“I’m sorry.” Hazel cupped his face and looked into his eyes. “This must all be so hard for you.”
Austin tugged his ear and shrugged. “Truth is, I’m numb. Maybe later I’ll have time to really feel all this. Right now, I’m just relieved that all of you are alive and safe. I’d never have forgiven myself if…” He shook his head. “As for my mom, I know it’s a weird thing to say but I feel like maybe she’ll finally have closure, too. She had to wait twenty years but she’ll finally get the justice she deserves. All thanks to you, Nora. And you, too, Harvey.”
“But what about you?” Nora asked. “Have you thought about the future at all? Will you go back to California now that your work here is done?”
Hazel put her head down, her eyes sad. “I guess you will, won’t you? Milburn has nothing but bad memories for you. You wouldn’t want to hang around.”
“That’s not true, actually,” Austin said. “Milburn has a lot of good memories for me. You know, I went and saw the house my mom and I used to rent out. So many memories I thought I’d lost came flashing back to me. I walked into the kitchen and I could almost see Mom baking me a birthday cake. I went up to the attic and I remembered a summer day when she and I got really dusty cleaning it out and then went to have ice-cream afterwards. I saw the backyard and had a flash of a little swing set that I used to spend hours on. That house was good to us, you know? I think my mom really liked it here.” He had a tear in his eye and reached up to brush it away. “I don’t know how to explain it, but I felt that maybe I should do what my mom couldn’t. Maybe I should carve out a quiet and happy life here.”
“Only if it’s what you want,” Nora said. “You’re young. You have the whole wide world ahead of you.”
“I don’t want the world, though.” Austin sighed. “I want a family, and I want a place where I can belong. But I suppose I’ve got time to make a decision.” He hesitated. “There’s something I want to tell you.”
“What is it?” Hazel asked.
“I…I kind of deliberately created an impression that I was young and broke,” Austin said. “I mean, I don’t like to show off. But the truth is, my mom was fairly well-off. So am I. The wealth was tied up due to legalities, but now that we have proof of Mom’s death, I’m going to be quite well off.”
“Oh.” Hazel looked confused. “Ok?”
“It’s just…” Austin looked at Nora. “I don’t want you to think that that’s the reason I came here. You know? I’d give it all up for a day with my mom. I really would. And I thought that if you found out from someone else, you might get the wrong impression.”
Nora smiled at him. “Why do you care what impression we get?”
“Well, of course, I do.” Austin turned red. “You guys…I owe you so much.”
“You don’t owe us a thing,” Harvey said, putting an arm around Austin’s shoulders. “First off, we already knew about the money. We don’t care. That’s your own business.”
Nora nodded. “I must admit, I did doubt your intentions in the beginning. But you are a sweet boy, and it shows. I know the only reason you came here was to get justice for your mother.”
“You helped me do that.” Austin smiled.
“And you saved our daughter’s life,” Harvey said. “So we’re all even now. Come on, let’s celebrate with some pizza, what do you say? Let’s go. The car’s waiting.” Harvey rattled the keys.
Austin got up and Nora handed him a coat. “Here,” she said. “You’ll need this, even just to walk to the car.”
“Thanks,” Austin said gratefully.
Looking at Hazel, Nora said, “He forgot his coat, you know. When he came running to rescue you.”
“What?” Hazel looked up at Austin, a new light in her eyes. “Is that true?”
Austin rubbed the back of his neck and his entire face turned red. “Ah…no…well…I don’t know.”
“What do you mean you don’t know? How could you forget to put on a coat? You could have frozen!”
“I wasn’t thinking, really,” Austin said. “I saw your message and I just ran to make sure you were alright. Instinct.”
Nora squeezed Harvey’s hand. He’d done exactly the same when he had rushed out to rescue Nora. With a smile on her face, Nora watched Hazel and Austin. The two were smiling at each other, their eyes locked together in an unspoken conversation.
Suddenly embarrassed, Hazel looked away and began gathering her belongings. Austin had a sheepish grin on his face as he put on the coat Nora had handed him. Suddenly, he burst out laughing.
“What’s so funny?” Nora asked.
