone gathered at Molly’s waiting news of you. It was like that scene in The Perfect Storm where all the locals are waiting at the pub to hear what happened to George Clooney and Mark Wahlberg on the Andrea Gail.”

  Trevor offered a goofy smile. “I knew an Andrea once. Dreadful acne. And a wandering eye. Though I don’t recall if it was her left eye or right eye?”

  Olivia brushed Trevor’s hair back from his forehead. “I think someone needs to sleep off his meds.”

  He beckoned her with his fingers again then whispered loudly. “Aren’t you that beautiful girl I’m going to marry?”

  “Yes, that’s me. Sleep well and dream of tiers and tiers of wedding cake.”

  Three days later, they transported Trevor back to Caden Cove where the locals smothered him with get well wishes, flowers, and food. Back at home, he welcomed Charlie and her five little pups which proved to be tremendous therapy for him. Of course, he couldn’t care for them all on his own. Olivia stayed with him, only leaving for the MacVicar when he was tucked in bed for the night and returning before he woke up the next morning.

  Trevor grew stronger with each passing day. He and Olivia took walks as soon as he was able. With her help, he kept abbreviated hours at the bookstore, catching up on business and preparing for the upcoming tourist season. Out of necessity, he hired Mimi Overton to help out the rest of the summer until school was back in session.

  At home, they cooked together, played with Charlie’s pups, and fell in love a little more every day.

  Olivia made a brief trip back to Atlanta to quit her job, wrap up some loose ends, and finalize her wedding plans with Ellen. Back in Caden Cove, she and Trevor eagerly crossed days off the calendar.

  Then, the night before their wedding, following a brief rehearsal at the church and dinner at Trevor’s for the small wedding party, the groom-to-be walked the bride-to-be out to the fire pit off his deck. There, he surprised her with his wedding present‌—‌two tickets for a four-week honeymoon cruise in the Mediterranean, leaving a week after the wedding. Olivia couldn’t stop smiling, still finding it hard to believe they would soon take such an unforgettable trip‌—‌as husband and wife. She thanked him, kissed him, and buried her head against his chest, still bewildered how it all happened.

  But in the deepest corners of her heart, she still wondered if it was all too good to be true. She had waited so long. No, that wasn’t right. She stopped waiting years ago, quite sure she would live a long and happy life‌—‌alone. She knew it was wrong, this doubt that still niggled through her at the strangest times. Like now. In his arms, the night before they married. Would it really happen? Would they have a long and happy life‌—‌together?

  And there it was. The faint yet familiar haunting that snaked its way through her veins again and constricted her heart. Olivia had never been a doubter, but no amount of self-talk could eradicate the absurd, lingering fear.

  Even worse, she knew where it came from.

  When Trevor disappeared on February 29th, the day after he’d proposed, she’d teetered on the edge of a legendary cliff. She’d come so close to fulfilling the strange prophecy of those who’d gone before her. Yes, they’d all sighed in relief when he was found and nervously acknowledged the irrationality of the so-called curse. Still, it had planted seeds of doubt in her heart.

  Silly, all of it. And yet it burned like an ashen ember not easily doused.

  Shaking off the frustration, she grabbed hold of Trevor’s hands. “My gift to you isn’t something I could wrap. In fact, it’s something that requires your approval. But nothing else would please me more.”

  “Sounds serious.”

  “It is, but in the best of ways. I’ve given this a great deal of thought, just so you know. And I’ve decided to use the majority of the money I was given by Mr. Winthrop as seed money to start a foundation for people suffering from traumatic injuries. And with your permission, I’d like to call it Evan’s Place.”

  He stared at her in disbelief‌—‌that much she could see in his eyes. “I don’t know what to say . . . how could, I mean, why would you . . .”

  “Because what happened to Evan profoundly affected your life, Trevor. You said it yourself, how his injuries drove him mad, and how helpless you felt through it all. But what if he’d had a caring environment, surrounded by those who know best how to give him another chance at life? What if he’d had faith-based counselors who knew how to help him work through his emotional pain and get him healthy again? No, we can’t help everyone like Evan, but we can start by helping a few. We can give hope to the hopeless, Trevor. What a perfect way to use this money!”

