Anchored Inn

by Karen MacInerney

  "My grandmother in Pennsylvania," I said. "I have no idea what happened to them, but she cherished them."

  "My grandmother did, too," she said. As she spoke, there was a thump in the hallway, and June's mother, Edna, appeared, her gnarled hands gripping the handles of a walker.

  "We don't usually have company at this time of day," she said with a smile, her blue eyes bright. "What brings you two here?"

  "We're looking for Charlene's niece Tania," I informed her.

  "Disappeared?"

  "We're hoping she just got stranded on the mainland or something," I said. "We thought maybe Megan might know."

  "Hmmm," she said. "They get into trouble at that age, don't they? Follow their hearts instead of their heads."

  Something about the way she said it made my ears perk up. "Do you know anything about who Tania might be involved with?"

  "I overheard her and Megan talking the other day. They think I can't hear, but when I turn these things up just right, I can hear a mosquito land a half mile away.”

  "What were they talking about?"

  Edna glanced over her shoulder and shuffled forward a few steps before telling us. "Tania got herself mixed up with someone she shouldn't have. Megan was telling her it wasn't worth it, but you know how young girls are."

  My heart squeezed with foreboding. "What do you mean, 'someone she shouldn't have’?"

  She glanced over her shoulder again. "I don't know, but Megan said that nothing good would come of it. And she's got a good head on her shoulders." Edna tapped her head. "Comes from my side of the family."

  As she spoke, I caught a whiff of acetone. Megan had arrived. She was cozied up in flannel pajamas covered in white rabbits and was holding her hands out in front of her, the purple nail polish fresh and shiny. Her mother was a few steps behind her.

  "Hey," she said, giving her grandmother a careful side hug so as not to mess up her nails.

  "Can I get you all a cup of tea or something?" June asked.

  "No, thanks... we're good," Charlene said.

  "What's up?" Megan asked, sitting down on the baby-blue love seat across from us.

  "We're still looking for Tania," I told her.

  Her eyes grew wary... and, unless I was mistaken, a little bit afraid. "She's not back yet?"

  "No," I said. "We were wondering if you had any idea who she might be with, or where she might have gone."

  "Is she seeing that Hunter guy?" Charlene blurted out.

  "Hunter?" Megan looked confused for a moment. "Oh, Hunter. Her friend from online school. No... he's got a boyfriend," she said.

  "She's seeing someone, though," Charlene said.

  Megan blinked her big brown eyes, trying to look as if she didn't know what Charlene was talking about. "How do you know?"

  "I didn't just fall off the turnip truck," Charlene said. "I know she asked you to keep it under your hat, but she's missing, and we need to know who she's seeing. She could be in trouble."

  Megan glanced at her mother, and then her grandmother, who gave her a short, decisive nod. "Whatever you know, tell them," she said. "If your friend's in a pickle, she'll need all the help she can get."

  Megan's shoulders sagged. "She made me swear not to tell anyone."

  Charlene and I waited for her to continue.

  "Go on, girl," her grandmother prompted.

  "I don't know his last name," Megan said, twisting a strand of hair and not meeting our eyes, "but she's been hanging out with this guy in his mid-thirties, and his name is Dan."

  "Where does he live?" Charlene asked, rapid-fire.

  "Somewhere on Mount Desert Island," she answered. "She told me he has a house, but I don't know where it is."

  "Dan on Mount Desert Island," Charlene said. "That certainly narrows it down."

  "I'm sorry," Megan said, voice rising. "That's all she told me."

  "But you didn't think it was a good idea, did you?" I asked in a gentle tone.

  "How do you know that?" Megan asked, her eyes briefly darting to mine, and then away.

  "I told her," her grandmother confessed.

  "You heard us?"

  "I hear more than you know, my dear. Just because I'm old doesn't mean I'm deaf. Well, maybe I am deaf, but with these hearing aids I'm not."

  "Why didn't you think it was a good idea?" I asked.

  "He's just so much older. And they only meet in secret," she said.

  "Why?"

