Nora nodded. “She killed Fred for revenge, I don’t think she anticipated Harvey getting caught in the crossfire. I’m not sure why she offered to testify on Harvey’s behalf. Either her conscience bothered her about an innocent man’s life going to waste or, well, there’s the more cynical answer.”
“What’s that?” Hazel asked.
“Adriana knew my reputation, and she knew that Harvey would be declared innocent when the forensics came out. So she tried to help me when I was vulnerable, and hoped that I would then discount her as a suspect. It did work. I really didn’t suspect her till the very end. After all, Adriana-the-gold-digger had no motive to kill Fred. And her real identity, Adriana-the-vengeful-sister, was well-hidden.”
The others nodded.
“None of that is important anyway,” Nora said. “Where is Grace?!”
“Still in the delivery room,” Harvey reported. “Grace only wanted Jacob in the delivery room with her. So we know nothing.”
They waited an hour more, the time seeming to crawl by infinitely slowly. Kaylee fell asleep in Nora’s lap and Hazel leaned against Austin. The tension in the air was palpable.
At last, the door opened and Jacob stepped in wearing blue scrubs and a surgical mask. He took off the mask and Nora could see that he looked dazed and breathless. There was a big smile on his face and wonder in his eyes.
“Is she alright? Is Grace alright? Is the baby…” Nora’s breath caught and she was unable to get any more words out.
“It’s a healthy baby boy and Grace is perfectly fine,” Jacob said. “Baby! I’m a father! Kaylee, you’re a sister!”
“Awesome!” Kaylee ran up to her father and jumped into his arms. Jacob easily picked her up and swung her around.
“You want to see him?” he asked. “Grace is ready to see you all for a few minutes. We’d like you all to welcome Baby Connor!”
Harvey put his hands on Nora’s shoulders and shook her. “We’re grandparents, Nora! Grandparents! Can you believe it?!” Nora tried to answer but the room was suddenly spinning quite rapidly. Nora swooned, then fainted dead away.
*****
Half an hour later, Nora, quite recovered and more than a bit embarrassed, was tip-toeing into Grace’s room. Grace was speaking to a nurse when Nora came in and she looked completely exhausted. Her hair was plastered to her face and her lips looked colorless. Yet her eyes were sparkling with joy. She beamed up at her mother and then down at the little bundle in her arms. Nora felt her breath catch as she looked at the baby. He was perfect. Quite perfect.
“I’ve been counting his fingers and toes over and over,” Grace said, hugging the baby closer to her. “I don’t know why. It was so hard, Mom. The hardest thing I’ve ever done!”
“Worth it though, isn’t it?” Nora smiled. She reached out a finger and traced the baby’s cheek with it. It was unbearably soft.
“Jacob’s brother and uncle are on their way here with a whole lot of balloons, apparently.” Grace laughed. “I’m going to have a steady stream of visitors. You’re already a popular boy, Connor.” She cooed to the baby. Then, looking around, she said, “Mom, take care of Kaylee, won’t you? Give her extra attention? I don’t know how she-”
“She’s doing great,” Nora said. “She’s been bouncing off the walls and telling everybody how excited she is about her new brother. Jacob told her he has her blue eyes, so Kaylee is thrilled.”
“Smart, Jacob.” Grace sighed and leaned back, her eyes fluttering. “Thanks, Mom.”
“Me? I wasn’t even there.” Nora felt a twinge of guilt. “I’m sorry for that.”
“Forget it. That’s not why I’m thanking you,” Grace said.
“Then what is it?”
“I always thought being a mother meant being confident,” Grace said. “Now I see how terrified you must have been when I was born. I’m terrified of messing up, you know. So thanks for raising me all the same.”
Nora laughed. She leaned down and kissed Grace. “You’re still my baby. And don’t worry too much about messing up. Every parent does. Luckily, babies are tougher than they look.”
“Mmm hmm.” Grace’s eyes were closed and she was breathing deeply. Fast asleep already. Connor was in her arms and Jacob was moving in to lift him away for a hug. Nora decided to give the three of them some time alone and walked away.
In the hallway, she saw Sheriff Ellerton saying something to Harvey. Both men looked very serious. Ellerton held out his hand and, after a moment’s pause, Harvey took it. The two men nodded as they shook hands.
“Making another deal, Sheriff?” Nora asked, taking Harvey’s arm as she came up.
“Actually, I’m apologizing for my past deals.” Sheriff Ellerton smiled. “Thank you, Nora. We wouldn’t have caught Adriana without you.”
“Me?” Nora feigned innocence. “It was all your idea to provoke her that way. Wasn’t it, Sheriff? Or, at least, that’s what your voters should think.” She gave him a broad grin and Sheriff Ellerton looked even more embarassed.
“I talked to Rowan and he was really thankful. I definitely have his support for the coming election,” Ellerton said. “I’d like yours, too.”
“Oh, I don’t think you need to worry about that,” Harvey said. “Austin and Hazel are getting married soon but, after that, I think Nora and I are going to take a long, long vacation together.”