“I’m just remembering how we met,” Austin said. “Did your mom ever tell you about that, Hazel? They gave me this same coat then.”
“That feels so long ago, now,” Nora said.
“Feels like years ago,” Harvey said.
“It’s been less than a month, though,” Austin said. “So once again, thanks for the coat.”
“Anytime.” Harvey smiled. “Just as long as you don’t pull stunts like driving in a snow-storm without precautions. You know, we always make sure our fuel tank is never less than half-full, and we keep a sleeping bag in the car, along with bottles of water and food and—”
“Daaaaaaad, no lectures, please,” Hazel groaned. “Let’s just get that pizza.”
Laughing, talking, the four exited the hospital. Nora smiled, content. The troubles of the past few days seemed to evaporate behind them. All that Nora wanted now was a hot, cheesy slice of pizza and some good conversation.
The End (of Reminiscing With The Dead)
Continue for Reading With The Dead…
RETURN TO MILBURN…25 Years Later
A Sequel Series To “A Murder In Milburn”
BOOK 4:
Reading With The Dead
By
Nancy McGovern
Chapter 1
Opening Night
Books & Bubbles.
It was a funny name for a bookstore, alright. But there it was.
Nora smiled up at the hand-painted sign above the door of the little red-brick house. Painted in cursive, the “&” of the sign had been modified to look like the back of a cat, its tail lazily floating in the air. Funnily enough, an identical cat sat in the picture window of the store, a Persian with smoky, gray fur and yellow eyes. It was curled up on a red, velvet carpet that had meant to display a pile of books. The pile now lay in a defeated heap next to it.
Laughing, Nora pushed open the door and walked inside. She’d been delighted three weeks ago when she’d received a flyer announcing the opening of a new bookstore. Milburn’s original “one and only” bookstore, Larry’s Literature, had closed up about fifteen years ago, when its proprietor had moved to a retirement home. The shop had remained unsold all this time, with Larry being notoriously picky about buyers. So, Milburn and its residents had gotten used to ignoring the increasingly shabby little red-brick house with boarded up windows standing on the middle of Main Street. Until now, that was.
“Welcome and thanks for coming to the opening!” A smiling woman with bobbed hair and sparkling, green eyes greeted Nora at the door. Although she barely reached Nora’s shoulder and was about half Nora’s width, there was something stolid and reassuring about her. “I’m Michelle Reed, the new owner, and I hope we’ll know each other for a long time.”
“Michelle.” Nora shook her hand. “Lovely to meet you. I can’t tell you how happy I am that Milburn finally has a bookshop again! Nobody seems to want to open one in these days of e-readers.”
For just a second, anger flashed across Michelle’s face and Nora realized she’d been a bit too blunt. After all, opening night wasn’t the best time to remind a new business owner of the challenges lying ahead. Michelle’s eyes narrowed as she sized up Nora and the corner of her mouth flicked into a defiant smirk.
“Oh, this was always my dream,” Michelle said. “It still feels like one, to be honest.”
“I’m sure it does.” Nora
smiled back, trying to infuse some warmth into it to make up for her faux pas. “I wish you all the best with it. Looks like you’ve gotten off to a good start, too.” She nodded at the crowd that filled the room, which included the mayor and the editor of the local newspaper.
A tall man with a goatee came up to Michelle and whispered something in her ear. Turning red, Michelle excused herself and dashed to the window where Nora heard her exclaim, “Oh, Bubbles! Not the display again!”
“That cat’s a little terror.” Nora’s best friend, Tina, came up and handed her a glass of punch. “Michelle’s been running around after him since the doors opened.”
Nora grinned. “I suppose he’s just showing her who’s boss. After all, she did name the place after him!”
Tina laughed. “Either way, I’m so glad we’ve finally got a decent bookstore in town again. My book club is already in talks with Michelle to set up some fun events. It should make the winter a little easier to get through.”
“Personally, winter’s my favorite time of year,” Nora said. “Nothing better than lying by a window curled up in a blanket, a book in one hand and some hot soup in the other. Shoot, it’s even better if it’s cold and damp outside!”