  "She wouldn't say. She just said... it's complicated." Again, her eyes were focused on her hair; she wasn't telling us everything she knew. I wasn't the only one who figured that out.

  "I'll bet," said her grandmother dryly. "Married men always do say things like that."

  Megan dropped the strand she was twisting and looked at her grandmother in horror. "Nan!"

  "It's the oldest story in the book. I almost fell for it once myself."

  "You?" Megan asked, as if the concept of her grandmother having anything even remotely approaching a romantic entanglement was about as likely as a jellyfish driving a car.

  "Yes, me. I wasn't always this old, you know."

  "I know... it's just..."

  "It was before I met your grandfather, so don't worry. I heard the same story, though, I'll bet. He's just waiting for the right time to leave, isn't he?" she asked.

  "He was going to tell his wife he was leaving after Christmas," she admitted. "He even gave Tania a ring."

  "Right," I said. "Was she going to visit him, do you know?"

  She nodded. "His wife was out of town, so they were going to go on a trip together, just the two of them."

  "Where?" Charlene almost barked, and I put a hand on her arm.

  "I don't know!" Megan said in a frantic tone.

  "So she scurried off to a bed and breakfast God knows where with a married man more than ten years her senior, and I didn't even know she was involved with him," Charlene said. "Terrific. Her mother's going to give me the Aunt of the Year award for sure."

  "At least we know she didn't just vanish," I said.

  "But we have no idea where she is," Charlene pointed out. "And she's usually very good about communicating things." There was fear in her eyes. I didn't blame her. We knew nothing about this man, except that he was a liar.

  "I have a few friends who own B&Bs on the mainland," I said. "I'll ask around."

  "How will you find her? She won't be using her name."

  "I'll scan a picture," I said. "If they've got a young woman who looks like her staying, I'll send a picture to confirm."

  "Good idea," she said. "And maybe John can get the police involved, too."

  "But she's over 18!" Megan said. "She's not a kid anymore."

  "She may be officially an adult," Charlene said, "But she's still a missing young woman... and my niece." She stared hard at Megan. "Anything else you remember? What kind of job he has, what he looks like, where they were going... anything at all?"

  "No," she said miserably, this time meeting Charlene's eyes directly. "If I did, I'd tell you."

  "Okay," my friend said. "You know where to reach me if you hear from her, though, right? Anytime, anywhere."

  "I will," Megan promised.

  "They usually come to their senses," Megan's grandmother reassured Charlene. "I did."

  "I just hope it's not before something really bad happens," Charlene said.

  So did I.

  Max and Ellie were in the parlor, drinking a bottle of white wine and munching on cookies, when we got back to the inn.

  "What's wrong?" Max asked as we walked through the front door. She was sitting on a sofa with her legs tucked up beneath her, Ellie across from her.

  "Can you tell?"

  "You both look terribly worried," Max pointed out. "Do you need some wine? We're well-stocked."

  "I think I'll take you up on that," Charlene said, plunking herself down on the couch. "My niece is missing," she added, then burst into tears.

  "Oh, that's terrible," Max said, moving o
ver to sit next to her on the couch. I touched my friend on the shoulder and said, "I'm going to go tell John what we learned so he can tell the folks on the mainland. I'll bring some glasses," I said. As Max comforted Charlene, I hurried into the kitchen to tell John what we'd learned.

  "So at least we know she went to meet someone," he said. "It concerns me that she hasn't been in touch."

  "Can we use the GPS on her phone to find her?" I suggested.

  "I'm not sure we can without some kind of warrant," he said. "Besides, cell phone coverage is dicey in Maine."

  "True," I agreed. "Max and Ellie have offered to share their wine; Charlene's out there now. I'm going to grab a few glasses and some cookies; do you want to join us?"

  "Let me call the mainland and see what I can find out first," he said as I gathered glasses and tossed a bunch of oatmeal chocolate-chip cookies onto a plate. He was already on the phone by the time I pushed through the swinging door and hurried back to where Charlene was still sobbing quietly.

