“Not you, not Maggie, not anyone else. You all are to relax and enjoy yourselves. Consider it my wedding present. Everything is under control, except the Bennett and the Rawlings clans. Boisterous is an understatement. Go. You’ll see what I mean.”
The sprawling inn was filled with family and friends. Various Bennett and Rawlings teens were engaged in a rousing game of Clue in front of a fire in the library. Whoever had committed the murder, Adrienne knew it wasn’t Colonel Mustard from the racket she heard as she passed the library into the living room, where Sloan, Bennett and Rawlings adults had gathered. They were helping themselves to shortbread Charlotte’s father had managed to smuggle from Scotland. Or maybe it had been a colleague at the Edinburgh offices of marine archaeology where Charlotte worked. Or one of Greg’s DSS friends. No, Adrienne thought, probably not one of them. The eccentric Bennetts and rough-and-tumble Rawlingses seemed very different on the surface, but together—they were having a great time, Adrienne saw. They were boisterous, fun and thrilled that Charlotte and Greg had found each other.
Adrienne changed in an upstairs guest room. Her dress was gorgeous but it did have a few more holes than she’d realized.
“No matter,” her mother said, tears in her eyes for maybe the first time in her life. “You look beautiful, Adrienne. And happy. Very happy.”
“I am happy, Mom. Sometimes I think I’m going to burst with happiness.”
“Just be careful,” her mother said, hugging her. “This dress might not hold together.”
They laughed, and almost cried, but they managed to pull themselves together when Felicity rapped on the door and announced they were ready downstairs.
Two lovely, simultaneous weddings.
What could be more wonderful?
Charlotte wore a simple, traditional wedding dress. “I’m so glad we’re sharing this day,” she said. “Greg and I hoped we would the moment we saw you and Adam together.”
The simple double wedding service in the rambling old New England inn, among family and friends, was everything Adrienne could ever have asked for, anything she could ever have dreamed of. Her focus, though, was on the man next to her. This, she thought, was love. And she could tell Greg and Charlotte felt the same about each other.
Felicity, of course, hadn’t exaggerated. She had everything well in hand for the day. “I don’t really do weddings, you know,” she said afterward, grinning as she retrieved Adrienne’s simple bouquet.
* * *
After the ceremony, Adam ditched his suit for jeans and a decent-looking shirt. Greg did the same. Not only did Adrienne and Charlotte not object, they’d obviously figured as much. Adam smiled at his reflection in the mirror of his room at Red Clover Inn, down the hall from where Adrienne had changed into her slightly moth-eaten and totally beautiful gown. But it was hearing the words husband and wife that had him choking up, and then smiling with pure joy.
Now and forever, he thought.
He headed downstairs to the living and adjoining dining room, set up for lunch and then dancing. It was warm enough people could spill out onto the porch and into the yard. Samantha and Justin had yet to take down the hammock. Ever the optimists.
“Adrienne’s all right, Gran,” Eric was saying when Adam joined the pair of them.
“I know. I had misgivings. I bit my tongue.”
Eric snorted. “That was biting your tongue?”
“I wasn’t rude to her, was I?”
“Transparent. There’s a difference.”
“What happened to that fiancée of yours?”
“You know she moved to Atlanta in July, Gran.”
Her aged eyes narrowed. “That’s a good place for her,” she said finally.
Eric burst into laughter. Whatever hadn’t worked with that relationship, he’d put it behind him. Adam was relieved. Their grandmother greeted Brody and Greg as the two DSS agents joined them with hors d’oeuvres. “You must have some exciting times with the FBI,” she said.
“Assuming we can talk about it,” Greg said, without correcting her.
“Since it’s a wedding party, Gran,” Eric said, “I’m not going to say a word.”
“That’s a first,” she said.
Adam let his cop brother and DSS agent friends chat. He fetched his grandmother hors d’oeuvres from a tray and found her a spot to sit. He noticed a woman who seemed to be drinking too much, but Eric got to her first. “Drowning your sorrows?” he asked.
“No. Just getting pissed. I’m uncovering the mysteries of the Bennett brothers, Harry and Max, and their association with my grandfather. He was at Amherst College with Harry. I’m a—What am I? A historian, I suppose. Charlotte warned me there are mice here. Greg wouldn’t warn me. He’d let me find out on my own. I’ve figured that out about him.”
“There might be mice but at least there aren’t any snakes.”
“Well, then. Let’s dance, shall we?”
Adam missed them exchanging names as he edged toward the hall door, just in time to catch Adrienne walking down the stairs. She still had on her wedding dress, but she’d let down her hair and slipped into more comfortable shoes. He wasn’t much of a dancer but he figured he could let that go for one day. As she came to him, he swept an arm around her and her moth-eaten dress and spun her onto the makeshift dance floor. Greg grabbed Charlotte, and the gathered friends and family laughed and applauded.
“Happy?” Adam asked his bride.
“Very happy.”
Ten minutes later, Adam spotted Vic alone by the front door. “A car’s picking me up in a little while,” he said. “I’m off to Washington and then to Brussels.”
Adam suspected Vic’s new assignment involved other places besides Brussels. “Safe travels, Vic.”