“Well, some of us need human company, too. At least once in a while,” Tina said. “The book club’s been all but dead these last few years, to be honest. Now, with the bookstore opening, I think we’ll see a revival.”
“I have to say, I’m surprised at the turnout,” Nora said. “I didn’t expect to see the who’s who of town here.”
Tina laughed. “Everyone loves to act like they’re here for the literature but, the truth is, they’re here to see the look on Flint Biggs’ face.”
“Flint Biggs?” Nora frowned.
Biggs was the owner of the art gallery just across the street and, at the moment, he was laughing with the mayor. He stuck out in the crowd, as always, wearing a dark, velvet jacket with a red cravat around his neck. A short, slim man with a steadily receding hairline and an easy glittering smile, Biggs was known to be the consummate salesman — utterly charismatic and sharp as a fox. As if sensing Nora’s gaze, he turned to look at her and threw her a smile. Then he turned back to his group, putting a hand around his wife, Betty’s, waist.
Nora smiled back then asked Tina, “What about Biggs? He looks happy enough.”
“Oh, but he isn’t.” Tina’s smile was wicked. “He hates being here, absolutely hates it.”
“I know that look,” Nora said. “You’re holding in some gossip. What is it?”
“You know this bookstore was originally owned by Larry Meyer, right?” Tina asked.
Nora nodded. “Of course. Everyone knows that. Larry’s Literature is a local legend.”
“Larry Meyer was Flint’s maternal grandfather,” Tina explained. “He just passed away a few months ago. Flint fully expected to inherit the land and the house as Larry’s last surviving kin.”
“Uh-oh.”
“Flint had big plans, too. His art gallery’s doing really well, and he’s been talking recently about opening another store, this one for home décor. He had his heart set on doing it right here. A perfect location.” Tina shook her head. “Imagine Flint’s rage when he found out that his grandfather had given him everything but the store. To add insult to injury, Larry willed the store to Flint’s ex-wife!”
Nora stared. “Michelle is Flint’s ex-wife?”
Tina nodded. “Haven’t you noticed how cozy Flint and Betty have been acting all night? I guess they’re trying to prove they don’t care.”
Nora threw a glance over her shoulder and saw that Flint had an arm wrapped around Betty’s shoulders now. It was unusual, alright. She’d seen them at other parties and they usually just spent the time working the room separately, circulating with all the guests. “It is unusual,” Nora acknowledged.
“It’s hilarious.” Tina laughed. “Poor Michelle. She ran away from Flint, you know. Nearly ten years ago now. Must be hard for her to come back to Milburn and face the past. But she said it’s always been her dream to own a bookstore, so I’m glad it worked out for her.”
“Yes…glad,” Nora said. But a sudden uneasiness had worked its way into her heart. The room was warm and filled with laughter and, yet, Nora could sense a layer of thin ice underneath it all.
Shaking off her mood, Nora turned to browse some books and greet more friends. The rows and rows of books seemed like old friends themselves, the titles calling Nora’s name as she passed by them. The Count of Monte Cristo, Rebecca, The Shawshank Redemption, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Nora smiled to herself as she occasionally pulled out a book and thumbed through it.
Eventually, she worked her way to Flint and Betty, who were alone in a corner speaking in hushed whispers. Flint touched Betty’s elbow as soon as he caught sight of Nora and Betty turned around, a smile on her face where Nora was sure there had just been a frown.
“Nora! Looking lovely as always.” Flint leaned forward, kissing her on both cheeks. “Harvey’s not here tonight?”
“He’s out of town all week.” Nora sighed. “Some conference in Ohio. Work keeps him busy, you know. Even in freezing weather like this.”
“Pity,” Flint said. “Actually, I’ve got some new paintings to show him. I’ve heard he’s planning on redecorating his office soon and these would really liven up the place.”
“I’ll let him know,” Nora said, smiling. Flint never lost a chance to push a sale.
“So, what do you think about the new store?” Betty asked.
“It’s lovely,” Nora said. “I like what Michelle has done with the décor. All leather, red and gold. I feel like it’s got a little…magic in it. Such an old-world sort of charm.”
