The Milburn Big Box Set

by Nancy McGovern

  February 9, 1917

  Abel has thrown me out of the house. He is trying his hardest to get the children. I will fight till my last breath. But I will not let that monster win.

  March 9, 1917

  A month goes by so quickly when you are struggling to make ends meet. The town is alight with rumors. The police believe that I killed Lorenzo. So do many others. My own children do not meet my eyes anymore. I am heartbroken. Abel is still trying to convince the world that the children are better off without me but I will not give them up.

  April 6, 1917

  War has been declared! President Wilson has now said that we shall join our allies overseas to fight against Germany. The town is in uproar. Men are getting ready to be sent abroad. Abel was told that he could stay home, given his age and his importance, but he has chosen to go, too.

  October 1, 1917

  Just a year ago, my life was so different. Lorenzo was alive, and I was trapped in an unhappy marriage, convinced my life would be miserable until its end. Today, although I have no man, I have found a new passion. Running this business has poured new life into me. Dina sold me her shares at a lower price than she should have and now, seeing how I am turning the business around, she regrets it. I do not.

  December 1, 1917

  We received news today that Abel has died abroad. I cannot - no. I cannot speak. Despite everything, I loved him. Despite everything, I had hoped that someday…but now it is all over.

  February 4, 1918

  I mean to lock this diary up forever. To throw it away. I received a package and a letter from the army. It was Abel’s handwriting. The letter said: “Dear Maria, I am in the hospital and the nurses say there is little hope. I only have enough time to write this. Despite everything, despite knowing that you murdered Lorenzo, I still love you. If I should die, I want you to know that. If I should die, I also want you to have what Lorenzo stole from you. When Lorenzo took away the ring from you, saying he would polish it, in truth he secured a fake and sold the genuine article. I went behind his back and sold some of my own shares in order to purchase the original ring back from the jeweler. I could not believe he would deceive you so cruelly. But now you may live your life knowing that the ring on your finger is, indeed, your own. I know how much it means to you, and I hope that you will let it guide you to a better life, one where you may atone for your sins. Whatever his crimes, Lorenzo did not deserve to be murdered. Goodbye, Maria. Perhaps death will release me from the hold you have over my heart.”

  I am in shock, Diary. Abel believed I had murdered Lorenzo and, all along, I believed that it was HE who had done so. But if it was neither of us… then who? One name comes to mind, but I refuse to believe it. Yet it must be her. Dina killed Lorenzo, it is so plain now. She knew that her life would be finished in this town once her affair was revealed. So she poisoned my husband. What should I do, diary? I am in a bind.

  And as for Abel, I cannot but weep at the futility of it all. He was a good man, ripped away from the world in his prime, all for a war that may never end. All for a future that may never come. My ring is upon my finger now - my ring - and although it may mean nothing to anyone else, my love for Abel will be bound in this ring forever. He gave it back to me, even though he believed I was a murderer. Even believing what he did, Abel forgave me and tried to urge me to a better life. I owe it to him now, to forgive his wife, as best as I can.

  March 9, 1918

  I spoke frankly to Dina today. I told her what I knew. She cried as she admitted it. She said the affair had been a mistake, and that she truly loved Abel. She could not allow Lorenzo to tell him about her deception. She knew Abel might shoot himself or do something else equally drastic. Far fetched as it is, I do believe her. Dina isn’t a bad woman to her core, but she has committed an unspeakable crime nevertheless.

  She begged me to tell no one, for her children’s lives will be ruined if I do. I will never speak to her again as long as I live, but for Abel’s sake and that of the children, I will tell nobody of her crime. I have given her enough money to live a peaceful life and will have no more to do with her. As for me, in building my business, I have neglected my own children. I must go to them now and be the best mother I can be. If I could only make sense of all that has occurred in my life. But I cannot. All I can do is hold on to my ring and let it guide me toward being a person half as noble as Abel Smith.

  *****

  Closing the book, Grace stared up at Jacob, her face slack-jawed. She blinked, becoming aware of her surroundings again. It felt as though she had been briefly sucked up into Maria’s world.

