The Maestro (Cold Hollow Mysteries Book 3) (11 page)

When everyone was full, they each chose their favorite, and Myrna’s won out. Carrot cake was unusual to serve at a wedding, but Maurice insisted. He said it was the moistest and would not weigh people down after their meals. He wanted the guests to be able to dance and enjoy the evening. So it was settled. Myrna noticed that Maurice settled many things.

***

Delilah sat at the pizzeria, patiently waiting for Reginald to finish his meal. She had eaten two slices and was full. He had asked her if she wanted a beer or glass of wine afterward at the local tavern, but she declined. She glanced at him. “The fresh air here is making me tired. I’m not accustomed to it.”

Not only that, but she had tolerated his constant questioning long enough. He wanted all kinds of information about her and her family. She kept it simple and gave little detail into the nature of the family business but divulged what she considered to be common knowledge. He tried to get intimate details, such as her cell phone number, but she declined by using the excuse that the cell phones were useless in this town, so why bother. He didn’t comment. She sensed something about him but couldn’t put her finger on it. He was a good-looking creature, of that she was sure. He was also well built and had beautiful teeth. As she stared at him, she curiously wondered what his teeth would look like filed down to sharklike points. She was startled when it dawned on her; it was a dark thought. Her right hand opened and closed as though reaching out and grasping air. Her father’s hand was not there to hold hers. She swallowed hard and stood abruptly.

“I require you to drive me home now. I’m beyond exhausted from hiking and all the fresh air.”

He threw some cash on the table next to the bill and escorted her out the door and to his car. They talked on the way to the Bed and Breakfast, but she kept wishing he would drive faster. Then she wondered what he would look like with his face smashed up against the steering wheel, gushing blood. Her right hand kept flexing open and closed during the entire ride. As they pulled up in front of the place where she was staying, he asked, “Are we still on for Thursday night?”

“Yes.” She leaned over, pecked his cheek in thanks, and opened her door. Reginald curiously watched as she ran up the steps and through the front door.

Delilah took the steps up to her floor two at a time; she was near panic when she reached her destination. She unlocked it and rushed to the floor’s common room. She found her father sitting in a lounge chair, watching a television program, and ran toward the accompanying chair. She reached out and grasped his hand in hers, and he watched her close her eyes. “Talk me down, Father.”

He took her special glass in his other hand and softly said, “Drink this first.”

Her eyes popped open; she reached out with her free hand and downed her special drink. He watched as her breathing became regulated and her body relaxed and she sat back in the chair. He pushed a sedative toward her on the end table and said, “I think you did well for your first time out on your own with a man. Now, tell me about your dark urges.”

She noticed a glass of water next to her nighttime pill, so she popped the pill in her mouth, downed it with some water, and confessed what she wanted to do to Reginald.

“Was his company that intolerable?”

She shook her head. “No, but he kept trying to pry into family information. Other than that, the date was mediocre. I wouldn’t call it insufferable.”

“What did you sense about him that made your dark urges rise?”

Her eyes bore into his, and she said one word, “Menace.” Actually, the more she contemplated the notion, the more she was convinced he oozed the stuff.

Maurice grinned. “Will you be seeing him again?”

She grimaced. “Yes, Thursday evening.”

CHAPTER 12

The family met at Myrna and Tom’s. It was officially apple-picking season, and they all dressed for the occasion. They would stop at Alice and Wally Dumont’s stand to pick up their supplies of maple syrup on their way.

They got into their respective vehicles and made their way down Main Street toward the Dumonts’. Myrna was aghast at Adam’s enthusiasm for the maple syrup and watched as he bought two gallons and loaded them into the back of Maurice’s vehicle. Liam was busy eyeballing the sugar candy, and Maurice bought him some, but only if he promised to eat an apple later to cleanse the sugar from his teeth. Liam agreed, and soon they were making their way to orchards, where Liam conducted the tour. It was a perfect fall day. It was still warm, and the skies were clear and a crisp blue. Not a cloud could be seen. A slight breeze ran through the orchard, but it was refreshing. The trees were laden with ripe fruit, and the bees were buzzing about. Artie was working in the barn. He poked his head out of the doors to see what they were picking and shouted, “Hey, Myrna! The pears are ready too!”

She shouted back, “I’ll get some, don’t worry. Do you have any plums left?”

“I sure do! I’ll put a bag aside for you.”

“Thanks, Artie.”

They watched as he tripped on his way back into the barn. Tom chuckled and shook his head. “His eyesight is fine now, and he still trips. I’m convinced he’s just a klutz.”