“Yeah. Thanks. I’ve got men and women like Brody and Greg breathing down my neck. It’ll be fine.” He glanced at his daughter, laughing with her mother. “Sophia’s a force of nature, isn’t she? Look, I want you and Adrienne to have the guesthouse. Tear it down, renovate—add a bunch of rock walls. Do your Sloan and innkeeper thing.”
“Vic—”
“Don’t say thanks. Just enjoy the place. Be there when I get back.” Vic hesitated. “There’s something else I need to tell you.”
Now what?
“Mice and at least one red squirrel have taken up residence in the attic at the house. I think there might be a bat or two up there, too. I haven’t dealt with them yet.”
“Vic, I’m not worried about bats, mice and squirrels.”
His new father-in-law grinned. “I should have known.”
* * *
It was almost dusk and gray when Adrienne walked out to the old stone bridge on the stream on the other side of Echo Lake. Vic had left with a new entourage. Her dad had returned to his inn in Amherst. He’d been great through the wedding, at peace, she thought, with what they were to each other. He’d have lunch with her and Adam tomorrow before he went on his way. Her mother had left in time to catch her flight to Tuscany.
Adrienne wasn’t surprised when Adam found her. “I’m a little overwhelmed, I think,” she said as they sat on a boulder above the quiet lake. “I love this place, Adam. I love you. Vic could move and that wouldn’t change. You could move and it wouldn’t change. I’m home. I’m here. I’m not wandering anymore. With Vic taking this new position in Brussels...”
“Everyone around here loves you, Adrienne,” Adam said. “Vic or no Vic. I love you.”
She placed her hand on top of his. “I can see my future as never before, here in Knights Bridge with you.” She nodded across the lake. “Look.”
“I see him.”
A bull moose stood in the marsh farther down the lake, his antlers casting a shadow on the still water.
Adam squeezed her hand. “Let’s go home,” he said softly.
That night, when he pull
ed the warm covers over them, she slipped her arms around him. Her husband. The man she loved. “Heather and Brody have to go back to England early,” she said.
“How early?”
“Tomorrow. Your grandmother doesn’t want to change her flight.”
He raised his head. “Gran can’t fly to London alone.”
“She insists she can.”
“She can’t,” he said, adamant. “It’s her first transatlantic flight. She’s got a bad knee. She forgets things.”
“Your brothers said much the same. She mentioned that you and I could fly to London with her and take a few days for a quick honeymoon.”
Adam hooked an arm around her and lifted her onto him. “And you said?”
“I said it was an intriguing idea. She said she doesn’t want to cramp our style. Eric was there. He said she would but we’d deal with it.”
“One of those times I agree with my big brother.”
“Then you’re okay with this?”
“More than okay. I was thinking we’d honeymoon somewhere warm over the winter, maybe in the dead of January when Knights Bridge is quiet for both of us.” He slid his hands over her hips. “But I like the idea of time with you now, too. Just the two of us.”
“There are a lot of old stone walls and bridges to see in England.”
“Then let’s book our flights,” he said, moving against her in such a way that talking became unnecessary, and then impossible.
* * *
Three days later, they were packed for London. Evelyn had packed before Thanksgiving. They’d drop her off with Heather and Brody, see where they lived and head out on their own. Adrienne had friends in the UK but she wouldn’t see them this trip. “This is my honeymoon,” she whispered to herself as she and Adam parked in front of Red Clover Inn to collect his plucky grandmother.
Evelyn was already on the front porch with her luggage. “I’ve been wanting to go to England since the end of World War II. I was a young girl, but I remember it.”
“You took your time,” Adam said.
“Yes, well, I did work, you know, and then along came six grandchildren. Then your grandfather died and I wasn’t sure I wanted to go to England without him. I remember I wanted to see Winston Churchill and Big Ben.”
“Churchill’s dead, Gran,” Eric said as he emerged from the house.
She sighed. “Yes, I know. I remember his funeral. It was before you were born. Heather said we can visit his war rooms. Aidan and Tyler were disappointed they didn’t get to see royalty. Heather and I will have a cracking good time. That’s a good English expression, isn’t it?” She was too excited about her trip to wait for an answer. “You two don’t need to fly back with me. I’ll be just fine.”
“We’ll meet you at Heathrow in a week,” Adam said.
Eric nodded. “We don’t want you wandering around Heathrow on your own. I don’t need a call from Scotland Yard.”
She rolled her eyes. “I promised my great-grandsons I’d bring them back something exciting. There are so many possibilities.”
“Keep in mind you have to get through security,” Adam said.
“You mean you all won’t help me smuggle the Loch Ness monster onto the plane? It’s in Scotland, anyway.” She sighed. “Next trip.”
Adrienne laughed. “You’ll have a great time, Evelyn.”
“I know I will. And you, too.” She took Adam’s hand. “Both of you.”
Twenty-Two
London, England
Dear Vic,
I don’t know how often you can get email. Evelyn tolerated the trip to London well. She’s staying with Heather and Brody while Adam and I go exploring. Everyone says hi. Adam and I are on our way to visit Lincoln Cathedral to look at rocks. Turns out he’s wanted to see it. Life is good.