  “What…how…” She tried to form words, but couldn’t.

  “Exactly,” Jacob said. “You see now why I was in such a state of shock that I couldn’t recognize Bobby. You see now why I lied to the police. I know I was a fool but—”

  “But you’d just received the most shocking news of your life,” Grace said. “Your entire family’s history...”

  “Exactly,” Jacob repeated. “Don’t forget, I’m a Smith as well as a Giordano. I don’t know what to do. I don’t know how my mother and Aunt Eugenie will react when they find out their ancestor was a murderer. Heck, I think I’m still in shock myself.”

  “But Jacob...” Grace hesitated. “Don’t you see? We have to give this to the police.”

  “And ruin my family’s reputation? No way!”

  “Jacob, you’re not getting it,” Grace said. “Bobby Black said he had to talk to you about family history. Right? This is what he wanted to talk about, clearly. Whoever murdered him did it so that he wouldn’t spill the beans. The police need to know this.”

  “But why would someone be willing to murder him over ancient history? Unless...” Jacob’s face drained of all color. “You think…”

  “I think that Dina’s not the only murderer in your family tree,” Grace said. “Jacob, someone in your family is responsible for Bobby Black’s death.”

  *****

  Chapter 19

  Return Of The Ring

  Although Grace tried to convince him, Jacob refused to believe that Bobby Black’s death could be anything but an accident. He was like an ostrich who had a nice little spot in the sand in which to stick his head when it came to his family members. After trying to convince him for half an hour, Grace eased off, realizing that maybe he needed some time to admit what in his heart he already knew: that there was a murderer in his family. Instead of talking, they walked back to his house side by side, each lost in their own thoughts.

  Jacob and Grace opened the door and stepped into an eerily quiet house. Everyone seemed to have vanished, except for Uncle Dave, who was back in front of the TV. There were heavy footsteps downstairs, and Nora suddenly appeared with a duffel bag in one hand.

  “Mom?” Grace was confused. “What’s going on?”

  “I’m leaving.” Nora’s face was flushed.

  “What? You were supposed to stay the weekend! What happened?” Grace exclaimed.

  Nora scratched the back of one foot with the other. “Well, you see, Viola and I exchanged a few words, and…in short…Viola thinks it’s best for everyone involved if I go back home.”

  “That’s ridiculous!” Grace exclaimed. “If any of us have a chance of finding the murderer, it’s you! Tell me exactly what happened.”

  Lucas stepped out of the kitchen, a plate filled with turkey pot pie in his hand. “I’ll tell you what happened,” he said through his full mouth. He pointed his fork at Nora. “She nearly got your boyfriend arrested because she didn’t give me time to talk to him earlier today before going to the cops. After she’d made me a promise, I might add!”

  “Lucas, I can’t impress upon you how important it is that the police know everything about this murder,” Nora said.

  “Would you stop calling it that!” Lucas exclaimed. “This was an accident. An accident. Okay? Bobby Black tripped over his own feet and, unfortunately, chose to do it in our house. Chief Andrews has next to no proof that
it’s a murder. Why are you trying to make it one?! This entire thing is just crazy and my poor family’s suffering because of it.”

  Viola came out of the kitchen, too, her face drawn into a scowl. “Lucas is right, Grace. Your mother did a very dangerous thing. She could have gotten Jacob arrested!”

  “She…” Grace hesitated, looking at Nora’s crestfallen face and then Viola’s harsh one. Taking a deep breath, Grace decided to speak plainly. “Viola, it’s obvious to me that someone in this family has murdered Bobby Black. Chief Andrews is trying his hardest to find the killer but you folks need to help him. Mom did the right thing. Even if it’s inconvenient, even if it’s painful. The truth has to be told. We need to find out, or live the rest of our life suspecting each other.”

  “Nobody in this family suspects each other!” Viola snapped. “Maybe in your family there’s so little trust that you’d believe the worst about each other. But not in ours!”