“Yes, well...” Betty shrugged. “Old-world is the best way to describe a bookstore, don’t you think? Personally, Flint and I prefer modern things.” She laughed. “I just feel sorry for the poor girl. She’s so enthusiastic. But, realistically, a bookstore can’t last long, can it?” She smiled, a smile that was pure malice, and added, “I give her a year, max.”
“Watch out, Betty.” A man with a crooked tie and ruffled hair walked up. “Someone might overhear you and accuse you of being jealous.”
Nora smiled at him. She’d been about to jump to Michelle’s defense, but Garth Green had done it first. Nora didn’t really know Garth well, but they’d bumped into each other at quite a few parties over the years. Garth’s big, booming voice always grabbed attention, as did his general air of health and wealth. A popular boy in high school, he’d cruised through his life with the assurance of a man who had a fat trust fund waiting for him. For two glorious years he’d worked as an actor on a TV show and seduced every woman who’d give him a chance. The TV show never gained many fans and he soon fell back to surviving on family money. For fun, he acted as the director of any school plays Milburn High School put on and worked with the local theater group. The last play he’d acted in was a gender-swapped performance of Shakespeare’s As You Like It six months previously. Garth had brought down the house acting as the feisty Rosalind. As for women, he’d remained a bachelor, but tended to fall in love quite readily if he was given any encouragement at all. Even now, his eye had a questioning twinkle in it as it roamed between Nora and Betty.
“Me? Jealous?” Betty tossed her hair. “Not a chance. Poor Michelle. Twenty years older and twenty pounds heavier. What’s to envy?”
“And, yet, she’s not said a word against you or Flint tonight.” Garth grinned. “Some might call that big-hearted of her.”
Betty rolled her eyes. “You were always soft on Michelle, Garth.”
“Sure, if I didn’t have a taste for the bachelor life, I’d have thought seriously of settling down with her.” Garth grinned at Flint and Nora could almost hear Flint’s teeth gnash.
“Been there, done that,” Flint retorted, his eyes cold. “But you’re welcome to try now, Garth. You have my blessings, if that’s what you want.”
“You know, I might just need those,” Garth said. “I’ll keep them in my pocket for now.”
Flint’s next words were interrupted by a loud thud and a cry. Heads turned as curses and crashes filled the air.
*****
Chapter 2
Things That Go Thud
Nora hurried over to the center of the room to see what the loud crash had been about. She saw an overturned table, several scattered books, shattered glass and a balding man with a bristly mustache trying to extract himself from it all. The man smelt of beer and a large stain was spreading over his shirt. Clearly he’d tripped somehow and dropped his glass. As he lifted himself off the floor, Nora noticed that his shoes and knee-caps were covered in white dust.
“Darn cat! Got right between my feet and tripped me up!” the man exclaimed. “I could have been seriously hurt!” He rubbed a hand over his face and shook it, flicking drops of beer left and right.
“I’m so sorry.” Michelle Reed rushed over, holding the Persian under one arm. “Bubbles just isn’t himself today. Something seems to have spooked him.”
“It’s the crowd, probably.” Nora was sympathetic. “Cats don’t like crowds. Can I take him for you?”
“Well, I’m not paying for this mess, I’ll tell you right now.” The man had his hands on his hips. “It’s the cat’s fault if they’re ruined, not mine. Heck, you should be paying me for dry-cleaning. This isn’t a cheap suit, y’know.”
“Come on, Jake. Quit giving poor Michelle a hard time.” Tina sidled up and put a hand on Jake’s shoulder. “You know it was just an accident. Kind of a funny one, if you think about it.”
“I don’t like being a laughing stock.” Jake was getting redder and redder as he noticed all the eyes upon him. He pointed a finger adorned with a gem-encrusted ring at the cat. “Larry would never have allowed animals in here! Is this how you’re planning on running the place?”
Anger flashed across Michelle’s face as she clutched Bubbles closer to her body, but she took a slow, deep breath. “Look, I’m really sorry,” she said. “I’d actually locked her in the basement earlier. I don’t know how she got out.”
The Milburn Big Box Set Page 153