“Vacation?” Nora turned her head so fast it almost gave her a sprain. “What do you mean? What about your…uh…the business.”
“Rowan and I had a chat,” Harvey said.
“Oh!” Nora exclaimed. “Is Dana alright? I completely forgot to check in on her.”
“She’s surviving. She’ll need to stay in bed for a month or so but then she should be fine,” Harvey explained. “Rowan was pretty shaken about the whole thing. He was also very thankful.”
Nora shrugged.
“It’s Lillian I felt bad for. Her son, Derek, is pretty heartbroken about Adriana. I hear he’s vowed to forget about romance for a while and focus on work instead,” Harvey continued. “Which, maybe, will work out just fine for him in the end.”
Nora nodded. “It must have been a big shock for him to find out what she was capable of.”
“I don’t think even Adriana, herself, really knew what she was capable of,” Sheriff Ellerton said with a shake of the head. “Trying to kill Rowan was horribly evil.”
“That’s how it is.” Nora sighed. “We start out justifying our small unkindnesses and end up finding out just how slippery the slope of evil is.”
“Still, Rowan is a good man, considering his parents,” Sheriff Ellerton said.
“Rowan’s a very different man from his father,” Harvey agreed. “In fact, like I was telling you, he’s putting Lillian in charge of Nathaniel Realty while he takes care of Bailey’s. With Lillian at the helm I feel like I’m leaving my company in safe hands. Plus, Rowan offered me a job as consultant. I’ll be working about 10 hours a week - phone calls and emails mostly. So I’ll still be involved in the company, in a way. Rowan pointed out that I could do the job from anywhere I like. Even from a beach.”
Nora gave him a big hug. “Are you serious?!”
“I am,” Harvey said. “If you’re ready to pack your bags and head into the wild unknown, so am I!”
*****
Epilogue
The song playing was Paul McCartney’s “Maybe I’m Amazed”. Nora’s backyard was a pastel blur, with bright pops of color, such as the three-layered cake Tina had lovingly baked. Austin and Hazel had insisted on a very simple wedding consisting of just family and a few close friends.
Austin, dressed in a dark tuxedo with a bright-blue bowtie, was slow-dancing with Kaylee, who looked beautiful in pink with a white flower tucked behind her ear. Harvey and Hazel were sharing a father-daughter dance. Hazel looked more beautiful than Nora could have imagined in her sparkling gown. Her tomboyish girl had surprised Nora with just how typically feminine she wanted her wedding dress to be
. Harvey was saying something to Hazel, and she was nodding along. Jacob and Grace sat on the sidelines, surrounded by friends, showing off a sleepy Connor. A summer breeze carrying scents of barbeque and pinewood floated by Nora. Somehow, though she was sure it was just her imagination, Nora could also smell the salt of the ocean drifting in on it, calling to her.
Nora stood alone, a glass of champagne in her hand, watching her world as it spun along. So this was what beginnings felt like - charged with electricity and laughter, bright enough to completely drown out the darkness that had once threatened to overwhelm.
As she looked at her friends and family, Nora knew she wouldn’t always be able to hold off the dark times. But she knew that the promise of days like this, and the memories of them, would be more than enough to get her through them.
THE END!
Thank you so much for reading my stories! I hope you enjoyed them! It saddens me that this is the last of my books featuring Nora Newberry & the town of Milburn. These characters have been a part of my life for so long that it feels like I am saying goodbye to real friends! But, thankfully, I have other series available that are just as fun, including my upcoming Sparks & Joy! You can learn more about that new series - and all of my books - if you sign up for my newsletter! Plus, you’ll receive a free prequel to Nora’s series, in which you will meet her as a teenager, before she became the super-sleuth she is today! CLICK HERE to sign up & receive your free story!
*****
Continue For Your Delicious Recipes…
One More Thing…
If you would be willing to take a few minutes to leave a positive review for this box set ON AMAZON and/or GoodReads, I would really appreciate it! Reviews are SO important and can often make the difference between a success or a dud! So, if you can find the time to drop a quick line or two for me, it will go a long way toward making this a long & exciting trip for both of us! Thank you so much!
*****
Continue For Your Delicious Recipes…
A RECIPE FOR YOU!
(From Death At A Diner)
Nora’s Shepherd’s Pie
Total Time: 1 hr 30 minutes
Prep: 45 minutes
Cook: 45 minutes
Makes 8 servings
Ingredients:
For the Potatoes:
1 1/2 pound of Russet Potatoes
1/4 cup half & half
2 ounces unsalted butter
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 egg yolk
For the Meat Filling:
2 tablespoons Canola oil
1 cup chopped onion
1 tablespoon chopped green jalapeño
2 peeled & diced carrots
2 minced garlic cloves
1 1/2 pounds ground venison (can substitute with lamb or even beef!)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons tomato paste
1 cup chicken broth
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary leaves
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup corn kernels (fresh vs. frozen)
1/2 cup English peas (fresh vs. frozen)
For The Topping:
1/2 cup Cheddar cheese
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Peel and dice the potatoes then place them in a medium saucepan and cover with cold water. Cover and boil over a high heat. Once boiling, uncover and lower the heat, maintaining a simmer. Cook approximately 15 minutes, until tender. Combine the half & half and butter in a microwave-safe container and cook on high for 30 seconds. Use a colander to drain the potatoes then return them to the saucepan. Mash the potatoes then add the half & half, butter, salt and pepper. Mash until smooth then add the egg yolk, stirring until all ingredients are well combined.