  "How old is she?" Max was asking as I set the glasses and the cookies down on the table. Ellie filled two glasses, and I handed the first one to Charlene, who took a big swig before answering.

  "Twenty going on about twelve, it seems. I'm embarrassed to tell you, but I think she got involved with someone she shouldn't have, and it kind of looks like they ran off together."

  "Like, to get married?"

  "I doubt that," Charlene said, "since he's already married."

  "Ouch," Max said, wincing. "I wonder if his wife has any idea?"

  "I don't know, since all I know about him is that his name is Dan and he lives on Mount Desert Island." She turned to me. "Did you tell John everything?"

  "I did," I confirmed, sitting down on the other side of her. "He's on the phone with the mainland police now."

  "Good," she said, and took another long swig.

  "That's horrible, not knowing where she is, or who she's with. They can be so impetuous, can't they?"

  "Totally," Charlene agreed.

  "I can't imagine how I'd feel if it were one of my daughters," Max told her, compassion in her brown eyes. "They're only a few years younger, but they certainly have their own ideas about things. I'm sure she'll come to her senses and come back."

  "I hope so," Charlene said. She sighed. "I wish Robert were here."

  "You should call him," I suggested. "Maybe he'll be able to take a few days off and come up."

  "He's in Australia for a week or two on business," she said with a sigh.

  "Well, then, call him," I suggested. "I don't know what the time difference is, but at least text him and let him know what's going on. You need the support."

  "You're right; I should do that. Will you excuse me for a minute?"

  "Of course," I said, and she headed out to the back porch and dialed my cousin.

  "You mentioned that you've got daughters," I said. "How are they doing?"

  "No one's run off with anyone, to my knowledge anyway, but one of them isn't too happy with me right now," Max said with a rueful smile. "Her dad and I split up not long ago, and she's angry."

  "That's hard," I said.

  She shrugged. "Audrey seems fine with it—she says everything's less tense now—but Caroline is disappointed, disillusioned, and... well, I don't like to say the word, but she's pissed. At both of us, I think. And I don't know what to do about it."

  "She'll be okay in the long run,” Ellie reassured her. "You and Ted struggled for a long time to put things back together. You still both love them, and they know that. And I know you're better now."

  "Do you?" Max said in a hollow voice. "Sometimes I feel better, but sometimes it just feels as if the world has been ripped out from under me."

  "I'm so sorry," I said.

  "Thanks," the dark-haired woman said, her eyes crinkling as she smiled at me. "And the kids aren't the only thing. I've got to move out of the house, and the Boston market is so expensive. I have no idea what to do for a place to live, or even work."

  "I told you I'll promote you to assistant manager at the bookstore," Ellie suggested. "You're practically doing the job already."

  "I'd love to, but long-term, I won't be able to afford to live in Boston. Besides," she said, twisting her long hair up into a knot on top of her head, "I think I'm ready for a fresh start. Too many ghosts in Boston."

  "Have you thought about opening your own bookstore somewhere?" I asked.

  She blinked at me. "No," she said, but she sounded intrigued. "How would I even go about doing that?"

  "I had no innkeeping experience when I bought this place," I said, "so I learned on the job."

  "How did you find it?"

  "I came up here on vacation and fell in love with it," I said. "It was for sale, and there wasn't another inn on the island, so..." I shrugged.

  "That was it?"

  "That was it," I said. "And you've got more experience than I do. It sounds like you're already pretty familiar with the book business; it would be a lot easier for you."

  "You mean... I should buy a bookstore?"

  "Why not?" I asked, shrugging. "I've heard small bookstores are making a comeback. You could feature local books, have author signings, start a book group or writing group or two... I think it sounds like fun!"

  "It is fun," Ellie confirmed.

  "I... I've never thought about that before, but I kind of love that idea," she said. "But where?"

  "Is there a place you love?" I asked.

  "There is, actually," she said immediately. "Snug Harbor. I would have gone there, but I needed a break from my mother this week... she's still trying to come to terms with the break-up."