Maurice stood with Liam on his shoulders so he could get the best apples at the top. He commented, “He’s an odd little fellow, isn’t he, Myrna?”

Myrna smiled as she watched Liam pick an armful and hand them down to Delilah and Adam, who were holding the bags. “He’s odd all right, but Tom’s right, he’s a bit of a klutz. He’s also twitchy.”

“Is his parole up?”

“Yes, but he loves it here and wants to stay. He’s also infatuated with my friend Amanda.”

“What were his crimes?”

“Maurice, I feel comfortable divulging family matters to you, but I don’t feel comfortable divulging anyone else’s. Everyone here is happy now and rehabilitated.”

Maurice chuckled and elbowed Adam. “Do you hear that, Adam? They are all completely rehabilitated.”               He waved his hand in the air as though he were holding a magic wand.

Myrna blinked and stuttered, “Wuh-well, most of them are!”

Maurice turned slightly to Adam. “I swear, Adam, if she gets any cuter I’m going to be forced to pinch her cheeks!”

Tom, Adam, and Maurice laughed as Myrna stalked away, stating she was going to go and get her plums from Artie. She heard the laughter go up a notch.

She entered the barn to find Artie bagging her purchase. She noticed he’d picked a good-looking batch for her, and she walked the aisles of his jarred preserves. She was low on a few of them at the bakery and placed her order. Artie assured her that his hired hand would deliver them to Donnie on Monday morning.

As she paid for her items, she asked, “Are you and Amanda all set for the wedding Friday evening?”

Artie smiled. “Yep. My Amanda is going to look gorgeous; I just know it. She’s getting her hair done on Thursday at the salon, and she made me an appointment to get my hair styled at the barber at the same time.”

Myrna giggled. “How cute, a dual makeover. Are you getting a manicure too, Artie?”

He laughed and shooed her out of the barn. As she exited, she noticed Fran had joined the group, who were now in the pear orchard. She deposited her purchase in their vehicle and returned to her family.

When lunchtime arrived, they loaded into their vehicles and headed to Myrna’s. Fran was invited to join them. At first, she declined, but Adam gave her a sad-puppy-dog expression, and she caved in. As they were pulling out of the orchards, Artie came running over with an extra bag of apples. Myrna unrolled her window, and he passed them through while stating, “These are for Liam to feed the deer. I don’t usually sell any that drop to the ground, so here you go.”

Liam shouted from the backseat, “Thanks, Uncle Artie!”

“You’re welcome, champ. Between me and you, we’ll keep those deer fat and happy.”

“You bet we will!”

They waved good-bye and headed home. As they pulled into their driveway, they saw delivery boxes piled high in front of their door. Myrna’s mouth dropped open and snapped shut. “What the heck is all that?”

Tom put the vehicle in park and answered, “It’s probably something my father is up to.”

“But the post office doesn’t usually work on the weekends, Tom.”

“They sure as hell will if it’s special delivery.”

Myrna got Liam out of the backseat as Tom unloaded their purchases and went to the front door to unlock it.

Myrna watched as Adam parked the vehicle and everyone got out. Maurice went straight for the packages and inspected each one. He turned to Adam. “These will need to go to Robert’s restaurant later.”

Adam nodded. “You got it, boss.”

Maurice turned to Myrna. “Delilah and I have devised something special to decorate the banquet hall. I fear it will keep us busy a few days this week.”

Delilah ran over to the boxes and jumped as she turned to Myrna. “You are going to love it! I got some ideas from Becky when we were at the nursery and…oh, I can’t wait to begin!” Maurice noticed she was shaking in excitement and chuckled as he pulled her into the house for lunch. It was clearly time for her medicine.

Fran and Delilah helped Myrna put out a light buffet of lunch meats, rolls, condiments, and salads. Tom handled the drinks and before long, they were all satiated. Maurice had just provided Delilah with her special drink when they heard pounding on the back door. Ranger Hugo Morrissey was standing there, grinning.

Myrna rushed to let him in, and he stared at Liam. “Are you ready, buddy? We have a new family of deer out there that are hungry.”

Liam leapt from his seat and grabbed the bag of apples that Artie had given him. “You bet. Can my Aunt Delilah come too?” He pointed at her.

“She sure can, if she wants to.” Hugo introduced himself to everyone, and before long, the three of them were off to feed the deer.

Adam and Fran excused themselves to deliver the boxes to Robert’s restaurant, and soon it was just Myrna, Tom, and Maurice.