Prepare the filling while the potatoes are cooking. Add the canola oil to a 12-inch saute pan and cook over medium-high heat until the oil is shimmering. Add in the onion, jalapeño and carrots and saute until they begin to color, usually 3-5 minutes. Stir in the garlic until mixed thoroughly then add the venison, salt, pepper and cinnamon and cook until thoroughly browned, approximately 3 minutes. Sprinkle the flour over the meat, tossing the meat to coat, and cook for one more minute. Then add in the tomato paste, chicken broth, Worcestershire sauce, rosemary and thyme, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil then move the heat to low. Cover and simmer until the sauce begins to thicken, usually approximately 10 minutes. Add the corn and peas then spread evenly into a 7 x 11 inch glass baking dish. Lay the mashed potatoes over the top, using a rubber spatula to form a seal along the edges, then sprinkle the cheddar cheese over the potatoes. Place dish on a baking sheet on the middle rack of the oven and bake until the potatoes begin to brown, usually approximately 25 minutes. Remove when finished and cool for 15 minutes. Serve.
Enjoy!
Continue for your next recipe…
A RECIPE FOR YOU!
(From Death Of A Deputy)
Nora’s Delicious Crepes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
1 cup of flour (all-purpose)
2 eggs
1/2 cup of milk
1/2 cup of water
1/4 teaspoon of salt
2 tablespoons of melted butter
Directions:
1) Whisk the flour and the eggs together in a large mixing bowl. Gradually stir in the milk and water until combined. Add the salt and butter. Beat until smooth.
2) Lightly-oil a griddle or frying pan and place over a medium-high heat. Pour or scoop approximately 1/4 cup of the batter onto the griddle for each crepe. Spread the batter evenly by tilting the pan in a circular motion.
3) Cook the crepe until the bottom is light-brown, usually approximately 2 minutes. Loosen with a spatula, flip and cook the other side to a light-brown.
4) Serve hot.
5) Add your choice of fruit, honey and/or whipped cream.
6) Enjoy!
Continue for your next recipe…
A RECIPE FOR YOU!
(From Death In The Library)
Nora’s Pomegranate Iced Tea
Total Time: 20 Minutes
Serves: 8
Ingredients:
Ice
8 cups of water
8 tea bags
4 cups pomegranate juice
1 cup cranberry juice
Juice of 2 lemons
Juice of 2 limes
2 cups of white sugar
2 tablespoons of brown sugar
Sprigs of fresh mint
Directions:
1. Pour 8 cups of boiling water into a heat-safe pitcher.
2. Add 8 tea bags and allow tea to steep for 10 minutes.
3. Discard the tea bags and stir in the 2 cups of white sugar.
4. In a mixing bowl, muddle the lemon and lime juices with the brown sugar, blending them thoroughly.
5. Thin-slice several mint leaves and add them to the juices/brown sugar.
6. Stir in the pomegranate juice and cranberry juice.
7. Add the entire mixture to the sweet tea and mix thoroughly.
8. Serve over ice, garnished with fresh mint.
9. Enjoy!
Continue for your next recipe…
A RECIPE FOR YOU!
(From Death Under The Fireworks)
Nora’s Wonderful Watermelon Cocktails
Time: 10 minutes
Serves: 4
Ingredients:
4 cups fresh watermelon flesh, seedless or seeds removed
4 tablespoons lime juice
4 teaspoons sugar
1 whole lime
1/2 cup rum (Optional)
Directions:
1. Blend watermelon, li
me juice & sugar in a blender until smooth.
2. Pour through a fine strainer into a pitcher.
3. Add the rum to the mixture and stir thoroughly. (Optional!)
4. Fill 4 cocktail glasses of your choice with ice.
5. Divide the cocktail between the glasses.
6. Slice the lime into quarters and use to garnish each glass.
7. Enjoy!
* If using alcohol in this recipe, please drink responsibly!
* NOTE: you can replace the rum with the spirit or liquor of your choice. Vodka & tequila also work quite well.
Continue for your next recipe…
A RECIPE FOR YOU!
(From Death By Ice Cream)
Nora’s Cardamom Buttermilk Pie
Total Time: 1 Hour 25 Minutes
Serves: 8
Ingredients
Unbaked, deep-dish pie shell
2 cups buttermilk
1 cup sour cream
1 cup sugar
4 tablespoons butter, melted
3 egg yolks
3 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon cardamom
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Zest of 1 lemon
1/2 teaspoon salt
Directions:
1. PreHeat the oven to 325° F.
2. Combine all ingredients and thoroughly mix together.
3. Pour mixture into pie crust and smooth.
4. Bake until set, usually 60-75 minutes.
The Milburn Big Box Set Page 192