  "Her mom's got a camp there, on Crescent Lake," Ellie explained. "I was thinking... I wonder if the current owner might be interested in giving up the store," she said.

  Max sat up straight. "What? I practically grew up in that store! Loretta introduced me to Nancy Drew, Agatha Christie, The Black Stallion... why would she give it up?"

  "She's not been in the best of health, from what I understand," Ellie said. "Maybe she'd be happy to let it go if she knew someone like you was going to take it over."

  "Oh, no," Max said. "She just seemed so full of determination and energy I can't imagine her giving it up. But I haven't stopped into the store in a few years, what with everything going on in Boston, and last time it wasn't doing so well..." She turned her wine glass around in her hands. "I hate to think of anything happening to Loretta, or the store going away. But am I crazy to even think about talking to her about taking it over?"

  "You're a natural," Ellie said. "And that could be just the thing. If she is ready to retire, I'm sure she'd be glad to know the store was in good hands."

  "I'll think about it," Max said. "Of course, this could all be speculation..."

  "I don't think so," Ellie told her. She pursed her lips, as if debating something, before continuing. "I didn't want to tell you until I knew for sure, but she's thinking it may be pancreatic cancer."

  "Oh, no," Max breathed. "I have to go see her in any case, whether I end up doing anything with the store or not. Her guidance meant so much to me... without her, I might not have my love of books."

  "I'm sure she'd appreciate knowing that," I said. "And who knows? You might be the new owner of the bookstore. What's it called, again?"

  "Seaside Cottage Books," she said.

  "Oh, yes. That sounds lovely."

  "It is," Max said. "It's a little cottage right on the shore. Loretta used to have roses growing in the front, and a special room filled to the brim with kids' books and bean bags. I just can't believe she's sick."

  As she spoke, Charlene walked back in, looking a little bit lighter. "What's going on?" she asked.

  "We're trying to talk Max into buying a bookstore," Ellie said.

  "A bookstore?"

  "Now that my marriage is over, I need to find a way to support myself," Max said. "I've been out of the corporate job market since I got married, and I
can't afford Boston, so they're encouraging me to look into a possible opportunity in the town I used to spend summers in as a kid.”

  "It's good to have a project after a break-up," Charlene advised. "And a change of scenery doesn't hurt, either. I have more experience with that than I care to admit."

  "Although you'd better not move," I warned her.

  "Tell your cousin to behave and I won't have to!" she said with a slight grin.

  "Is he coming down?"

  “As soon as he’s back from Australia,” Charlene said. “We talk all the time, though.”

  "Good," Max said approvingly, refilling Charlene's glass as she spoke. "You need someone who will be there for you when the chips are down."

  "To being there when the chips are down," Charlene said, raising her glass.

  "And to Tania's speedy return," I added.

  "And a full recovery for Loretta and a new project, in Snug Harbor or elsewhere, for Max," Ellie tossed in just before we clinked glasses.

  By the time the next morning rolled around, there was still no word from Tania, but John had mobilized the mainland police and they were combing through B&Bs up and down the coast. I'd fed Brandon and his entourage veggie omelets, bacon, and blueberry compote, and John and I were bundling up as Catherine went over the menu she'd be serving to Max and Ellie when they made it downstairs. Which could be a while; we'd stayed up rather late, and the two of them had polished off at least a bottle of wine between them.

  "Still no word from the mainland police?" I asked John as we put on boots and heavy jackets for the trip out to the research vessel.

  "None yet," he said. "I'm still hoping Tania just comes back on the mail boat."

  "Me too," I said, grabbing a piece of apple coffee cake for the road, so to speak. "Want one?"

  "Of course," he said, and I handed him a square in a napkin.

  There was room for all of us on the boat Brandon had used to get to the island. As we walked down to join Brandon, Rebecca, and Antoine, I was surprised to see Eli near the stern of the boat.

  "You're coming too?" I asked.

  "Ayuh," he said. "When I reached out and told him about my grandfather, Mr. Marks was kind enough to let me come."