  “Viola—”

  Jacob stepped forward. “My mom’s right, Grace. This is my family, and I know them well. Nobody here is a murderer. Nobody would ever kill — not for all the money in the world, not for any secret from a hundred years ago. I mean look at the way Aunt Eugenie sprang to Lucas’ aid today. Look at the way Lucas was willing to get arrested rather than say anything to Chief Andrews that might get me in trouble. We’re a family that loves each other, and we’re all good people. I’m telling you, Lucas is right. This whole thing is a horrible mess. And maybe…maybe it’s best if you and your mom go back to Milburn until we’ve sorted it out.”

  Grace stared up at him, stricken. “Jacob…you don’t know what you’re asking.”

  “Actually, I do,” Jacob said. His face was grim. “Look, if your mom goes around hunting for a murderer where there is none, she’ll just needlessly complicate the case.”

  “You’re not getting it, Jacob,” Nora said. “Do you really think the murderer will stop at one? When their back is to the wall and they’re scared, people get desperate. They change. Even the people you think you know best can hide the darkest secrets from you.”

  Jacob’s expression was obstinate. He’d clearly made up his mind. “This was just an accident,” he said.

  “And you’re one to be talking!” Viola exclaimed, pointing a finger at Nora. “You’ve already been arrested for murder once before yourself. The charge was dropped and someone else was found to be the killer, but maybe the sheriff messed up. Hmm? How about that? Maybe you’re the common link between that past murder and Bobby Black.”

  “Enough.” Grace stepped between Nora and Viola. “Insult me all you like, but leave my mom out of it.”

  “I’d like her out of my house,” Viola said.

  Nora sighed. She could see they’d made up their minds. “It’s fine. I don’t want to cause trouble. I’ll leave.”

  “If you go, I’m going with you.” Grace turned to Jacob. “And if I go, if you need me so little that you push me away instead of letting me closer right now, then I guess I’m not much of a fiancé to you.”

  Jacob winced. “It’s not that, Grace. I just want—”

  “I know what you want, or what you think you want,” Grace said. “But when you asked me to marry you, you asked me to start a new family with you, Jacob. That means you need to trust me. So trust me when I say that you’re blinded to the situation because you’re too close to it. It’s obvious to anyone on the outside that something highly suspicious is going on in this house. Please. Let me and my mom stay. Let us help you and your family.”

  Jacob shook his head and Grace stepped away from him.

  “Alright,” she said, her lip quivering but her head held high. “We’ll leave, then. And here…” She took off her engagement ring. Jacob’s eyes widened.

  “Why don’t you hold on to this for me?” Grace asked. “Seems like you don’t need a fiancé right now and I don’t like not being needed.”

  “Grace it’s not like that—” Jacob protested.

  “Sure it is,” Grace said. “My mom has been going out of her way to help your family and this is the thanks she gets? I won’t stand for you insulting her.”

  “Grace, dear, honestly—” Nora tried to protest.

  “No, Mom.” Grace put up a hand. “Let’s get out of here. I’ve had enough of this.”

  *****

  Chapter 20

  Pumpkin Spice

  Grace was blank and tight-lipped throughout their drive home. Nora had tried her hardest to convince Grace not to end things so rashly…to no avail. Grace practically dragged Nora out of the Giordano home and into the car.

  They drove in absolute silence, with Nora sneaking peeks at Grace out of the corner of her eye. Grace had her head leaning against the window and was watching the mountains in the distance as the car flew down the highway.

  As soon as they were back home, Grace got into her bed, pulled a blanket over herself and pretended to be asleep. Although everything inside Nora was telling her to hug Grace and kiss away her tears, she knew her daughter only wanted to be left alone. So, even though it hurt, Nora forced herself to close the Grace’s door and give her some privacy.

  When he came home, Harvey found Nora in the kitchen, baking up a storm.

  “Hmmm,” he said, looking at the flour sprinkled all over the countertop and the open container of cream cheese next to a block of butter. “That bad, eh?” He knew Nora. And he knew that, when things were especially tough, she often centered herself by baking goodies.