  She smiled as she brushed away the tear trailing down his cheek. “We don’t need all that money. Others do. The possibilities are endless. Please say yes. Nothing would make me happier.”

  He pulled her into his arms and rocked her gently. “My sweet Olivia. I’m totally speechless.”

  She held him tight, pressing her ear against his heart. “Then I’ll take that as a yes.”

  Even at her age, Olivia felt like a princess. Through both the wedding and reception that followed, it all seemed like a dream. The simple, elegant décor of the quaint chapel. The intimate gathering of friends. The exchange of vows against the glow of candlelight. The organist’s majestic recessional as they made their way back down the aisle.

  At the reception under a white tent on Trevor’s back lawn, the new bride kept waiting to awaken from her dream. A string quartet provided the perfect background through their catered dinner, and later played a sentimental version of “The Way You Look Tonight” as she and Trevor shared the traditional first dance.

  All of it, the stuff of dreams.

  But nothing could prepare her for what followed.

  After tossing her bouquet, Olivia wondered why Trevor called for everyone’s attention. When the murmuring settled down, he announced a surprise ending to the day’s festivities requiring everyone’s assistance.

  “If you’ll look just down the beach toward the harbor, you’ll notice several boats at the ready, all decked out with strings of lights. I’d like to ask you to join us there where we’ll all board a wedding flotilla of sorts. Then, with the captains at the helms of those vessels, we’ll make our way out on a short voyage for a special presentation.”

  Against the curious chatter of their guests, Olivia tilted her head. “Trevor, what’s this all about?”

  “You’ll just have to trust me, Mrs. Bass.” He gave her a wink, took her hand in his, and led her t
oward the paved pathway.

  “Come along!” he shouted to the others. “You won’t want to miss this!”

  Half an hour later, as the sun flirted with dusk, the flotilla arrived at a location half a mile off the coast. The crewman on board each of the boats loosely roped the five vessels together, the back decks forming a bobbing circle. Off the deck of the largest, a yacht belonging to Anthony, Trevor stood before Olivia, holding up a beautifully wrapped box.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, Olivia and I will never forget how you honored us today with your presence as we begin our life together. Now, with the waves gently rolling beneath us, it occurs to me that we’re all part of a floating ‘theater in the round,’ if you will. And together in this moment, we’re about to make history here off the shore of Caden Cove. What you are about to witness will offer both rest to souls gone by and a blessed peace for our future.”

  He handed her the box. “Olivia, if you would do the honors?”

  With a slight shake of her head, she complied. “Yes, but I have to say, as a little girl dreaming of my some-day wedding, never once did I envision standing on the back of a yacht in the Atlantic.” A ripple of laughter scattered on the breeze. She placed her hand over his heart. “I’m beginning to wonder if that accident knocked a few screws loose in your head, Trevor.”

  He placed a kiss on her lips. “No more talk. Open it.”

  Olivia pulled the ribbon off the box and handed him the lid. From inside, she removed an object wrapped in thick layers of tissue paper. Trevor held the box as she carefully unwrapped the paper‌—‌and gasped.

  Along with everyone else.

  In her hand, the familiar blue and white teacup from the Catherine Room at the MacVicar.

  “Trevor?”

  “There’s more.” From the bottom of the box, he handed her another tissue-wrapped object. As the paper fell away, he placed the matching saucer beneath the cup she held.

  “I don’t understand.”

  He cupped his hands beneath hers. “For well over a century, we’ve wondered about the mysteries that began on February 29th, 1828, when Captain MacVicar and two of his crewmen lost their lives in the general vicinity where we’re now moored. As you know, the mysteries have continued to haunt our little town. Over the years, on six different occasions on the 29th of February, tragedy struck the occupant in the Catherine Room at the MacVicar. Their circumstances may have differed, but each of those young women lost the love of their lives.