Page 27

Chapter Twenty-Seven

“Peace at last,” Alan groused with an audible sigh as he picked up the TV remote and settled into the recliner. He didn’t fool me with his fake complaints about the earlier pandemonium because I knew he loved our weekly family get-togethers.

I sat across from him on the sofa and put Liz’s day planner that I’d retrieved from the coffee table on my lap. Sophie, cuddling next to me, sniffed it with curiosity, then closed her eyes.

“We forgot to give Judy and Tom their souvenirs from Japan,” I muttered while he channel-surfed.

He glanced toward me. “Oops. I never gave it a thought. Do you realize this time last week we were halfway around the world? It doesn’t seem possible.”

“I know.” I smiled with the pleasant memory of our last evening with Michael and Suki. “Maybe we should invite Judy and Tom for supper some night this week so I can give them their gifts.”

Alan shrugged distractedly. “Or, we wait until we see them next Friday night.” He turned his attention back to a crime show he enjoyed.

I wasn’t as enthralled with the program since I didn’t like all of the blood and gore they showed, but I listened as I paged through Liz’s schedule. Eventually, I paid more attention to her record of activities than the television.

The first part of the year included flight arrangements and car rentals to and from Orlando. Activities in Florida involved golf and dining at a nearby country club, with occasional mentions of volunteer work at a local food bank.

“Liz and Ed Sterling were apparently snowbirds,” I noted.

“Uh-huh,” Alan replied, nodding.

“That’s probably why we never saw them,” I said. “I mean, they went to Florida for part of the year, although I don’t know if they owned a home there or just rented.”

I headed to the office for a notepad and pen so I could jot my questions for Clare, then continued reading. At the commercial, Alan padded to the kitchen for the package of cookies and poured himself a glass of milk. He offered to bring back something for me, though I declined.

“It must be nice,” I said when he returned. “They took a ten-day cruise from Cape Canaveral in February, then flew to Las Vegas at the end of March.”

“Jet-setters, huh?” Alan replied. He didn’t seem fazed.

“Looks like it, and loads of dinners with other couples. Ed’s business must have done quite well.”

Alan turned his attention to me during the next commercial. “When did they return from Florida?”

“End of May, although they took a river cruise in Europe at the beginning of July. That lasted several weeks. I wonder if Clare knew how much Liz traveled. ”

“She and her sister didn’t talk very often, so probably not. You should ask her.”

“I will,” I said, writing a note for myself. “From what I see, Liz and Ed lived lavishly, though not pretentiously. They held fundraisers for various charities, yet wined and dined themselves. I don’t get it.”

“It’s not that unusual, honey.” He gave me a quirky grin. “Once we make our first million bucks, we’ll take a cruise, too. Heck, we just got back from a trip to Japan.”

I laughed at his expression. “See that? We’re part of the Aspen Notch elite, not that I want such a reputation. I’m happy the way we are.”

He smiled with contentment. “Me, too.”

^^^

Alan drifted into slumber as the next show started. Rather than wake him, I continued reading Liz’s activities, especially those after Ed’s sudden death at the end of August. I could only imagine her struggle to arrange his funeral and the luncheon afterward, though I suspected the funeral home handled much of that.

The ringtone on my phone startled me, and I wondered who would be calling me after ten o’clock. Caller ID identified my dear sister, Laura, and I connected as I walked to the sunroom.

“Well, stranger,” I teased. “You’re not easy to reach.”

“I’m sorry.” She paused, taking a deep breath. “I have a lot going on.”

I figured she and Liz Sterling had some things in common. “You’re running a fundraiser at the country club?” I asked.

“We had that in August, and raised enough money to buy a new fleet of golf carts. So, that’s all good, but my personal life is in shambles.”

That didn’t surprise me, though I wanted to be supportive. “Would you like to talk about it?”

She took another deep breath. “I’m sure Dick’s having an affair, and I’ve hired a private investigator to prove it. If he thinks I’ll let him off easy, he’s got another thought coming.”

I didn’t know what to say. Dick was Laura’s third husband, though I’d never met him, but she’d stayed with him the longest. “Do you want to come here for a visit? Maybe you’d like time away to think about it.”

“I might.” She paused, thinking. “No, he’d bring that bimbo to my home while I’m gone. Honestly, I think he did that while I was busy with the fundraiser because I found evidence.”

I didn’t want those details, so I diffused the situation. “That sounds horrible, but you know you’re welcome here. Did you get my postcard from Japan? I mailed it at the San Francisco airport.”

“When did you go there?”

“At the beginning of September. My son, Michael, married a sweet Japanese girl he worked with. They’re going to move to California, but she wanted a traditional wedding, so Alan and I went there.”

“Wow! You’re really getting around. Did Alexa go, too?”

“Yes, she and Jack went, but not their kids. It was definitely the trip of a lifetime.”

“That’s nice, Sue. How’s your garden shop?”

“We’re doing well.” I told her about Lydia and Kareen whom I’d hired as assistants, and the upcoming Harvest Gala which they’d manage for me. I didn’t mention the investigative case that had Alan and me stymied because the missing person reminded me of her.

“Good to hear, Sue. You sound happy and I’m glad for you.” Her voice had a wistful quality, which didn’t happen very often.

“Thanks, though we can credit that to all of the wonderful people who surround me. I’d love for you to come stay with us for a while.”

“I’ll think about it,” she promised before begging off. “Dick is waiting for me, so I have to go. I’ll be in touch.”

She disconnected and I sat mulling in the darkened room. Her abrupt end to our conversation didn’t surprise me. She often did that whenever we finally connected, making me feel that other people or things were higher priorities. I wondered if I did that to her, as well.

I hadn’t been very present to Evelyn Sandler since Alan and I returned from Japan. I considered her my best friend in Aspen Notch, and I felt sure she understood when I couldn’t devote time to her.

Pangs of guilt pestered me but, according to my phone’s clock, it was too late to call her. I’d reach out in the morning to see if she’d like to join me in the garden shop, at least for a little while. I could also pick her brain for ways to convince my sister to come visit me.

I heard Alan letting Sophie out before bedtime, so I went to join him. “That was my sister, Laura. She thinks Dick is cheating on her.”

“Is that her fourth husband?”

“Third, but he probably won’t last too much longer. She’s already hired a P.I. to catch his infidelity.”

Alan raised an eyebrow before calling Sophie in. Obviously ready, she sashayed through the open door and headed to the bedroom while he closed and locked it. We both found it funny that she had a set pattern from which she rarely deviated.

“I guess it’s time for bed,” Alan said with a chuckle as he flipped out the lights. He yawned before adding, “Why don’t you invite Laura for a visit?”

“I did. and she’s thinking about it.”

As we walked together to the bedroom, I thanked my lucky stars for the wonderful man who happened to cross my path. I had no doubt that we’d spend the rest of our lives together.