Myrna sat at the table, yawned, and rubbed her eyes. Tom nudged her. “Are you tired?” She nodded, and he said, “Go upstairs and take a nap. I’ll entertain my father.”

She excused herself, and the men waited until they heard the upstairs bedroom door shut. Maurice leaned over to Tom. “I believe your intended is with child, Thomas. I heard her retching upstairs before we went to the orchards. When we go out to eat, she doesn’t eat enough to keep a mouse alive.” He placed his forefinger to his lips and whispered, “It does not fall in line with my rules of courting, but considering the predicament you have been in for the last few years, I cannot blame you.” He glanced at the staircase and said, “She’s a divine woman, much like your mother. It takes a special type of female to know our family secrets and continue to be loyal.”

Tom whispered back, “So you think she’s like mother was? I only ask because Myrna does have a temper, Father. I don’t remember mother ever raising her voice.”

Maurice’s eyes went wide, and he began chuckling. When he calmed down, he said, “Your mother had a temper that could blow the gates of hell wide open.” He patted Tom’s arm. “I adored her. She never displayed her fiery side in front of children.”

Tom’s expression pinched in concentration, and Maurice watched a slight grin appear. He leaned in again, whispering, “Perhaps we can go into town and get one of those kits? That way, on Friday evening, we may have two great occasions to celebrate.”

Tom smiled and nodded, and the two men bolted for the front door after leaving a note for Myrna. Tom had come up with many excuses for Myrna’s recent behavior—stress from the wedding, a typical sour stomach—but when he remembered her recent mood swings, he knew hormones were at play. What harm would it be to get an early pregnancy test?

***

On Monday morning, Tom had to go to the hospital for the chief’s physical and to make sure he had the blood work done. He didn’t take long and was home within an hour. He walked through the door, grumbling, and Myrna laughed. “Let me guess,” she said, “he’s as healthy as an ox, and you couldn’t find a thing.”

Tom frowned. “He’s a phenomenon. His weight is perfect for his height, his reflexes are exceptional, and he doesn’t show signs of arthritis or any other age-related illnesses.” He shook his head and continued, “I don’t know what the blood work will reveal, but so far, I’ve got nothing to pick on him about.”

Myrna smiled. “Perhaps he was right. Perhaps he’s just a man who likes good food.”

Tom went up the stairs to change into comfortable clothing and grumbled the entire way.

For the remainder of the week, chores for the wedding were divided among the group. Maurice and Delilah were in charge of decorating the banquet room at the restaurant, with Becky Macy providing and arranging the flowers. Each day, they begged Myrna in one fashion or another to take the early pregnancy test, but she refused. She was focused on the wedding but promised to take the test after the celebration and announce the results to the entire family. Adam was in charge of monitoring the change of shifts of the police department, their meal breaks, and regular routines at Maurice’s behest.

Throughout the week, they all took turns bringing Liam to school and picking him up. He loved never knowing which family member would show up and would become more excited with each passing day. Myrna had cleared this with the principal in advance.

On Thursday, the men of the wedding party went to the barbershop for hot shaves, hair trimming, and even manicures. They later picked up their tuxes. The women of the wedding party went to the hair salon for an afternoon of pampering. They received manicures, pedicures, and hairstyles, and mainly spoke of the wedding and town gossip. They then collected their gowns from the town seamstress. Myrna presented her bridesmaids with necklace and earring sets to match their gowns, along with beaded purses. They fell in love with the gifts. Everyone joined for a rehearsal brunch at Robert’s and, as predicted, Maurice instructed the wedding party of their duties and position in line. Myrna complained because she wasn’t allowed into the banquet hall but let the matter be when Maurice scowled at her.

***

Delilah primped her hair and makeup for her date and chose another casual outfit to wear. When the greeter at the desk downstairs rang her that Reginald had arrived to pick her up, she pocketed her trusty file, kissed her father good-bye, and headed down the stairs. Reginald escorted her to his car, opened the passenger-side door for her, and afterward got behind the wheel. “Where should we go, Delilah? There’s not a whole lot to do in this town at night.”

She shrugged. “I like Robert’s restaurant on Main Street. Afterward, we can go for a short hike again. The forest ranger showed me a new trail that’s loaded with deer.”

He blushed and confessed, “Robert’s restaurant is great, but it’s too pricey. I’m afraid I’m not earning enough yet at the farm. Do you mind if we go to the tavern? They have some homemade dishes that aren’t half bad.”

Delilah wasn’t picky, but she had a feeling the food would be horrendous. She offered to split the bill at Robert’s, but Reginald wouldn’t hear of it. So he headed in the direction of the local tavern.