Love,
Adrienne
Dear Adrienne,
We wandering Scarlattis have found a home in Knights Bridge. Life is good, indeed. I’ve amended our Knights Bridge cheat sheet:
Adam Sloan, married to Adrienne Portale, innkeeper
I added Olivia and Dylan’s baby, and I changed Greg and Charlotte to married. I’m guessing you’ll have to amend it again soon, though. I have good vibes about the two unattached Sloan brothers. Elly tells me Eric is seeing the woman he met at the wedding, and Christopher is seeing the owner of the cleaning service. She’s a dynamo, just what he needs.
And have you heard? Samantha and Justin are expecting. Aidan and Tyler are already thinking about what dinosaurs to give them.
Always something going on in Knights Bridge!
Love,
Vic
Dear Vic,
That’s all wonderful news! I’ll see you again soon on the shores of Echo Lake.
Love,
Adrienne
Dear Adrienne,
I’ll be home for Christmas. I think.
Now...shut off your phone. You’re on your honeymoon!
Love to you, and to Adam,
Vic
Dear Vic,
No wonder we get along. I’m on Adrienne’s phone. She’s shutting it off now.
Later,
Adam
When Adam handed her phone back to her, Adrienne switched it off. They climbed into their small rental car. “All set for today’s adventures?” he asked her.
She smiled. “All set. I’ve been reading up on the Lincoln Cathedral. It sounds fantastic. See? You did have a someday/maybe list.”
“I read about it on the plane.”
They both laughed as he started the car. Four more days of touring England together, and then home to Knights Bridge, their small New England town filled with adventures, secrets, surprises, family and friends.
Adrienne snapped on her seat belt and touched her wedding ring.
Life was good, indeed.
* * *
Author Note
Every time I return to little Knights Bridge, I can’t wait to see what this small town has in store. It’s a creation of my imagination, but I grew up in a similar town on the western edge of the Quabbin reservoir. My mother and oldest brother still live on our family homestead with its fields, woods, streams and old stone walls. And, now, moose! My brother runs into one from time to time, but they don’t bother each other. My six siblings and I love to take long walks in the woods on our family get-togethers. My daughter and two of my nephews got lost when they were kids, but they turned up safe and sound before we had to call a search party. Now my young grandchildren join us on walks in “the forest.”
As a kid, I’d climb a tree with paper and pen and spin stories on my favorite branch. I don’t climb trees anymore (despite temptation!), but I still love to spin stories as much as ever. A huge “thank you” to everyone at Harlequin for their support, insights, boundless creativity and tireless dedication to authors and readers. As both an author and a reader, I’m forever grateful. Special thanks to Nicole Brebner, my amazing and brilliant editor for five years. I’m a very fortunate writer.
Thanks for your time, and I hope you enjoyed Stone Bridges! To stay up to date with my goings-on, please visit my website at CarlaNeggers.com and sign up for my newsletter. I look forward to being in touch.
Turn the page for six brand-new Knights Bridge recipes. You can find printable versions on my website. You’ll also find recipes inspired by my Sharpe and Donovan series (scones, anyone?). Watch for Rival’s Break, FBI agents Emma Sharpe and Colin Donovan’s next high-stakes adventure. Enjoy, and happy reading!
Until next time,
Carla
CarlaNeggers.com
Recipes
APPLE CRISP
4 cups sliced, pared apples
¼ cup orange juice or lemon juice
½ cup butter, preferably unsalted
¾ cup all-purpose
flour or mixture of regular oats and flour
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
½ to 1 cup sugar, to taste
Preheat oven to 375º F. Butter a 9-inch pie plate. Place sliced apples in the pie plate and drizzle with orange or lemon juice. In a separate bowl, combine sugar, flour and spices. Cut in butter until mixture is crumbly and sprinkle on top of the apples.
Bake in preheated 375-degree oven for 45 minutes, or until apples are fork-soft and topping is browned. Serve warm or cold with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
PESTO
1½ cups fresh basil leaves
2 cloves garlic, split
¼ cup pine nuts
¾ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
¾ cup extra-virgin olive oil
Using a mortar and pestle, pound the basil leaves. Pound the garlic and pine nuts together with the basil. Add the Parmesan and blend to create a thick mixture. Slowly add the olive oil and, using a spoon, mix together. May substitute a food processor for the mortar and pestle; just don’t overbeat.
Drizzle olive oil over the top of the pesto, cover and refrigerate. May also freeze. Use in a variety of ways, e.g., with soup, baked potatoes, pasta and chicken.
HOT MULLED APPLE CIDER
2 quarts fresh apple cider
2–3 cinnamon sticks
1 teaspoon whole cloves
½ teaspoon whole allspice
¼ small orange
Dash nutmeg (optional)
Optional: ¼ cup brown sugar
Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Simmer for 20–30 minutes. Strain spices and serve. May combine spices into a cheesecloth to create a bag and simmer with the cider. May also heat the mulled cider in a slow cooker.
SWEET POTATOES WITH PECAN TOPPING
3 cups sweet potatoes, cooked and mashed
½ cup whole milk
Stone Bridges Page 28