  Nora, who was mixing together pumpkin, flour, spices and sugar, looked over her shoulder at him and dropped the bowl back onto the counter. Not caring that she was covered in flour and that he was wearing an expensive suit, Nora grabbed him by the waist and put her head against his chest.

  Harvey froze for a split second, sensing that things had gone very wrong, and then his arms were around her, strong and comforting. “It’s going to be fine,” he said. “Whatever it is, we’ll make it better together. Just one step at a time, okay? Breathe.”

  Nora nodded, breathing in his comforting scent of lemongrass and leather. “It’s me. I messed up. Grace…Grace broke up with Jacob.”

  “She did what?” Harvey stared down at Nora. “Are you serious?”

  Nora nodded. “It’s my fault. It’s all my fault.”

  “Whoa now, hold on. How can it be your fault? I’m sure Jacob’s the one who did something wrong. I never did like that guy.”

  “You didn’t?” Nora stared up at him.

  “I mean, he was okay, but he wasn’t good enough for Grace, I thought.”

  Nora shook her head. “Nobody’s ever going to be good enough for your daughter.”

  “That’s true,” Harvey admitted. “Still. It’s heartbreaking, sure. But it’s not the end of the world if he’s out of our lives.”

  Nora smacked him on the arm. “Harvey Nathaniel. Have you no heart?”

  “I have a heart. It’s just that my brain sees better than it does.” Harvey grinned. “The way I see it, a marriage is supposed to be strong enough to face anything and everything that life throws at it. If Jacob chickened out already, it’s guaranteed he’d have dropped the ball sometime in the future, maybe when it would have been much more important. So better for Grace to end it now rather than ten years and two kids down the road.”

  “You’re just assuming it’s Jacob’s fault and not Grace’s. Or mine,” Nora said.

  “Well, I know you two.” Harvey kissed her on the top of her head. “You’re both perfect and never at fault.”

  This time, Nora laughed out loud. “Flatterer.”

  “It brought a smile to your face, didn’t it? That’s what counts,” Harvey said. “Where’s Grace?”

  “She needs some time alone,” Nora said. “She’s curled up in her bed right now.”

  Harvey nodded. “Good thing you’re baking something sweet for her then.”

  “Pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting,” Nora confirmed. “It’s her favorite.”
>
  “Can I help?” Harvey asked.

  Nora shook her head. “No, you know how it is. I like to keep my hands occupied. That way my mind can wander.”

  “Perfect.” Harvey sat down at the dining table and rested his head on his hands. “Go ahead. I’m going to watch you.”

  “You’ll make me self-conscious,” she said.

  “Will I? I love watching you bake, you know that. You’re like a dancer, one quick movement after another. The tongue darts out to taste, your fingers throw in a scoops and pinches of mysterious ingredients, the wooden spoon spins like a ballerina...” Harvey grinned.

  Nora sighed. “What’s the use, though? I don’t think any amount of cake can soothe a broken heart.”

  “Don’t underestimate it,” Harvey said.

  He heard someone fussing with the kitchen door and got up to see who it was. “Aha,” he said. “Reinforcements.”

  “Who’s that?” Nora looked puzzled.

  “Hazel!” Harvey said, opening the door to find his youngest daughter. “Perfect timing! Parents are pretty useless at healing heartaches. But sisters, that’s a different story!”

  He gave Nora a wide grin as he squeezed Hazel. Within minutes, Hazel was leaning against the counter, listening intently and nodding along as Nora told her everything that had happened.

  With the batter finally ready, Nora popped the cake into the oven and the smell of pumpkin spice soon filled the kitchen. Meanwhile, Nora beat the cream cheese, sugar and butter together to get a creamy frosting.

  Hazel winced as Nora came to the part where Grace had handed her ring back to Jacob. “Ah! That’s our Grace. Sweet-tempered and docile as a cow until you wave a red flag in front of her. Then she crashes through a wall and breaks a whole lot of china! Poor Jacob.”